Sometimes people walk away from faith because they have little investment in it.
It's the same reason that people aren't committed to free Gym memberships or value things that have cost them nothing.
We are wired to value our money and to have our hearts follow our treasure.
This week we look at tithing and how it relates to new covenant Christians.
We get hurt in relationships and that is an unfortunate reality; especially in the context of the local church.
However, when we are hurt by leadership in the church, that can usually be more than we can bare and most of the time we will withdraw from the church and begin to doubt to God.
In this message we look at Matthew 23:1-12 where Jesus teaches his disciples about what a leader (what a follower of Christ) should look like. And we have to ask ourselves the question; are these characteristics true of me; because if they are not, people around me will get hurt.
Dr. Henry Cloud states, “almost of our troubles in this world come from three sources…. People, People and People.”
In this life it is not a matter of “if” we will be hurt by someone, it is just a matter of when.
When we are hurt by people, especially in a church setting it is understandable why people doubt and walk away from faith, walk away from the church.
But if being hurt is inevitable what should our response be?
In this message and in next week’s message we begin to unpack this reality.
This video was played at the end of Kevin’s message.
We Are The Body Written by Mandi Mapes Perfromed by Brook Hills Music Vocals by Mandi Mapes On "The God We Praise" 2010 The Church At Brook Hills Brook Hills Music.
Life has many ups and downs with often more questions than answers. Sometimes even the answers we think we have, the ones we've developed through inaccurate theologies, prove themselves to be untrue.
Peace comes when we rest in the fact that Jesus is who he says he is.
THIS VIDEO WAS PLAYED BEFORE KEVIN’S MESSAGE
Lynn Anderson preforms her signature hit single 'I Beg Your Pardon (I Never Promised You A Rose Garden)' in 1973.
This video was played at the end of Kevin’s message.
Casting Crowns performs Praise You In This Storm
The Bridge Community Church is actively involved in both Local and International Missions.
A number of years ago The Bridge was introduced to Tricia DeBoer, a missionary serving in Uganda. Since that introduction The Bridge has been supporting Tricia who is now part of an incredible Organization called, I LIVE AGAIN UGANDA. For more information about I Live Again, please click here.
On Sunday, October 20th, we were blessed to have Tricia and 3 other members from I Live Again Uganda come to The Bridge to share stories and testimonies of how God is using them.
As you listen, we pray that you are as encouraged and challenged as we were to hear what God is doing through these remarkable servants.
In this message we address a dynamic of life that we all face. This little slice of life, this dynamic, has the potential to determine, not influence, but determine the direction and the quality of your life.
It is so powerful, it will over power your prayers, it has the potential to overpower your worship, it has the potential to overpower your commitment to Christ.
This dynamic has the potential to determine the direction and the quality of your life.
It is the thing that shipwrecks and sidelines more individuals that anything else.
You will either rule it, or it will rule you.
We've all seen athletes point to heaven after touchdowns or home runs. And we've heard actors thank God during their acceptance speeches. We know God can be glorified in our moments of success. But what about moments of weakness? How do we keep going when our circumstances are crippling and God seems to be saying, "No"? In this message, wee look at what God has promised to provide - even when it's not his cooperation. 2 Corinthians 12:6-10
Doubt is something many of us deal with when it comes to our faith. There are many good reasons for us have doubts. However, if we give Jesus the benefit of doubt, we will find him to be true.
Big Daddy Weave - I Know (Lyric Video) New Release | Sept 13, 2019
This video was played at the end of Kevin’s message.
Could it be that there is more to prayer than we thought? James who was known as “Old Camel Knees” because of the callouses on his knees; chooses to close his letter to the early church exhorting them in prayer. And, two thousand years ago, Jesus pulled his disciples aside and taught them to pray. In examining what James says and Jesus’ instructions, we find a disconnect between their teaching and the way we typically approach prayer. We discover that there are some things about prayer we think are important but aren't; and there are some things we don't think are important that are.James 5:13-20
James has a great way of describing faith in very practical terms when he talks about how our faith grows. He tells us to consider the patience of farmers and apply what we observe to the growth of our faith. James 5:7-12
Wilder Woods : Someday Soon LYRICS
This video was played at the end of the message,
God is not happy with those who have more than they need and hoard what they have. Why do we have more than we need? God expects us to share. Everyone leaves their money when they die, God wants us to give it while we are alive. James 5:1-6
I COULD HAVE DONE MORE The film Schindler's’ List.
This Video was played at the end of Steve’s Message.
We order our days as if we have full knowledge and the power to control everything. However, James reveals what we know and how much power we actually have.
In this message we look at the reality we face as humans and what the solution is for moving forward. James 4:13-17
I have always said, “show me your friends and I will show you your future.” In this passage James says show me who your friends really are and I will show you why you are in the situation you are in. As hard as it is for us to accept, James’ words still ring true today; if we are friends with the world we are missing out on God’s best for us. And God is really for us. .The question is can we apply what James instructs to so that we are in a position to receive the best God has for us? James 4:4-12
This song was sang at the end of the message.
Official live video for "Let It Be Jesus" by Christy Nockels, recorded live in Atlanta, GA.
What is the source of conflict in our relationships? We tend to blame problems on the circumstances that hurt us without taking any responsibility ourselves. Yet, are others to blame for our unhappiness or discontent? God is the source of everything we need and all we have to do is ask Him for his help. James 4:1-3
Our words determine the course of our lives and affect the environment and course of the lives of others. We need to realize the positive and negative potential of our words and how what we say affects others. James 3:1-12