Episodes
Friday Sep 11, 2020
Friday Sep 11, 2020
Our new sermon series "Joyful Unity" comes from Philippians, Paul's personal letter to the church in Philippi. Pastor Kevin begins by setting the context for the letter, introducing us to 8 probable reasons for Paul's letter, and 4 important themes we can apply to our own lives today.
Friday Aug 28, 2020
Friday Aug 28, 2020
In the 1993 film Jurassic Park, an eccentric industrialist finances a team of scientists to recreate dinosaurs for a new theme park. However, things go wrong and everyone on the island is put in danger. Ian Malcolm, one of the guests, states, "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."
The people of Israel demanded that Judge Samuel give them a king before God had intended and, as a result, they suffered under King Saul. We are also given freedom to make our choices, but we must be conscious to make decisions that honor God.
Friday Aug 21, 2020
Faith on Film: Back to the Future (1985) - God Has a Plan
Friday Aug 21, 2020
Friday Aug 21, 2020
In the 1985 film Back to the Future, Marty travels back in time and interferes with key events between his would-be parents, preventing his eventual birth. To ensure his existence, he must set the timeline right again. When God has a plan, we know it's for the best and won't be thwarted, even if it is sometimes difficult to wait for His plan to become apparent.
Friday Aug 14, 2020
Faith on Film: Kung Fu Panda (2008) - Your Secret Sauce
Friday Aug 14, 2020
Friday Aug 14, 2020
In the 2008 film Kung Fu Panda, Po is dedicated to working at his dad's noodle stand until he is chosen to be the Dragon Warrior. Po fails in his conventional training, but when he focuses on what he is familiar with, he is able to become a great warrior and defeat the villain. In 1 Samuel 17, we read about David, the shepherd boy who uses his faith in God and a single riverstone to slay the Philistine giant Goliath. Each of us has uniqueness that God gave us, so we must recognize what it is and use it for His glory.
Friday Aug 07, 2020
Friday Aug 07, 2020
In the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, impoverished Charlie wins a tour of the strange and wondrous chocolate factory of Willy Wonka, contending for the top prize. A shady man named Slugworth approaches and offers a hefty payment in exchange for an Everlasting Gobstopper. After disqualifying from the top prize, Charlie proves his worthiness by returning the Gobstopper, showing he would rather walk away with nothing than betray Wonka.
Each of us face temptation, but we must be able to resist it, as Jesus did after the 40 days of fasting following His baptism. It is the Spirit can give us the power to resist.
Friday Jul 31, 2020
Faith on Film: The Princess Bride (1987) - True Love
Friday Jul 31, 2020
Friday Jul 31, 2020
In the 1987 film The Princess Bride, true love is able to get Wesley through many obstacles, including death, and allow him and Buttercup to be reunited. True love such as that seems inconceivable! However, when we remember the vastness of God and His love for us, we know it exists and it exceeds any earthly bonds we could ever form.
Friday Jul 24, 2020
Faith on Film: The Goonies (1985) - Know Your Enemy
Friday Jul 24, 2020
Friday Jul 24, 2020
In the 1985 film The Goonies, a group of friends take on evil in the form of an expanding country club and a dangerous crime family by racing for pirate treasure in order to save their homes from foreclosure. Good (God) and evil (Satan) are fighting today, but Satan has limited power. Keep ahead in the battle by knowing who Satan is and what his plan is for the Earth.
Friday Jul 17, 2020
Faith on Film: Up (2009) - Ready to Pivot
Friday Jul 17, 2020
Friday Jul 17, 2020
In the 2009 film Up, Carl's dream was to go to Paradise Falls in South America with his wife Ellie. Unable to go in Ellie's lifetime, the widower Carl gains the resolve to make it happen, but accidental stowaway Russell complicates his plan and his priorities shift. Are you ready to pivot when life throws you a curveball? Moses' life was full of pivots that he had to learn to accept and adapt. We also must learn to change and grow with the changes God sends our way.
