Archived Messages

Pursuits for the New Year, Part 2

God is in the renewal business. His love and compassion is new every morning. He wants to renew us, too. This sermon continues what CJ started last week in presenting areas of renewal. The intent is not to add another burden to our lives but to see God remove burdens. This message focuses on relationships.

Pursuits for the New Year

God wants to make things new - including our lives. This isn't just a matter of sitting back and letting Him do it. He gives us a new direction and wants us to pursue it. With Him, we always have the potential for a fresh start. Here are four directions that God may want you to pursue and take steps toward in the new year.

Spiritually Thriving (I John 5:16-21)

When we pray for others, we tend to concentrate on the material things like safety, health and financial well-being. But there is another aspect we need to include. God wants us to thrive spiritually in Him, and wants us to help others thrive, too - by praying for them.

Thy Will Be Done (I John 5:13-16)

Social media has given us new avenues for anxiety ( e.g. "Why hasn't my friend responded?" ). We all struggle with anxiety. But God wants us to experience assurance and peace with Him. Today's passage was written to calm our anxieties both about our relationship with Him and concerning our lives as a whole. This calmness comes from boldly, but humbly, coming to Him in prayer.

Huh??? (I John 5:6-12)

How do you know what's true? Is there a God? Is there life after death? What evidence do you need to have to know? I John 5:6-12, though perplexing to us, was written to help with these issues.