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< Back House of Prayer Pt. 3: Stand Your Ground Pastor Nate Brosher Jul 20, 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. Be Strong in the Lord! “Be strong in the Lord and in HIS mighty power. Put on all of God's armor.” How do we embrace a mindset of complete dependency on Christ? Ephesians 6:13-18 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. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Put on EVERY piece of God’s armor. 2. Stay Alert! 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. We must always be watching out! A lion’s roar can reach up to 114 decibels and be heard up to 5 miles. Isaiah 54:17 ESV - 17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD." 2Corinthians 1:20-22 ESV - 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. We must stand our ground when we pray! Previous Next

< Back Pathways: Gospel Threads (Session 3) Chase Radford Jul 17, 2024 We'll be covering chapters 3 and 4 of Gospel Threads (link to book PDF below). Zoom is also an option to join. Zoom Meeting link : https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9059697544?pwd=raYOIDDlDNjAbcQsi9pvxqjdLRFDG9.1&omn=74503545491 Meeting ID : 905 969 7544 Passcode : d0vBp2 You can get a free PDF of the book we'll be referencing here: https://radical.net/book/gospel-threads/ You can also purchase a physical copy here: https://bookstore.radical.net/.../97989855.../gospel-threads Our final session will be Thursday, July 25 @ 7pm via Zoom. Previous Next

< Back Journey Through James Pt. 7: The Fruit of the Flesh Pastor Nate Brosher Apr 17, 2024 James 5:13-15 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. 3 Important Commands from James. 1. Hardships - Pray 2. Happy – Praise 3. Sick – Call for the Elders. James 5:16 NLT 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. Confession Exomologeō – Acknowledge openly and joyfully. Secrets - something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others. 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 (injunction or restriction) against these things! The Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control. Galatians 5:24-25 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. The Fruit of the Flesh: Hate/Envy, Sadness/Bitterness, Hostility/Turmoil/Fear, Impatience, Hateful/Cruel, Wickedness, Disloyal, Insensitive, Self-Indulged. James 5:17-20 NLT 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops. 19 My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. Elijah was a Human. Hebrews 11:1-2 NLT 1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. Previous Next

< Back The Aftermath Pt. 5: Sheltered by God Pastor Nate Brosher May 25, 2025 Act 7:51-60 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. 59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, "Lord, don't charge them with this sin!" And with that, he died. 1. Where are we sheltering ourselves? ■ Shelter – protect or shield from something harmful. - What are we being exposed to? 2Corinthians 6:15-17 NLT - 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: "I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. John 15:18-19 NLT - 18 "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. World – Kosmos – an alternative name for the universe or its nature or order. The Strongs Greek Lexicon – the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ • A culture of greed, selfishness, power and self-centeredness that drives our governments and countries. 2. He is our refuge! Psalm 91:1-4 NKJV - 1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "[He is] my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler [And] from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth [shall be your] shield and buckler. - Refuge – maḥăsê – Hope, shelter, trust. - Fortress – māṣûḏ - Defense, strong place. Psalm 121:5-8 NLT - 5 The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. 6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. 7 The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. 8 The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 18:2 NLT - 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Romans 12:2 NLT - 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Previous Next

At Bridgeway Christian Center, we're building bridges to your breakthrough. Worship with us Sundays at 10:30pm and Wednesdays at 7:00pm. CONNECT Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. - 2 Corinthians 3:17 Building bridges to your breakthrough Watch Online Watch the latest message or stream live worship experiences every Sunday at 10:30 AM and Wednesday at 7 PM. So, no matter where life takes you, you can always be a part of Bridgeway. YOU CAN ALSO WATCH ON YOUTUBE OR IN THE BRIDGEWAY APP Life Groups God designed us to do life together. Learn More BRIDGEWAY YOUNG ADULTS Sealed Life can be uncertain, but you’re not alone. Join us and discover what it means to be sealed with the Holy Spirit in community. Get Connected Our Pastor Pastor Nate & Jessica Brosher We have a pass ion for the community of Delaware County. We've served here with Destiny Christian Center for 13 years under Dr. Keith O’Neal as his Assistant Pastor before Destiny launched Bridgeway on the west side of Muncie in October of 2023. Our desire is to see those who have been hurt and broken to find a bridge back to their destiny and purpose. “Building Bridges to Your Breakthrough” isn’t just a saying, it’s a passion that we will make known on a weekly basis. Building others that they may change their trajectory so that they can change the world through Jesus Christ.

< Back Encounters Series Pt. 3: Walking with God Pastor Nate Brosher Aug 25, 2024 Genesis 5:3-24 ESV 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. 5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died. 6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he fathered Enosh. 7 Seth lived after he fathered Enosh 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died. 9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he fathered Kenan. 10 Enosh lived after he fathered Kenan 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died. 12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he fathered Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived after he fathered Mahalalel 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died. 15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he fathered Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived after he fathered Jared 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died. 18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he fathered Enoch. 19 Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died. 21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. 1. Where does your journey begin? ■ Noah was born 126 years after the death of Adam and 69 years after Enoch was taken up by God. Genesis 6:9, 22 ESV - 9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. ... 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. 2. Walking in the Spirit Galatians 5:16-17 ESV - 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ■ Overcoming our desires. Romans 8:3-4 ESV - 3 By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ■ We must walk according to His Spirit! Colossians 3:10-11 NLT - 10 Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. Our desire is to know Him. Previous Next

