FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE // Sunday, April 6, 2025 // Jeff Hines, leader pastor

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Sunday, April 6, 2025

 

Faith, Hope and Love

 

The Great Commandment

(Love God & Love People)

 

Mark 12: 29 – 31 (NLT)

   “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

 

The Great Commission

 

Matthew 28: 18 – 20 (NLT)

    Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

The process of Faith, Hope & Love

 

Colossians 1: 3 - 5 (NLT)

    We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, 5 which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

 

The process begins with HOPE.

1.              Gas Guage 

2.              Hunger 

3.              Restroom

Hope leads to FAITH.

4.              Billboard

Faith leads to LOVE.

5.              Truck Stop

The power of the Gospel

 

Colossians 1: 5 - 8 (NIV)

   …the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world — just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.  

 

·       The gospel is True.

·       The gospel is Universal.

·       The gospel is Spreading / Growing.

·       The gospel is Personal…

               It’s delivered by people!

What is the Gospel?

1.              Who made us?

To whom are we accountable?

We are accountable to God.

2.              What is our problem?

Our problem is OUR sin against Him.

3.              What is God’s solution to our problem?

Salvation through Jesus Christ.

4.              How can I be included in His solution?

We come to be included in that salvation by faith and repentance.

 

The Three Circles 

The Three Circles in Action

 

Step Out Of Your Tent pt 2 // Sunday, March 30, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, March 30, 2025

 

Step Out of Your Tent II

 

Genesis 15: 5 (NLT)

   Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

 

Take an honest self-assessment

 

Discerning God’s Will

 

1.              God’s will is not a feeling.

       

2.              God’s will is not a formula.

 

3.              God’s will is a friendship.

 

God’s will is a long-term process to

make us like Jesus… 

 

The right attitude is FAITH!

 

God’s will is challenging

 

2 Corinthians 11: 23 - 29 (NIV)

    …I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,  26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

 

We are concerned about our needs.

 

Matthew 6: 33 (NASB)

   …seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.

 

God’s will is for us to mature.

 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

 

Colossians 1: 9 (NIV)

   For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.  We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.

 

Knowledge:  epignōsis - 

Spiritual Intelligence

 

Wisdom:  Sophia –

God’s insight into human life

 

Understanding:  synesis -

The practical application of that wisdom

 

God’s will is that we would live a life worthy and pleasing to Him.

 

Colossians 1: 10 (NIV)

      So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: 

   bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

 

 Bearing Fruit

 

Growing in knowledge of God.

                

Ephesians 2: 20 (KJV)

   Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

 

Colossians 1: 11 (NIV)

Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. 

 

Being strengthened with God’s power.

 

 

Signs of God’s empowerment:

 

·       Patience:  Applies to people.

 

·       Endurance:  Applies to problems.

 

Colossians 1: 12 (NIV)

 …giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 

 

STEP OUT OF YOUR TENT // Sunday, March 23, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, March 23, 2025

 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

 

Step Out of Your Tent

 

Genesis 15: 5 (NLT)

   Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

 

Take an honest self-assessment

 

Ephesians 1: 1 (NASB)

   Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…

 

Romans 12: 3 (NLT)

   Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

 

1 Timothy 1: 15 (NLT)

   This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ”— and I am the worst of them all.

                                                              

Philippians 3: 17 (NLT)

   Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

 

Ephesians 5: 15 – 17 (NLT)

   …Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

 

Discerning God’s Will

 

1.              God’s will is not a feeling.

         (The mystical approach)

 

Jeremiah 17: 9 (ESV)

   The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

 

 

2.              God’s will is not a formula.

(The mechanical approach)

 

a.              Formulas often contradict one a another.

 

b.              Formulas must be followed to perfection.

 

3.              God’s will is a friendship.

 

1 Corinthians 1: 9 (ESV)

   God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Our perspective can hinder God’s will

 

1.              Don’t be fatalistic about God’s will.

 

Healthy People Grow…

 

John 7: 17 (NLT)

    Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.

 

2.              Don’t be fearful of God’s will.

 

Ephesians 2: 10 (ESV)

   …we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

 

3.              Don’t be frustrated with God’s will.

 

God’s will is a long-term process.

