 In the book of Judges, there is a recurring cycle of sin and rebellion. And unfortunately, it's a cycle familiar to many of us:
The key principle is this: 'Without trust, we go bust!' This statement highlights the fundamental issue faced by God's chosen people – a persistent lack of trust leading to disobedience. The Lord speaks clearly and simply to His people: obedience is the evidence of trust in the Lord. It shows faith in His ability to fulfill His promises. When we obey God's commands, we express our trust in His promise-keeping nature. However, when the Israelites disobeyed God, it displayed a lack of trust. They believed that their way was superior to God's way, leading them into sin and rebellion. One significant consequence of Israel's disobedience was God no longer driving out their enemies from the land. The Canaanites and Amorites became constant thorns in their side, their idols a continuous temptation. Their disobedience wasn't due to a lack of power, but rather a lack of trust and faith. The Israelites didn't seek God's help; they attempted to handle things on their own. They fell short, not due to a lack of strength but a lack of faith and trust. Likewise, you must ask yourself about the "Canaanites" in your life - the sinful things that you need to drive out. You can either follow Israel's example and allow these sins to pull you away from Jesus, becoming your own worst enemy, or you can trust Jesus fully, admitting your inability to conquer sin on your own. You must allow Christ's power, through His Spirit in you, to drive out your idols. The consequences of disobedience are devastating, as we see in Judges 2:10-15. Israel neither knew the Lord nor acknowledged Him. They served the idols of Baal, forgetting the God that had saved them. Like them, you can easily fall into the trap of "FOMO" – the fear of missing out – chasing after the world's fleeting pleasures, only to discover that such pursuits are ultimately futile and empty. Even after being rescued by God, Israel fell back into sinful ways when their judge died, serving other gods and indulging in corrupt practices. The crucial question, then, is how can you break this cycle of sin and rebellion in your own life? How can you avoid becoming your own worst enemy? To break this cycle, here are 4 helpful steps:
Remember, without trust, we go bust! - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on July 2, 2023.
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Our summer sermon series is dedicated to exploring the Book of Judges. We aim to demonstrate that the Old Testament teaches us to endure in Christ, offering hope and encouraging patience. In Judges, we revisit the story of the Israelites after the death of Joshua, following their journey from victory to complacency.
Joshua led the Israelites to victory, securing 80% of the Promised Land. However, after Joshua’s death, we see a marked shift in the attitudes of God’s chosen people. The Book of Joshua is positive and victorious, while the Book of Judges reveals a comfortable and complacent community. The Israelites, satisfied with the 80% land possession, began to lose their drive for total victory. The tribe of Judah, obedient to God's plan, successfully claimed their promised land, setting a strong example. However, as we survey the other tribes, we notice a recurring pattern of complacency and unwillingness to fight. Many tribes, despite having witnessed God’s miracles, refused to drive out their enemies, choosing instead to settle next to them. As a result, they slowly adopted the morals and idols of these pagan nations, leading to their spiritual decline. Fast forward to 2023, and we see the same patterns emerging in our own lives and churches. When we experience growth and blessings, it's tempting to become comfortable, to settle for less than total victory, to slide into spiritual complacency. This is what is sometimes called the Silver-Medal-Syndrome — being content with second place, not pushing as hard as we used to. However, Paul warns against such complacency. Despite being arrested and awaiting trial, he encouraged believers to "press on," to continue striving for the heavenly prize that God, through Christ Jesus, has promised us (Philippians 3:12-14). We should be motivated by the fact that Jesus chased us down and took hold of our lives. But how do we resist the temptation of comfort and complacency? Hebrews 12:1 advises us to "strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” As we navigate through life, we must continually discard anything that hinders our spiritual journey and keeps us from pressing forward. In summary, the Old Testament (and particularly the Book of Judges) offers us invaluable lessons about spiritual growth and vigilance. It serves as a constant reminder to guard against spiritual complacency and always strive for total victory in the Lord. - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 6/25/23. We all know life is filled with ups and downs, moments of joy and moments of fear. In these trying times, we often feel alone, especially if we've lost loved ones or we're facing a personal struggle. You know, those times when we’re scared, and our human fathers or mothers are not around to reassure us or hold us tight. But remember, we are never alone.
