May 19, 2024
What is Worship?
Series: (All)
“Worship” is one of those words that will bring you various definitions, depending on who you ask. Some will tell you it’s an attitude that you should have, either in church or in all of life. Others will talk about a wonderful “worship service” they attended – pointing to worship as something that is done in groups. Still others relegate worship to the musical portion of a church service, perhaps led by the Worship Pastor.
Worship is more than the songs we sing at church, though it includes them. Our worship is to be directed towards God, but, it is done together with others as well. There are 3 primary texts that we’ll look at as we worship:
- Our Worship Should Be Filled with Joyful Praise and Reverent Adoration (Ps. 95:1-7)
- Our Worship Should Come from Our Whole Selves – Heart & Mind (John 4:23-24)
- Our Worship Should be Combined with That of Others to Bring God a Variety of Praise (Eph. 5:19-20)
Let’s come together with everything we have to praise the Lord – He is Worthy of Our Worship!
Selected Scripture
May 19, 2024
To watch the video of this message, click here.
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- May 19, 2024What is Worship?
May 19, 2024What is Worship?Series: (All)“Worship” is one of those words that will bring you various definitions, depending on who you ask. Some will tell you it’s an attitude that you should have, either in church or in all of life. Others will talk about a wonderful “worship service” they attended – pointing to worship as something that is done in groups. Still others relegate worship to the musical portion of a church service, perhaps led by the Worship Pastor.Worship is more than the songs we sing at church, though it includes them. Our worship is to be directed towards God, but, it is done together with others as well. There are 3 primary texts that we’ll look at as we worship:
- Our Worship Should Be Filled with Joyful Praise and Reverent Adoration (Ps. 95:1-7)
- Our Worship Should Come from Our Whole Selves – Heart & Mind (John 4:23-24)
- Our Worship Should be Combined with That of Others to Bring God a Variety of Praise (Eph. 5:19-20)
Let’s come together with everything we have to praise the Lord – He is Worthy of Our Worship!Selected ScriptureMay 19, 2024To watch the video of this message, click here. - May 12, 2024Taking a Walk with Mom
May 12, 2024Taking a Walk with MomSeries: Mother's DayI think we all realize the importance of teaching small children – hopefully we see this as both an opportunity and responsibility. It’s not just what a child may learn in school that is important, but what they learn and home and at church as well. Moms are at the forefront of this, but every Christian can provide positive influence in the life of a child. Jesus called us to make disciples and teach them. That’s not just true of adults, but children as well.The Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Tim. 3:12-17 show us 5 things which all Christians ought to know. But, these are also things which we should be passing down to the children in our lives, whether you are mother, a father, a grandparent, a Sunday School teacher, a mentor, or just a Christian friend.While Paul’s words are instructive for all of us, I’m going to take what he says here and focus it on the kids this morning. Here are the 5 things we’ll see in this passage: 1) Warn Kids that Sincere Faith Will Sometimes Be Opposed; 2) Give Kids a Solid Foundation; 3) Teach Kids to be Scripture Focused; 4) Lead Kids to Salvation Through Faith; 5) Show Kids They are Equipped to Serve Freely.Encourage children to be faithful to God & His Word as they walk through this life.2 Timothy 3:12-17May 12, 2024Mother's DayTo watch the video of this message, click here.
