Consuming Fire
We often think of God as a smiling grandparent who accepts us however we are. This is true,
for God does accept us just as we are. Yet God loves us too much to leave us the way we are.
God’s holiness perfects us, refining us into the full intention for who God created us to be.
God is an all-consuming fire!
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- Apr 16, 2021Consuming Fire
Consuming FireWe often think of God as a smiling grandparent who accepts us however we are. This is true, for God does accept us just as we are. Yet God loves us too much to leave us the way we are. God’s holiness perfects us, refining us into the full intention for who God created us to be. God is an all-consuming fire!
- Apr 2, 2021Strange Fire
Strange FireEaster started a strange fire that continues to burn. God is again revealed as an all-consuming fire. On Easter the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus felt their hearts burning. Two weeks later, Jesus shows up at the side of the Sea of Galilee and kindles a fire. At that fire, He reinstates Peter (and them all) and re-commissions them to their calling. Living as Easter people means following our God of all-consuming fire and living as people of the Strange Fire!
- Apr 2, 2021Empty Tomb
Empty TombWe celebrate with fear and excitement as the women did that first Easter morning! The tomb is empty and in turn, we can fully live. Thanks be to God! What should our response be to such good news? To empty ourselves of all else so that Jesus Himself can fill us full with the Holy Spirit!
- Mar 26, 2021Empty Savior
Empty SaviorWe explore the passion of our Savior as He makes His way to the cross. It is a grueling process made all the more unbearable as Jesus empties Himself so that He is able to carry out the will of the Father. We enter into this journey so we can know what such a sacrifice means for us and for the entire world.
- Mar 19, 2021Empty Hands
Empty HandsWhat can we offer God? Less than we might think. The truth is, anything we bring before him belonged to him in the first place. We come before God empty-handed and that is just the way he intended it to be.
- Mar 12, 2021Shining a Light in the Darkness
Shining a Light in the DarknessThis Sunday we honor the women in our lives and those in the Forest Hills family. There will be a special guest speaker from Amborella House, Terri Hopman will be talking about what they do and how we can be a light in the darkness.
- Mar 7, 2021Empty Tanks
Empty TanksLiving life is a draining experience. So often we are running on fumes. Where can we find sustenance in a fast food world? Join us this week as we take a fresh look at God's provision laid out for us on the Communion table.
- Feb 26, 2021Empty Words
Empty WordsTalk is cheap. Anyone can utter a promise, but it is the subsequent action that matters. It is easy to point out hypocrisy and lies in others, but what comes out of our own mouths? Are our words empty of meaning or do they bless, encourage, speak truth, and provide insight? It is time for us to watch our mouths.
- Feb 21, 2021Empty: Life
Empty: LifeEmpty is an adjective that describes something without contents. Empty is a verb for removing the contents from something. This Sunday we focus our Lenten journey on emptying our lives of meaningless content so that we can become empty before God. When we are empty before God, then God can fill us with meaning, joy, and victory. So, let’s seek an empty life!
- Feb 12, 2021Momentum: Peace and Persecution
Momentum: Peace and PersecutionWe come to the end of our Eight Beatitudes series, culminating in God’s desire that we be peacemakers. This is hard work, but we reflect God’s very character when we do. It’s ironic, however, that when we make peace, we experience persecution. Yet our blessing carries us. The series is ending, but it is for us an ongoing pattern of discipleship. Let’s keep the momentum!
- Feb 5, 2021Momentum: Merciful and Pure Heart
Momentum: Merciful and Pure HeartWe come to the advanced “rings” of The Beatitudes: showing mercy and having a pure heart. God doesn’t want us just to be saved. He wants us to become like He is. That means being merciful and pure in heart. This may seem impossible for us, but God gives us the Holy Spirt to work this maturity in us. This Sunday come ready to enrol in advanced discipleship training!
- Jan 29, 2021Momentum (The Beatitudes): Righteousness
Momentum (The Beatitudes): RighteousnessAre you hungry? Jesus says that hungry people are blessed. Not hungry for just anything, however: hungry and thirsty for righteousness (living God’s way). Developing a hunger for holiness comes through training over time our taste away from selfishness and towards God’s plan. This Sunday we’ll hear how Jesus, as our Bread of Life, trains our hunger!
- Jan 22, 2021Momentum: Meek
Momentum: MeekBeatitude #3: Meekness. It’s seen as weakness by our culture. Yet Jesus calls it our strength. This Sunday we will fill up on meekness, as we embrace that its surrender and submission requires a strength and power beyond ourselves. Yet we are blessed, for we have the Holy Spirit to grow this godly meekness deep in our hearts, and give us a rich inheritance.
- Jan 15, 2021Momentum (The Beatitudes): Mourn
Momentum (The Beatitudes): MournWe’re starting 2021 by exploring how to make progress in our spiritual lives. It’s easy to get sidetracked and stuck as we follow God’s call. We settle for what we have, and we give up on moving forward in our spiritual lives. Jesus taught us how to receive more of God’s blessings, especially in the Eight Beatitudes. Starting a new year is a great time to recommit to following Jesus’ calling in the Beatitudes and to restart moving forward in our faith.
- Jan 7, 2021Momentum: Poor in Spirit
Momentum: Poor in SpiritWe all need momentum as we go through our Christian lives. That momentum begins with the first beatitude. Join us as we explore what it means to be poor in spirit.
- Jan 3, 2021Momentum: Climbing the Platform
Momentum: Climbing the PlatformWe begin the new year with a new message series about seeking the fullness of life that God offers. Almost without notice we can stall and stagnate in our spiritual growth. Yet Christmas has awakened in us a desire for more. So we go to Jesus, who teaches us the Eight Beatitudes, offering them not only as a description of the abundant life but also as a pathway to live it. We begin the journey and build momentum for holiness!
- Dec 24, 2020One Size Fits All
One Size Fits AllWe’re having a special carol service this Christmas Sunday! So, be sure to gather round and be ready to sing some of your favorite carols. We’ll also celebrate Holy Communion, and hear a meditation from Pastor David.
- Dec 23, 2020Do Good Feel Good Christmas: Kneel Down (Peace)
Do Good Feel Good Christmas: Kneel Down (Peace)We often think of Christmas Eve as a warm and serene. Yet Jesus came to take away our sin and to offer us a new start. So Christmas Eve is actually messy: a time to ask Jesus to clean up our sinful hearts and to chase away the darkness inside. We’ll use candles to represent the light that Jesus gives us when we invite Him to live in our hearts. Merry Christmas!
- Dec 17, 2020Get Real (Love!)
Get Real (Love!)As we come up to Christmas, we see that God is a Christmas Scrooge who invites us to a do good feel good Christmas. We hear the story of the Prodigal Son to help us see God differently, come home to Him, and forgive others. This message will set you up to celebrate Christmas well!
- Dec 11, 2020Reach Out (Faith!)
Reach Out (Faith!)Christmas is not about feeling the Christmas spirit. It’s about joining God’s Christmas movement–following His example–offering Jesus to others. Like Scrooge, we need Christmas alterations of our minds, hearts and actions so we live every day extending the joy of knowing Jesus.
