God Exodus 34:6-7…merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding (overflowing) in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin… US Genesis 1:27a So God created human beings in His own image. We aren’t God, but we bear his likeness! If God overflows with good st…

Philippians 4:12-13 Through Christ -> The Power of Joyful Strength Philippians 4:12-13 NLT- “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Precursor ?…

Fixing Your Thoughts So You Can Fix Your Thoughts. Chiquacta Hodges brings us a message from Philippians 4:8. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 Ecclesiaste…

Choose Joy – Part Eight Philippians 4:4-7 What does the joyful prayer of faith sound like? “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to …

Philippians 3:12-21 What is “all this”? Philippians 3:10-11 Know Christ The power of his resurrection Participation in his sufferings Attaining to the resurrection from the dead How do we press on? 1. Strive/Strain Philippians 1:27 Philippians 2:12-13 Luke 13:24 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Colossians 1:28-29 1 Timothy 4:8-10 1 Timothy 6:11-12 Hebrews 4:9…

Kingdom Citizenship Philippians 3:20 but we are citizens of Heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. Heavenly Citizenship brings joy. How do we get Kingdom Citizenship? John 3:3 “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot (see) experience, encounter or participate in the Kingdom of God.” You must accept that Jesus is your Lord an…

Philippians 2:1-11 “Christ’s Example of Humility So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count…

Philippians 1:25-26 “Joy in Your Faith” The Joy of Faith & Contending for the Good News “Since I am sure of this, I know I will stay with you to help you grow and have joy in your faith. You will be very happy in Christ Jesus when I am with you again.” – Philippians 1:25-26 NCV What do we learn? 1. Jesus brings joy. Cultivate joy by receiving God’s…

Acts 16:18-40 Philippians 1:1-7 What do we learn? 1. Jesus brings joy. (series March 10-31, 2024) Cultivate joy by receiving God’s gracious freedom from sin. Joy – the emotion evoked by well-being and contentment, great happiness, cheerful God has been communicating the importance of joy, throughout Scripture: · “Weeping may stay overnight, but the…

Acts 16 – helpful story of the beginning of Christianity in Philippi In Acts 16 we read four stories in one narrative about the introduction of Jesus’ Good News in Philippi. Good News context: “Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This happened through our Lord Jesus Christ, who through our faith has brought …

Matthew 22:34-40 (NLT) But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with a…

This morning we spend time in prayer that is prompted by the Scriptures we have studied in recent weeks. We talk about the implications of these truths. As individuals and as a church, we are headed into a new season. We listen to the Scriptures through which God speaks to us guidance and perspective. We close with an important announcement about n…

What does it mean to be “with” God, as described in Matthew 22:37? Receive all God has for us. Respond with wholehearted devotion. Reflect God’s love to others. 1. Receive all God has for us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 ESV “If you declare…

Following Jesus includes praying for and pursuing a loving unity among fellow Christians. What does Jesus ask of Father God, in the prayer listed in John 17:11, 20-21? “That they may be one even as we are one,” – John 17:11b ESV “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, jus…

We can all follow the teaching and example of Jesus, in persistent prayer. 1. Jesus Prays Jesus gives us an example in prayer. A. Jesus prayed in private. Matthew 14:23 Mark 1:35 Luke 5:16, 9:18, 28-29, 11:1, 22:31-32 John 17:1-26 B. Jesus prayed in public. Matthew 11:25-26, 19:13-15, 26:26, 36, 27:36 Mark 8:6 Luke 3:21, 10:21-22, 23:34, 46, 24:30 …

We start by reading the story of Saul (later renamed Paul) receiving Jesus as the “light of the world”, and describing the meaning of the experience, in Acts 9:1-18 and Acts 26:23 . Light is an aspect of the spiritual identity of Jesus and the life he gives. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have t…

“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV 2 Timothy 1:1-10 gives us more context for verse 7. Ancient Christian writings about 2 Timothy 1:7: “Grace was given to us so that we might not be afraid but love all the more steadily.” – Theodoret of Cyr 393-466 bishop Paul is “instructing us to pass fr…

Matthew 6:19-24 – Generous Stewardship 19 “Don’t store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. 20 But store your treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them. 21 Your heart will be where your treasu…

