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< Back Heroes of the Faith Pt. 1: Settled Pastor Nate Brosher Aug 3, 2025 Genesis 12:1-4 NLT - 1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you." 4 So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. 1. Are we settling? Terah had settled in Haran. Haran – Mountain/place of transition. Abram & Sarai had to stay in the land of transition for 205 years before God said, “Leave”. Don’t despise the days of transition! 2. HE is our Strength! Genesis 13:14-18 NLT - 14 After Lot had gone, the LORD said to Abram, "Look as far as you can see in every direction--north and south, east and west. 15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. 16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! 17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you." 18 So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the LORD. Mamre – Strength & Fatness. Genesis 15:1-6 NLT - 1 Some time later, the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great." 2 But Abram replied, "O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don't even have a son? Since you've given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. 3 You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir." 4 Then the LORD said to him, "No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir." 5 Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, "Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That's how many descendants you will have!" 6 And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith. 3. We Must Believe! We must adhere to His commands. Psalm 34:17-20 NLT - 17 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 19 The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time. 20 For the LORD protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! Not a promise of Immunity. The Righteous may still face challenges. Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul Pt. 16: Be Alert! Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 30, 2025 Colossians 4:2-6, 18 NLT - 2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. 5 Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive (seasoned with salt) so that you will have the right response for everyone. ... 18 HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING--PAUL. Remember my chains. May God's grace be with you. 1. Devotion to Prayer. How do we become devoted? ■ Devoted ( proskartereō) – Wait on constantly, to persevere, to be steadfast attentive unto, to be in constant readiness. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV - 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (NLT – Never stop praying.) Romans 12:12 ESV - 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. “Why am I not devoting my life to prayer and supplication?” James 5:13-16 NLT - 13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. ■ KJV – “ The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much .” ■ Fervent – (energeō) – to be operative, be at work, put forth power. “What have we been putting our energy into?” Romans 3:23 CSB - 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (“fn” – footnote) Explains the literal reading of the original language. “For all have sinned and fall short of and lack the glory of God.” Matthew 26:41 NLT - 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!" 2. Always be alert. What are the consequences of a prayerless life? ■ Disobedience and Spiritual Weakness. 1Timothy 6:20-21 NLT - 20 Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. 21 Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness. May God's grace be with you all. Two traps that we fall prey to: False doctrine – 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NLT - 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths. Faith Slowly Diminishes – “Faith is the engine of prayer, God's promises are the fuel, and discipline is the rails. Prayerlessness is almost always due to a stalled engine. For prayer to get going again, we first need to fire up our faith engine again with fuel from God's promises.” – Jon Bloom, author/co-founder of Desiring God. Ephesians 6:18 NLT - 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. 3. Remember my chains. Being alert means that we are to always be ready to battle in prayer. Ephesians 6:12 ESV - 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. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT - 9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Previous Next

< Back New Testament Church Series Pt. 4: Called to Serve Pastor Nate Brosher May 5, 2024 Acts 6:1-8 ESV 1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 1. What have we been Neglecting? I’m anointed to serve! 2. Serving with Power and Grace. Acts 6:8 ESV And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. He understood the gospel of Jesus Christ. Mark 10:45 CSB "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 25:40 NLT 40 "And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' 1 Peter 4:10-11 NLT 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. 3. Service Activated. Acts 7:51-58 NLT 51 "You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That's what your ancestors did, and so do you! 52 Name one prophet your ancestors didn't persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One--the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. 53 You deliberately disobeyed God's law, even though you received it from the hands of angels." 54 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen's accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand. 56 And he told them, "Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God's right hand!" 57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul . “The sermons you preach through your pain are louder than the sermons you could ever preach through your blessings!” – JD Greear Galatians 5:13 NLT For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers, and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Previous Next

