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< Back Under Construction Pastor Nate Brosher Oct 27, 2024 Ephesians 2:17-22 NLT - 17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. 19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. 1. He’s the potter, we are the clay. Isaiah 64:8 ESV - 8 But now, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Potter – a person who makes objects from clay. What prohibits us from allowing ourselves to be put under construction? ■ Discomfort? ■ Fear of Change? Hebrews 10:11-14 NLT - 11 Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God's right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. - If God is the potter of our lives, why are we trying to get off the wedging board when he is molding us? Hebrews 10:14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. 2. Being Made Holy ■ Holy/sanctified - hagiazō - to separate from profane things and dedicate to God. To purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin Philippians 1:6 NLT - 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Psalm 127:1 ESV - 1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Romans 8:31 NLT - 31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Isaiah 55:11 NKJV - 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper [in the thing] for which I sent it. Previous Next

< Back Pathways: The Gifts of the Spirit (Session 4) Pastor Nate Brosher and Chase Radford May 22, 2024 Link to study guide: https://estd.craft.me/gifts Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul (1 Timothy): A Good Servant Pastor Nate Brosher Nov 20, 2025 1Timothy 4:1-5 NLT - 1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. 3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. 4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 5 For we know it is made acceptable/holy by the word of God and prayer. 1Timothy 4:6-7 NLT - 6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. 7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. ■ Why are we wasting our time arguing with the Godless? Matthew 7:6 NLT - 6 "Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you. 1. Discernment 1Corinthians 15:32-33 NLT - 32 And what value was there in fighting wild beasts--those people of Ephesus--if there will be no resurrection from the dead? And if there is no resurrection, "Let's feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!" 33 Don't be fooled by those who say such things, for "bad company corrupts good character." Hebrews 12:15 ESV - 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. Proverbs 13:20 NLT - 20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. 2. Self-awareness A crowd can either pull you up, pull you down or push you off course. 1Timothy 4:8-11 NLT - 8 "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. 11 Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. ■ How do we train for godliness? ■ Train - “Gynmazo” - to exercise, discipline, practice with effort. Scripture Intake: • Daily Reading • Applying what you read. • Meditation • Memorization We can’t become what we don’t consume. Prayer: • Set times of prayer • Short prayers throughout the day • Honest prayers (not just eloquent ones) • Listening as much as speaking Prayer is not only communication, it’s formation. Worship: • Personal worship • Corporate worship • Consistent gathering with believers What you embrace consistently shapes what you become. 1Timothy 4:12-13, 15-16 NLT - 12 Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. ... 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. Previous Next

< Back The Aftermath Pt. 2: His Spirit Pastor Nate Brosher May 4, 2025 Acts 2:14-18 NLT - 14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, "Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o'clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: 17 'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants--men and women alike--and they will prophesy. 1. His Spirit is for ALL PEOPLE! Joel 2:28-29 ESV - 28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29 Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. God was setting a precedent! John 14:6-7 ESV - 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Fatheralso. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Romans 8:16-17 ESV - 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God , 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Suffer – sympaschō – To suffer evils, persecution, troubles together, feel pain together. 1Peter 5:8-11 ESV - 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Persecution comes in many different sizes. Accusations: Matthew 24:13 ESV - 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Slandering/Mocking: Galatians 6:7-9 NKJV - 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 2. We are all witnesses! Acts 2:32-33 NLT - 32 "God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. Ephesians 1:13 NLT - 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. What does the Holy Spirit do for me? 1. Reveals God’s Truth John 14:26 NLT - 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative--that is, the Holy Spirit--he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. 2. Empowers with Spiritual Gifts Ephesians 4:11-12 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. 3. Transforms Lives Galatians 5:22-23 NLT - 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Previous Next

