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< Back Pathways: The Gifts of the Spirit (Session 3) Pastor Nate Brosher and Chase Radford May 15, 2024 Link to study guide: https://estd.craft.me/gifts Previous Next

< Back Sabbath Series Pt. 1: The War Chase Radford Jan 16, 2025 *All Scripture is from ESV unless noted otherwise. Genesis 1:31–2:3 (NRSV; condensed) God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. ... And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested... So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. That's where sabbath began via God's eternal decree of a day of stopping and celebrating Him and the life He created for us. Word Study: Sabbath The Hebrew word(s) translated to sabbath literally means to stop, to cease (labor), to rest, to celebrate — which the Greek word is a transliteration of and carries the same definition. Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Word Study: Flesh Matthew 11:28-30 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This is what John Piper calls "the sweetest invitiation." It's also a call to examine the burdens and yokes we have allowed to be placed on us, or placed on ourselves. “Jesus is not glorified or seen as beautiful or desirable if his followers are exhausted and stressed and worn out in the exact same way of the world — he's just not. […] A restful spirit is spiritual warfare in a culture of exhaustion. And so we have to learn how to live in the rhythm of rest. We do this by examining the yoke on our life.” — Jon Tyson I want to focus on these three gods of our age, what I believe are the three most prominent sources of yokes in our day: Accomplishment Accumulation Amusement. Accomplishment Accomplishment, like anything, can be distorted into a burdensome yoke that leads people away from the presence of God, and becomes a form of worship to the god of self. GotQuestions.org writes: "The god of self arises in us when we think we know better than God. We disagree with His Word and elevate our own opinion above His... The god of self is very much active within the church today. Self-help, self-esteem, self-love, and self-fulfillment are topics once left to secular psychologists. Now they are regular themes in mainline Christianity. The awesome, holy God described in Scripture as a “consuming fire” (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29) and who will “smite the nations with the sword of His mouth” (Revelation 19:15) is considered important only inasmuch as He validates our worth or makes us feel good about ourselves. The god of self will gladly worship a God of love but resists learning about His other qualities because those will dethrone self." Accumulation We aren't as a society only obsessed with ourselves. We are obsessed with our networks , our money and our stuff . Matt. 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt. 6:2-4 "...when you give to the needy , sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." [rewards; treasures in heaven] 2 Cor. 8:1-5 "We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints — 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us ." Amusement In 1985, Neil Postman wrote a groundbreaking polemic titled, Amusing Ourselves to Death . It's about the corrosive effects of television and couldn't ring more true 40 years later. A Call to Consecration + Rest in Christ Accomplishment, accumulation, and amusement satisfy the flesh but leave the soul empty, leading to what John Piper calls a "malaise of the soul." These false gods, often elevated as sacred even by believers, become strongholds that hinder a consecrated life set apart for God's glory. True worship belongs to God, not to the idols of work, entertainment, or possessions — a truth Jesus addressed when teaching us the Lord's prayer , to hallow God’s name above all. Our Father, who is in Heaven, Let Your name be hallowed to us. Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done, Here as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us and we forgive others. Do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from all evil. Yours is the Kingdom, all power and glory. Amen. Practice the Way: Sabbath https://www.practicingtheway.org/sabbath Previous Next

< Back Heroes of the Faith Pt. 7: The Lord is with You Pastor Nate Brosher Sep 21, 2025 Judges 6:11-15 NLT - 11 Then the angel of the LORD came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. 12 The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, "Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!" 13 "Sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn't they say, 'The LORD brought us up out of Egypt'? But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites." 14 Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!" 15 "But Lord," Gideon replied, "how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!" 1. How are we defined? Gideon could’ve been defined as a coward, wine presser, wheat thresher. Valor – (Hayil) - strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army. How God sees us is how we should define ourselves. Judges 6:15-16 NLT - 15 "But Lord," Gideon replied, "how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!" 16 The LORD said to him, "I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man." Excuses Excuse - a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense. What excuse are you hiding behind? Judges 7:2-7 NLT - 2 The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength. 3 Therefore, tell the people, 'Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain and go home.'" So, 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight. 4 But the LORD told Gideon, "There are still too many! Bring them down to the spring, and I will test them to determine who will go with you and who will not." 5 When Gideon took his warriors down to the water, the LORD told him, "Divide the men into two groups. In one group put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it up with their tongues like dogs. In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream." 6 Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream. 7 The LORD told Gideon, "With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home." 2. God must get the Glory! 1Corinthians 1:26-27 NLT - 26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God will use the ignorance to confound the wise. Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV - 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Judges 8:33-34 NLT - 33 As soon as Gideon died, the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping the images of Baal, making Baal-berith their god. 34 They forgot the LORD their God, who had rescued them from all their enemies surrounding them. May we never forget where God has brought you from! Previous Next

