Faith Community Church Woodstock, GA

5/29/2022 - Matthew Sermon - Shane Koehler - Shane continues to explain the parable about the seed and soil and how that relates to your heart.

5/22/2022 - Matthew Sermon - Shane Koehler - Shane talks on the familiar passage about the growth of scattered seed and how it is a parable about men’s hearts.

5/15/2022 - Sunday Sermon - Tim Brown -

5/08/2022 - Matthew Sermon - Shane Koehler - Shane explains family relationships in a spiritual sense.

3/24/2022 - Matthew Sermon - Shane Koehler -

4/17/2022 - Sermon - Shane Koehler - Some may look at those who believe in the resurrection of Christ as delusional. However, Paul uses the example of Abraham as an example of a faith that trusts in God even when His promises go beyond our understanding.

4/10/2022 - Sermon - Joel Teague - In going to the cross and fulfilling the purpose of His mission, we see the extent of Christ's love for His own.

4/03/2022 - Revelation - Sermon - Brian emphasizes the importance of reading and Nader standing the Book of Revelation.

3/27/2022 - Ephesians- Sermon - Shane Koehler -

3/20/2022 - Matthew- Sermon - Shane Koehler -

03/13/2022 - Shane Koehler - The Pharisees’ rejection of Christ wasn't for the lack of evidence or for the absence of information. They simply reached a point where they hardened their hearts towards the gospel. What does this mean for those today who reject God's truth?

3/6/22 Sermon - Personal problems, relational problems, health problems, financial problems, and a host of other things can deprive God's people of the peace he intends for us. Paul's prayer reminds us to call out to the Lord of peace.

02/27/2022 - Many people make arguments that are really nothing more than excuses. The Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan. In their verbal exchange they revel their true problem – the hardness of their hearts.

Difficult relationships can cause some of the greatest afflictions in our Christian life. Often, our initial response to difficult relationships or situations are to run away or fight back. Yet, in Psalm 55, David presents a third option: to rest in the Lord and cast our burdens on Him.

2/13/22 Sermon - In Christ's earthly ministry, He continually faced animosity, rejection, and hostility from the Jews and religious leaders. Yet, instead of engaging those who rejected Him, He understood that the gospel goes forth not by human effort, but by supernatural power and means. In Matthew 12:15-21, God affirms Christ as His beloved servant who sows the gospel in seeds of gentleness and quietness to the weak and wavering of the world.

What is our response to tragedy? What is the message we are intended to understand but so often miss?

01/30/2022 - Some of the most debated and burdensome realities in Israel at the time of Christ were the laws surrounding the Sabbath. Even today, Jewish communities struggle with adhering to these laws. Most of the volatile encounters Jesus had with the religious leaders centered on the adherence to Sabbath laws. In Matthew 12, Jesus exposes their hypocrisies and misinterpretations of the Sabbath.

One of the most debated and burdensome realities in Israel at the time of Christ was the laws surrounding the Sabbath. Even today, Jewish communities struggle with adhering to these laws. Most of Jesus’s volatile encounters with the religious leaders centered on the adherence to Sabbath laws. Here in Matthew 12, Jesus exposes their hypocrisies and misinterpretations of the Sabbath.

The four gospels give us a wealth of information on Jesus's life. Stories of his birth and interactions with people, first-hand accounts of miracles and supernatural occurrences, as well as factual data like his genealogy. Even Christ's death and resurrection have been well recorded. But in all the Gospels, there is only one place where we get a glimpse into Jesus's heart, and that is here, in Matthew 11.

01/09/2022 - The brutality and debauchery of past cultures are well documented. Civilizations like Nazi Germany, Rome, and the Aztecs show us examples of how cruel, greedy and inhumane mankind can be. Two of the most infamous cultures, Tyre and Sodom, are mentioned here in Matthew as Jesus gives a warning to those who have heard the truth of the gospel and rejected it.

01/02/22 - If you were one of the hearers of Isiah prophecy or one of the early readers of this book, you might be astonished by what happens to Israel at this moment. This once great nation has fallen into demise and ruin and has turned its back on God. As a result, God has brought the mighty Assyrians right to the gates of Jerusalem. But what happens next may surprise you.

12/26/2021 - So why do we celebrate Christmas? A look at God's providential plan and His perfectly timed revelation throughout the scripture. "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

12/29/21 - In this passage, Christ enters a season of criticism and disapproval. Many who face this type of rejection begin to adapt or change in the face of opposition. Instead, Christ exposes the excuses of unbelief and their fickle, frivolous, and foolish hearts.

12/12/2021 - Shane Koehler - In light of what Jesus told his disciples in chapter 10 on the nature of "True Disciples" and on the heels of answering questions posed by John the Baptist, Jesus defends the character of John, who himself is an object lesson of what you may face in this world in sharing the Gospel. In this passage, Jesus highlights two standards in the life of John that would apply to all of Jesus's disciples, both then and in the ages to come.

