< Back Formed, Part 3 - Hidden Devotion Nathan Brosher May 3, 2026 Matthew 6:16-18 ESV - 16 " And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you . 1. Fasting (Heart posture, not performance) Generosity Fasting “If people are the audience, God is not!” - Elisabeth Elliot, (American Missionary/author) The Posture: Humility and Hunger 2. Sabbath/Rest Exodus 20:8 NLT - 8 "Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Sabbath is not a suggestion; it’s a command! God builds rest into rhythm. Mark 2:27-28 ESV - 27 And he said to them, " The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath. " The purpose of the Sabbath is for True rest as a day of freedom and restful worship, rather than simply a list of prohibitions. Hebrews 4:1-2 NLT - 1 God's promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. 2 For this good news--that God has prepared this rest--has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn't share the faith of those who listened to God. Fasting vs Sabbath Previous Next

< Back Year of Growth Pastor Nate Brosher Dec 28, 2025 John 6:26-35 CSB - 26 Jesus answered, "Truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 27 "Don't work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him." 28 "What can we do to perform the works of God? " they asked. 29 Jesus replied, "This is the work of God -- that you believe in the one he has sent." 30 "What sign, then, are you going to do so that we may see and believe you? " they asked. "What are you going to perform? 31 "Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, just as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat." 32 Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, Moses didn't give you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 "For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 Then they said, "Sir, give us this bread always." 35 "I am the bread of life," Jesus told them. "No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again. Are you satisfied? ■ The Feeding Stage: Matthew 5:6 ESV - 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. ■ The Transition Stage: Jude 1:20-21 NLT - 20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love. ■ The Reproductive Stage: Zechariah 4:10 - Do not despise the days of small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. 1Corinthians 2:9-10 NLT - 9 "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. Matthew 6:31-34 NLT - 31 "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. Previous Next

< Back Evidence, Not Performance Nathan Brosher May 17, 2026 Galatians 5:17-21 NLT - 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 1. What is growing in you? V17: The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other. Conflicts - External, Spiritual & Internal. Galatians 5:22-25 NLT - 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 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. Conflict often reveals what is fighting for control of the heart. 2. Works of the Flesh vs Fruit of the Spirit Fruit is visible. Matthew 7:16-18 NLT - 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit . We must embrace the finished work of the cross. Philippians 3:7-9 NLT - 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. Romans 8:31-32 NLT - 31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else? The Christian life is not the absence of battle; it is a new Master in the battle. 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. Romans 5:19 NLT - 19 Because one-person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. Romans 8:35-39 NLT - 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Previous Next

< Back Sermon on the Mount Pt. 8: Platform Christianity Pastor Nate Brosher Mar 1, 2026 Matthew 6:1-4 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. 2 When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do--blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 1. Practicing Righteousness for God or Applause? Clout Chaser - someone who acts in a desperate, often disingenuous manner to gain social media followers, attention, or popularity. Matthew 5:16 ESV - 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. Jesus is condemning our motive, not our obedience Wrong Motive of Giving Right Motive of Giving Matthew 6:5-8 NLT - 5 "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 2. Learn How to Pray! Jesus said, 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Pray Privately Psalm 91:1-2 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." Pray Relationally Mark 14:36 NLT - 36 "Abba, Father," he cried out, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Pray Simply Job 1:21-22 NLT - 21 He said, "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!" 22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. Prayer is not about performance or persuasion; It’s communion with your heavenly Father! Matthew 6:9-13 ESV - 9 Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. “Our Father in Heaven” “Hallowed by your name” “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” Prayer is Alignment, not Manipulation! Key aspects of alignment: Surrender Trust Motives Previous Next

< Back Distractions: Vision Driven Pastor Nate Brosher Feb 4, 2024 Habakkuk 2:2-3 ESV 2 And the LORD answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. 3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. 1. Appointed Time. Hebrews 9:27 NKJV - 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. (apokeimai) which means, reserved, awaiting and/or set aside. (moed) which is a season, feast and/or an appointed time. 2. We need Vision! Proverbs 29:18 KJV 18 Where [there is] no vision , the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he. (ḥāzôn) – Dream, revelation, divine communication. Numbers 12:6 – ( mar'â) – Mode of revelation, mirror, looking glass. 3. We are capable. Jeremiah 1:5 ESV 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Appointed – (Natan) – assigned, designated, granted. How do I know greatness is in you? Romans 8:9-11 NLT 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Smith Wigglesworth (Book – “Healing”) – 1859-1947 The trouble is that we do not have the power of God in a full manifestation because of our finite thoughts, but as we go on and let God have His way, there is no limit to what our limitless God will do in response to a limitless faith. But you will never get anywhere except you are in constant pursuit of all the power of God. What are you pursuing? Previous Next

