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< Back Guardrails Pt. 2: Strategies Pastor Nate Brosher Mar 9, 2025 Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT - 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 1. Strategies of the devil. ■ Strategies/Schemes – (Methodeia) - cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery. "methodical" describes a well-organized process while "methodeia" describes a calculated, deceptive plan. “Satan” translates to “adversary” in Hebrew. “Devil” – Diabolos – a calumniator, false accuser, slanderer. Calumniator - a person who makes false accusations or spreads lies about someone, damaging their reputation. The word comes from the verb "calumniate", which means to slander. Ephesians 4:11-15 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. Luke 22:31-34 ESV - 31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." 33 Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." 34 Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me." Ephesians 6:13-17 NLT - 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ■ We must resist temptation. Temptation – is simply the trial of man’s integrity, constancy, virtue. James 4:7 ESV - 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 1Peter 5:8-9 NLT - 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. ■ Who are we turning to? James 4:8 NLT - 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. We must recognize the tactic of division. Previous Next

< Back Spiritual Maturity Pt. 3: Gifts of Christ Pastor Nate Brosher Dec 21, 2023 Spiritual Maturity Pt. 3: Gifts of Christ Ephesians 4:4-16 NLT 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. 7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, "When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people ." 9 Notice that it says, "he ascended." This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. 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. 1. Christ “gave” to the Church. a. Didomi – To give, granted, furnished, endued, appointed, commissioned, returned. Apostle - Prophet - Evangelist - Pastor - Teacher Apostle – (Apostolos) a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ. Ephesians 4:13 – 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. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 NLT - 10 Because of God's grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have--Jesus Christ. Prophet – (Prophetes) one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation. 1 Corinthians 14:2-4 NLT - 2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won't be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. 3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. Evangelist – (euangelistēs) a preacher of the gospel. This name is given in the N.T. to those heralds of salvation through Christ who are not apostles: 2 Timothy 4:5 NKJV – 1 I charge [you] therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season [and] out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, [because] they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn [their] ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. Mark 16:15 NLT - 15 And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Romans 10:13-15 NLT - 13 For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!" Pastor – (poimēn) a shepherd. Outline of Biblical usage: A shepherd in the Near East was responsible for watching out for enemies trying to attack the sheep, defending the sheep from attackers, healing the wounded and sick sheep, finding, and saving lost or trapped sheep, loving them, and sharing their lives and to earn their trust. Teacher – (didaskalos) an instructor. In the N.T. one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man: Ephesians 4:13 NLT - 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. The Purpose of the gifts are to equip the Saints. Previous Next

< Back Summer Bods Series Pt. 2: Move That Bus! Pastor Nate Brosher Jun 16, 2024 Ephesians 1:3-8 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. 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. 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. Understanding your identity in God starts with understanding who He is, what He says about Himself, and what He says about you. 1. The Battle of the Mind – Part 3 “If the mind isn’t right, the body isn’t right.” John 10:7-11 ESV 7 So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Are we comprehending what he was saying? I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10) Does that mean we will never have challenges? 2. Why are we still living in our broken-down homes? John 14:15-18 ESV 15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. We can no longer live in yesterday’s mindsets. Previous Next

