Are you carefully guarding your heart? If we’re not careful, an unguarded heart can become callused and unresponsive to the Holy Spirit. In this introspective message, Reverend Sam Wells challenges listeners to check the condition of their heart and to guard it against the attacks of the enemy by filling it with the Word of God.
You might not always feel happy, but you can always be full of joy. In Part 4 of the sermon series, Finding Joy, Dr. Brian Keesler brings an insightful message on how to have joy in the trial. Dr. Keesler begins his sermon by pressing in on the fact that the tests and trials we encounter are not from God. God is not evil nor will He ever employ evil to bring humility or strength to His children. Dr. Keesler also reminds believers of their ability to either lose their peace during a test or to count it all as joy. If you’re a follower of Christ, you always have cause for joy because the outcome for a Christian is always victory. If you’re not winning now, you’re just getting ready to win. The problems that we face will eventually fade away but our inheritance in Christ will always stand. We will always have our salvation and the hope of an eternity in heaven. As we ponder upon God’s promises we build up our ability to rejoice through every situation. God can and will pull you out of a storm even better than you were when you walked in to it. As you watch this sermon, anchor yourself in the ability to weather any storm when you learn the power of patience and the consistency of a victorious outcome for those who are in Christ.
James 1:2-4 (NKJV, TPT)
1 Peter 1:3-9 (NKJV, TPT)
You might not always feel happy, but you can always be full of joy. In Part 3 of the sermon series, Finding Joy, Dr. Brian Keesler continues to share ways believers can remain joyful, even amidst adverse circumstances. In this message, Dr. Keesler focuses on how to find joy in giving. Dr. Keesler begins his sermon by differentiating between the two types of emotions that motivate someone to give—fear and love. People either give to God because they love Him or because they fear Him. Many Christians view God as a “cosmic mafia boss” that is going to come to collect if they don’t pay up. If a person gives just to fill an obligation or to avoid punishment their motive is wrong. Giving that is based on this mentality rarely ever results in joy. On the contrary, when a person gives out of their love for God and the brethren they are able to experience true joy. The very nature of God is to give and as born-again believers we should share in His desire to freely give. As you watch this sermon prepare to see giving in a whole new light and experience the overwhelming joy that comes from having a generous heart.
2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (TPT)
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (TPT)
Romans 15:13 (TPT)
You might not always feel happy, but you can always be full of joy. In the continuation of the sermon series, Finding Joy, Dr. Brian Keesler shares how attending church can increase your joy, if you have the right perspective. You can either view church as a chore on your checklist or as participation in heaven’s agenda here on earth. King David discovered this truth and proclaimed his gladness about going to the House of the Lord in Psalms 122:1. When was the last time you were this exuberant to go to church? Have you ever found yourself rejoicing in the car on your way to church because you were so enthusiastic? If you think church is boring, it’s time to remind yourself of what actually happens inside those four walls: the very presence of God is manifested, souls are rescued from an eternity in hell, bodies are healed, and callings are revealed. As you watch this sermon, prepare for a perspective shift as you begin to see church attendance in a new light. Never again will you view church as a chore.
“I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Psalms 122:1 (NKJV)
You might not always feel happy, but you can always be full of joy. In the first part of the sermon series, Finding Joy, Dr. Brian Keesler explains the difference between the emotion of happiness and the spiritual fruit of joy. Joy is a supernatural fruit and comes from the Holy Spirit, while happiness is a basic human emotion that results from circumstances/happenings. Joy does not result from what is happening around you; joy results from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within a born-again believer. Dr. Keesler then shares biblical practices that believers can employ to remain joyful despite their circumstances. Those practices include walking in close relationship with Jesus and believing upon the Word of God. As you learn more about the benefits of maintaining an intimate walk with the Lord, prepare for an infilling of joy.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
In Part 2 of the sermon series, Building on a Firm Foundation, Pastor Dana TenBrink of New Creation Church takes a look at the differences between the wise man and foolish man mentioned in Matthew 7:24. Both men heard the teachings of Christ yet one was washed away in the same storm. In this foundational teaching, Pastor Dana reveals attitudes that can either build up or wear away our stability. What you build on will determine your outcome. Make sure your foundation is firm.
Do you know what kind of foundation you are building on? In this teaching Pastor Dana TenBrink encourages believers to ask themselves this very question. She then shares the first key to establishing a firm foundation—acting upon the words that we hear God speak. In this timely message, Pastor Dana challenges viewers to take time to listen to what the Father is saying and then to act upon those words in obedience.