Friday Jul 10, 2020
Faith on Film: Cool Runnings (1993) - How You Finish Matters
Friday Jul 10, 2020
Friday Jul 10, 2020
In the 1993 film Cool Runnings, four Jamaicans form a bobsled team and compete in the winter Olympics. In their finishing run, their sled overturns, but they prove their perseverance and honor in the sport by carrying the sled to the finish line. How we finish matters. We can't allow our spirit in Christ to backslide into sin because we can never know when our time on earth will be over or when Christ will return for our final judgement.
Friday Jul 03, 2020
Faith on Film: School of Rock (2003) - Focus on Others
Friday Jul 03, 2020
Friday Jul 03, 2020
In the 2003 film, School of Rock, disgraced rock musician Dewey Finn impersonates his roommate as a substitute teacher and is inspired to assemble a new rock band with the students. His ruse is discovered, but the kids impress at the Battle of the Bands, allowing Dewey to trade his rock star dreams for leading an after-school program. When we are going through our low points, the best remedy to overcome it is turning our focus on to God and helping other people. While we won't live up to Jesus' greatest example of sacrifice for us on the cross, we can still reflect the spirit in our everyday acts of kindness.
Friday Jun 26, 2020
Faith on Film: That Thing You Do! (1996) - Fill Your Hearts with Jesus
Friday Jun 26, 2020
Friday Jun 26, 2020
In the 1996 film, That Thing You Do, a band creates a chart-climbing hit song and is fast-tracked to fame. However, as soon as they get what they want, their egos lead to the band's fallout. As we see from King Solomon, we also need to be careful, because when we allow our ego to fill our hearts, there becomes no room for Jesus. Without Jesus in our hearts, our demise is certain.
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
Faith on Film: Inside Out (2015) - Living on Purpose
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
In 2015's Inside Out, emotions (joy, anger, disgust, fear, and sadness) staff the mind's control panel to respond to people's relationships and environment. But who is at your control panel? Do we allow ourselves to be ruled by our emotions or do we match the self-control of legendary athletes? As Paul tells us: run to win, be disciplined, and act with purpose.
Wednesday Jun 03, 2020
Not for the Faint of Heart
Wednesday Jun 03, 2020
Wednesday Jun 03, 2020
In Mark 8:34-38, Jesus calls on the people, us included, to take up our cross and follow Him. Being a Christian comes with many challenges from the world and we are meant to stand firm no matter what temptations, persecution, or hardships come our way.
Wednesday May 20, 2020
Defying Expectations
Wednesday May 20, 2020
Wednesday May 20, 2020
In Mark 8:22-33, Jesus heals a blind man in two waves, which we can compare to the disciples' understanding of Jesus' identity. When He asks them who they say He is and tells them of His coming suffering, it is clear from Peter's responses that they do not fully understand that He is more than just the Messiah for the Jews' oppression under the Romans. Are we making the same mistake and holding Jesus to our expectations?
Wednesday May 13, 2020
Jesus Is For You
Wednesday May 13, 2020
Wednesday May 13, 2020
In Mark 8:11-21, Jesus is approached by pharisees demanding a sign from heaven, but Jesus knows their hearts and vows to never give them one. Then, even after witnessing Jesus feed thousands of people, the disciples still worried about having too little bread with them. So, do not let the need to be right become more important than your relationships and do not be blinded by your problems when Jesus has the power to overcome them.
Wednesday May 06, 2020
Jesus Walks on Water
Wednesday May 06, 2020
Wednesday May 06, 2020
In Mark 6:45-56, the disciples struggle against the wind and waves while crossing the lake ahead of Jesus. Seeing them, He walks on water towards them in order to comfort them in His holy divinity, but their cries of terror caused Him to join them in the boat and calm the waters. When we can focus on God, our problems fall away and we can endure them in peace. What is your focus on?
