EDFBC Messages

When life doesn't make sense and God's actions seem confusing, the prophet Habakkuk provides a powerful model for navigating faith during difficult times. Before questioning what God does, Habakkuk reminds himself of who God is by declaring His eternal nature, holiness, and faithfulness. He then wrestles honestly with God about why a holy God would use wicked nations as instruments of judgment. Rather than walking away in frustration, Habakkuk commits to wait expectantly for God's answer. The gospel ultimately reveals that God doesn't ignore evil or remain distant from suffering - at the cross, He bears sin Himself to provide justice and mercy.

The prophet Habakkuk cried out to God about violence and injustice in his nation, expecting one kind of answer but receiving something completely different. God responded by saying He would raise up the Babylonians, an even more violent nation, to bring judgment on Judah. This shocking answer demonstrates that God's perspective encompasses all nations and history, far beyond our limited viewpoint. While God's methods often confound our expectations, His ultimate purpose is always restoration, not destruction. God listens carefully to our prayers and incorporates our very words into His responses, showing His personal engagement with us. Even when His answers are difficult to understand, we can trust that He is working beyond our line of sight for our ultimate good.

Easter Sunday marks the most significant event in human history - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many of us try to control what we cannot, like pressing elevator buttons that don't actually work. When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb, they expected to do something about their fractured world, but God showed up instead. The resurrection requires us to surrender our illusion of control, examine the evidence of Christ's victory over death, and respond with action. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we can trust in our own future resurrection and live transformed lives today through the same Spirit that raised Him.

The prophet Habakkuk wrestled with the same question many believers face today: why does God allow injustice to continue? Living during Judah's moral decline, Habakkuk brought his honest doubts directly to God, demonstrating that a crisis of faith is not the same as faithlessness. His persistent prayers in the face of violence and corruption teach us to keep praying even when God seems silent. God's apparent delays in bringing justice are actually expressions of His mercy, giving more people time to respond to His grace. The ultimate answer to injustice came through Jesus, who took the punishment our sins deserved so we could receive His righteousness.

Following Jesus isn't a casual decision or symbolic gesture - it requires everything. When John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God, he was declaring Jesus' purpose as the perfect sacrifice. Jesus' entire life led to the cross, and He made it clear that following Him means denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily. This isn't figurative language we can soften; it's a literal call to die to ourselves. William Borden exemplified this commitment, writing 'No reserves, no retreat, no regrets' as he gave up his inheritance and life to serve God. The paradox of Christianity is that we must die to ourselves to experience true life.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus reveals his complete humanity by experiencing genuine fear, sorrow, and anguish about his approaching crucifixion. Rather than hiding his emotions, he honestly brought his deepest fears to God while still choosing obedience over comfort. Jesus asked his disciples for support, even though they failed him by falling asleep. His example teaches us to take our pain directly to God, choose obedience even when it's difficult, and lean on imperfect community during our struggles. Because Jesus experienced our weakness and suffering, he can sympathize with us in our darkest moments and provide strength for radical obedience.

In Matthew 26:6-16, an anonymous woman poured expensive perfume worth $86,000 on Jesus' head, sacrificing her entire future security in an act of extravagant worship. While the disciples criticized this as wasteful, Jesus defended her actions, recognizing that she was preparing him for burial and demonstrating true understanding of his worth. In stark contrast, immediately after this event, Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver - the price of a slave. The woman saw Jesus as worth everything she had, while Judas valued him at the lowest possible price. This story challenges us to examine what price we put on Jesus through our daily choices, time, and resources. Ask yourself the question, "How much is Jesus worth to me?"

Jesus calls believers to be salt of the earth and light of the world, not as individuals but as a community. Salt in ancient times preserved and purified, while light provided guidance and hope. These aren't suggestions but commands rooted in Old Testament covenant language. When we live as God's people together, we create compelling communities that draw others to Him. Our mission is to engage our neighborhoods practically, not retreat from the world. This means knowing our neighbors, caring for them, and letting God's character shine through our daily interactions and relationships.