< Back Encounters Series Pt. 6: Wait Pastor Nate Brosher Sep 15, 2024 Isaiah 40:27-31 ESV - 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 1. It’s so hard to wait. “Impatience is the nemesis to our waiting and being patient.” Wait – (Qava) - to wait or look eagerly for, hope, trust and expect. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT - 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 2. What are we longing for? Psalm 42:1-2 NLT - 1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Solomon said, “I Thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?” Matthew 5:6 NKJV - 6 Blessed [are] those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Filled – (Chortazo) - to fulfil or satisfy the desire of anyone. 3. What are we desiring? Psalm 27:4-5 NLT - 4 The one thing I ask of the LORD--the thing I seek most--is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD's perfections and meditating in his Temple. 5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. House – (Bayit) – Dwelling habitation of abode of light and darkness. Jewish word Sheol/Greek word Hades. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 NLT - 6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long aswe live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord (to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord). 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. How do we abide in his presence? Psalm 22:2-3 KJV - 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But thou [art] holy, [O thou] that inhabits the praises of Israel. Inhabits – (Yasab) - to dwell, remain, sit, abide. God dwells with us when we praise him. Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV - 1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Previous Next

< Back The Romans Journey Pt. 7: Following the Spirit Pastor Nate Brosher Apr 2, 2025 Romans 8:1-4 NLT - 1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So, God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. 1. Do you belong to Christ Jesus? ■ Condemnation (Katakrima) – Damnatory sentence, to judge against, a guilty verdict. “There is NO condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” – Paul Romans 8:1 NKJV - 1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Philippians 3:12-14 CSB - 12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus. 2. Are we making the effort? Romans 12:2 NKJV - 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Conformed – syschēmatizō – To conform oneself to the same pattern. To fashion oneself according to. Romans 6:23 ESV - 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord Romans 8:5-8 NLT - 5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. 8 That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. Charles Spurgeon: “The best performance of an unchanged character is worthless in God’s sight. It lacks the stamp of grace upon it; and that which has not the stamp of grace is a false coin.” Galatians 6:7-8 ESV - 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Are we sowing to the Spirit or to the flesh? Romans 8:9-11 NLT - 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Charles Spurgeon: “It is one thing to profess religion, beloved, it is quite another thing to possess vital godliness.” Matthew 7:21-23 NLT - 21 "Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 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.' Romans 8:12-17 NLT - 12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Previous Next

< Back Guardrails Pt. 1: Sidetracked Pastor Nate Brosher Mar 2, 2025 Proverbs 4:23-27 NLT - 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. 27 Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. 1. Guard your heart. The writer said to “Guard our heart because it determines the course of our life.” Luke 6:45 ESV - 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. ■ How do we address our heart? ■ What are you sowing into your heart? Psalm 119:11 ESV - 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 2. Avoid perversion and corruption. Proverbs 4:24-25 NLT - 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 1Corinthians 15:33-34 ESV - 33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. ■ “Bad company ruins good morals.” - Apostle Paul. “You can be saved and yet have an inadequate understanding of God until you see glimpses of His vision.”– John Piper 3. Are you sidetracked? Proverbs 4:27 NLT - 27 Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. ■ The enemy is always attempting to distract us. Luke 21:34-35 NLT - 34 "Watch out! Don't let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don't let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. ■ Symptoms of being sidetracked. 1. Spiritual dryness: Feeling depleted or empty, or feeling far from God. 2. Spiritual distress: Feeling unable to find meaning, peace, comfort, strength, or connection in life. 3. Spiritual indifference: Being too focused on self-interest to hear others' needs. Psalm 61:2-4 NLT - 2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, 3 for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. 4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Previous Next

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

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

< Back The Romans Journey Pt. 12: One Body Pastor Nate Brosher May 28, 2025 Romans 12:1-5 NLT - 1 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. 3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 1. We are many parts of one body. “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.” Do you know God’s will in your life? John 16:33 NLT - 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." Why isn’t the church operating in its full functionality? John 14:12-14 NLT - 12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Soncan bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! Romans 12:4 NLT – Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:6-8 NLT - 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. “Speak out much Faith, Serve well, Teach well, Givegenerously, Take it seriously, Do it gladly!” 2. We must be authentic! Romans 12:9-13 NLT - 9 Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Paul said, “Don’t pretend, hate what is wrong, be genuine with your affection, honor each other, don’t be lazy, serve with enthusiasm, rejoice, be patient and be eager to be hospitable, be happy, live in harmony, live in peace with everyone!” Romans 12:19-21 NLT - 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the LORD. 20 Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads." 21 Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. If we are united in the body, we will conquer evil by doing good Previous Next

< Back The Aftermath Pt. 1: What Now? Pastor Nate Brosher Apr 27, 2025 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. Some Doubted Doubt – an inclination not to believe or accept. 2: uncertainty of belief or opinion that often interferes with decision-making. James 1:5-6 ESV - 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. We must address our doubt! 1Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV - 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers (someone who uses harsh and abusive language), nor swindlers (deceivers who deprive people of money) will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Let’s address the “But” Romans 8:1-4 ESV - 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. 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. Romans 8:5-8 ESV - 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those, who are in the flesh, cannot please God. Are we living according to the flesh or the Spirit? Hebrews 11:6 ESV - 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Jesus said, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,” Teach and instruct His precepts. Previous Next