< Back Thessalonians Series Pt. 2: Motives of Our Heart Pastor Nate Brosher Aug 6, 2025 1Thessalonians 2:1-6 NLT - 1 You yourselves know, dear brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition. 3 So you can see we were not preaching with any deceit or impure motives or trickery. 4 For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 5 Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! 6 As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else. Our purpose is to please God, NOT man 1Thessalonians 2:7-8 NLT - 7 As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. 8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too. Perfect example for ministry/leadership/pastors. “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only the gospel, but our own lives!” 1Thessalonians 2:9-12 NLT - 9 Don't you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God's Good News to you. 10 You yourselves are our witnesses--and so is God--that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers. 11 And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. 12 We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. Good Father – Protects, Loves and gives Direction. Bad Father – Selfish, absent from the family, doesn’t care. We as leaders/Pastors must be better in our approach to the church to help them grow. 1Thessalonians 2:13-16 NLT - 13 Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn't think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God--which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe. 14 And then, dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way, you imitated the believers in God's churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews. 15 For some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too. They fail to please God and work against all humanity 16 as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last. What are we imitating? We have completely abandoned the cost or the work that it takes to be followers of Christ. Matthew 16:24-26 NLT - 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? The motives of our heart have turned into the “make it as easy as possible for me to serve the Lord.” 1Thessalonians 2:17-20 NLT - 17 Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. 18 We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. 19 After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! 20 Yes, you are our pride and joy. What will be your joy when Christ returns? Crown of Life - Awarded to those who endure trials and temptations, persevere in faith, and remain steadfast even unto death. (1 John 2:25, Revelation 2:10) Crown of Righteousness - For those who love Christ's appearing and live righteously, eagerly anticipating his return. (2 Timothy 4:8) Crown of Glory - Given to faithful shepherds or elders who diligently serve God's church. (1 Peter 5:4) Crown of Rejoicing (or soul-winners crown) - Awarded to those who lead others to Christ. (1 Thessalonians 2:19) Incorruptible crown (or Imperishable crown) - For those who live a life of purity and self-control, winning the race of life. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25) Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul Series Pt. 3: Anathema Chase Radford Jul 10, 2024 Galatians 1:6–9 (ESV): No Other Gospel 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed [anathema]. Generally speaking, most Bible scholars agree that the word anathema is best understood to mean that which is to be accursed, condemned, or destroyed. When the Lord says something is “anathema,” it is a serious matter. Galatians 2:4–10 (ESV) 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. Galatia wasn’t the only place where distortion of the Gospel was taking place, and keeping the old covenant law wasn’t the only distortion of the Gospel. So in this message, we’re going to talk about heresies of the New Testament church. ——— Why truth, sound doctrine and theology are so important In Acts 20:29-30, Paul prophesied that “fierce wolves will come in among [the church], not sparing the flock; and from among [our] own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Needless to say, truth, sound doctrine and right theology are absolutely essential in the growth, the maturation of Christ’s followers. John 17:9–19 (ESV): Jesus' High Priestly Prayer I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth . It is through our submission to [1] God, [2] His objective truth, sound doctrine and right theology [3] empowered by the Holy Spirit that our minds are renewed and we are increasingly transformed into the image of Christ, as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:18. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. In other words, when we behold Jesus with eyes of faith, we are transformed, becoming more like Him, from one degree of glory to another (progressively over time) as we behold Him more and more. And that’s the key: we must behold HIM. We cannot behold a false Christ or a false God. It is only through the truth of Christ, who He is and what He’s done that we are made free. And it’s that very truth and good news of Christ our Lord which heresy seeks to compromise. That’s the danger of heresy, which is important for us at this point to clearly define. ——— Heresy Background + Definition Source: Eerdmans Bible Dictionary HERESY (Gk. haíresis, from hairéō “take, choose”) …the term was applied to various branches of Judaism, such as the Sadducees ( Acts 5:17 ; RSV“party”) and Pharisees ( 15:5 ). Eventually the term came to designate factions representing divergent opinions within the early Church ( 1 Cor. 11:19 ); such divisions Paul denounced as a work of the flesh ( Gal. 5:20 ; RSV “party spirit”). Not until the second century A.D. did “heresy” come to indicate false doctrine (Ignatius Eph. 6:2 ; Trall. 