< Back New Testament Church Series Pt. 3: Whose Report Will You Believe? Pastor Nate Brosher Apr 28, 2024 Act 3:1-11 NLT 1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o'clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, "Look at us!" 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold for you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!" 7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man's feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. 9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon's Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John. 1. The Power that’s in his name. James 2:19 NKJV 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! Philippians 2:9 ESV 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, Luke 10:17-20 NLT 17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name !" 18 "Yes," he told them, "I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven." Mark 16:17 NLT 17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name , and they will speak in new languages. Invoke – to petition for help or support. 2. It’s not about us! Act 4:8-10 NLT 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of our people, 9 are we being questioned today because we've done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene , the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. Everything we do in this life is for the Glory of the Lord. Act 4:4 NLT But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men, not counting women and children. 3. God is still performing miracles. Act 4:22 NLT for this miraculous sign--the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years . What labels have we been carrying? Whose report will we believe? Romans 10:17 CSB So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ. Isaiah 53:1-12 NLT Who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm? 2 My servant grew up in the LORD's presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. 3 He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. 7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. 8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. 9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave. 10 But it was the LORD's good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD's good plan will prosper in his hands. 11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. 12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. The Thief (Steal) – Proverbs 6:31 KJV But [if] he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. The Murderer (Kill) – John 8:44 ESV You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. The Destroyer (Destroy) – Joel 2:25 ESV I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer , and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. John 10:11 ESV I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Previous Next

< Back The Romans Journey Pt. 5: The Power of Sin Pastor Nate Brosher Mar 12, 2025 Romans 6:1-11 NLT - 1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ, we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. 1. Eternal Security ■ The doctrine of eternal security – means that true saving faith endures to the end and cannot be forfeited. True salvation should be accompanied by ongoing repentance and a desire to live according to God's will. John 10:27-28 NLT - 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me . Hebrews 10:26 NLT - 26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 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." Choosing to sin without remorse (repentance) could be considered a rejection of God's grace and could lead to consequences like spiritual separation or a lack of closeness with Him. Philippians 1:6 ESV - 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Romans 8:38-39 ESV - 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. John Wesley defined sin as, "a willful and intentional turning away from God's will and a rejection of His love and grace. Sin is a condition of the human heart that leads us to prioritize our desires and self-interests over the will of God.” “Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” – Apostle Paul Romans 6:15 NLT - 15 Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 2. When continuation of sin is still present Why are we not allowing the word of God to examine our lives? 1John 1:8-10 NLT - 8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. ■ Self-righteousness Self-righteousness is an attitude where someone firmly believes they are morally superior to others, viewing their own beliefs and actions as inherently better. Galatians 6:3 ESV - 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Philippians 3:8-11 ESV - 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-- 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 3. Crucified with Christ Romans 6:4-7 NLT – 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ, we were set free from the power of sin. John 8:34-36 NLT - 34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. ■ How do we embrace this freedom from sin? Luke 9:23-25 NLT - 23 Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 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. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? Romans 6:12-14 NLT - 12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So, use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. Previous Next

