Bridgebuilders
Healthy, Focused, Growing
February 12, 2023 • Bryan Fojtasek • Ephesians 4:1–17
Ephesians 4 paints a beautiful picture of what life in the church ought to be like. We should be equipping each other for ministry, building each other up, pursuing unity and maturity and inviting in the full measure of Christ. The church is functioning well when everyone is willing to do their part of the their work. The whole point of studying unity together is uniting behind our common goal--loving God, loving our neighbors, and making disciples. In this message we share three important words for 2023--Healthy, Focused, and Growing--and highlight a few ways we can make a kingdom impact.
Why Do Christians Disagree?
February 5, 2023 • Bryan Fojtasek • James 1:19–27
Christians from different backgrounds worship the same God and read the same Bible. But they don't always agree on everything the Bible says. Why is this? In this message, we turn to James 1 to discover the importance of knowing God's word as best we can while also showing humility and kindness to others who see things differently. We also explore some of the practical reasons why Christians can read the same Bible but end up with different conclusions about what it means.
Understanding (Fact vs. Fiction)
January 29, 2023 • Bryan Fojtasek • Proverbs 18
"Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." -Proverbs 18:2. "Understanding" refers to taking the time to patiently and prayerfully separate fact from fiction, which is especially important when we begin talking about tough Scriptural matters or controversial things that people have done or said. Our commitment to the truth should motivate us to be very discerning about what we share with others and what we accept as truth.
The Right Approach to Disagreements
January 22, 2023 • Bryan Fojtasek
In Romans 14, Paul is writing to a church that was splitting into factions over Scriptural issues. Although he has a clear stance on which side is right, his emphasis is to help the church navigate the differences in a Christ-like way.
The Mission of the Church
January 8, 2023 • Bryan Fojtasek
The mission of the church is too important to let the Devil distract us with infighting. Jesus teaches us that our top priorities are loving God, loving others, and making disciples. Satan wants to sabotage our attitude towards church and turn us inward so that we neglect our mission. In this message, we emphasize the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and the mission he gave the church.