Love is fundamentally about action, not just feelings or words. Scripture consistently teaches that genuine Christian love requires sacrifice, meets practical needs, and goes beyond mere sentiment. When we truly follow Jesus, our love becomes visible through concrete actions that reflect God's character. This love serves as evidence of spiritual transformation and shows the world what God is like. While loving others can be challenging and may even make us unpopular, we're called to love continuously, starting with fellow believers and extending to everyone around us. The good news is that this love flows from God's Spirit within us, not from our own willpower.

The law serves a crucial purpose in our faith journey - it reveals God's character, exposes our sinfulness, and shows us our desperate need for a Savior. Rather than being a path to righteousness, the law acts as a mirror reflecting our true condition and a guardian leading us to Christ. Jesus didn't abolish the law but fulfilled it, enabling us to live it out through transformed hearts motivated by love rather than obligation. The cross demonstrates where God's perfect justice and love meet, providing the righteousness we could never achieve through law-keeping. Now we live not as slaves under rules, but as adopted children responding to grace with love-motivated obedience.

Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves, but what does this actually look like? Leviticus 19 provides God's practical definition of neighborly love through five key principles: caring for those in need, acting with integrity, refusing to exploit others, pursuing justice, and living in covenant community. These aren't suggestions but divine standards that flow from God's call to be holy as He is holy. While we cannot achieve this perfection on our own, God's grace empowers us to reflect His character in our relationships and transform how we treat others.

The parable of the Good Samaritan begins with a crucial question: What must I do to inherit eternal life? When a religious expert asks Jesus this question, Jesus redirects him to Scripture's command to love God and neighbor. But when the man asks who qualifies as his neighbor, Jesus tells a story that redefines everything. A wounded traveler is ignored by religious leaders but helped by a despised Samaritan who shows costly, sacrificial love. Jesus reveals that our neighbor is anyone made in God's image, and true faith is demonstrated through loving actions, not just words or beliefs.

Jesus revealed that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, but He immediately added a second commandment that is equally important: love your neighbor as yourself. These two commands cannot be separated because loving your neighbor is part of loving God. True love for others is inconvenient, selfless, and extends beyond your comfort zone to include everyone you encounter. When Jesus says to love your neighbor as yourself, He means extending the same care and commitment you would show family members to all people, including strangers and even enemies. Your love for God must be displayed through practical acts of love toward others.

Jonah's anger after Nineveh's repentance reveals an uncomfortable truth about human nature: we often want God to be merciful to us but struggle when He extends that same grace to others. Despite being a prophet, Jonah was worshipping an idol - a version of God made in his own image. Through a plant, worm, and wind, God gently confronted Jonah's heart, asking probing questions rather than delivering harsh rebuke. The book ends with God's question about caring for Nineveh, challenging us to examine whether we truly worship the real God or a version that fits our preferences. Like Jonah, we need to be confronted with who God really is in comparison to who we think He is.

Jonah is the only prophet in Scripture whom God called twice, demonstrating that our God is a God of second chances. After Jonah's initial disobedience and dramatic rescue from the sea, God gave him another opportunity to preach to Nineveh. Despite Jonah's minimal effort - delivering only a five-word message - God used his bare minimum obedience to bring about the greatest revival in biblical history. The entire city of Nineveh, from the king to the common people, repented and turned to God. This story reveals that God doesn't abandon us when we fail, but pursues us with persistent grace and can accomplish extraordinary things through our imperfect obedience.

Jonah's story reveals what happens when we try to run from God's calling. After fleeing to Tarshish instead of going to Nineveh, Jonah finds himself in the belly of a fish, finally praying to God in desperation. His prayer shows gratitude for being saved but lacks genuine repentance, as he blames God for his circumstances rather than taking responsibility for his disobedience. God rescues Jonah anyway, demonstrating that His grace isn't dependent on our worthiness. The story challenges us to examine whether we're pursuing God wholeheartedly or just offering grudging obedience without true heart transformation.

