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Audio by artist pastor_rich_doebler

May 20, 2007

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Cloquet Gospel Tabernacle Service

Turnaround...Rising Above Your Circumstances

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August 19 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

Have you ever felt trapped by your circumstances? Stuck in some difficult situation? Immobilized by problems?

Acts 16:16-26

Turnaround...What Good Are Closed Doors?

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8-26-07 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

Have you ever heard someone say, "God spoke to me"? They make it sound as though he gave them clear, specific instructions on what to do or where to go. They make it sound simple to hear from God—as though he sent them an email or left a voice mail or called them on their cell with everything they needed to know.

Step Up To a Higher Call

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Sept 16, 2007 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

[Opening Skit: Greasy Spoon Blues]

You've probably heard someone say: It's hard to soar with the eagles when you work with a bunch of turkeys. It would probably more accurate if we could admit: It's hard to soar with the eagles when we're nothing but a bunch of turkeys!

Turkeys—even wild turkeys—don't fly much; eagles, on the other hand, soar among the mountain peaks, high above the ground.

Step Up: To Greater Service

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September 23, 2007 message byPastor Rich Doebler

Step Up: To Fuller Joy

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October 7, 2007 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

We all face difficult situations or set-backs from time to time. Sometimes we get discouraged because of the things that happen in our lives. We may have to deal with major disappointment. On occasion we may feel unhappy and sad because of something that happens.

Nick Vujicic video [www.youtube.com]

Step Up: To Selfless Love

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October 14, 2007 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

For the past few weeks, we've been looking at ways that we can "Step Up" as believers—to live out of faith in everyday ways and become more mature in our walk with Christ. We've talked about stepping up: to better things—things that accompany salvation; to a higher call—to walk worthy of the call with which God has called us; to greater service; to fuller joy.

Step Up: To Deeper Significance

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10-21-07 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

How do you define significance? Importance; influence; value; meaning?

Some people measure significance or importance by the titles and degrees they attach to their name: Ph.D. etc. Labels, titles, and positions often indicate something of the value or significance people attach to you.

Getting [To] Your Heart's Desires

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12-9-07 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

Ever have one of those weeks where things don't go the way you planned? This week my snow blower quit working AND my garage door opener snapped a chain and quit working. This week, when I needed them most, things I relied on let me down.

The Born Identity

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12-16-07 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

Luke 2:10-12 - 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

A Most Precious Gift

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12-23-07 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth and put it like this: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Cor 8:9)

Having Ears To Hear

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01-06-08 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

Opening Your Mind

01-13-08 message by Pastor Rich Doebler
...Supernatural understanding comes by interacting regularly with the Bible.

Strengthening Your Faith

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01-20-08 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

This is the fourth in a series of messages called Faith Comes By Hearing. The title comes from Romans 17, which says: So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (NASB) If we listen to the Word, if we really hear it and soak ourselves in it, then our faith will increase. We will become stronger believers. I want to have stronger faith, don't you? That's why I'm so enthused about the CD NT listening plan.

Improving Your Reflexes

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02-03-08 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

Shelter In Life's Storms

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Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV) 23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" 26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and

The Rest of Your Life

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2-17-2008 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

Working

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March 9, 2008 message by Pastor Rich Doebler.

Healing—for Heart and Soul

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Easter Message (3-23-08) by Pastor Rich Doebler

How many holidays does it take to heal a family? How many holidays does it take to heal a dysfunctional home? A broken heart? A wounded spirit?

Stressed for Success

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3-30-08 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

How many of you still haven't filed your taxes? April 15th is only a couple of weeks away. Next to Christmas, tax season is one of the most stressful times of year for me. It's not just finding all the receipts and filling out the forms. It's finding the money to pay what I still owe. In the last 30 years I think I can count on one hand the times I didn't owe anything on April 15.

One Faith, One Body

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4-13-08 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

It's good to explore our spiritual roots—our heritage of faith, our religious backgrounds and upbringings. Isaiah wrote: "The Lord says, ‘Listen to me, those of you who try to live right and follow the Lord. Look at the rock from which you were cut; look at the stone quarry from which you were dug'" (Isaiah 51:1, NCV).