< Back The Romans Journey Pt. 6: In Christ Alone Pastor Nate Brosher Mar 26, 2025 Romans 7:14-20 NLT - 14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 1. Identifying your problem Hebrews 12:1 ESV - 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Weight – ogkos – Whatever is prominent, burdened, encumbrance/dependent upon. Sin – hamartia – To miss the mark, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act. John 15:5 ESV - 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. Romans 7:21-25 NLT - 21 I have discovered this principle of life--that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God's law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So, you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. 2. In Christ Alone John 1:29 ESV - 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 1John 2:1-2 ESV - 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. Propitiation – hilasmos – an appeasing, satisfies divine justice and allows for forgiveness and reconciliation. Romans 3:25 NLT - 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past. Philippians 3:12-14 NLT - 12 I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Hebrews 12:2 ESV - 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. Death could not hold Him! 1Corinthians 15:55-57 ESV - 55 "O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - Victory in Jesus! Revelation 12:10-12 NLT - 10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, "It has come at last--salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth--the one who accuses them before our God Day and night. 11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time." Previous Next

< Back Love Matters: The Love of Money Pastor Nate Brosher Feb 25, 2024 1Timothy 6:9-10 NLT 9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1. The Love of Money What is controlling your thoughts and movements? Ecclesiastes 10:19 ESV 19 Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything. The top 3 reasons for divorce in America are: Infidelity Communication Finances/money Matthew 6:24 NLT 24 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Will we serve God, or will we serve money? What is controlling you? Matthew 6:19-21 NLT 19 "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Heart issue Our treasures are stored up on this earth instead of in Heaven 2. We can’t have two masters. Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28 ESV 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. ... 27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 2Corinthians 9:6-7 NKJV 6 But this [I say]: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 [So let] each one [give] as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. As we develop our relationship with God, he will expose who and what is operating in our way of thinking. Jesus said, “NO one can serve two masters! You will hate one and love the other.” Previous Next

< Back New Testament Church Series Pt. 7: You’re an Overcomer Pastor Nate Brosher Jun 2, 2024 Matthew 4:1-11 NKJV 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' " 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In [their] hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " 7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' " 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. 1. Temptation – a thing or course of action that attracts or tempts someone. RC Sproul states: In his ascension, Christ is seated at the right hand of God, where He is crowned as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. That was a tremendous blow to all worldly or satanic powers, principalities, and spiritual wickedness in high places. The one who is in dominion is the Lord. The Lord God omnipotent reigns, and the Lord Christ reigns over this world right now. His kingdom may not be of this world, but it certainly includes this world, and Jesus has all authority over heaven and earth. John 16:33 NKJV "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." 2. Jesus has overcome this world! Hebrews 2:17-18 NLT 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing; he is able to help us when we are being tested. We often think that God doesn’t understand what we are going through or what we are facing. Psalm 18:32 NLT God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. 1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV But thanks [be] to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:8-9 ESV 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Previous Next

< Back The Aftermath Pt. 4: Where’s the Power? Pastor Nate Brosher May 18, 2025 Act 5:12-16 NLT - 12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon's Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. 14 Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord--crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result of the apostles' work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter's shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed. Are we obeying God’s voice? What is the chain of command in the church today? Ephesians 4:11-16 NLT - 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Are we there already? If we want to see the power of God in the church, then we must learn how to unify with other believers! Philippians 2:12-13 ESV - 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Let God work it out in you. Matthew 13:24-30 ESV - 24 He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?' 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, "Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn."' We must continue to pour out good seed. 2Timothy 2:15 NKJV - 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Previous Next