6:1 ; cf. 2 Pet. 2:1 ). Oxford defines heresy as “ belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine . ” Merriam-Webster defines it as “ dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion, or practice ” and “ an opinion, doctrine, or practice contrary to the truth or to generally accepted beliefs or standards. ” Alistair McGrath defines it as “a form of Christian belief that, more by accident than design, ultimately ends up subverting, destabilizing, or even destroying the core of Christian faith.” The simplest definition I’ve found is from Redeemed Zoomer Richard Ackerman: Heresy is any belief that [A] redefines God or [B] redefines the Gospel. One of the main reasons I prefer this definition in addition to its simplicity is that it implies that heresy must be confined to top-tier essential doctrines rather than matters that are important but secondary, tertiary and so on. Things like Jesus being fully God and fully man and Jesus having lived a perfect human life are essential to the Gospel. On the other hand, things like views on speaking in tongues, whether the gift of prophecy still active today, tithing, infant baptism, predestination, etc. are secondary and tertiary matters that are important to engage with and discuss, but ultimately have no effect on the Gospel within a orthodox Biblical framework. Obviously there are religious movements and organizations who attempt to make secondary and tertiary matters essential, such as speaking in tongues being a required evidence of one being truly saved, but in doing so these organizations actually add to the Gospel in a way that distorts it and normalizes spiritual abuse on a matter Scripture is incredibly clear on. To be clear… Heresy is not the same as error. Heresy is the choice to abandon the widely accepted teaching on an essential doctrine and embrace another view (i.e. “another gospel”). Heresy is to “preach another gospel”, as Paul stated in Galatians 1:9: "As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." Technically speaking, something is not a heresy just because the church or an individual deems it so. It is heretical because it is a teaching which has abandoned the “pattern of sound teaching” as we are instructed to hold to in Paul’s second letter to Timothy (2 Tim. 1:13). There are right and wrong way(s) to handle Scripture (2 Tim. 2:15). How can we know? Scripture must interpret Scripture, or in other words God interprets the truths which He has given us (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 2:12-13; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Peter 3:16; et al.). The main takeaway here is that anything that attempts to redefine God or the Gospel is destructive to the body of Christ and is therefore heresy. ——— Scripture, especially the New Testament, has a lot to say about heresy. As Peter writes in Second Peter (2:1), “false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.” Notice how Peter defines heresy. He calls it destructive . Proverbs 28:9 (ESV) If one turns away his ear from hearing the law [that is, the Torah; God’s covenantal instruction], even his prayer is an abomination. Proverbs 28:10 (ESV) Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance. ——— Heresies Prevalent in the New Testament / Early Church *This doesn't cover all of them, but these are some of the main ones during the early church. Arianism Colossians 1:15-16 (v16 rules out the idea of Jesus being a created being some believe is taught in v15; cf 2:9, Heb 1:3) Antinomianism The belief that Christians are not bound by God’s law and are free to sin as they please; That Jesus' rescues from the guilt of sin but not its power. Paul addressed this in Romans 6:1-2. Docetism The belief that Jesus was divine but only seemed to be human. John addressed in 1 John 4:1-6. Works Righteousness The belief that we are saved by works or a combination of faith and works rather than by faith alone. Paul and James addressed this in Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2:14-26. Gnosticism Holds to a radical dualism of good and evil and believes secret knowledge is necessary for salvation. This contrasts sharply with Christianity which affirms the good of creation. Gnostics think matter is evil. Gnostics claim to possess an elevated knowledge, a “higher truth” known only to a certain few, and this is where gnosticism overlaps into various forms of sorcery and new age practices which are alive and well within the “church” space today. This gnostic way of thinking is combatted throughout Scripture — John 17:17 ; 2 Timothy 3:15-17 ; Hebrews 4:12 , etc. Even when these types quote the Bible, they conveniently cherrypick and re-interpret verses and parts of verses to harmonize with their philosophy, a practice that is strictly forbidden and warned against by Scripture ( Deuteronomy 4:2 ; 12:32 ; Proverbs 30:6 ; Revelation 22:18-19 ). Marcionism Prior to 144 AD Marcion of Sinope Marcionism is a heresy with layers. Two key points he taught were: To deny that YHWH was the true creator God of heaven and earth Jesus was not the Son of this God (YHWH) To deny that was God is the maker of all things in heaven and earth and the Christ predicted by the prophets is his Son. As Kevin DeYoung observes: "Marcion’s theological errors (and there were many) came from one main root: he refused to believe that