In this message, Pastor Troy Billow explains what it means to consider the cost and truly follow Jesus. It is not an easy task, as it is a calling that requires that one let his/her life and agenda go, invest in eternity, and make one available in service to others. Pastor Troy recalls his personal experience with this dynamic in his calling to be a preacher, and what we can learn what Jesus means when He says that those who hate their life in this world will find it in eternity.
In the last of our series on "Jesus style evangelism" Pastor Troy Billow explains the power behind the words that enables people to think and make a decision for Christ. When the woman at the well told people what Jesus did for her, they believed her. Why? Because she had the boldness, passion, and enthusiasm to do what Jesus told her to do. Because she believed Him, her heart, attitude, and demeanor changed, and the spirit that worked on changing her was at work in changing the hearts, attitudes, and demeanors of the people she told in obedience to Christ. One day, we will stand before the Lord and we will be held accountable to Him..That said, we have an assignment, an assignment to talk, to go tell everyone what God has done in us. And oh, what an important calling that is (Mark 16:15).
Jesus viewed His encounter with the woman at the well as an assignment, a rescue mission. That said, He made an effort to talk to her, met her where she was, addressed her concerns, and in so doing, got to the point. At first, she was resistant, sarcastic, and wanted to be left alone. When Jesus spoke to her, He told her things she didn't like to hear, but she needed to hear it. The truth melted down her hardened disposition and softened her heart to receive the truth. Once received, she responded with a sense of peace that she didn't have before, joy in that her life has been changed and made new, and that compels her to tell people what Jesus did for her, which is what He asked her to do. She then goes and witnesses, happy that the things that made her hard-hearted and dejected are now gone because the prophesied Christ, who came to meet her where she was, has come to make all things new. That said, Jesus has such an impression on people that many respond by being His hands, feet, and mouth to a lost world, motivated by the peace, joy, and purpose that God has instilled in them. Join us as we explore more of what this means for us today.
Title: Reaching the Broken Hearted: The Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-26)
Our series on "Jesus style evangelism" continues with Jesus reaching the broken hearted as he encounters the Samaritan woman drawing water from the well. In the culture at that time, Jews and Samaritans despised each other since the nation of Israel split into two Kingdoms (around 975 B.C., after the death of King Solomon and during the reign of his son, Rehoboam), which means that the rift between both descendants of Jacob ran very deep. When the Samaritan woman draws water from the well, Jesus asks her from a drink, and in his approach, tries to undo her hard hearted disposition towards him. Jesus sees her, speaks to her, spends time with her, and gets to the point. In his encounter with her, Jesus reveals that He is the promised Messiah, and that He didn't come to earth to scold and condemn people, but that He came to heal and to mend. If you're feeling broken hearted, despised, and rejected then this message is for you.
Continuing our series on "Jesus style evangelism", we look at how Jesus reached out to the religious, and in this particular case, religious leadership. These people were well-educated, knew the Law of Moses, and were leaders of the people. The thing about Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee, was that he was SPIRITUALLY INTERESTED, and when Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God, He had an interest to delve into this concept deeper, as Jesus was claiming ownership to the status of Messiah to the Jews. Jesus sees the NEED and the INTEREST, and goes for it. Jesus also paints a clear distinction between religiosity and being born again. Join us as Pastor Troy explains how Jesus reached out to the religious in His day, and what we can learn from that encounter when we experience religious people who may know all sorts of facts and information about the Lord, but do not personally know Him in their hearts.
Title: Israel: Past, Present, & Future (by Rock of Israel Ministries)
This week our guest speaker is from Rock of Israel Ministries, a Messianic Jewish Ministry that acknowledges Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah to the Jewish people. In this presentation, our guest speaker reveals and explains a number of deep spiritual meanings incorporated into the Old Testament customs, objects, laws, and behaviors in Jewish life. Our special guest speaker also speaks on the significance of the re-emergence of Israel in these end times, and what was at work in making that happen. And that's not all. There is so much more to see, hear, and discover as Rock of Israel Ministries opens your eyes to a whole new world and a unique perspective from a Jewish standpoint.
In a series on "Jesus Style Evengelism'" we look at how Jesus approached different personality types. In this message, we see how Jesus approached the worldly, materialistic, and wealthy by how he acted towards Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector who collected money for the Romans, and was VERY rich because of it. Zacchaeus was not well-liked among his fellow Jews because he collected taxes from them for the Roman Empire, an empire whom they despised and were under the control of. Jesus was very popular with people. He goes to places where people are and people want to see him. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus too, and so, being a short man, he climbed a sycamore tree to make that happen. Jesus took notice of Zacchaeus and what he did, and decided to talk to the person everyone hates. Jesus told him to come down, offered an invitation to meet him for a meal, and committed to make time for him. What can we learn from that today when we are following Christ's example in reaching a lost, fallen, and broken world? Pastor Troy will share some nuggets of wisdom to make what Jesus did applicable today.
In the first of a series of sermons on "How to Share Your Faith in the World Around You" we look at deep and meaningful demonstrations, both in the actions of Jesus and in the parables that He taught. In other words, this is "Jesus style evangelism", and since the purpose of Christ is to "seek and save that which is lost" (Luke 19:10), the significance in His example is even greater. Zaccheaeus was a tax collector for the Romans, and the Romans over-taxed the Jews. So the Jews double-hated a Jew who collected taxes for the Romans. When Jesus was speaking, Zaccheaeus, a short man, climbed a sycamore tree wanting to see Him. There, Jesus shared a parable about a master who was leaving his house to travel, and entrusted his property to his servants, according to their abilities. They were each given money to work with. Two of those servants were faithful and productive and one of them was not. What makes the one who wasn't productive has a significant meaning that is profoundly prevalent to us today. Join us as Pastor Troy Billow reveals what that meaning is.
In this message, Guest Speaker John Beechy explains what the church is, what it's supposed to be, and lists some examples as to who the body should emulate.
Peter ends his letter to the persecuted Christians in Asia Minor addressing the seriousness of spiritual warfare. While we have this great gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, we are instructed to lead by example, be humble, and love other people, among other things. After all, God encourages, equips, exalts, and enables, so as a Servant, these things will radiate in His people. But it's not an easy thing to do, particularly as Satan wants that power and aura extinguished, and the best way to do that is to get people to doubt God's Word and as such, discourage them from acting and applying it in their lives. Peter characterizes Satan as a "roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." A lion is about 600 lbs of pure muscle, and if one goes after you, you don't stand a chance. So Satan tempts, appealing to the flesh in order to make you weak so you can't stand strong. God uses the power of His word (as Jesus Himself effectively demonstrated by application), which was how He persevered without failing once. The fact that the world is broken the way it is by sin, shame, disease, and death, goes to show you which people choose the most. The question is; which one are you putting your stock in? Added to this message, is more Christmas music and an advent reading and prayer.