< Back Encounters Series Pt. 6: Wait Pastor Nate Brosher Sep 15, 2024 Isaiah 40:27-31 ESV - 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 1. It’s so hard to wait. “Impatience is the nemesis to our waiting and being patient.” Wait – (Qava) - to wait or look eagerly for, hope, trust and expect. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT - 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 2. What are we longing for? Psalm 42:1-2 NLT - 1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Solomon said, “I Thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?” Matthew 5:6 NKJV - 6 Blessed [are] those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Filled – (Chortazo) - to fulfil or satisfy the desire of anyone. 3. What are we desiring? Psalm 27:4-5 NLT - 4 The one thing I ask of the LORD--the thing I seek most--is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD's perfections and meditating in his Temple. 5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. House – (Bayit) – Dwelling habitation of abode of light and darkness. Jewish word Sheol/Greek word Hades. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 NLT - 6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long aswe live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord (to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord). 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. How do we abide in his presence? Psalm 22:2-3 KJV - 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But thou [art] holy, [O thou] that inhabits the praises of Israel. Inhabits – (Yasab) - to dwell, remain, sit, abide. God dwells with us when we praise him. Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV - 1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Previous Next

< Back Encounters Series Pt. 2: Midnight Hour Pastor Nate Brosher Aug 18, 2024 Acts 16:16-18 NLT - 16 One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved." 18 This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And instantly it left her. 1. Routine of Life How long will we allow ourselves to entertain spirits that are right in front of our faces? We must recognize the spirits that are trying to trap us Acts 16:19-24 NLT - 19 Her masters' hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. 20 "The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!" they shouted to the city officials. 21 "They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice." 22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. 2. Questioning Period Act 16:25-31 NLT - 25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! 27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted to him, "Stop! Don't kill yourself! We are all here!" 29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household." 3. Desperation Are you approaching your midnight hour? What are you going to do? Your act of worship will showcase the power of God! Previous Next

< Back The Aftermath Pt. 6: Obedience Pastor Nate Brosher Jun 1, 2025 Act 8:26-39 NKJV - 26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot." 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth." 34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, [here is] water. What hinders me from being baptized?" 37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. Arise and GO! Psalm 37:23-24 NLT - 23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. If God is directing, we must be willing to follow. Psalm 25:4-5 NLT - 4 Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. 5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Matthew Henry, Commentator, “He was a knowing man himself, but the most intelligent, the most observant, both need and desire to be taught of God; from him we must be ever learning.” Philippians 3:13-14 ESV - 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. For us to walk in obedience we must learn how to forget those things that are behind us! Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT - 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Deuteronomy 23:1 ESV - 1 "No one whose testicles are crushed or whose male organ is cut off shall enter the assembly of the LORD. What/Who are we obeying? Francis Chan, “I’m to shut my own voice out of my own head and trust his words above mine. How you label me for doing that is up to you. I’m just trying to be a person who follows the word.” 1Samuel 15:22-23 NLT - 22 But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king." Hebrews 11:6 ESV - 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. We must learn to draw near to God. Previous Next

< Back Sabbath Series Pt. 4: Leisure & Liturgy Chase Radford Jul 23, 2025 Full notes here: https://estd.craft.me/SS4-Leisure-Liturgy Previous Next

< Back Thessalonians Series Pt. 1: What Do They Say? Pastor Nate Brosher Jul 30, 2025 1Thessalonians 1:1-3 NLT - 1 This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God give you grace and peace. 2 We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. 3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ. Three Things Paul expresses in Chapter 1: 1. Faithful Work - Dedication, Reliability & Commitment. - Integrity & Honesty. - Serving Others. 2. Loving Deeds - Care, Compassion & Affection. - Sacrificial. - Authentic Expression of Love. 3. Enduring Hope - Confidence in God’s Promises. - Anchored in God. 1Thessalonians 1:4-7 NLT - 4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 5 For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. 7 As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece--throughout both Macedonia and Achaia. • Are we imitating the Lord? - What would Paul say we are imitating? verse 7 that as a result of imitating Christ, they have become examples to all believers in the surrounding areas of Greece and Macedonia. 1Thessaslonians 1:8-10 NLT - 8 And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don't need to tell them about it, 9 for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. 10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God's Son from heaven--Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. - Verse 9: for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. Are we just surface deep Christians? Revelation 12:11 ESV - 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. ■ Testimony - Martyria – record, evidence given, report. What is coming out of our mouths? 1 Thessalonians 1:10 NLT – And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God's Son from heaven--Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. - It’s time to declare the promises of the Lord! Previous Next