the God of the Old Testament was the same as the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Marcion simply could not believe in a God full of wrath and justice. So he threw away the Old Testament and took for his Bible a truncated version of Luke’s Gospel and selectively edited versions of Paul’s epistles. When all the cutting and pasting was finished, Marcion had the Christianity he wanted: a God of goodness and nothing else; a message of inspiring moral uplift; a Bible that does away with the uncomfortable bits about God’s wrath and hell. Marcionism was antinomian, idealistic about human potential, and skittish about dogma and rules. … As [Marcion] saw it, the Christianity of his day needed [to be purged of the wrath and judgement of YHWH in the Old Testament] so that the pure gospel could be received in all its radical simplicity and appeal to the heart . Since the Bible didn’t have the God he wanted, Marcion decided to make a “better” Bible. And so Marcionism lives on. The idea of recasting Christianity for a new day—in softer, gentler hues, more focused on the life of Jesus instead of the wrath-satisfying death of Jesus—is always popular. Some errors never quite die, and some new things are not that new." That was so well put. And there was one phrase that really gets to the heart of heresy in general — that we so often have tried, and still try to “appeal to the heart” (mind, will and emotions). ——— The issue with appealling to the heart What do you think the issue might be with “appealing to the heart"? Genesis 6:5 (ESV) …the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually . We aren’t supposed to appeal to the heart. We are to proclaim the Word of God, the bad news of our natural, sinful, hopeless state and the hope we have only in the Gospel, the Good News of Christ Jesus! In Acts 2 we read about those in the upper room were “filled with the Spirit,” which in the Greek is “pimplemi hagios pneuma.” This is a technical term or phrasing that is unique to Luke’s writings which, by the way, does not correlate with speaking in tongues as is a common view within Pentecostalism but rather it is directly correlated with the supernaturally empowered proclamation of the Gospel (“mighty works of God”) — be it in a native, foreign or heavenly language (tongues). There’s your Greek lesson for the night. But here’s what happens as we continue to read in Acts 2 after those in the upper room are filled with the Spirit and proclaim “the mighty works of God” — Peter, filled with the Spirit and standing with the rest of the 11 apostles, delivers a Gospel sermon and in Acts 2:37 it says those who heard were “ cut to the heart .” We don’t appeal to the hearts of men and women. We proclaim the word of God which pierces and cuts to their hearts that the power and love and peace and joy of God will reign hearts! Acts 2:37 (The NET Bible First Edition Notes): 81 tn Grk “they were pierced to the heart” (an idiom for acute [unwelcome, difficult] emotional distress). Peter wasn’t appealing to people’s continually evil hearts; He spoke the word of God, he proclaimed the Gospel which PIERCES their continually evil hearts. We are all born with this sin nature, this natural inclination to oppose our Creator — it’s a spiritual cancer. And the only cure is the Gospel. ——— The Gospel Source: Voddie Baucham God is Creator God created the world, and God created man. And he put man in the garden to keep the garden, and he gave the man a command, and he held that man to perfect, perpetual obedience to that command, and he promised him life if he kept it, and death if he didn't. And he didn't keep it — He ate. Original Sin And because he ate, because of that one man, sin entered the world, and death through sin. And everyone born from that man through ordinary generation inherited that man's sin nature. And because of that sin nature, sins proceed from it. And our world is broken because of that sin, and we stand guilty before a holy and righteous God. God is Holy, Righteous and Merciful And we know that he's holy, and we know that he's righteous. And we crave justice, but the problem is that if God gives us justice, we all die. And so that God, in his goodness and in his mercy, sent forth his son, who was not born of ordinary generation, but was born of a virgin. Virgin Birth Yes, the virgin birth matters. Why? Because if he's born of ordinary generation, he's born in sin. But because he's not born of ordinary generation, he's not born in sin. Jesus is Perfect He's clean of sin. His record is clean, and he keeps his record clean, and he obeys God's law, and because he's fully God and fully man, he obeys the law of God on our behalf in his active obedience. And then in his passive obedience, God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us. Jesus Died for Us All we like sheep had gone astray. Each of us had turned to his own way, but God laid upon him the iniquity of us all, and Christ died for sin once for all, the just for the unjust. Justification, Adoption, Sanctification and Glorification And God imputes our sinfulness to him, and he nails our sinfulness to the tree, and Christ dies and raises again on the third day for our justification. And there's another imputation: the righteousness of Christ is actually imputed to us so that God can be both