< Back Journey Through James Pt. 1 Pastor Nate Brosher Feb 15, 2024 James 1:1-4 NLT 1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the "twelve tribes"--Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 1. Slave – Bond Servant to God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Doulos – devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests, one who worships and submits to God. James makes a paradox statement: “When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” Faith that is tested will allow our endurance to grow. “For when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:5-8 NLT 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. 2. Faith in God alone. "When you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.” James says, “Our loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” KJV – “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways!” James said, a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Revelation 3:15-16 NLT 15 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! We must be steadfast, unmovable in our faith and walk with God. James 1:12-15 NLT 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 3. Be Patient! Temptation will rise frequently. We must recognize that “temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. Then these desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” James is telling us here, that we can’t let our desires entice us to make wrong and emotional decisions! James 1:16-18 NLT So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. Previous Next

< Back Preparation: Make Way for the King Pastor Nate Brosher Mar 24, 2024 Matthew 21:1-11 ESV 1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once." 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'" 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?" 11 And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee." 1. Make Room Verse 8: Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Revelation 7:9-10 NLT 9 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a great roar, "Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!" 2. Open Your Mouth Verse 9: And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" Colossians 2:6-7 NLT Hosanna – (Waava/Owoov) – “Save, I pray”, “Save us”. Matthew 21:15-16 NKJV 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant 16 and said to Him, "Do You hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?" We should always be making way for the King to come in. Matthew 17:17 NLT Jesus said, "You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you?" Previous Next

< Back Summer Bods Series Pt. 1: Don’t Worry, Be Happy Pastor Nate Brosher Jun 9, 2024 Philippians 4:1-7 NLT Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work. 2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life. 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 1. The Battle of the Mind – Part 1 Conflicts will arise in ministries. How are we handling our disagreements or disputes? 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 ESV 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. 2. The Battle of the Mind – Part 2 Abraham & Sarah’s mind got in the way of their promise. Romans 4:17-19 ESV 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. If we want a healthy body, we must start with the brain. Romans 12:1-2 NLT And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. J.D. Greear: “Many of us go to church thinking about how we feel. But worshipping is not a reflection of how we feel; it’s a reflection of what we know to be true and what God has promised in his Word. It’s a declaration of what God is worthy of.” Previous Next

< Back Heroes of the Faith Pt. 9: The Message in the Meltdown Pastor Nate Brosher Oct 5, 2025 Daniel 3:4-6 NLT - 4 Then a herald shouted out, "People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king's command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." 1. Compromised Behavior Exodus 20:3-5 NLT - 3 "You must not have any other god but me. 4 "You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected--even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. How often are we tempted to compromise our beliefs or stance daily? Daniel 3:14-21 NLT - 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." 19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 2. Bound by Strongholds Strongholds can manifest as deeply ingrained patterns of sin and false belief. Fear 2Timothy 1:7 NKJV - 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Pride Proverbs 16:18 ESV - 18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Unforgiveness Ephesians 4:32 ESV - 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Gossip and Slander Proverbs 16:28 NLT: "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends". Deceptive Thinking 1Timothy 4:1 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. Daniel 3:22-25 NLT - 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. 24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, "Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?" "Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did," they replied. 25 "Look!" Nebuchadnezzar shouted. "I see four men, unbound , walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!" Previous Next

< Back Inner Circle Pt. 1: Rejecting His Commands Pastor Nate Brosher Sep 29, 2024 1 Samuel 15:22-24 NLT - 22 But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So, because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."24 Then Saul admitted to Samuel, "Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD's command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. 1. Who are we surrounding ourselves with? 1 Samuel 14:3 NLT - 3 Among Saul's men was Ahijahthe priest, who was wearing the ephod, the priestly vest. Ahijah was the son of Ichabod's brother Ahitub, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the LORD who had served at Shiloh. 1 Samuel 3:13-14 NLT - 13 I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever, because his sons are blaspheming God, and he hasn't disciplined them. 14 So I have vowed that the sins of Eli and his sons will never be forgiven by sacrifices or offerings." “Bad company corrupts good character” 2. Who is influencing you? Matthew 5:14-16 ESV - 14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. John 8:43-44 ESV - 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 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. Who are we resembling? Who are we sounding like? 2 Corinthians 6:15-18 NLT - 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: "I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty." Are we going to reject his commands or accept his commands? Previous Next

< Back Thessalonians Series Pt. 4: The Great Hope Pastor Nate Brosher Sep 3, 2025 1Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT - 13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words. 1. Encourage each other Matthew 5:4 NKJV - 4 Blessed [are] those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Psalm 34:18 ESV - 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Revelation 21:4 ESV - 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." The dead in Christ will rise first. Verse 17: Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. Matthew 24:29-31 ESV - 29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:34-36 ESV - 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 36 "But concerning that day and hour no one knows , not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Nobody will know when, but we know that He is! 1Thessalonians 5:1-11 NLT - 1 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don't really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, "Everything is peaceful and secure," then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep, and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. The word "rapture" derives from the Latin word "rapio," meaning "to catch up, seize, carry off.” Harpazō - To seize, carry off by force. HE is returning to rescue us! 1Thessalonians 5:12-22 NLT - 12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. 14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil. 2. Live your Faith out loud He gives us instruction to: Honor those who are leaders in the Lord’s work. Warn the lazy Encourage the timid Care for the weak Be patient with everyone Always do good to each other Always be joyful Pray all the time Be thankful in ALL circumstances For this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Previous Next