< Back The Waiting Room Pt. 3: Change to be Changed Pastor Nate Brosher Dec 29, 2024 Isaiah 1:11-20 NLT - 11 "What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?" says the LORD. "I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12 When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony? 13 Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting--they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. 14 I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them! 15 When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. 16 Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. 17 Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. 18 "Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. 19 If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. 20 But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken!" 1. Going through the motions. “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.” Insanity – The state of being mentally ill, madness, extreme foolishness or extreme irrationality. (The quality of being unreasonable.) Matthew 23:1-3 NLT - 1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 "The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. 3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don't follow their example. For they don't practice what they teach. ■ Are we practicing what we teach? 2Timothy 3:1-5 NLT - 1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious (Form of godliness), but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! - The word "form" can be translated "appearance Matthew 23:5-7, 11-13, 15, 23-28, 33-36 NLT - 5 "Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. 6 And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. 7 They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi.' ... 11 The greatest among you must be a servant. 12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 13 "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people's faces. You won't go in yourselves, and you don't let others enter either. ... 15 "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are! ... 23 "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law--justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. 24 Blind guides! You strain your water so you won't accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel! 25 "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy--full of greed and self-indulgence! 26 You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too. 27 "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs--beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity. 28 Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. ... 33 Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell? 34 "Therefore, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. But you will kill some by crucifixion, and you will flog others with whips in your synagogues, chasing them from city to city. 35 As a result, you will be held responsible for the murder of all godly people of all time--from the murder of righteous Abel to the murder of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed in the Temple between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 I tell you the truth, this judgment will fall on this very generation. - Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy. 2. Turn your eyes upon Jesus! Isaiah 55:6-9 NLT - 6 Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. 8 "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. The dispensation of grace includes: • Forgiveness of sins through Christ Jesus • God's benevolence to the undeserving • The rule of life for the Church • Being able to walk with the Lord and live as he intends Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul Pt. 14: We Need His Glory! Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 9, 2025 Colossians 3:1-4 NLT - 1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Doxah - the perfect inward or personal excellency of Christ; the majesty. Exodus 33:18 ESV - 18 Moses said, "Please show me your glory." Kabod – honour, glorious, abundance, riches, splendor. There are many warnings about the dangers of seeking glory and the praises of others. Here are two: Luke 20:46 NLT - 46 "Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Matthew 6:1 NLT - 1 "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. ■ To God be the Glory! 1Peter 5:5-6 NLT - 5 In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Isaiah 64:6-8 ESV - 6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 7 There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities. 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. ■ Our righteousness is nothing desirable. 2Corinthians 5:21 ESV - 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 1Corinthians 10:31-33 NLT - 31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. Colossians 3:5-8 NLT - 5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming (Some manuscripts read “is coming on all who disobey him.”). 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 1Samuel 4:21-22 NLT - 21 She named the child Ichabod (which means "Where is the glory?"), for she said, "Israel's glory is gone." She named him this because the Ark of God had been captured and because her father-in-law and husband were dead. 22 Then she said, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God has been captured." 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 Pathways: The Gifts of the Spirit (Session 2) Pastor Nate Brosher and Chase Radford May 8, 2024 Link to study guide: https://estd.craft.me/gifts Previous Next

< Back We Are the Church Pastor Nate Brosher Dec 17, 2023 We Are the Church Matthew 28:16-20 NLT 16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him--but some of them doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." 1. Jesus states: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” a. Didomi – To give, granted, furnished, endued, appointed, commissioned, returned. What hinders the body of Christ is fear and doubt. 2. What part of the body are you? 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 NLT 12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So, it is with the body of Christ. 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. Not everyone is called to be the pastor, evangelist, teacher, prophet, or apostle, but we are all called to be a part of the body. 3. We are the Church. Colossians 1:18-20 NLT 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So, he is first in everything. 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross. We are too busy trying to DO church that we forget that we are to BE the church. Church; Ekklesia; assembling of the saints. We are more than just an assembling; we are part of the body of Christ. 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 Aftermath Pt. 8: Consumer Christianity Pastor Nate Brosher Jun 15, 2025 Acts 14:19-22 NLT - 19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. 20 But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. 21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 1. Consumer Driven or Christ Driven Who decided that being a Christian was about our wants? Consumer Christianity – a mindset where faith and church are viewed primarily as a means of personal benefit or satisfaction, rather than a commitment to discipleship and following Christ's teachings. Francis Chan: “The church has become too focused on meeting the needs of individuals rather than producing servants who live sacrificial lives.” JD Greear: “Consumer faith is expecting Christ to remove all hardship, viewing discipleship as a path to self-fulfillment, and having limits on obedience to Christ.” What are we focused on? Luke 14:21-24 ESV - 21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' 22 And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23 And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'" 2. Are we disciples of Christ? Luke 14:26-27 ESV - 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. There is a cost for the anointing. Galatians 5:24 ESV - 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Are we willing to endure some hardship or misunderstandings for the sake of the cross? Previous Next