Life Journey Church Podcast

If you've gone to church much at all or not ever at all, you've likely heard the phrase, "walk by faith and not by sight." For Christians, this really is the basis of our daily journey. However, have we ever really stopped to consider what it looks like to "walk by faith & not by sight?" As Cain killed Abel, the Flesh's desire for achievement seeks to strangle our new heart's desire to depend upon Jesus for everything. How do we grow wise to the Flesh's schemes?

If you've gone to church much at all or not ever at all, you've likely heard the phrase, "walk by faith and not by sight." For Christians, this really is the basis of our daily journey. However, have we ever really stopped to consider what it looks like to "walk by faith & not by sight?" We are going to take several weeks this fall taking a look at this life changing invitation from Jesus himself to live in complete dependency upon Him. We'll see picture after picture of Old Testament events where walking by faith and not by sight were shown for us today to learn from. Remember, the Old Testament is not just a history of Israel, but a revelation of Jesus Christ!

Questions & Answers: - What does the Bible really teach about End Times?

I have struggled with same sex attraction for years. 1 Cor 6:9-10 says that homosexuals will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Does that mean I have no hope?

- If I am a new creation, then why do I still sin in many of the same ways I did before (lust, pornography, fits of rage)? - How can we say we are blameless, holy, without spot or wrinkle, etc if we still sin daily?

Are we diluting God's holiness by emphasizing his love? Do we need to give people the "bad news" before sharing with them the "good news"? Please explain John 3: 3-7 & 18. How does one become born of the spirit of God, or born a second time, so they can enter into the kingdom of God? What is the kingdom of God? Vs18 says those who believe in Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, are not judged, but those who don't believe are. A lot of people might believe as a historical fact that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. Does that make them born a second time? How do we know we, or others are born of God's Spirit?

We took a look at a quote from a Christian magazine that seemed to contradict what the Apostles taught the gospel to be. What do we do when we come across poor teaching like this? The quote: "We must choose to forgive. You are not going to be close to God with bitterness in your heart. You are putting yourself in a situation where God is keeping His distance." There was also a question about whether or not faith is a work we must do in order to be saved. If it is, then is are we not legalistic?

- What does it mean for Jesus to be the “author & perfecter of faith?” - What does Jesus mean when he says "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven?" - How is the relationship between a husband and wife a picture of Christ?

I know some here have prayed for things, your healing, for the healing of a love one, for a loved one who doesn’t believe. Maybe you have been betrayed by a spouse or someone close to you. Where is God, you may ask? Maybe you have been tempted to give up, doubt that God even hears you, or maybe if He even exists. Often we are temped to doubt God, doubt His goodness and His mercy. Or maybe you have done something in the past that brings you shame every time you think about it. Something that if anyone knew about it, you would know that they would reject you. Your afraid. Your afraid to be intimate with God. How could God love me, because I did that thing, or I said that thing. Or, I still am doing something over and over that I know is wrong, but just can’t seem to shake it. You want to hide from God because you think He has turned away from you. You doubt His love. You doubt His promises. I am here to tell you. Jesus understands your plight. You may say “How can Jesus to relate me when I am doubting. Jesus

- Who wrote Hebrews & does it matter? - What does Hebrews 6 mean when it says, "fall away?" Can people lose their salvation? - What about the gifts of the Spirit? How should we view those? - What about Proverbs? Is it still wisdom for us in the New Covenant? - Why were all the apostles male?

As we wrap up our journey through Titus today, we will see 10 takeaways from this short letter that will help us come to greater and greater awareness of just how good and even counter-intuitive the Gospel of Jesus truly is!

Paul's final words to Titus include a request for Titus and the church to generously help other believers. But there were false teachers who were teaching for "sordid gain." So how to we know how to financially give? What is the foundation? What's the motivation? Are believers under the law of the Tithe? How does giving in the New Covenant look?

Last week we saw that order in the body of Christ was first realizing that the grace of God teaches us to say no to sin and Yes to Jesus, not the Law. Today, we'll see more order! What causes us to change our minds about behaviors? Is it the judgement for sin or the kindness of God? Paul clearly says that it is the kindness of God that changes our minds and behaviors. Why then is fear used so much in church today? Maybe we are out of order?

What is God's "order" for the church? Paul left Titus in Crete to "set in order what remains." What was out of order? What is the order to be? We might be surprised! Godly order isn't just godly behavior. Godly order is godly behavior as learned from God's Grace! If we do good things but fueled from any other source than God's grace, then we are not in order!

Paul left Titus in Crete to establish leaders for the young churches. Do we ever really stop and ask, "why do church leaders even exist?" Most likely think that church leadership is there to organize worship services, manage finances, and mobilize the people for ministry opportunities. Sure, these are all great things to do, but none of these are reasons why Paul had Titus establish leaders in the churches of Crete. So why? What is the central purpose for church leadership?

It cannot be denied that we live in very troubling, divisive, confusing times. If you pay attention, you are certain to hear ideas, philosophies, and views that concern or perplex you. Something about these claims just seems wrong or in direct opposition to your faith. But where did all of this particular thinking come from? How has it run rampant in our universities? What are the origins of this troubling society in which we live? To understand the answers to all of these questions, we must first understand Postmodernism. In this sermon, we are going to take a look at the thinkers and first principles of Postmodernism and what our Christian response should be. Every believer needs to be aware of how the unbelieving world thinks, and every parent needs to understand the culture in which they are raising their children. We must be the messengers of The Truth to a world that has divorced itself from any form of truth.

We are excited to begin a new teaching series through the letter Paul sent to Titus. We'll see, from Paul's own words, the urgency to stand fast in the truth of the finished work of Jesus because many, both inside and outside the faith, seek to change it. Can we today stand fast and not wavier in what the truth of what the gospel really is? Who are we to change what God has done? Let's not mess up what God has set up!

What role do we play in this new covenant of God's Grace? Is it Jesus despite us? That is, Jesus works in us despite our constant failures. Think of a parent and a rebellious teenager. Is it Jesus without us? That is, everything good that happens is all Jesus and none of us. We are passive and not involved. Think of a parent and an infant baby. Or is it Jesus in perfect partnership with us? That is, we now in a glorious new partnership with Jesus where we walk with Him and, together, we see His life displayed through us. Think of a husband and wife. What role do you play? What is your relationship with Jesus really like?

"How can we have peace in the midst of chaotic life circumstances?" How can we not be shaken when the worst of the worst this world has gets thrown our way? How can we not lose it and get dashed upon the rocks of trouble, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness? How do we keep from isolating ourselves from the ones we love the most?  Paul learned the secret! It's no secret really anymore! Are you sick and tired of watching yourself get tossed around emotionally by stuff that happens around you? I bet you are! Discover the same secret Paul discovered so that you too can have a deep peace regardless of the circumstance. The glory isn't in the removal of the circumstance, but rather in the peace found in the midst of the circumstance.