What are you most afraid of right now? Is it the fear of losing a loved one or perhaps your financial security? Maybe you're scared of growing old or facing a serious illness. You see, fear is a universal experience. It doesn’t discriminate; it reaches all of us at different times and in different ways. And yes, the world can feel like a scary place. But the beautiful message from Sunday's sermon is that we have an unfailing guide and protector who is always present. Our Heavenly Father, alongside His awesome son, Jesus, are always walking with us. They know exactly what they're doing, and they provide us with the power, wisdom, and presence we need to navigate our lives. This is an incredible truth that we have to remind ourselves of each day. Our battles with sin and the pains of this world might make us feel like we're at the end of our rope. But the Good News from this sermon, drawn from Romans 8, is that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is also in us. With this power, we are no longer slaves to sin and fear. Remember, we are children of God. When the Holy Spirit is living inside us, we are no longer slaves to fear. Even in the midst of the worst situations - terminal illness, tragic accidents, or facing our deepest fears - Jesus is there with us. And when we call out to Him, we call Him "Abba," our Heavenly Father. This personal and intimate term reminds us that we belong to Him. We're His kids! You see, we are more than just ordinary people. We are heirs of the Creator of the cosmos. We are co-heirs with Jesus Christ. Nothing can separate us from Christ's love. And the power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. If you're struggling with fear, anxiety, or any sort of trouble, remember that as a member of God's family, you can call upon His courage and boldness. If you're battling depression and doubt, call upon Jesus' calmness, peace, and joy. Never forget who you are. You're a beloved child of God, an heir to His kingdom. Remember, you belong to the One who walks with us through every valley, and His power and wisdom are available to us. - Adapted from the sermon preached at WLCC on June 18, 2023. Often, we may find ourselves tangled in painful and lousy relationships, asking the question, "How do I survive this situation?" Rarely do we even dare to ask how to thrive in that kind of a situation.
But this last Sunday at church,we talked about how the answer to this question lies in the principle of Entering Their World that we see in the life of Jesus. Here's what that looks like:
In conclusion, thriving in difficult relationships is possible when we choose to Enter Their World, just like Jesus did. This approach allows us to navigate the complexities of human relationships with grace, patience, and love, even when it seems impossible. - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on June 11, 2023.  Welcome to a fascinating exploration of the incredible power of forgiveness! We would love to invite you to join us on a transformative journey where forgiveness takes center stage, fortifying relationships and unlocking a world of possibilities. Let's dive into the profound impact forgiveness can have on our lives and connections.
Relationships are undoubtedly complex, with their fair share of ups and downs. Yet, forgiveness emerges as the secret ingredient that fuels stronger and more resilient bonds. It's the game-changer that propels relationships to new heights and breathes life into our connections. Of course, forgiveness is easier said than done, right? Waiting for an apology or harboring grudges can keep us stuck in the past. But why carry the weight of bitterness when we have the power to set ourselves free? By choosing forgiveness, we liberate ourselves from the burden of resentment and open the door to personal growth and happiness. What makes forgiveness even more remarkable is that it's an ongoing journey, not a one-time event. It requires courage, patience, and a touch of divine intervention. As we navigate this path, we discover the depths of our character and the transformative nature of forgiveness. With each step, we unearth our resilience and find solace in the presence of a higher power guiding our way. Embracing forgiveness is a testament to our capacity for compassion. It radiates positivity and creates a ripple effect, touching the lives of those around us. By practicing forgiveness, we become architects of understanding, fostering a world where empathy thrives and bridges are built. So, are you ready to embark on this extraordinary journey? Arm yourself with grace, wield the sword of compassion, and let forgiveness be your guiding star. Together, let's rise to new heights, transforming lives and shaping a brighter future—one act of forgiveness at a time. "Let us show kindness to one another, with tender hearts, forgiving one another, just as God forgave us." - Ephesians 4:32 Join us on this remarkable path of forgiveness, where relationships flourish and hearts find peace. - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on June 4, 2023. As we celebrate Mother’s Day this year, let us take a moment to reflect on the story of Abigail and Nabal from the Old Testament. Nabal, whose name literally means "fool," was a wealthy man who owned 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats. He was married to Abigail, a sensible and beautiful woman, who was unfortunately married to a mean and foolish man.