Change is inevitable, and God often disrupts our comfortable routines to accomplish His greater purposes. The Book of Jonah tells the story of a prophet who chose disobedience when God called him to preach to Nineveh, the brutal capital of the Assyrian empire. When Jonah fled in the opposite direction, God used a storm and pagan sailors to redirect him back to his calling. Even Jonah's disobedience led to the sailors' conversion, showing that God can use anything for His purposes. The great fish that swallowed Jonah represents God's unexpected salvation - just like the gospel itself, it defies human logic but demonstrates God's grace.

The prophet Ezekiel reveals a harsh truth: God's people were in exile because of their own failures, and their spiritual leaders had abandoned their responsibilities as shepherds. Instead of caring for the flock, these leaders fed themselves and ruled with cruelty, scattering the people they were meant to protect. However, God promises to personally shepherd His people and send the perfect Shepherd. This promise is fulfilled in Jesus, who seeks the lost, heals the sick, and lays down His life for His sheep. Most remarkably, God doesn't just rescue us from our failures - He completely transforms us by giving us new hearts, replacing our hearts of stone with living, responsive hearts that naturally follow His ways.

Waiting is one of humanity's greatest challenges, yet it's fundamental to God's kingdom. Throughout Scripture, God commands us to wait 116 times, revealing its importance in our spiritual journey. The key to faithful waiting lies in remembering three truths: God has never failed to keep His promises, waiting is a spiritual battle against doubt and fear, and we must focus on who God is rather than what we want Him to do. As Christians, we're not waiting for Jesus' first coming but His second advent as righteous Judge. Faithful waiting means trusting the promise-giver, remembering His past faithfulness, and staying spiritually prepared for Christ's return.

Life is filled with uncertainties that challenge our sense of security, but the crucial question remains: what do you really trust in? Abraham's story in Genesis reveals the nature of biblical faith - acting like God's promises are certain even when we can't see them. When God called Abraham to leave everything for an unknown destination, He made incredible promises including blessing all nations through him. Despite Abraham's struggles with doubt and fear, God remained faithful. The covenant ceremony in Genesis 15 shows God taking full responsibility for keeping His promises, even walking alone through the sacrificial animals while Abraham slept. This demonstrates that God's faithfulness doesn't depend on our perfect faith, but on His unchanging character.

Every person on earth lives in exile, a reality that began when Adam and Eve chose pride over obedience in the Garden of Eden. Their attempt to cover their sin with fig leaves represents humanity's ongoing effort to fix our relationship with God through our own works. However, God immediately provided proper covering for them, foreshadowing the ultimate solution. Just as their homemade covering failed, our attempts to earn God's approval through good deeds always fall short. The only solution to end our exile was Jesus Christ, who lived the perfect life we couldn't live and died the perfect death to pay for our imperfect lives. This Advent season reminds us that God's rescue plan was always Plan A, revealing His gracious and compassionate character.

In Isaiah 6, we witness a powerful divine encounter that reveals what happens when God shows up. During a time of national uncertainty following King Uzziah's death, Isaiah sees God on His throne surrounded by seraphim declaring His holiness. This vision exposes Isaiah's sinfulness in contrast to God's perfect holiness, leading to his confession and God's gracious cleansing. After being purified, Isaiah hears God's call and responds without hesitation: Here am I. Send me. This passage teaches us that when we encounter God's holiness, we see ourselves clearly, receive His grace, and are called to respond with complete availability to His purposes.