just and the justifier of the one who places faith in Jesus Christ. So that all those who come to Christ may enter in. So that all those who place faith in Christ might be saved, but not only saved, but sanctified. Because he's the firstborn of many brethren we're justified, and we're adopted into the family of God, and we're sanctified. And as his children, we began to bear the family resemblance, and we're further sanctified throughout this life by the very same gospel that saves us until one day when it's all said and done, we're not just saved from the penalty of sin and we're not just saved from the power of sin, but one day we're glorified and saved from the very presence of sin. That's the gospel that we preach. That's the gospel that we need. And that's the gospel that's more than enough. Previous Next

< Back Heroes of the Faith Pt. 2: Identity Pastor Nate Brosher Aug 10, 2025 Genesis 17:1-6 NLT - 1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am El-Shaddai--'God Almighty.' Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. 2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants." 3 At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, 4 "This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! 5 What's more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. 6 I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them! 1. God’s Identity El-Shaddai – God Almighty Yahweh – I AM El Shaddai emphasizes God's power and ability to provide, while “I Am” Yahweh emphasizes God's covenant relationship and active presence with his people. We allow doubt to slow down our process. Charles Spurgeon: “I believe that the happiest of all Christians and the truest of Christians are those who never dare to doubt God, but take His Word simply as it stands, and believe it, and ask no questions, just feeling assured that if God has said it, it will be so.” James 1:4-8 NKJV - 4 But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting , for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 [he is] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Are we willing to allow the Lord to change our identity? Genesis 17:9, 15-17 NLT - 9 Then God said to Abraham, "Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility. ... 15 Then God said to Abraham, "Regarding Sarai, your wife--her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah. 16 And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants." 17 Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. "How could I become a father at the age of 100?" he thought. "And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?" 2. God’s Infinity When God is in it, there is no limit! How do we deal with Identity Theft? Romans 8:28 NLT - 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Previous Next

< Back New Testament Church Series Pt. 7: Where Are You Going? Pastor Nate Brosher May 26, 2024 Psalms 37:23-25 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. 25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. Where have we been walking? Proverbs 14:12 CSB There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. Are we out of position? God can direct/order our steps, but we must be willing to walk and accept that path he has presented to us. Acts 9:1-6 ESV 1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" 5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a person. John 16:2-3 CSB 2 "They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 "They will do these things because they haven't known the Father or me. We must evaluate our steps to make sure we are in obedience and submission to his word. John 10:27 ESV My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Who are you following and where are you going? Previous Next

< Back Christmas Pastor Nate Brosher Dec 22, 2024 Levirate – is the practice of a man marrying the widow of his deceased brother who died without children. 1. In the beginning was the Word Jesus is the Living Word. John 1:1-2 KJV – 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. The fall of Adam, the rebellion of man. Genesis 3:15 NKJV - 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." Micah 5:2 NLT - 2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. 2. Jesus is God incarnate. (In the flesh) Isaiah 7:14 NLT - 14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us'). God is with us! Luke 1:31-33 NLT - 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end! " Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT - 6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven's Armies will make this happen! God had predestined this since the beginning of time. Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul Pt. 11: Safeguarding Our Faith Pastor Nate Brosher Nov 21, 2024 Philippians 3:1-2 NLT - 1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. - KJV, “False Circumcision” which translates in the Greek, ( katatomē ) – To cut up, mutilate. ■ R.C Sproul, “Everyone is a theologian, but not everyone is a good Theologian.” ■ Theology – The study of the nature of God and religious belief. Romans 10:14-17 ESV - 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. ■ Heresy – belief or opinion that is contrary to Orthodox Christian doctrine. Ligonier ministries and Lifeway research did a study asking US adults and Evangelicals in 2016 that “Who agree that the “bible” like all sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is NOT literally true. 2016 – Evangelicals (17%) US Adults (44%) 2022 – Evangelicals (26%) US Adults (53%) 4 Heresies that are growing rampant in the church today 1. Jesus isn’t the only way to God. 56%—of evangelical respondents affirmed that “God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam,” John 14:6 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.” 