< Back Letters from Paul Series Pt. 7: The Riches of Grace Pastor Nate Brosher Aug 7, 2024 Ephesians 2:1-5 ESV - 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-- 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved. Understanding your identity in God starts with understanding who He is, what He says about Himself, and what He says about you. 1. What is Grace? Grace – (Charis) - The spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace. Benefit, token, a gift. Form of recompense or reward. 1 Peter 1:18-20 NLT - 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days. Revelation 5:9 NKJV - 9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, The gift of Grace is our token, our payment, our reward for salvation. 2. Our Responsibility Ephesians 1:6-10 NLT - 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. What we see in the church today is people not truly grasping or comprehending his grace, mercy and unmerited favor. 1 Peter 1:20 NLT - 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, Jeremiah 1:5 NLT - 5 "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations." Psalm 139:16-17 NLT - 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! Don’t take His grace for granted. Luke 12:48 NLT - 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Previous Next

< Back Built Different Nathan Brosher May 24, 2026 Matthew 5:13-16 NLT - 13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father . 1. Community What is a community? Hindrance of Authentic Relationships in the Church: · Cultural Individualism: · The Consumer Mindset: · Hyper-Connectivity & Isolation: · Excessive Formality: · Polarization: “Addressing this requires confronting how we’ve accommodated ourselves and our churches to cultural stories that contradict core Christian teaching. It means going back into Scripture and the ancient wisdom of the church to rediscover who we are as God’s people.” - Dwight Zscheile, Professor at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN Community - A unified body of believers. Acts 2:1 NKJV - 1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. One Accord - homothymadon - with one mind, with one accord, with one passion. Acts 2:38-41 KJV - 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:46-47 NLT - 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. The Early Church was Built Different! Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT - 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near . John 14:3 ESV - 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. Acts 1:11 ESV - 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Why are we being passive? Does the modern church reflect the sermon on the mount or the culture around it? Church - Ekklesia - translates to an "assembly" or "called-out ones." Matthew 16:18-19 NKJV - 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Previous Next

< Back New Testament Church Series Pt. 5: Obedience and Submission Pastor Nate Brosher May 12, 2024 1 Kings 17:9-16 ESV 9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you." 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink." 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." 12 And she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die." 13 And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'" 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah. 1. We must trust in God! Have you ever been in a place where you were on the brink of giving up? 1 Samuel 15:22 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. 2. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Obedience - compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority. Submission - the action or fact of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person. Are we only serving God with our lips and not our heart? Matthew 15:8-9 NLT 8 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.'" Matthew 7:22-23, 26-27 NLT 22 On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' 23 But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.' ... 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash." James 4:7-8 NKJV 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [you] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [you] double-minded. Previous Next

< Back Sacrificial Living Pt. 1: Consecration Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 12, 2025 2Timothy 4:3-8 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. 5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 1. What have we made sacred in our lives? Sacred is an adjective used to describe a person or thing worthy of worship or declared holy. Exodus 20:3 ESV - 3 "You shall have no other gods before me. ■ Consecrated – To make or declare sacred. Joshua 3:5 ESV - 5 Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you." ■ qāḏaš - sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate. What are we chasing after? 2. Where are we going? Is your life self-driven or is it Christ-driven? Romans 12:1-2 ESV - 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Are we presenting our bodies a living sacrifice to God or a living sacrifice to this world? 2Timothy 2:20-22 NLT - 20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. How desperate are we? Matthew 5:13-16 ESV - 13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 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. 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

< Back Spiritual Maturity Pt. 2: Unity Pastor Nate Brosher Dec 14, 2023 Spiritual Maturity Series: Unity Ephesians 4:1-10 NLT 1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 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. One Body & One Spirit Body: Soma – The Living Body Spirit: Pneuma - the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son sometimes referred to in a way which emphasizes his personality and character (the "Holy" Spirit) sometimes referred to in a way which emphasizes his work and power (the Spirit of "Truth") never referred to as a depersonalized force. The Spirit of God will NOT make you do something that is contrary to the word of God, that is called “spiritual immaturity.” 2 Corinthians 12:20 NLT For I am afraid that when I come, I won't like what I find, and you won't like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. The Holy Spirit will NOT tell you to talk about your brother or sister. John 16:12-15 NLT 12 "There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.' The Spirit of Truth will NOT cause you to be a talebearer of everything you know about other people and their issues. Proverbs 26:20 NKJV Where [there is] no wood, the fire goes out; And where [there is] no talebearer, strife ceases. One God, One Father, One Baptism who is over all, and in all, and living through all. John 3:17 – God sent NOT his son into the world to condemn the world, but that world through HIM might be saved. God is NOT the author of Confusion. He is the God of Peace, Love, Longsuffering, Patience, Endurance, Grace, Mercy, Gentleness, Joy, Goodness. One Baptism – death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:7-10 NLT 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. We all have grace given to us according to the measure of Jesus’ gift . John 16:7 NKJV - As Jesus said , " It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you ." Previous Next