< Back Clothed: A Gospel of Many Colors Chase Radford Sep 14, 2025 Genesis 37:1–4 1 Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. 2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel [Jacob] loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. God’s Plan > Our Pain John Piper: "God is so sovereign over the disasters and the disappointments of our lives that He is able to make every one of them serve our everlasting joy. This sovereign grace is the ground of your joy IN sorrows — not after sorrows, but in the sorrows of deep disappointment." Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. God will use life's disappointments to shape you into a disciple worthy of His calling (Eph. 4:1) Look again at the life of Joseph: from the pasture to the pit, Potiphar's house, and prison… this was all preparation for the palace. What is God preparing you for? Charles Spurgeon: “the Lord’s presence did not shield Joseph from hatred or temptation or slander or pain or disappointment. The Lord does not promise us that we will have what looks like prosperity, but we will have what is real prosperity in the best sense.” The Source of Who We Are John 5:39 …the Scriptures testify of me [Jesus]. Galatians 3:26-29 ...for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. God’s chosen people, holy and dearly beloved (Col. 3:12; 1 Peter 2:9) A royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) Vessels of mercy which He prepared beforehand for glory (Rom. 9:23) Overcomers (1 John 5:4-5; Rev. 12:11) More than conquerors (Rom. 8:37) The righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21) Blessed of the Father (Matt. 25:34) Brothers and sisters of Jesus (Matthew 12:48-50) The Bride of Christ (Eph. 5:25-27; Rev. 19:7-9) Seated with Christ in the Heavenlies (Eph. 2:6) Heirs of the new Heaven and Earth (Gal. 4:7) Sons and daughters (Eph. 1:5; Rom. 8:29) Accepted and beloved (Eph. 1:6) God's treasure (Mal. 3:17) Children of the Promise (Rom. 9:8; Gal. 3:29) Children of the Light (John 12:36; 1 Thess. 5:5) Children of God (1 John 3:1) This became your identity when you trusted in Jesus! Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul Series Pt. 6: God’s Guarantee Pastor Nate Brosher Jul 31, 2024 Ephesians 1:3 NLT - 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 1. Every Spiritual Blessing ■ Spiritual - Pneumatikos - relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as part of the man which is akin to God and serves as his instrument or organ, one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God ■ Blessing – Eulogia - a (concrete) blessing, benefit. [1Corinthians 12:7-11, 13 NLT] 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice ; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge . 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing . 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles , and another the ability to prophesy . He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages , while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. ... 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Ephesians 1:3 - has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ . ■ The common denominator is Jesus! Psalm 84:11 ESV - 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. Ephesians 1:4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Romans 5:20-21 NLT - 20 God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Genesis 50:20 NLT - 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. ■ We have an advocate Ephesians 1:6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. 9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ--everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God , for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. 12 God's purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Previous Next

< Back Sacrificial Living Pt. 3: Take Up Your Cross Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 26, 2025 Luke 9:23-26 ESV - 23 And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 1. Are we willing to follow? Jesus said, we are to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. ■ The cross was a symbol of death by crucifixion. Galatians 5:24-26 NLT - 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. ■ Deny – To refuse to give or grant something desired. ■ Arneomai – To reject, disregard one’s own interest. “We are to reject, disregard our own interests and take up our cross daily.” John 14:19-21 NLT - 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them." 2. Are we accepting His commandments and obeying them? ■ We are at a crossroad in our lives. John 21:18-19 NLT – 18 "I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go." 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, "Follow me." Are you ready to follow Him? Consider these questions: Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your closest friends? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your reputation? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life? Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul (1 Timothy): Prayer and Order Pastor Nate Brosher Oct 22, 2025 1Timothy 2:1-7 NLT - 1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity--the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I'm not exaggerating--just telling the truth. 1. Importance of Prayer Paul states, “Pray for ALL people.” What is truth? 1 Timothy 2:5-6 NLT - 5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity--the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. John 8:31-32 NLT - 31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." This is why we must know the truth! 1Timothy 2:8 NLT - 8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. Free from Anger & Controversy Anger - “Orge” - movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion. Controversy/Dissension - “ Dialogismos” - a deliberating, questioning about what is true, hesitation, doubting or inward reasoning. 2. Reading In Context “People are more likely to believe a colossal untruth than a small one if it’s repeated enough.” - Adolf Hitler (Mein Kampf) 1Timothy 2:9-15 NLT - 9 And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. 10 For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. 11 Women should learn quietly and submissively. 12 I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. 13 For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty. Descriptive vs Prescriptive When we read scriptures, we must dissect what is prescriptive and what is descriptive. Paul’s letter was to organize the church and ensure the church's conduct is a credible witness to the gospel. 2Peter 3:15-16 NLT - 15 And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him -- 16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction. Previous Next