Paul's words in Romans 9:1-3 reveal a challenging truth: knowing God means being passionate about the lost being found. Paul describes experiencing great sorrow and unceasing anguish for those far from Jesus, using the same Greek words that describe Christ's agony in Gethsemane and the rich man's torment in hell. He was willing to be eternally separated from Christ if it meant his people could be saved. Most Christians today don't feel this kind of heart-wrenching concern for the lost around them. When we pray the dangerous prayer asking God to break our hearts for what breaks His, we position ourselves to be used by Him to reach others in our daily mission fields.

In a spiritually bankrupt time when God's voice was rare, young Samuel learned to listen and respond to God's call. His story teaches us three essential principles: be attentive to God's voice, actively ask Him to speak, and truly listen to whatever He says. Samuel's immediate obedience, humility, and persistence made him ready to hear from God, even when the message was difficult. Like Samuel's era, we live in times when everyone does what seems right in their own eyes, yet God still calls to those willing to listen. We must create space for listening, invite God to speak, and be prepared for any response He gives.

David's simple, short prayer at the end of Psalm 139 reveals a powerful truth: we are often blind to our own spiritual problems and need God to reveal them to us. After pointing fingers at God's enemies, David realizes he must examine himself first. His four-part prayer asks God to search his heart, test his thoughts, reveal any offensive ways, and lead him in God's everlasting way. This prayer requires complete honesty and willingness to change. We cannot skip steps or ask God to lead us while refusing to let Him examine our hearts. True spiritual growth begins when we courageously ask God to show us what we cannot see about ourselves and respond with genuine repentance. When is the last time you asked God to search your heart, know your thoughts, and point out any offensive way in you? Why not make today that day? Ask, listen to what He says, confess and repent of what He brings to mind, then ask Him to lead you in the everlasting way.

Jesus provided His disciples with a revolutionary framework for prayer that transforms hearts, not just words. Beginning with 'Our Father,' He invites us into intimate relationship while maintaining reverence for God's transcendence. The prayer structure prioritizes God's concerns first - His holiness, kingdom, and will - before addressing our daily needs for provision, forgiveness, and protection from temptation. This isn't a magical formula but scaffolding for building authentic prayer life. When we pray according to Jesus' framework, our hearts align with God's priorities, causing us to care about what He cares about and desire what He desires.

What if prayer isn't about finding the right words, but about having the right heart? Jesus revealed that God already knows what you need before you even ask. The question isn't whether you're praying correctly - it's whether you're praying authentically. Are you performing for people or connecting with your Father?Prayer is fundamentally about relationship with God, not religious performance. Jesus taught that authentic prayer comes from the heart, not from impressive words or public displays. He instructed us to pray privately to our Father, emphasizing that God already knows our needs before we ask. The key is approaching prayer with genuine intention and trust, recognizing that God desires honest connection over elaborate speeches. When we pray authentically, we develop a secure relationship with our heavenly Father who has bent down to meet us where we are.

Paul's closing words in Ephesians reveal a fundamental truth about Christian ministry: we cannot do God's work alone. When Paul asked for prayer to speak the gospel with boldness, he demonstrated that even the greatest apostle needed community support. God designed His kingdom to require teamwork, which is why Paul relied on faithful servants like Tychicus to carry his message. The characteristics of God's kingdom - peace, love with faith, grace, and undying love for Christ - can only come from God through community. Prayer forms the foundation of our faith, and we must recognize that whether sharing the gospel, serving others, or growing spiritually, we desperately need each other to accomplish God's purposes.

In a world filled with unseen battles, we are engaged in spiritual warfare daily. Recognizing this, we must rely on the Armor of God as outlined in Ephesians 6:10-18. This includes the Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit. Prayer is essential, binding all pieces together. Our faith is rooted in Jesus' victory, and we must stand firm, not alone but together with other believers.

