I am lifting up a vision centered around "Big Questions" that every Christ follower should be able to answer. During this time of holy conversation, prayer, and discernment, it is important to be reminded of "what" we are doing and "why" we are doing it! By the end of worship, my hope is that you will have gained more clarity and focus on your life with Christ, and that you will be fired up about your involvement in what God is doing at Christ Church! One fundamental axiom of leadership is that "Vision Leaks." As we engage in this time of holy conversation, prayer, and discernment with the purpose of "making the main thing the main thing," it becomes crucial to consistently remind ourselves of "who" we are and "what" we are striving to achieve as we follow Jesus and journey together in His Church.

Though John Wesley was a preacher’s kid and had a strong Christian upbringing, it was not until he experienced failure as a missionary to America and returned disappointed and dejected to England that God’s fresh Holy Spirit power was poured out upon him. May 24, 1738, John Wesley had a spiritual experience at a small group meeting on Aldersgate Street in London. He was 35 years old. Early in life he developed a hunger for God and had spent most of his life pursuing it. Yet the personal assurance of faith had had eluded him – until that day. After his heart-transforming experience John Wesley was never the same. He began a revival movement that still influences our world today.

Wesley’s Revival Though John Wesley was a preacher’s kid and had a strong Christian upbringing, it was not until he experienced failure as a missionary to America and returned disappointed and dejected to England that God’s fresh Holy Spirit power was poured out upon him. May 24, 1738, John Wesley had a spiritual experience at a small group meeting on Aldersgate Street in London. He was 35 years old. Early in life he developed a hunger for God and had spent most of his life pursuing it. Yet the personal assurance of faith had had eluded him – until that day. After his heart-transforming experience John Wesley was never the same. He began a revival movement that still influences our world today. Beginning June 11, Pastor Bob begins a new series “Wesley’s Revival” and its continued impact on our lives today.

Wesley’s Revival     Though John Wesley was a preacher’s kid and had a strong Christian upbringing, it was not until he experienced failure as a missionary to America and returned disappointed and dejected to England that God’s fresh Holy Spirit power was poured out upon him. May 24, 1738, John Wesley had a spiritual experience at a small group meeting on Aldersgate Street in London. He was 35 years old. Early in life he developed a hunger for God and had spent most of his life pursuing it. Yet the personal assurance of faith had had eluded him – until that day. After his heart-transforming experience John Wesley was never the same. He began a revival movement that still influences our world today.

When teaching one of His most famous sermons, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). When you think about your own home, what do you hunger for? Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness or perhaps other things? In this new series, we will apply aspects of Jesus' teaching to our homes. We will explore practical steps we can take to experience the blessed homes God wants us to have.

When teaching one of His most famous sermons, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). When you think about your own home, what do you hunger for? Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness or perhaps other things? In this new series, we will apply aspects of Jesus' teaching to our homes. We will explore practical steps we can take to experience the blessed homes God wants us to have.

When teaching one of His most famous sermons, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). When you think about your own home, what do you hunger for? Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness or perhaps other things? In this new series, we will apply aspects of Jesus' teaching to our homes. We will explore practical steps we can take to experience the blessed homes God wants us to have.

When teaching one of His most famous sermons, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). When you think about your own home, what do you hunger for? Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness or perhaps other things? In this new series, we will apply aspects of Jesus' teaching to our homes. We will explore practical steps we can take to experience the blessed homes God wants us to have.

Peter, a disciple of Jesus, was a committed follower who gave his wholehearted "yes" to Jesus. His strong personality and proactive approach were apparent at various times, and Jesus saw great potential in him. However, after Jesus' death, Peter experienced both grief and shame due to his failure during a time of testing - he denied knowing Jesus. What do we do when we fail in times of testing? Where can we turn?

After Jesus' death, Thomas was one of the followers who was devastated, just like the others. He couldn't believe how quickly all of his hopes and plans had been dashed when Jesus died on the cross. It had a profound impact on him, causing him to question everything. Despite the others telling him that they had seen the risen Jesus, Thomas was unable to believe it. What do we do when our faith is shipwrecked or paralyzed? How do we respond when our own hopes and dreams have not been realized?

The one person who experienced it all like no one else was Mary, the mother of Jesus.  I want to consider Jesus' life, death, and resurrection from Mary's perspective. What did she think from the very beginning? What were her challenges as she watched Jesus grow up? How did she feel about the launching of his ministry? What were her concerns as she saw various people's reactions? And how did she respond first to his death and then the news of his resurrection? My new series titled "Hope Alive" I pray will inspire and encourage us in the midst of our own uncertain or difficult circumstances.

When we read the stories of Jesus, we are reminded that His life was a message from God. As we consider the implications of everything that happened during Holy Week culminating with the resurrection, we realize Jesus' victory over death was also a message from God! In Jesus Christ, we have a "blessed hope," but it was won at a tremendous cost.

Death by crucifixion was a terribly excruciating process. To speak was very difficult and yet Jesus spoke “Last Words” from the cross that He wanted people to hear.   Beginning on March 12,  Pastor Bob will begin a Lenten message series focusing on Jesus’ final words as he died on the cross.   There is much to learn and appreciate about Jesus and his great love and compassion toward us and all people as we consider his Last Words.  

Death by crucifixion was a terribly excruciating process. To speak was very difficult and yet Jesus spoke “Last Words” from the cross that He wanted people to hear.   Beginning on March 12,  Pastor Bob will begin a Lenten message series focusing on Jesus’ final words as he died on the cross.   There is much to learn and appreciate about Jesus and his great love and compassion toward us and all people as we consider his Last Words.  

Death by crucifixion was a terribly excruciating process. To speak was very difficult and yet Jesus spoke “Last Words” from the cross that He wanted people to hear.   Beginning on March 12,  Pastor Bob will begin a Lenten message series focusing on Jesus’ final words as he died on the cross.   There is much to learn and appreciate about Jesus and his great love and compassion toward us and all people as we consider his Last Words.  

Death by crucifixion was a terribly excruciating process. To speak was very difficult and yet Jesus spoke “Last Words” from the cross that He wanted people to hear.   Beginning on March 12,  Pastor Bob will begin a Lenten message series focusing on Jesus’ final words as he died on the cross.   There is much to learn and appreciate about Jesus and his great love and compassion toward us and all people as we consider his Last Words.