Justified By Faith

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4-27-08 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

If you haven't already heard, we're in a series of messages looking at our spiritual roots—where we all came from on our spiritual journeys.

Why are we doing this? Because sometimes it helps to understand where we've come from so we can move forward. We must understand our heritage of faith and spiritual upbringing so we can either (1) build on its good foundation or, (2) if it wasn't lined up with God's Word, realign our thinking.

Committed To Be Holy

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5-4-08 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

Today we're continuing a series of messages which explore our spiritual roots as a church. Most of you here were raised in a different kind of church—or no church at all.

Empowered From On High

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5-11-08 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

People from a variety of experiences and religious backgrounds have come together in this church to seek God and to take the next step on their spiritual journey. Over the past few weeks, we've looked at several things you've all brought from your various spiritual roots. We've seen important contributions to the life and vitality of this congregation brought by Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists—and there are many others we haven't had time to mention.

Grasshoppers and Giants

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6-1-08 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

Do you remember when the Israelites escaped from Egypt, from Pharaoh, and from slavery? We read about it in the Bible—how God used miraculous events to get them out, how God parted the waters of the Red Sea, how God sent the waters of the Red Sea flowing back into place to drown the soldiers chasing them in chariots.

When Hope Goes AWOL

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06-15-08 message by Pastor Rich Doebler

Some friends were hanging out one day, and the conversation grimly turned to the issue of death. One of the friends asked the others, "What would you like people to say about you at your funeral?"

One friend answered, "I would want people to say, ‘He was a great humanitarian who cared about his community.'"

A second replied, "I would want people to say, ‘He was a great husband and father, an example for many to follow.'"

God's Second Touch

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How important do you think is it to be touched in comforting, encouraging, healing ways?

Great Expectations—Getting Ready for God

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I want to talk today about getting ready for God, about preparing for the things God wants to do in your life, about anticipating God's work.

An Anchor for the Soul

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A Sure and Certain Hope

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Louder Than Words: Love In Action

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Couch Christians—Why not easy and convenient?

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Gutsy Christians

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Good News in Scary Times

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How many have ever ridden a roller coaster? Maybe at Valley Fair? Disney World? OK, let's be honest, how many of you really didn't enjoy the ride all that much? I mean, when you read warning sign before you get on board—shouldn't that be an indication of what's to come?

You must be at least 4 feet, 8 inches tall to ride Space Mountain. People with heart conditions or women who are pregnant should not ride this death trap. Please remove your glasses and all other loose objects. Please fasten your seatbelt.

What's Wrong With Politics

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The Scandal of Grace

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Today we're beginning a three-part series of messages on God's grace.

Someone says, "Why talk about grace? That's basic stuff for Christians."

It may be basic, but grace is a concept we struggle with all our lives. That's why we need to revisit it—so we can understand it better. Even more importantly, so we can live it out in our lives.

There's a difference between talking about grace and practicing grace—living it out.

The Effect of Grace

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Hope Is Born

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It happened several years ago (March 5, 1994). Deputy Sheriff Lloyd Prescott was teaching a class for police officers in the Salt Lake City Library. As he stepped into the hallway, he noticed a gunman herding 18 hostages into the next room. With a flash of insight, Prescott—dressed in street clothes—joined the group as the nineteenth hostage, followed them into the room, and shut the door. But when the gunman announced the order in which hostages would be executed, Prescott identified himself as a cop.

Hearts Are Changed

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Peace Has a Chance

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Staying Strong in Tough Times

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Designer Church

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God is calling you to unleash your full potential in Christ. What could happen if you took the lid off—off the things holding you back in ministry and service? off obstacles preventing you from growing deeper in God? off the disappointments and failures of the past that cloud your thinking and attack your faith? What could happen if you took the lid off?

Cut Loose

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Full Throttle

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How many of you enjoy driving in Minneapolis? • During rush hour?

Peak Performance

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Unleashed

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For the past four weekends I've been talking about what all the church could really be if we didn't limit ministry to just a few but instead equipped each church member to serve and minister.

We've been reading about this in Ephesians, the NT letter written by the Apostle Paul, 4:11-13.