 

The purpose of the process is to makes us like Jesus.

 

Colossians 1: 28 (ESV)

   Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,

   that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

 

 

 

                                                                       

FAITH // Sunday, March 16, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, March 16, 2025

 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

 

FAITH

 

John 3: 16 (KJV)

   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

Matthew 7: 21 (ESV)

   Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,

   but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

 

James 2: 14 (NLT)

   What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

 

F:  Follow Christ’s example.

 

John 13: 17 (NLT)

   Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

 

John 8: 12 (NLT)

   Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

 

Matthew 7: 24 (NLT)

   Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

 

A:  Accept God’s grace.

 

Romans 3: 22 (NLT)

   We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.

   And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

 

Romans 5: 17 (NIV)

   For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

 

Mark 10: 15 (NLT)

   I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.

 

I: Invest my life in Him.

 

Romans 6: 13 (NLT)

   Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.  Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.

 

2 Timothy 2: 15 (NLT)

    Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

 

T:  Trust in God’s wisdom and strength.

 

Colossians 2: 6 (ESV)

   Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.

 

Philippians 4: 13 (NLT)

   For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

 

H:  Hold on to God’s promises.

 

Hebrews 6: 18 (NLT)

   … it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

 

Romans 8: 38 & 39 (NLT)

   I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.   39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

THE WORD BECAME FLESH pt 4 // Sunday, March 9, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, March 9, 2025 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

  

The Word Became Flesh

 

John 1: 1 – 18 (ESV)

   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

   and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.  12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.  15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)   16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

 

Incarnate –

 

Jesus was BOTH human and divine!

 

Kenosis –

 

Divinity put on Humanity – Body

Gnosticism

 

Physical is Evil             Divine is Good

Nag Hammadi codices

Divinity put on Humanity – Mind

Apollinarianism

 

Apollinaris of Laodicea

 

Jesus had a human Body and a sensitive human soul, but a Divine Mind and not a human rational Mind

 

Hebrews 4: 15 (ESV)

… we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

 

Humanity                      Divinity

  Tested                        Without Sin

Tempted

 

Divinity put on Humanity – Will

 

Matthew 26: 39 (ESV)

   …going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

 

St. Gregory in his letter to Cledonius

 

That which is not taken up (or assumed) is not healed.

 

That which is united to God, that will be saved.

 

If half of Adam fell, also half will be taken up and saved. But if all [of Adam], all of his nature will be united [to God], and all of it will be saved.

 

Why does Christology matter?

 

Romans 7: 15 – 17 (NLT)

    I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

 

Romans 8: 1 - 4 (ESV)

   There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

MAXIMIZE YOUR NEW YEAR // Sunday, December 29, 2024 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, December 29, 2024

 

Maximize Your New Year

 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

 

Proverbs 17: 24 (NASB)

    Wisdom is in the presence of one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

 

Steps for having a fruitful New Year:

 

  1. Take responsibility for your life

 

Proverbs 22:13 (NASB)

The lazy one says, “There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!”

 

Galatians 6: 5 (NASB)

  For each one will bear his own load.

 

  1. Have confidence that you can grow / mature.

 

Ephesians 2: 10 (NLT)

   For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

  1. Clarify your priorities.

 

Proverbs 34: 3 & 4 (NLT)

   …’The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’
   4 So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

 

1 Corinthians 10: 23 (NASB)

   All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things build people up.

 

  1. Act now.

 

Ecclesiastes 11: 4 (NASB)

  One who watches the wind will not sow and one who looks at the clouds will not harvest.

 

Personal Development Goals

 

Luke 2: 52 (ESV)

    Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

 

  1. Intellectual: What do I want to learn?

 

Probers 19: 8 (ESV)

   Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.

 

  1. Physical: What will improve my health?

 

Proverbs 17: 22 (ESV)

   A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

 

  1. Spiritual: What will deepen my relationship with God?

 

2 Peter 3: 18 (ESV)

   …grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

 

  1. Social: What will my ministry be to others?

 

1 Peter 4: 10 (ESV)

   …each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.

 

Ephesians 6: 10 (ESV)

   Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.