ConnectUs Church Audio Podcast

We build a bed on stage and wade through the beautiful messiness of generosity. You'll find today's story of generosity in 2 Kings 4.

Why would people on the other side of the world matter to us and what can we do about it? Paul spent much of his ministry raising money for people thousands of miles away from any of the churches he started. People very different in every way supported people in need because they had an "in this together" generosity.

Our Bible message today is from Deuteronomy and God's heart for a system that is set up with generosity in mind. Releasing slaves, cancelling debts. Why would anyone do such a thing? Well, if you remember where you came from, you might be able to be generous towards others who are in a similar situation as you were.

Boaz's generosity towards a non-jewish woman with nothing to offer in return.

A shepherd is a high calling. Do you really believe that the Lord will be with you as you level up and step into these things? God's goodness gets better and better and you see more and more of what God is doing in and through you.

A shepherd protects their sheep from enemies. They also provide for the sheep to keep them safe and growing.

There are many ways you can treat or attempt to lead a flock of sheep. Only one way follows the example of the Great Shepherd. May our guidance of others help them feel comfort and not be afraid.

TWO special things in this new series. Join us in memorizing Psalm 23 and think about your SHEPHERD SHOUTOUT. Today is all about our relational connection with the great shepherd and how to strengthen our relationships with the sheep God has brought into our lives.

When a dead body disappears from the tomb the logical thing to believe is that someone stole the body. It was the story fabricated from the earliest moments after the resurrection, and it’s still being told today. It’s easy. It’s safe. It’s comfortable. Yet, it’s made up information to satisfy the powers that be and keep things status quo. The resurrection of Jesus Christ blows the roof of normal and ignites revolution.

Extravagant worship. It seems like a waste. You can't look past the perceived waste of money and your better plans. Let's move beyond the moment and see more of who God is beyond the walls we set up. We have much to thank him for, way beyond what we even understand today.

Today is all about the cross. Simon is forced to carry the cross for Jesus and Jesus' final words from the cross. It doesn't get more powerful than this. God's love and justice converge and climax in this moment. 

There is a war between truth and falsehood. We see these battles show up when Jesus (the Truth) is on trial. One either accepts the truth or is forced to find another creative way to deal with it. The truth will set you free.

Jesus was in control every step of the way, from the garden to the cross. As the world plotted, schemed, lied, and manipulated, Jesus stayed steadfast in the truth. He was in total control although his circumstances might of indicated otherwise.

On April 5 we celebrate the most important event in the history of the world. But what happened leading up to this? How did Jesus go from teacher to crucified criminal. If He was God, why did he let this happen to Him? He made a decision to do the will of the Father. Message by Denny Foreman.

If the Christian Thing To Do isn't what we think.. what is it? To be a Christian is to be a noun. It isn't an adjective. Yet so often our description of "Christian things" have more to do with cultural moral issues than Biblical commands.

The Fruit of the Spirit is not a coconut. It's what God is producing in your life as you follow Jesus. The fruit is growing and it just might be slightly different than you were thinking it would look like. Do you know what God is producing in you? Message by Denny Foreman.

Have you ever been or seen a Christian that doesn't act like a Christian? What does that even mean? Have you ever stopped to think about what really is "the Christian thing to do?"

Sometimes its the things we do that we don't think about that keep us from fully following Jesus. When is the last time you checked your auto pilot?

Believers in Jesus love one another. That's hard to do sometimes (or all the time!) Message from Tony Koch

Let's live this year for Jesus! It's not easy to know exactly what we have to do, but if we grow closer to the Lord our lives will be different. Message by Tony Holloman

Happy New Year! We have new challenges to face and new battles to overcome. Thankfully, we have the same God this year as we did last year! Some battles are God's to fight for us. Do not be afraid. He is a mighty warrior!

You better watch out! You better not cry! You better not pout I'm telling you why... wait, no. That's not God. We can approach God much differently than this popular Christmas song portrays. Message by Denny Foreman.

How is Santa Claus Theology different than God Theology? When did we ever let "you better be good for goodness sake" control how we live. There is a better message for Christmas. There is hope for you to "be good" that doesn't depend on you. God great. God is good. Let's thank Him for Christmas!

The naughty and nice list Santa is keeping has to be one of the most famous lists in our culture. Everyone knows those on the naughty list get coal. How do you know that? The gospel of Jesus Christ is so much better than this. Stop relating to God like He is Santa with a list going to find out if you are naughty or nice.

What are you looking forward to? Are you looking forward to Christmas? There is a lot of countdown and anticipation for the big Christmas day... but do we have the same anticipation for Jesus' coming? Message by Jordan Wertz.