Now today I want to discuss one more thing from Ephesians—something that hinders the church from becoming what God intended.

Where To Find the Power You Need

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Tapping God's Reservoir

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David prayed, "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water" (Ps 63:1); "I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land" (Ps 143:6).

How thirsty are you? Are you strongly motivated to seek the Lord? How hungry are you for the things of God? Are you ready to go the distance to have God bless your life?

The Deepest Need of the Human Soul

The World's Biggest Loser

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Open Your Ears

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Have you ever had trouble communicating with someone? Where you're just not connecting? Where you're not "tune in"—you're on a different frequency...where you pick up the wrong signal (misunderstood)...where there is too much static (too much other "noise")...where the message is garbled (mixed in with other messages)...where there is no signal (nothing comes through)?

Following Directions

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Knowing Him

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In Over Your Head

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Let It Down

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Following Jesus

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Letting Go

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Made to Worship

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Hearts In Tune

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Faith

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How To Be Blessed

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Four Kinds of Love

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Loving God With All Your Soul

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Loving God with our soul—the Choices We Make

How often do we make choices without even realizing what we're doing? When we spontaneously choose something (impulse buying), when our reflexes react to something, when we "go with our gut" without considering the matter?

On the flip side, how often do we make a choice when we think we're delaying the decision? We might think we're considering the matter when really we're dodging the issue! Avoiding the decision is actually a decision!

Loving God With All Your Strength

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Loving Your Neighbor As Yourself

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When We Don't Trust What's True

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Seeing God With Fresh Eyes

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Seeking God With All Our Heart

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Unplug

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Celebrate

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Redeeming the Time

End of the year/start of new year...
Typical to take time to reflect. To remember events of last year. To consider what's happened, what's changed.
Over the last year...some unexpected events, surprises. Some challenging, some stretching, some devastating. [Accidents, deaths, loss, setbacks.]
Others were rewarding, encouraging, exciting. [Births, engagements, marriage.]
So we remember, we look back.

But we also look ahead. We consider what still needs to change.

An Ordered Life

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Welcome to 2010! As we prepare ourselves for all the things we want to do and accomplish this year or the places we want to go, it's a good thing to consider how we're going to involve God in our lives. Here's a verse I've been thinking about the last couple of weeks. Perhaps it would be a good verse to take into the new year.
Psalms 37:23-24 (NKJV)

Radical Renewal

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Radical Character

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Radical Grip

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Roots That Last

U-Turn

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When God turns us around.

Upturn

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Downturn

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Return

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Return—Sometimes you have to go back.

 

Families: The Next Step

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The God Who Feels Pain

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Grace You Can Live With

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Hope You Can Live With

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The Mystery of Marriage

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Marriage is a mystery!

Socrates, the ancient philosopher, said, "By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher." [Sacred Marriage, p 11]

Good or bad—marriage keeps people guessing: Should I marry or not? Will I find the right one? Who is it? There is much about marriage that is a mystery.

We say God invented marriage, but still we wonder: What was God thinking when he invented marriage? What did he hope to accomplish?

When Opposites Attract

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What Men Wished Wives Knew About Husbands

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What Women Wished Husbands Knew About Wives

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Marriage: What Women Wished Husbands Knew About Wives Let's return to the poll we took a couple weeks ago to hear what women are thinking about their relationships with men.

237 surveys (almost twice as many women as men [149 to 76])

Four out of five (79.7%) married; 17.2% single; 3.1% were either married/separated or single/living together.

Three out of five (58.2%) married once; more than one-third (35.9%) divorced (80% of those remarried).

Putting First Things First

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Loving...and Hating

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Laying It All On the Line

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Surrender: Giving It Up

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Lies We Tell Ourselves

Facing Fears, Defeating Doubts

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Demolishing Strongholds

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The Eyes Have It

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The Look of Love

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John 13:1-5,12-17,34-35

Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. (13:1, NIV)

He had always loved those who were his own in the world, and he loved them all the way to the end. (NCV)

1. Love has different looks. Love comes in various forms. It comes in different degrees, different levels.

The Work of Love

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Last week we talked about the various looks of love—how love comes in different degrees, just as a light can have various levels of brightness or intensity. We read Jesus' words...