In this sermon, Pastor Matt explores Ephesians 6:5-9, addressing the challenging topic of slaves and masters and how it applies to our work ethic today. He acknowledges the discomfort of this passage but emphasizes that our faith is rooted in uncomfortable truths. The sermon explains that while Paul couldn't envision a world without slavery (just as we can't imagine one without electricity), he was addressing the heart behind work relationships. The central message is that our work reflects God's work in us - how we work and treat others demonstrates who we believe God is. All of life should be a comprehensive whole, with God's character driving how we work and interact with others. Whether slave or free, worker or boss, there is no favoritism in Christ, and we are all called to reflect Jesus in everything we do.

Faith fundamentally reshapes our family relationships, calling us to live in community God's way. In Ephesians 6:1-4, Paul provides countercultural guidance for both children and parents, emphasizing obedience in the Lord and parenting that reflects Christ. Our example impacts our children more powerfully than our words, making authentic faith crucial. Beyond biological connections, we need spiritual family relationships that are so compelling they draw others to Christ. As kingdom people, we're called to build families that demonstrate the transformative power of Jesus in every relationship.

God has a lot to say about all of life and relationships are no exception! Marriage according to God's design involves mutual submission rooted in Christ-centered relationships. While wives are called to respect their husbands, husbands are commanded to love their wives with the same sacrificial love Christ showed the church. This passage in Ephesians 5 is often misunderstood without its cultural context - in Roman times, women had few rights, making Paul's teaching revolutionary. God's original design before sin entered the world was for husbands and wives to complement each other in their differences, living in covenant relationship for God's glory and their mutual benefit. True Christian marriage offers a compelling alternative to the world's broken relationship patterns.

Paul's guidance in Ephesians 5:15-21 teaches us to walk in wisdom by paying careful attention to how we live. This means making the most of every opportunity in evil days, understanding God's will through Scripture and prayer, and being filled with the Spirit rather than worldly influences. Walking wisely involves worship that transforms our minds, practicing thankfulness in all circumstances, and submitting to one another in Christ-like humility. By focusing on these principles, we can use our limited time on earth for eternal purposes, helping others come to saving faith in Jesus.

In Ephesians 5, Paul reminds us that as Christians, we aren't just in the light—we are light in the Lord. This transformation changes our entire identity and how we interact with the world. Walking as children of light means producing the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth while refusing to partner with darkness. Light transforms our vision, revealing things as they truly are, and changes our actions to reflect our new identity. Our lives should be characterized by integrity, with our faith and actions aligned, as we continually test what pleases the Lord rather than ourselves.

Imitating Christ means following His example in our thoughts, words, and actions as beloved children of God. We're called to walk in love—a sacrificial love that gives of itself for others' good and God's glory. This stands in stark contrast to behaviors like sexual immorality, impurity, and greed, which represent self-indulgence rather than self-sacrifice. These sins are essentially forms of idolatry, worshiping our desires instead of God. Through Christ, we can break free from sin's grip, becoming new creations whose transformed lives serve as powerful testimonies to others.Want more?Grab the sermon notes via the Bible app, read the sermon via our blog, or watch the entire worship service via YouTube.

Ephesians 4:25-32 provides a practical roadmap for Christian transformation. Paul outlines specific areas where believers need to replace old patterns with new ones: exchanging lies for truth, uncontrolled anger for righteous responses, stealing for generous work, destructive words for encouraging speech, and bitterness for kindness and forgiveness. This transformation isn't a single event but an ongoing process that requires God's power working within us. The goal isn't to be yourself but to become like Jesus, reflecting God's image to a world that needs to see Christ in us. Through intentional choices to take off old patterns and put on Christ-like qualities, we become living testimonies of God's transforming power.Grab the sermon notes here on the Bible app, read the summary on Pastor Matt's blog, or watch the full worship service via YouTube.

Ephesians 4:17-24 calls believers to a radical transformation that begins in the mind. Paul warns against living with a darkened understanding that leads to callousness and separation from God. True faith isn't about surface-level changes but complete renewal—taking off the old self corrupted by deceitful desires and putting on the new self created in God's likeness. This transformation affects every aspect of our being: heart, soul, strength, and mind. When we allow God to transform us completely, the impact extends far beyond ourselves, changing everyone around us through Christ-like love.To hear the song referenced in this message search "Walker Hayes- Craig" on your preferred music streaming platform!