Friday May 01, 2020
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
Friday May 01, 2020
Friday May 01, 2020
In Mark 6:30-44, a large crowd hungers for Jesus' teachings and follows Him and the disciples to a remote location. Rather than let them depart to buy their own food when it grew late, Jesus took 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish to miraculously feed all five thousand, resulting in full stomachs and many leftovers. This example is one we can follow to serve with love.
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Faith for All
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
In Mark 5:21-43, Jesus performs miracles for 2 opposite people: Jairus, a synagogue leader, and an unnamed woman in the crowd who was considered unclean. However, as different as they were, their faith in Jesus was equal. Jairus' daughter was raised from the dead and the woman's illness was cured. From society's lowest members to the highest, the only thing that matters is faith in Him.
Wednesday Apr 15, 2020
Jesus Casts Out the Demons
Wednesday Apr 15, 2020
Wednesday Apr 15, 2020
In Mark 5:1-20, after proving His power over nature, Jesus proves His power over demons by casting out the Legion from a possessed man. Demons are real and when we are struggling, we can call out to Jesus to save us because He died and was resurrected for our sake.
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
Jesus Calms the Storm
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
In Mark 4:35-5:1, Jesus and His disciples were caught in a severe storm at sea. Awoken in the disciples' panic, Jesus shows His dominion over nature and quiets the storm. The disciples allowed their fear to eclipse their faith, but we must be careful not to make the same mistake. God is in control!
Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
J.O.Y.
Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
To help us remember to be beacons of joy, especially in these challenging times, Pastor Kevin spells out the acronym J.O.Y. as Jesus, Others, and Yourself as the ideal order for our priorities. Jesus puts our troubles into perspective, helping others fulfills one of the greatest commandments, and taking care of ourselves allows us to function at greater capacity. These things combined can carry us through life's lows with joy.
Friday Mar 27, 2020
Easing Worry in This Time of Crisis
Friday Mar 27, 2020
Friday Mar 27, 2020
In this challenging time, it's easy to be consumed by worry, but we can't forget that God is with us. For this message, Pastor Kevin Daniels walks us through ways to alleviate our anxieties by putting our faith in Him.
Friday Feb 28, 2020
Jesus + Anything = Nothing (Part 11): The Dangers of Self-Centered Living
Friday Feb 28, 2020
Friday Feb 28, 2020
In Galatians 5:13-21, Paul clarifies to the Galatians that freedom from the law of Moses does not grant them (or us) the freedom to live the immoral lives of the flesh. Instead, we are called to be lead by the Holy Spirit to love one another.
Friday Feb 14, 2020
Jesus + Anything = Nothing (Part 10): Freedom in Christ
Friday Feb 14, 2020
Friday Feb 14, 2020
In Galatians 5:1-12, Paul argues that by submitting to a part of the law (e.g., circumcision), like the Judaizers insist on, the Galatians become slaves to the entire law and fall from salvation. Only our faith in Jesus grants us the freedom we seek. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
Friday Feb 07, 2020
Friday Feb 07, 2020
In Galatians 4:21-31, Paul illustrates his point to the Galatians by comparing the first two sons of Abraham. Ishmael, son of the slave Hagar, was born through human efforts to fulfill God's promise, Sarah's son Isaac was born through God's will. Are we children of Ishmael, slave to the law? Or are we children of Isaac, free because we place our faith in God?
Friday Jan 24, 2020
Jesus + Anything = Nothing (Part 8): Imitate Paul's Love for Others
Friday Jan 24, 2020
Friday Jan 24, 2020
In Galatians 4:8-20 Paul reminds the Galatians of their life in slavery to the law or false gods before they became followers of Christ. Paul also recalls that when he first arrived in Galatia to spread the Gospel, he was sick, but they did not reject him and he shared friendship and love with them. With that history, he pleads them to follow his example and remain faithful to Gospel.