34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35

The Heart of Love

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The last couple of weeks we've talked about the "look" of love—meaning its different levels or expressions—and the "work" of love—meaning it's something we can choose to do despite our feelings.

An Invitation to Grace

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People love a special invitation! People love to be invited to special events!

Remember a while back when Tareq and Michaela Salahi crashed the party at the White House? They weren't invited, but they showed up anyway. It created a big media event for about two days. People in high places were horrified that uninvited guests were able to get into a state dinner. At least one White House staff person was eventually forced to resign because of the debacle.

People want to be included, to be invited. And some go to great lengths to get in on the fun!

An Invitation to Hope

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Last week we began looking at what is involved when we talk about the call of God. What does it mean to say that God "calls" us? And what difference does that have in our everyday lives?

An Invitation to Purpose

Rom 8:28 (NASB) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

An Invitation to Excellence

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1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance [NIV: bearing with one another] for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph 4:1-3 (NASB)

Second-Chance People

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Do you remember when you were a kid, playing in a game, did you ever stop everything by shouting out, "Do over"? You messed up—you knew you could do better—and so you just announced you were taking another shot at it.

Moses: From fugitive to forefront

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The last couple of weeks we've been considering those times when we fall flat on our face, when we squander a great opportunity, when we drop the ball, when we mess up...

We have a lot of ways to describe it-a lot of ways to spin it. But the Bible cuts through all that and gets to the heart of the matter-we are broken people; we are flawed; our entire race has been damaged by Adam's fall.

...we are like clay jars... (2 Cor 4:7, NCV) ... perishable containers...weak bodies (NLT)

Living Life to the Max

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Living Life to the Max

Vital Signs

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Last week was Easter—we celebrated Christ's Resurrection...we talked about the power of the Resurrection, and we talked about life—abundant life, life as it was meant to be before sin and human nature got in and messed everything up.

The Resurrection isn't just something to celebrate once a year. The power of Resurrection is something to be experienced every day. The Resurrection brings power for life all year long.

Effervescent Faith

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You probably know some people who just seem to get more out of life than other people. They seem more confident, more self-assured. They seem stable, solid, more capable of handling the highs and lows of life.

Other people are like the weather forecast-if a high pressure system moves in, they're bright and sunny. But when the lows come in, they can be like storm clouds-cloudy, dark, rainy. And you better hope they don't bring their lows to your blue skies, because they will surely rain on your parade.

Life in the Trenches

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For the last three weeks, ever since Easter Sunday when we celebrated the resurrection of Christ (and the resurrection life), we've been talking the abundant life promised to believers—and what it takes to experience life "in all its fullness."

Jesus said (John 10:12, NASB): "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

Defined by Promise

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Defining Moments...those key events in our lives that dramatically reshape everything that comes after. These events become watershed moments that alter our whole perspective, shift our attitude, adjust our world view, even redirect the entire course of our life.

Defined by Power

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Defining Moments: Events that change everything that comes after-a moment that reshapes your attitude, your outlook, your behavior, or even perhaps the entire direction of your life.

Two Kinds of Lost

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Today we start a new series of messages: "The Prodigal God." To begin, check out this video...a contemporary version of the father who had two sons...

 

Running Away

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Returning To

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Jesus' story of the two sons (Luke 15:11-32) tells us how each went his own way—though they were very different from each other, even opposite.

The younger brother went to a distant country; the older brother went to work at home in his father's fields. In the end they both faced disappointment:

Work Out Your Salvation

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Phil 2:12-15 (NIV) 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

Grace Working With Me

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For the last few weeks we've been talking about GRACE WORKS...how God's grace is interconnected with human works: we are "saved" by grace alone, but being saved means we should expect to see a life that is changed—a life that does good, a life that works for God.

Working for the Lord

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There is another aspect of work that I'd like to talk about. It's an especially appropriate topic this weekend because Monday is "Labor Day"—a U.S. holiday begun 129 years ago and later made official by Congress in 1894.

Labor Day was originally intended, as one early labor leader put it, to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all of the grandeur we behold." Which seems a bit presumptuous and ostentatious, but we'll go with that for now.