David, who had just spared King Saul’s life, was on the run with 600 soldiers who were loyal to him. They had been staying in the vicinity of Nabal’s pastures, and David's men had protected Nabal’s flocks from Philistine raiding parties. As a result, David asked Nabal to share some of his surplus with him and his men, a reasonable request given their protection of Nabal's property. However, Nabal responded rudely and refused to share any of his possessions with David and his men. David, who had just resisted the urge to kill King Saul, was now about to fail a little test. He was tired and weary, and Nabal had just touched on some of his biggest insecurities. David instructed 400 of his men to get their swords and go teach "this fool" a lesson. But Abigail, being the wise woman that she was, heard about the situation and acted quickly. She gathered 200 loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep, a bushel of roasted grain, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 fig cakes and went to meet David and his men. Abigail humbly apologized for her husband's behavior and begged David to spare Nabal's life. David was moved by Abigail's wisdom and spared Nabal's life. This story teaches us that life is about so much more than just stuff. It also reminds us of the importance of honoring and respecting our mothers, especially on Mother's Day. Abigail was a wise and sensible woman who saved her family from destruction, and we can learn a lot from her example. Let us take this Mother's Day as an opportunity to honor and thank our mothers for all that they have done for us. They are a blessing from God, and we should cherish and treasure them always. - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on Mother's Day 2023. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where another believer has sinned against you? Perhaps they said something hurtful, or they did something that caused you to feel wronged or offended. It's a tough spot to be in, but it's not God's will for us to live in broken relationships with one another. He wants to see the relationships in our life restored. He wants us to be peacemakers, not fight pickers.
In Matthew 18:15, Jesus tells us what to do in this situation. He says, "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back." Notice that Jesus doesn't say to pick a fight or to argue your point until you win. The goal is to win the person back, not just to win. This idea of fighting to win back, not just to win, is so important. It's not just applicable in our relationships with other believers, but in all relationships. How often do we find ourselves fighting to be right, to get our way, to defend ourselves, or to justify our bad behavior? All of that is fighting to win, not to win back. So how do we fight to win back? It starts with step one of fighting fair, which is to fight to get your heart right. Most of the things we choose to fight about are so trivial and petty that they should be fought quietly in our minds and hearts, not with other people. We need to fight with that old, selfish, sinful part of ourselves to make sure that the problem we have is actually between us and the other person and not just our own pride and sinful heart. Just like Jacob wrestled with God before he went to make peace with his brother Esau in Genesis 32, we also need to wrestle with the Holy Spirit inside of us to make sure our heart is in the right place before approaching someone else. We need to ask ourselves if this issue is really worth fighting over, if we've really been sinned against, or if we're just not getting our way. We need to consider if we're doing this to benefit the relationship or just ourselves, and if we're doing this to advance Jesus' kingdom or our own. Sometimes, the person who has wronged us isn't actually sinning against us. That cashier who is taking forever to check us out isn't sinning against us, they're just slow. That person who cut us off in traffic isn't sinning against us, they just didn't see us there. Our adult children who couldn't come home for Thanksgiving aren't sinning against us, they're just broke newlyweds trying to navigate the holidays with two different families. Our co-worker who got the promotion isn't sinning against us, they're just better at networking. Our boss who had to let people go isn't sinning against us, they're just trying to keep the company afloat. When we find ourselves in these situations, we need to make an intentional decision to overlook the wrong. We need to resist the urge to talk about it, to dwell on it, or to let it influence our actions and attitude. Instead, we need to spend time with Jesus, reflecting on why whatever it was was so triggering. What is Jesus trying to show us about ourselves through this feeling? Are we too tired, too busy, too stressed, or too selfish? How can we look more like Jesus next time? Fighting fair isn't easy, but it's worth it. When we fight fair and strive for restoration instead of just trying to win, we honor God and show His love to others. So let's all take a step back and focus on fighting to get our hearts right, so that we can build stronger, healthier relationships with those around us! - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on May, 2023. Selfishness and envy can produce confusion, evil, and division in every aspect of our lives, including our families, marriages, friendships, workplaces, and even in the church. When jealousy and selfish ambition arise in our relationships, happiness that might have been there disappears in an instant, like a balloon popping on a stand. The key to preventing such situations is to aim for contentment, which is durable and dynamic.