Are the gifts of God still in operation today? How do I test the validity of a move of the spirit? Pastor Brian Keesler answers these questions and others in the sermon, God’s Gifts. Pastor Brian expounds upon the three categories of gifts mentioned in the Bible: gifts of the Father, gifts of the Holy Spirit, and gifts of the Son and explains the four major belief systems centered around their operation. Learn more about the function of fivefold ministers, the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the various levels of grace given by God.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:7-10
We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8
Reverend Kent Burl challenges believers to ask themselves if they identify more as citizens of the world than they do as citizens of heaven.
Is the soil of your heart good ground? In Part 3 of the sermon series, Receiving the Word, Pastor Brian Keesler shares how the condition of our heart plays a key role in our ability to receive the Word. Outlined in his message are three practices that a person can follow to always get the most out of the Word they hear. Those methods include studying the message to verify its accuracy, meditating upon the Word to extract the most “nutrition” from it, and actually putting it into practice. The Word is one of the primary things satan will try to steal from a believer. When satan tries to steal the Word we need to double-down on it, not back down from it. After listening to this sermon you will be able to: determine the condition of the soil of your heart; ensure your heart is ready to receive all you can from the Word of God; and make sure the Word always works for you.
Mark 4:1-9 (NKJV)
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)
James 1:21 (NKJV)
New Creation Church of Owosso welcomed guest minister, Dr. Mark T. Barclay to bring the Word during its Wednesday evening service. Dr. Barclay, who is the founding minister of Living Word Church in Midland, Michigan, taught from 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 which speaks of the importance of maintaining a firm stance and avoiding deception in the end times. Dr. Barclay explained how believers can cut through the fog of these unclear times by following a man of God instead of following the prophets of the land.
Learn more about Dr. Barclay and Living Word Church at: http://www.marktbarclay.com/
Are you living a life of balance? Mark 4:16-17 speaks of the Word falling on the stony ground of someone who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness, but do not have any root so they can only endure for a short time. In part two of the sermon series, Receiving the Word, Pastor Brian Keesler shares that if your walk with the Lord seems to have halted it may be time to ask yourself if your Bible reading and prayer life is greater than, less than or equal to your extracurricular activities.
Encountering offense is unavoidable, but remaining in its grip is. In the sermon, Avoiding Offense, Reverend Sam Wells reminds believers that even if they are not offended right now, they can expect to be in the future. Offenses will come, but Reverend Sam reminds the church that it possesses two choices.: 1) they can either let the offense go, or 2) they can let the offense take root in their heart. Choosing to let go of the offense will allow that person to remain unhindered in their walk with the Lord, but choosing to hold on to the offense will result in the hurt taking root in their life. The fruit of remaining offended includes betrayal, bitterness, unbelief, unforgiveness, and other toxic behaviors. In addition, choosing to remain offended can even block your calling and ministry. Don’t let offense weigh you down—throw off every burden and run your race with endurance.
But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:22-24 (NKJV)
If we're not careful, the cares of the world can choke out the fruitfulness of the Word. In this sermon, Pastor Brian Keesler teaches from Mark 4 and shares how to choke out the cares of the world with the Word.
How many times have you shared your faith with someone without seeing the fruit of salvation at the end of the conversation? In this powerful sermon Pastor Brian Keesler shares three keys to winning souls by successfully sharing your faith.
As Christians the Gospel is our only message. Sadly, many Christians have a hard time describing what the Gospel actually is. In this powerful message Pastor Brian Keesler helps make the Gospel easy to understand and easy to communicate.
If you try to walk in authority without obedience you will not have the victory. In this message, New Creation Church's Associate Pastor, Dana TenBrink, teaches us that our authority comes with obedience and our obedience comes with authority.
Many times when sharing our faith we become discouraged due to the lack of immediate fruit that we see. In this powerful message Pastor Brian Keesler explains how we can stay encouraged and continue to share our faith understanding that satan has blinded the eyes of the lost so they cannot see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The great commission is not just a good suggestion. In this message, Pastor Brian Keesler teaches that the moment you become a Christian is the moment you enter into ministry. As believers, we do not have a choice whether or not we get to proclaim the gospel of Jesus. It is our duty. You might not feel like a preacher, but according to Mark 16:15 you are called to evangelize.
Continuing his sermon series on tongues, Pastor Brian Keesler continues to explain and expound upon this often misunderstood gift of the Holy Spirit.