In Ephesians 4, Paul provides a blueprint for Christian unity amid diversity. He urges believers to 'walk worthy' of their calling by embodying humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love. Unity is built on seven essential 'ones': one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. While united in these essentials, God intentionally creates diversity through different gifts given to strengthen the whole body. Every member is essential, like ligaments in a physical body, contributing uniquely to collective growth toward maturity in Christ. True unity isn't about external preferences, but internal transformation that enables us to function as Christ intended.

Prayer is a universal human experience that goes beyond religious affiliation. Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3 reveals how kingdom prayer aligns us with God's will rather than changing God. This transformative prayer focuses on being strengthened in our inner being through the Holy Spirit, allowing Christ to permanently dwell in our hearts, becoming rooted in love, comprehending God's immeasurable love, and being filled with God's fullness. The power of prayer lies not in our words but in the God we're speaking to and the transformation He brings through His power working within us.

God's redemptive plan was always meant to include everyone, not just the Jewish people. This mystery was hidden in plain sight throughout Scripture but became fully clear through Jesus Christ. From Abraham being blessed to be a blessing to Isaiah's prophecy about salvation reaching the ends of the earth, God's inclusive vision was always present. Through Christ, believers receive incalculable riches and the incredible privilege of approaching God directly with boldness and confidence. The church now demonstrates God's wisdom to spiritual powers by uniting people from every background into one beautiful work of art.

Finding peace in Christ means recognizing that our identity comes from what Jesus has done, not from the labels others give us. Through Christ's sacrifice, He broke down walls of hostility between people and created one unified community. Biblical peace isn't just absence of conflict but complete wholeness (shalom). As believers, we're called to build community together, being constructed like a temple with Christ as the cornerstone. This peace motivates us to share our faith with others, knowing that through admitting our sin, believing in Jesus, and confessing Him as Lord, we find salvation and true identity.Grab the sermon notes & Scripture at https://www.bible.com/events/49460378

We often confidently head in the wrong spiritual direction, unaware of our true condition. Ephesians 2:1-10 reveals that we are dead in our sins, unable to save ourselves due to our nature, worldly influence, and spiritual opposition. But God, rich in mercy and great love, made us alive with Christ. We are saved by grace through faith—not by our works—eliminating any grounds for boasting. As God's workmanship, we are created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared in advance for us to do. Understanding this grace transforms us and moves us to action.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates God's immeasurable power—the same creative force that formed the universe. This power isn't just historical; it's actively directed toward believers today. Christ's resurrection and ascension place Him far above every other power and authority in existence. As the Church, we are filled with the fullness of Christ, making us an unstoppable force not because of our own significance but because of His power working through our obedience. This resurrection power is available to bring God's kingdom on earth as we participate in His mission.Grab the sermon notes from the Bible app!

Discovering the depths of God's knowledge requires recognizing how little we truly understand about Him. Paul's prayer for the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:15-19) teaches us four essential principles: prayer rooted in Christ begins with a thankful heart, asks for wisdom and knowledge, is full of hope, and seeks God's power to accomplish His mission. We must approach God with humility, recognizing that all true knowledge comes through Jesus and Scripture, illuminated by the Holy Spirit. When we lean into what God has called us to do with thankfulness, wisdom, hope, and divine power, we can participate in changing the world.

This message explores Ephesians 1:3-14, where Paul repeatedly emphasizes our position 'in Christ' and reveals God's eternal plan for believers. Learn what it truly means to be blessed by God with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Understand the challenging yet beautiful doctrine of election—how God chose us before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in love. Explore why we were adopted into God's family not because of our merit, but through His sovereign grace. Discover how Jesus redeems us through His blood and how this redemption fits into God's ultimate plan to bring all things together in Christ. Learn about the Holy Spirit's role as the down payment on our inheritance until the fullness of God's kingdom comes. This message will challenge you to examine where your roots are truly planted and how to live as someone chosen and adopted by God.  Deepen your faith by discovering how to respond to a God who has done everything for you.