In Philippians 2:1-4, Paul pleads with the church at Philippi to aim higher than happiness and, instead, to aim for contentment which is durable and dynamic. He explains that harmony promotes contentment, and relational unity brings joy and peace. When we are getting along in our relationships, deep satisfaction and contentedness follow. Selfishness and pride, working together as a wicked duo, always bring confusion and disunity into relationships. It is looking out for oneself and one's interests, demanding to watch what one wants to watch, insisting on eating what one wants to eat, expecting others to speak glowingly of oneself, and insisting on getting one's way. Such behaviors will pop the balloon of happiness every time. To aim higher than happiness, we must focus on being tender and compassionate toward others, agreeing and working wholeheartedly with others, and being of one mind and one purpose with one another. The greatest example of contentment is Jesus Christ, who taught us how to love one another, enjoy fellowship in the church family, and remain tender and compassionate toward one another. The key to avoiding trouble and disorder in our relationships is to learn the secret of contentment. We can't be fine with pointless quarrels in our marriages, with our children, with our grandchildren, our friends and co-workers, or even with our neighbors and acquaintances. Instead, let us aim for contentment in our families, friendships, workplaces, and church family. “Happy is now in the moment; content is durable and it’s potent.” - Pastor Jeff Ellis - Adapted from sermons across our 3 campuses on April 30, 2023. Are you tired of searching for the right person? Do you find yourself constantly looking for someone who meets your expectations and needs, but never seem to find them? If so, you might want to hear what our pastors had to say about relationships this weekend.
In the latest sermon, we learned that: "We will never find the right person until we start becoming the person the person we're looking for is looking for." Becoming "the one" is more important than finding "the one". According to God's Word, becoming "the one" puts the pressure on us to change and improve ourselves. Instead of focusing on finding someone who meets our standards, we should focus on becoming the person that our ideal partner is looking for. So what areas should we focus on to become the right person? The Bible gives us a clear guide on what love should look like. When we read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we discover 15 characteristics of biblical love that will help us focus on becoming "the one".
It's important to note that these qualities are not just feelings or emotions, but actions that produce them. As followers of Jesus, we should strive to live out these qualities in our relationships, and not just expect others to do so. It's easy to get caught up in looking for the right person, but maybe it's time to shift our focus on becoming the right person. It might not be easy or comfortable, but the sacrifice and work to grow and mature will be worth it in the end. Let's become the one the one we're looking for is looking for. - Adapted from sermons across our 3 campuses on April 23, 2023. Relationships are a fundamental aspect of our lives, and we all desire to have healthy and positive connections with the people around us. Unfortunately, some relationships can be detrimental to our well-being, leading to pain, hurt, and scars. In the 'Love Hurts Series,' we explore the warning signs and red flags to look out for in relationships to avoid getting hurt. Our foundational verse is Proverbs 13:20, which advises us to walk with the wise and avoid associating with fools.
In Ephesians 4:26-5:8, we find a section of God's Word that talks bluntly about the warning signs of people who behave like fools and bring unwanted trouble into our lives. We examine four points that serve as red flags to avoid unhelpful relationships. RED FLAG #1 - ANGRY PEOPLE The first warning is "don't hang with angry people." In a world filled with anger, it is easy to get upset and angry about something. However, we should not let anger control us. Ephesians 4:26 advises us not to sin by letting anger control us and not to let the sun go down while we are still angry. Anger gives the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). We need to get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander (Ephesians 4:31). If we let anger fester and get infected, it will catch our whole house on fire, and the devil will maximize the damage. RED FLAG #2 - DISHONEST PEOPLE The second warning is "don't hang with dishonest people." Ephesians 4:25 says, "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." Honesty is vital in any relationship, and we should avoid people who lie, deceive, or manipulate us. Dishonest people destroy trust and create chaos, and we should be careful about becoming too close with with them. RED FLAG #3 - SELFISH PEOPLE The third warning is "don't hang with selfish people." Ephesians 5:2 says, "Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Love is selfless and sacrificial, and we should avoid people who are selfish, self-centered, and only care about their interests. Selfish people drain us emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, and we should be discernin in our relationships with them. RED FLAG #4 - UNGODLY PEOPLE The fourth warning is "don't hang with ungodly people." Ephesians 5:3-7 warns us not to associate with people who engage in sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talk, crude joking, and idolatry. These behaviors are contrary to God's Word and will harm us spiritually and emotionally. We should be wise in hoe we relate with people who indulge in such behaviors and encourage us to do the same. Our goal is to point them to Jesus, not let them point us to the world. In conclusion, God's Word warns us about the red flags to look out for in relationships. We should avoid hanging out with angry, dishonest, selfish, and ungodly people. These behaviors will bring unwanted trouble and pain into our lives and lead us away from God's plan for our lives. Let us walk with the wise and become wise, as we seek to build healthy and positive relationships that honor God. |
Welcome to the pastors' blog!
These are powerful posts adapted from our pastors' weekly sermons. 
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