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- Apr 28, 2024Justice & Judgment
Apr 28, 2024Justice & JudgmentSeries: DanielTrust is a part of life, something we do in large and small ways throughout each day. Some people and some things we trust without question, others we find it difficult to have any trust in. Where does God fall on that spectrum for you? Do you trust God? I expect that most of us would say “yes.” And let’s be honest, it’s easy to trust God when things are going well and our prayers are being answered the way we want. But, what about when things are hard? Do you still trust God then?Daniel seems to have had remarkable trust in God. As we look through the details of Daniel 6:19-24, I want us to back out the focus and ask ourselves 3 questions about trusting God: 1) Do We Trust God When He Allows Bad Things Happen to Us? 2) Do We Trust God to Discern Between the Innocent and the Guilty? 3) Do We Trust God to Show Justice in His Judgments?Trust God to work out His will for your life.Daniel 6:19-24Apr. 28, 2024To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Apr 21, 2024The Cost of Commitment
Apr 21, 2024The Cost of CommitmentSeries: DanielIt can be challenging to live a life committed to the Lord. Not only do we struggle to consistently choose God’s way over our way, we also find that the world around us doesn’t always affirm or encourage our obedience to the Lord. In fact, there are many ways in which our culture stands opposed to Biblical values. Still, God calls us to remain committed to obedience nonetheless.It is clear that Daniel had made up his mind in advance that he would serve the Lord no matter what. In Dan. 6:10-18, we can find 3 encouragements to strive for obedience to the Lord: 1) Keep Your Commitment to the Lord, Even if it Changes Nothing; 2) Stand Firm in the Face of Slanderous Accusations; 3) Live with Courage, Even if it Costs You Everything.Dedicate yourself to obedience, even before the difficulties come.Daniel 6:10-18Apr. 21, 2024To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Apr 14, 2024Walking Through the Minefield
Apr 14, 2024Walking Through the MinefieldSeries: DanielThroughout his long life in Babylon Daniel faced difficult choices and the temptation to do what everyone else was doing. In spite of this, he demonstrated remarkable consistency in living rightly before the Lord. Daniel gives us an example worthy of imitation.In Daniel 6:1-9 there are 3 things we can glean from Daniel’s life without him even saying a word: 1) Wherever God Has You, Give it Your Best; 2) Godly Character Gives No Ground of Accusation; and 3) Right Living Can Attract a Wrong Response from the World.Be blameless as you live for the Lord.Daniel 6:1-9Apr. 14, 2024To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Apr 7, 2024Lost in Translation
Apr 7, 2024Lost in TranslationSeries: DanielKing Belshazzar was partying like he didn’t have a care in the world, when suddenly a hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall. No one, not the king, nor his guests, not even his wise men could understand what it meant. Enter Daniel, who read and interpreted the message to speak of God's coming judgment on Belshazzar and his rule.There are at least three things illustrated by this passage which we would do well to understand: 1) Empty Flattery Doesn’t Fool God; 2) Pay Attention to the Warnings of God’s Judgment; 3) Daniel Proclaimed Wrath, We Are to Preach Repentance.A carefree present doesn’t guarantee a consequence free future.Daniel 5:13-31Apr. 7, 2024To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Mar 31, 2024What Are You Waiting For?
Mar 31, 2024What Are You Waiting For?Series: EasterWe hate to wait. It’s just not something we typically enjoy in our fast paced western culture, particularly not in California. Most probably feel that waiting is nothing but a waste of time.On Easter we celebrate the day the Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and left the tomb empty. And, since that glorious day, we’ve been waiting… waiting for His return… waiting for the trumpet to sound and for Christ to descend with a shout and gather God’s children to Himself.In this message, we're going to talk about waiting: 1) Waiting for the Wrong Thing; 2) Waiting for the Wrong Reason; 3) Waiting in the Right Way.We need to actively wait as we anticipate our Lord’s return.Selected ScriptureMar. 31, 2024Easter SundayTo watch the video of this message, click here.
- Mar 24, 2024Hosanna!
Mar 24, 2024Hosanna!Series: EasterThe Sunday before Passover was a week of much activity in Jerusalem. Thousands of people were coming into the city. Merchants were getting ready for the influx of visitors and the religious leaders were preparing for the Passover.Into this scene came Jesus riding on a donkey. The people were joyous and sang, "Hosanna!" Join us in this study of Matthew 21:1-11 as we learn the Meaning and Message of Hosanna.When our hearts cry out in faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our salvation is given to us as a gift of God.Matthew 21:1-11Mar. 24, 2024To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Mar 17, 2024The Wrong Kind of Surprise Party
Mar 17, 2024The Wrong Kind of Surprise PartySeries: DanielWe usually think of surprise parties as a good or pleasant thing – surprising a loved one on their birthday, or for an anniversary, or retirement, or something worthy of celebration. However, not all surprises are a good thing. We see a sobering example of that in Daniel 5:1-12.Belshazzar, the new king of Babylon, give us an example which amounts to the ABC's of what not to do: 1) We Need to Avoid an Arrogant Attitude; 2) Beware of Blasphemous Behavior; and understand that 3) Committing Sin Carries Consequences.Don’t deny the Lord with your life, live for Him.Daniel 5:1-12Mar. 17, 2024To watch the video of this message, click here.