Throughout Scripture, the metaphor of trees runs strong. We are told to be "like a tree planted by streams of water" and Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." We'll be walking through the book of Ephesians looking at what it means to be "rooted and grounded in love." Join us today as we start the journey in Ephesians 1.1-2!

Discover how God works through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. This message explores the powerful story of Peter and John in Acts 4, who despite being 'uneducated and untrained men,' boldly proclaimed Jesus and saw 5,000 people come to faith. Learn what it means to chase God's dream by believing bigger than what seems possible, doing greater things than we could accomplish alone, and trusting further than our comfort allows. Understand how the Holy Spirit empowers ordinary believers to have extraordinary impact, just as He transformed Peter from someone who denied Jesus to someone who boldly proclaimed Him before the authorities. Explore the reality that approximately 3 billion people worldwide still have no access to the gospel, and discover how God wants to use you right where you are to reach those in your spheres of influence. This teaching unpacks how a city is transformed not by one person or church, but by each believer doing what God made them to do where they are. If you're questioning your adequacy or calling, this message offers the encouraging truth that you are enough—not because of your abilities, but because of God's power working through your obedience.

Continuing our sermon series looking at our core values and vision:Following Jesus means embracing His mission to make disciples of all nations. This mission flows from Jesus' complete authority over heaven and earth, earned through His death and resurrection. As disciples, we're called to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach others to obey Jesus' commands. This isn't optional—it's central to our identity as followers of Christ. We fulfill this mission both by speaking the gospel with our words and demonstrating it through our actions, reaching out to everyone in our sphere of influence without exception.

The story of building the tabernacle in Exodus 35 reveals profound truths about biblical giving that transcend mere financial contributions. When Moses invited the Israelites to participate in constructing God's dwelling place, he emphasized the importance of giving from a willing heart rather than out of obligation or external pressure. This stands in stark contrast to religious manipulation, highlighting how true giving flows from genuine devotion and gratitude to God.The Israelites' response demonstrated the multifaceted nature of giving, as people contributed their skills, raw materials, time, leadership abilities, and artistic talents. This collaborative effort created a sense of ownership and unity within the community. The giving was so abundant that Moses eventually had to ask the people to stop - a powerful testament to what happens when giving is motivated by authentic worship and thanksgiving.This biblical account teaches that everyone has something valuable to contribute based on their unique gifts and resources. When people give generously from transformed hearts, it not only meets practical needs but also builds community and advances God's kingdom work. The principles demonstrated here continue to guide how we should approach giving today - with cheerfulness, gratitude, and a willingness to offer whatever God has equipped us to give.

Continuing our Centrality series, today we look at John 13. Jesus demonstrated the ultimate example of servant leadership during the Passover feast by washing His disciples' feet - a task considered beneath even slaves. This radical act revealed that authentic leadership flows from God's character and is demonstrated through humble service rather than position or status. Even Judas received this act of service, illustrating the boundless nature of Jesus' love. Being transformed into Christ's image requires maintaining a constant focus on Jesus, developing an attachment to His ways, and allowing His character to shape our actions. This journey involves both the one-time act of salvation and the ongoing process of sanctification. True service emerges naturally as we grow closer to Jesus, manifesting in practical actions like taking on menial tasks without recognition, serving in community outreach, and supporting ministries that help vulnerable populations. The challenge for believers is to identify areas where pride prevents service, actively seek opportunities to serve without recognition, and willingly take on tasks others might consider beneath them. This path of servant leadership isn't about the tasks themselves but about being shaped into Christ's image through humble obedience.