< Back The Journey Series Pt. 1: Don’t Stop Believing! Pastor Nate Brosher Nov 3, 2024 Exodus 3:7-10 NLT - 7 Then the LORD told him, "I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey--the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. 9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt." Every Journey has a starting point Zechariah 4:10 NLT - 10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin , to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand." The Lord rejoices to see the work begin! Exodus 3:11NLT - 11 But Moses protested to God, "Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?" When God has chosen you, He will equip you! Exodus 3:12-15 NLT – God answered, "I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain." 13 But Moses protested, "If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' they will ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what should I tell them?" 14 God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you." 15 God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob--has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations. ■ I AM: (Haya) - was, come to pass, came, has been, were happened, become, pertained, better for thee. ■ Jehovah - Yahweh is a transliteration of the proper name YHWH that is sometimes rendered “Jehovah”. ■ The Existing One, self-Existent or Eternal. Jeremiah 24:6 NLT - 6 I will watch over and care for them, and I will bring them back here again. I will build them up and not tear them down. I will plant them and not uproot them. We must never stop believing that He will be with us wherever we go. Hebrews 13:5 ESV - 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Previous Next

< Back Heroes of the Faith Pt. 5: Be Strong and Courageous Pastor Nate Brosher Aug 31, 2025 Joshua 1:6-9 NLT - 6 "Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command-- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." 1. The Promise The promise rarely discloses the hardship we might face. 1Corinthians 13:9-12 ESV - 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 2. Don’t Deviate! Romans 5:2-5 ESV - 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. We catch ourselves outside of the will of God because we have failed to follow His instructions! 3. Do not be discouraged! Joshua 1:9 This is my command-- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." The repeated command emphasized that God was with him! Isaiah 55:8 ESV - 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 2Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV - 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. We will be persecuted but we will NOT be forsaken! Previous Next

< Back Heroes of the Faith Pt. 3: Dare to Dream Pastor Nate Brosher Aug 17, 2025 Genesis 37:18-28 NLT - 18 When Joseph's brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 19 "Here comes the dreamer!" they said. 20 "Come on, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, 'A wild animal has eaten him.' Then we'll see what becomes of his dreams!" 21 But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph's rescue. "Let's not kill him," he said. 22 "Why should we shed any blood? Let's just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he'll die without our laying a hand on him." Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father. 23 So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. 24 Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. 25 Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain by killing our brother? We'd have to cover up the crime. 27 Instead of hurting him, let's sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother--our own flesh and blood!" And his brothers agreed. 28 So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph's brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt. 1. Dream Stealers In our walk as followers of Christ we are going to be confronted by naysayers, that won’t want us to succeed. 2. The In-Between Stage Genesis 39:2-4 NLT - 2 The LORD was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the LORD was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. The dream begins even when we can’t see it. Genesis 39:21-23 NLT - 21 But the LORD was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the LORD made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. 22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The LORD was with him and caused everything he did to succeed. 3. Favor Follows Joseph Genesis 41:39-41 NLT - 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. 40 You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours." 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt." 4. Dream Again! Don’t curse the process! Genesis 45:5, 8 NLT - 5 But don't be upset, and don't be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. ... 8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh--the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt. Matthew 24:13 NKJV - 13 "But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Previous Next

< Back The Romans Journey Pt. 10: God’s Abounding Grace Pastor Nate Brosher May 14, 2025 Romans 11:1-6 NLT - 1 I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, 3 "LORD, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too." 4 And do you remember God's reply? He said, "No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!" 5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God's grace--his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God's kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God's grace would not be what it really is--free and undeserved. 1. Undeserved Kindness Undeserved kindness is characterized by its unearned and unmerited nature, meaning it is not based on any prior actions or merits of the recipient. Romans 12:1 ESV - 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ■ Deliberate Sinning Hebrews 10:26-29 ESV - 26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? ■ Willful Disobedience James 4:17 NKJV - 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do [it], to him it is sin. Romans 11:22-23 NLT - 22 Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. 23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. The olive tree symbolizes God's covenant people, encompassing both the Jewish and Gentile believers. John 15:4-6 NLT - 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. Romans 10:13 NLT - 13 For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." Great reminder of His Amazing/Abounding Grace. Romans 11:33-36 NLT - 33 Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! 34 For who can know the LORD's thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? 35 And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? 36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. Previous Next