2. Jesus was created by God. 73% agreed with the statement that “Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God.” This is a form of Arianism 4th century Roman empire - believed that Jesus was a created being, not divine, and was separate from God the Father. John 3:16 NKJV - 16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 14:9 NKJV - 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 3. Jesus is NOT God. 43% affirmed that “Jesus was a great teacher, but he was not God,” John 10:30 KJV - 30 I and [my] Father are one. 4. The Holy Spirit is NOT a personal being. 60% believe that “The Holy Spirit is a force but is not a personal being.” Act 5:3-4 NKJV - 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back [part] of the price of the land for yourself? 4 "While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5. Humans AREN’T sinful by nature. 57 percent also agreed to the statement that “Everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature.” Pelagianism - a 5th-century Christian heresy taught by Pelagius and his followers that stressed the essential goodness of human nature, and the freedom of the human will. Romans 5:12 NLT - 12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Psalm 51:5 NLT - 5 For I was born a sinner--yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. Philippians 3:3-11 - 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! 5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin--a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Previous Next

< Back Introduction to Life Groups Chase Radford Mar 7, 2024 Learn more and sign up here: https://www.bridgewaylive.us/lifegroups Pastor Nate or Chase will get back to you via email (give is about a week or so to give other people to sign up). Previous Next

< Back Love Matters: Love Your God Pastor Nate Brosher Feb 18, 2024 Exodus 20:2-4, 7-8, 12-17 ESV 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 You shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. ... 7 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. 8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ... 12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. 13 You shall not murder. 14 You shall not commit adultery. 15 You shall not steal. 16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's; 1. Manual of Life The Bible is the inspired (breathed upon), inerrant, infallible word of God. Titus 1:1-3 NKJV 1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior. Mark 13:31 KJV Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. a. We must embrace its truth and live according to what he is asking of us to do. The first 5 commandments deal with God and our relationship with him. (Man’s relationship with God) The last 5 commandments deal with people. (Man’s relationship with man) “YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER gods, BESIDES ME” “YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FOR YOURSELF AN IMAGE . . .” “YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR GOD IN VAIN” Matthew 7:21-23 ESV 21 Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" 23 And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." “REMEMBER THE SABBATH, AND KEEP IT HOLY “HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER” Craig Keener (American Theologian): “The first commandments in this list remind us to: - Obey God because God is our source in creation - Obey God because God is our savior - Obey God because He judges and blesses - Obey because God is the perfect Lover and Authority of which even the best parents are only faint reminders.” Previous Next

< Back House of Prayer Pt. 2: Constancy in Prayer Pastor Nate Brosher Jul 13, 2025 1Thessalonians 5:14-22 CSB - 14 And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle (lazy), comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Don't stifle the Spirit. 20 Don't despise prophecies, 21 but test all things. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil. Basic Instructions - Lazy/Idle - Discouraged - Weak • Be Patient with Everyone! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 CSB - 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. • Cultivating a Spirit of Thankfulness. - Rejoice Always! Why is it important to rejoice always? ■ Rejoicing/Praise is a key component to prayer. Psalm 107:1 NKJV - 1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for [He is] good! For His mercy [endures] forever. Continuous Awareness of God’s Presence - “Pray without Ceasing” – KJV Psalm 34:1 ESV - 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 150:6 ESV - 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! • A Mindset of Dependence. - How is your posture? James 5:16-17 NKJV - 16 Confess [your] trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. What are we putting our energy into? Previous Next