2017 Men's Retreat - Session One

How do we move from treating God like an emergency fallback to living every day with deep commitment and purpose?In this opening sermon from a men's retreat on Psalm 31, Pastor Chris Brooks explores how to transition out of "crisis Christianity", where faith is only called upon when life falls apart. Drawing from the psalm's foundational declaration, "Into your hands I commit my spirit," this message emphasizes the necessity of establishing both a spiritual "hiding place" of solitude and a "climbing space" of courageous kingdom adventure. Discover how authentic community, weekly confession, and daily surrender in Christ free us to live as God's beloved, fully alive and resilient in faith.In this episode, we cover:Crisis Christianity vs. Committed Faith: Recognizing the temptation to rely on self-sufficiency until forced into desperation, and how crisis can become a doorway to true surrender.The Necessity of a Hiding Place (Refuge & Solitude): Why every man needs a consistent retreat with God and accountable brothers to name his traps and receive grace.Stepping into Your Climbing Space: Moving beyond passive safety to embrace God-given risk, adventure, and kingdom responsibility.Daily Surrender and the Example of Christ: How Jesus's ultimate prayer on the cross empowers us to surrender our lives, schedules, and futures into the Father's hands.Be sure to follow us:InstagramFacebookYoutube