< Back Love Over Knowledge Nathan Brosher May 6, 2026 1Corinthians 8:1-3 NLT - 1 Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that "we all have knowledge" about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. 2 Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn't really know very much. 3 But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes. 1. Being Right without being Loving 1Corinthians 13:1 ESV - 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love , I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Matthew 5:16 NIV - 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven . “You can win the argument, but you will lose that brother” - unknown author Proverbs 18:19 NKJV - 19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle. 2. Freedom isn’t the Ultimate Goal - Love is. - Freedom is not “I get to do whatever I want!” - Freedom is “I am no longer bound to myself.” Galatians 5:13 NLT - 13 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. Philippians 1:21-22 ESV - 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 3. The Reality of “Weaker” Believers. 1Corinthians 8:4, 9-10 NLT - 4 So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God. ... 9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. 10 For if others see you--with your "superior knowledge"--eating in the temple of an idol, won't they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? “Comparison is the thief of joy” - Theodore Roosevelt Galatians 6:4 NLT - 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. 4. Sin isn’t just personal; It can be relational 1Corinthians 8:10-13 NLT - 10 For if others see you--with your "superior knowledge"--eating in the temple of an idol, won't they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? 11 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. 12 And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. 13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live--for I don't want to cause another believer to stumble. How you affect others matters deeply. Christ as the Ultimate Example Romans 6:5-8 NLT - 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. Philippians 2:5-8 NLT - 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. Jesus didn’t cling to His rights; He surrendered them for the people. And now He calls us to do the same. Previous Next

< Back Sermon on the Mount Pt. 2: Light of the World Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 11, 2026 Matthew 5:13-16 NLT - 13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. 1. Are we being salt? Salt - (Halas) - salt with which food is seasoned, and sacrifices are sprinkled, wisdom and grace exhibited in speech. Are we being salt or are we being salty? Salty - (Gen-Z slang dictionary) Being "salty" means being bitter, angry, irritable, or resentful, often over something trivial, a loss, or a slight, like being upset after losing a video game or feeling annoyed by someone's attitude. Colossians 4:6 ESV - 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. 2. Are we shining our lights? Matthew 5:14-15 NLT - 14 "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. We are to shine our lights before men. Matthew 5:16 NLT - 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. The aim is not self-promotion . The goal is God-exaltation . Previous Next

< Back Hebrews: The Power of the Message Pastor Nate Brosher Feb 12, 2026 Hebrews 1:1-4 NLT - 1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son He created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names. • Jesus didn’t appear out of nowhere - He stepped into a story God had been writing for thousands of years! Matthew 27:50-53 NLT - 50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. 53 They left the cemetery after Jesus' resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. Hebrews 2:14-15, 18 NLT - 14 Because God's children are human beings--made of flesh and blood--the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. ... 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. Hebrews 5:12-14 NLT - 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. ■ The Ultimate Sacrifice Hebrews 7:27 NLT - 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people's sins. ■ We have a sin problem! Hebrews 3:12-14 NLT - 12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still "today," so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT - 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. ■ We MUST resist the Devil! Hebrews 9:11-12, 15 NLT - 11 So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. 12 With his own blood--not the blood of goats and calves--he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. ... 15 That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant. Hebrews 10:20-22 NLT - 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Galatians 4:4-7 ESV - 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. ■ “Jesus stepped into our family tree so we could be adopted into God’s!” - Max Lucado Previous Next

< Back Intimacy with God Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 15, 2026 Luke 7:36-39 NLT - 36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. 37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there; she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She's a sinner!" Our Approach Matthew 26:6-13 NKJV - 6 And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured [it] on His head as He sat [at the table]. 8 But when His disciples saw [it], they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? 9 "For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to [the] poor." 10 But when Jesus was aware of [it], He said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11 "For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 "For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did [it] for My burial. 13 "Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her." Simon’s approach to Jesus Luke 7:44-47 NLT - 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn't greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 47 "I tell you, her sins--and they are many--have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love." The Disciples approach Matthew 26:7-11 NLT - 7 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. 8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. "What a waste!" they said. 9 "It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor." 10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, "Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. “God is looking for intimacy, and we’ve treated our relationship with him as a mutual agreement.” Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul Series Pt. 1: Justification-Freedom: Galatians Pastor Nate Brosher Jun 19, 2024 Galatians 1:11-20 NLT - 11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion--how I violently persecuted God's church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus. 18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord's brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie. Galatians 2:1-5 NLT - 1 Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. 2 I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there, I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. 3 And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile. 4 Even that question came up only because of some so-called Christians there--false ones, really--who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. 5 But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you. 1. False ones, So-called Christians Verse 4 Even that question came up only because of some so-called Christians there--false ones, really--who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. - Justification – (Right Legal Standing before God) Romans 4:5 ESV - 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, Wayne Grudem; “The idea that justification is a legal declaration is quite evident also when justification is contrasted with condemnation.” Romans 8:33-39 ESV - 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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. - To “condemn”, someone is to declare that person is guilty. The opposite of condemnation is justification, which, in this context, must mean “to declare someone not guilty.” 2. Freedom in Christ Jesus Galatians 3:23-24 ESV - 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 4:4-7 ESV - 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. - Abba is just another word used by Jewish children for papa or Previous Next

< Back Sabbath Series Pt. 2: The Reason Chase Radford Mar 19, 2025 Full notes here: https://estd.craft.me/BbbuBBIv0yyDb6 Previous Next