Why do some people turn from God and others draw near? We see the same things, and yet experience two different results. How can we end up on the right road?

Feed, not fleece. Jesus is the ultimate example of what it means to care for people and bring other's along. We follow Him. We are empowered by Him and the Holy Spirit. We serve, love, care, and experience an abundant life. A hireling (one who does not take after the Great Shepherd) is just there for themselves and quits when it gets hard.

When there is a hole to fill, will you fill it? Is it something you are really choosing to do? We all are a product of our decisions, feelings, and situations we've experienced throughout the years on this earth. Have you let that tell you who you are and how you should live your life? Or, will you willingly choose to path God has set before you?

When you invite someone to follow along with you the answer is probably going to be "no." What you do next shows how leveled up you are.

Skills might help you rise up the ladder, but character will keep you there. Who you are as a person will greatly influence your ability to influence others. We all need to ask the question, "what is it like being on the other side of me?"

Everyone is welcome to join in on the amazing free gift of God's grace and salvation. It's a wonderful thing! Message by Tony Holloman.

Isaiah 55 - You Are Invited. It's the best party, with the best food, and the best entertainment, in the BEST location - And the best part is that it is all FREE!

The promises of God to His people are magnificent. But some of them are future. So what is to be said about our present suffering? We believe our future with God is great, but what about our current season where it feels like God has left us alone?

What Jesus did on the cross 2000 years ago somehow counts for me. When He died, He died because of my sins. He was killed so that we could live. He was punished so that we could be forgiven. He was found guilty so that we could be made innocent... Communion today as we remember this suffering servant.

The Suffering Servant. An incredible picture of Jesus and his sacrifice for us, in our place, so that we could be made right with God. Prophesied 700 years before it happened. Message by Denny Foreman

Salvation is coming. Act like it. Remember what God has done to bring you salvation and live it out. Walk it out! Message by Jordan Wertz.

Did you hear that? God has something he wants to tell you. He wants to give you a hope for the future that is bigger and more extraordinary that you can imagine today.

*Correction at 10:08 mark - *GENESIS 21:5. ABRAHAM WAS 100, SARAH WAS 90

Jesus gives us a perfect example of obedience. Obedience even through suffering. How can we follow His lead and do our part to desire wisdom and rightly follow the truth? When he comes knocking will we be home to answer the door?

NAMED: YAHWEH-SHALOM - The LORD is peace. When we truly get a look at God, we can't help but see how dreadful we are. His glory and power are beyond comprehension. And yet, somehow, we live. He brings peace to us by his marvelous grace.

NAMED: EL ROI - The God who sees me. When you are desperate and feeling unseen, unheard, and overlooked you can trust that God sees you. It is who He is, no matter who we are.

God has not forgotten about you. In fact, your name is inscribed on the palm on his hands. Even after years of being disconnected from God, He still has incredible plans for you.

God has continued to do everything possible in your life to get you to see him and follow Him. Yet, most people are so hard headed. They will put their trust in everything but God! If we would just follow the Lord our lives would be more often characterized by peace, joy, love, etc... don't you want that? Message by Tony Koch

Pride comes before the fall. A common saying that plays out again and again in so many of our lives. Babylon thought they were untouchable and at the height of their security they were destroyed. Isaiah predicted it all.

It's so easy to forget God is at work in our life. Yet He is! He has done great things in the past and He will continue to do great things in the future. Even though we get distracted. May we continue to look to Him to find our purpose.

What if you could just be the real you? No more masks. No more pretending. No more trying to solve all your problems and make it all fall into place. Just honest. Real. Authentic. Let's do this together!

On the other side of confession is great blessing, freedom and power. How do you do this? How do we go through the tough waters to experience the blessing on the other side? Message by Jordan Wertz

The creator God of the universe gets to determine the purpose for everyone He has created. Even kings of foreign nations who do not worship God are used by God to do His will. Are you fighting back or are you being shaped by the talented potter?

Your hang-up is ridiculous! This message is a little different than normal. We recognize that dealing with huge situations and issues is sometimes very complex and difficult. But Isaiah 44:6-20 breaks down these complex things and helps us see the foolishness of it. We pray that today can help you take at last one step closer to Jesus!

The people of God are incredibly special to Him. He is with them. He is for them. He loves them and has a plan for their life and future.

Darkness is overwhelming. When the Messiah takes the stage everyone is ready to worship! He's magnificent, and yet there there will be people that reject him. We don't want anyone to miss out on Jesus!