In the climactic final days before crucifixion, Jesus Christ again allows those closest to him to hear his prayer. They recorded it so that we may read the heartfelt requests that Jesus made of Father God. In John 17:20-26, we hear the heart cry of Jesus for the purpose of God to be fulfilled as more and more people are welcomed into this close per…

Our Savior Jesus is victorious over death. In John 11, we read the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and Jesus’ teaching around it. We can all respond by believing in and receiving Jesus as Savior. In our next steps, we grow in faith and see sharing our faith as a priority. Let’s watch for key words and the highest priority truth that …

I. What do we learn from Moses’ Holy Ground experience? – Exodus 3:1-12 God wants to meet with us. Giving priority to “holy ground” places, for interaction with God, will help us see our identity, value, and purpose. A. God is worthy of our respect and focus. God meets with Moses. Moses listens to God. “To stay at a distance and remove footwear was…

We can all respond, to the teaching of Jesus, with love, prayer, and effort. “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on …

Week 1: Introduction, viewing forgiveness through how God forgives us. Week 2: Someone forgiven of much refuses to forgive for little. Week 3: Jesus heals the paralytic but not until he forgives his sins first. Week 4: How do we actually forgive? Possible Signs of Unforgiveness Emotionally Negative Emotions: Negative feelings about someone tell us …

Jesus Forgives, then Heals: Mark 2: 1-12 Why did Jesus see forgiveness as more important than making a man walk? Wouldn’t our hearts respond with No! Heal me! My life will be all better. Forgiving his sins would clean his heart and bring peace, joy Forgiveness restores our relationship with God. Forgiveness of sins is the more important issue that …

Paid in Full Matthew 18:23-35 Parable of the unforgiving servant and the king God forgives all of our sin So we should forgive others Matthew 18:23-35 The King wants to settle all accounts and finds one servant lacking 10,000 talents. He wants the man’s life, family, assets to all be sold to settle the debt. The man begged and said he would pay it …

Why is learning Biblical forgiveness important? Helps us learn more about the character of God. Broadens our understanding of what Jesus did for us on the cross. How we believe God forgives us shapes how we forgive others. Sin: Foolishness, Prov. 24:9, transgression (to go across the boundary), 1 John 2:4, unrighteousness (breaking of relationship)…

Cultivate joy by living in light of the resurrected Jesus. “Saved by his life,” – Romans 5:10 Our Savior King Jesus Christ crucified, buried, and raised from the dead for our salvation. Jesus is alive. What does this mean to us? Freedom – Romans 4:24-25, 5:1-2, 9-11, 20-21 CSB “It was recorded 24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also…

Cultivate joy by receiving the sacrifice of Jesus as grace. March 24 Palm Sunday Grace – Romans 5:6, 8, 20 NLT Intro – Today is “Palm Sunday” on the historic Christian calendar. “Save us!” shouts greeting Jesus’ triumphant entrance to Jerusalem. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” – Psalm 118:1 the psalm pi…

Cultivate joy by choosing to live in God’s gracious freedom from sin. God, the Holy Spirit, inspired Paul to write to Roman people explaining how Jesus brings joy to a deeply flawed modern life. This letter relates to each nuance of a complicated life and a helpful diagnosis of the human condition. “Since we have been made right with God by our fai…

Let’s look at Romans chapter 5 for the next few weeks. Key words: Law 78, Righteousness & Justification 64, Faith & Believe 60, Sin 57, Grace 24 “Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This happened through our Lord Jesus Christ, who through our faith has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now…

How does God see our church? 1. With Love. 2. With Understanding. 3. With Purpose. It is a good idea (with Biblical precedent) to ask ourselves, “How does God view our church?” Biblical idea: “The Revelation of Jesus” God sends specific messages to seven churches. The communication with each church reveals God’s awareness of their responses to the …

Our guests Justin Cardinal and Jessica Hurlbut from New Testament Church in Massena, NY share their experiences in building life based on the teaching of Jesus. This is in follow up of our February 4 message, Foundation for Building, from Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:24-29.Von City Harbor Church

My house will be called a house of prayer,” – Matthew 21:13 “Let them rejoice in My house of prayer.” – Isaiah 56:7 Why are we praying? “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keep…

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 5You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we oursel…

In Matthew 7:24-29, Jesus communicates something that is a priority for those who follow. “Everyone who hears my words and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and hit that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on rock. 26 Everyone who hears my words and does no…

“Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my followers.” John 13:34-35 1 John 4:7-12 I. What does Jesus mean by saying, “Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” John 15:12 A. Agape love – choosing to give a Jesus-kind-of-love to someone out of si…

“I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love. I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and I remain in his love. In the same way, if you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy. This is my command: love each oth…

“abide in my love,” John 15:9 This is Part Two of our January series “Be with Jesus”. “I am the true vine, remain in me, and I will remain in you.” – John 15:1, 4 NCV Stay Connected: Abide – Jesus in John 15:1-17 Jesus calls us to stay connected to Him. Abide: living with, to live in, maintain a connection with, stay with, “As the Father has loved …

“I am the true vine, remain in me, and I will remain in you.” – John 15:1, 4 NCV What did Jesus mean when he said, “I am the true vine, remain in me, and I will remain in you.” – John 15:1, 4, and what should we do about it? We can all start 2024 with more peaceful joy, as we stay in a close relationship with Jesus, receive his love, follow his gui…

“Casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.” – 1 Peter 5:7 CSB I. What does Peter mean by this? “Cares” – to care for someone or something, careful or anxious concern about someone or something, a feeling of apprehension or distress in view of possible danger or misfortune, anxiety, worry, anxious concern’ to be pained by thinking. …

Jeremiah 23:5-6 We can all grow in our understanding of the perfect ruler that King Jesus is and respond by asking God to shape us to be more like Jesus and to shape our world in this way. This Advent season, we are celebrating the arrival of Jesus Christ our King. We are learning more about and responding to five characteristics of King Jesus: Hum…

We can all grow in our understanding of the salvation King Jesus brings and respond by asking God to shape us to be more like Jesus and to shape our world in this way. This Advent season, we are celebrating the arrival of Jesus Christ our King. We are learning more about and responding to five characteristics of King Jesus: Humble, Suffering, Victo…

This Advent season, we are celebrating the arrival of Jesus Christ our King. We are learning more about and responding to five characteristics of King Jesus: Humble, Suffering, Victorious, Savior, Perfect. We will pray together, asking God to show more of each characteristic in our world today. What do we learn about King Jesus? 1. King Jesus is vi…

We can all grow in our understanding of the purposeful suffering of King Jesus and respond by asking God to shape us to be more like Jesus and to shape our world in this way. What were they expecting from King Jesus? Salvation. God predicted through Isaiah and others what this would require. King Jesus suffered in many ways, fulfilling this prophec…

Why is the birth of Jesus such a big deal? His life, death, and resurrection caused multiple written records of His birth and prompted a persistent movement of people. Let’s consider those people who met Jesus Christ in person, in the flesh. What were they expecting? What were they yearning for from this promised King? What did they find him to be?…

God’s Kingdom goes beyond our expectations. God can bring about growth inside us that can cause big changes in our world. We can all participate in God’s expanding Kingdom by recognizing where God is at work in us, responding faithfully, and representing Jesus. Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. 30 Then Jesus said, “How can I show you what the …

Our hearts go out to all who are suffering from violence. The way we look at war in the Middle East must be informed by our understanding of who God is, what God is doing, and our place in it all. This will help us know how we should respond. Let’s look at Scripture to help us in that regard. Let’s also look at some facts to help in our perspective…

Biblical Choir 1 Chronicles 15:16 & 28 Nehemiah 12: 27 1 Peter 2:5, 9 Every follower (disciple) of Jesus can be part of an earthly choir and heavenly choir. Revelation 5:11-12 Hebrews 12:22 Jesus will get involved. Hebrews 2:10-12 Every disciple is a priest offering spiritual sacrifice and service 1 Peter 2:9 1 Peter 2:4-6 Hebrews 13:15-16 The powe…

What do we learn from the New Testament about how we should worship? We worship God, in spirit and truth, singing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Jesus teaches, “Worship in spirit and in truth,” – John 4:21-23 In John 4:13-14, 19-26, Jesus’ reply to the Samaritan woman at the well, “Worship in spirit and in truth.” The context includes a relati…

Psalms 22:3 in my troubles, I still see you God as enthroned on the praises of your people, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? You seem far from saving me, far away from my groans. My God, I call to you during the day, but you do not answer. I call at night; I am not silent. You sit as the Holy One. The praises of Israel are your throne.” …