12-05-2021-Shane Koehler-“Are you the one who is coming, or should we wait for another?” John the Baptist asks this essential question of Jesus while languishing in prison for two years. These were not the results John had expected. When we can’t see God’s complete plan and hardship and trials come, doubt begins to creep in. However, Jesus’s reply to John confirms he is the One through fulfilling the works of the prophecies foretold. An answer to bring hope to a demoralized prophet.

11-28-2021-Shane Koehler-How an ambassador is received directly reflects what a person thinks or feels about who they represent. Christ tells the disciples in Matthew 10:40, “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” We are ambassadors of Christ, and we proclaim the truth, a message of grace and mercy.

In everything, give thanks. It is the will of our Father to give thanks in every circumstance, but how do we give thanks in the midst of suffering or amid this evil world around us? In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul gives us some truths to remember that should drive us to thanksgiving.

We are in a culture where we want everything to just work, to be intuitive, and take little thought or perplexity. Unfortunately, that is how many today view Christianity. But Jesus tells us that discipleship is anything but intuitive. On the contrary, it is very much counter-intuitive. It demands a break from your natural alignments, goals, and the way you view the world. In this passage, Jesus warns us about the dangers of false discipleship.

11/07/2021 Sermon - Shane Koehler - Nothing strikes fear into many people more than speaking in public. Many of us have similar fears when sharing the Gospel or speaking about God at certain times. This isn't new or unexpected by Jesus. In this passage, Jesus prepares his 12 apostles for their first evangelistic mission and how to deal with these fears and anxieties while remaining faithful and willing to share the Good News.

10/31/21 Sermon - Shane Koehler - Nothing strikes fear into many people more than speaking in public. Many of us have similar fears when sharing the Gospel or speaking about God at certain times. This isn't new or unexpected by Jesus. In this passage, Jesus prepares his 12 apostles for their first evangelistic mission and how to deal with these fears and anxieties while remaining faithful and willing to share the Good News.

At times in our Christian life, we find ourselves facing situations that seem impossible. Perhaps you face the sober reality that you are not in control. At times, life seems broken and backwards. In Ecclesiastes 7 the Word of God walks us through the contours of life’s backwardness and brokenness.

10/17/21 Sermon - Shane Koehler - The first time Christ commissions the disciples to go out and preach takes place in Matthew 10. In effect, a first edition of the Lessons of Evangelism. There are obvious differences in this commission and the final “Great Commission” in Matthew 28. In looking at the similarities and the differences in these two commissions we can gain insight into Christ’s instruction on evangelism, not only for these disciples for us as well.

10/14/2021 - C&C Bible Study - Caleb Byrd - Caleb finishes this 3-part section on Putting on Christ with the final emphasis proclaimed here in verses 15-17. As children of God and fellow heirs of Christ, we should let the Peace of Christ rule in our hearts, let the Word of God dwell in our minds richly, and prioritize Christ in everything we do.

10/10/21 Sermon - Shane Koehler - Recently, there have been many who claim the title of Apostle. But throughout church history, it was generally understood that apostles were a unique group of men with special authority and abilities, appointed for a specific time and a specific task. In this passage, we see Christ appointing and authorizing his apostles. Who were these men? Why they were appointed? What kind of authority were they given?

10/03/21 Sermon - Steve Fleming - When true love intersects with the world, what can we expect? Jesus counsels his disciples on his last night that they will be confronted by hate as the love of Christ exposes the true nature of the world.

09/26/21 Sermon - Shane Koehler In contrast to the false shepherds who use God’s flock to feed and serve themselves, Jesus came as the True Shepherds who compassionately feeds, cares for, and lays down His life for the sheep.

09/12/21 Sermon - Brian Irby - This difficult passage has led to some erroneous and even outlandish interpretations. But when taken in context and viewed through the lens of the entirety of scripture we can see Jesus Christ is the Triumphant Victorious Redeemer of Man. He has reconciled us to God through His death on the cross and He has proclaimed His eternal victory and authority even to demons, bound in hell, awaiting their eternal judgment.

09/12/21 Sermon - Shane Koehler - At its core, unbelief Is not looking for validation. Rather, unbelief is looking for excuses. The healing of a blind man and a possessed mute teaches us about the nature of faith and of the heart of unbelief. Matthew highlights the fact that after all of the miraculous healings the people still didn’t believe.

09/05/21 Sermon - Shane Koehler - Regardless of a person’s wealth and status, or their shame or condition in life, Christ has compassion on those who approach Him with Fatih. Matthew gives us a beautiful picture of Christ’s mercy and love in this account of Christ’s interaction with two people with very different backgrounds.

08/22/21 Sermon - Shane Koehler – How do you reconcile being in the world but not of the world? How are we to love those in the world but not love the world? Jesus confronts this paradigm in Matthew’s account of Jesus associating with sinners. The “great physician” ministers to the spiritually sick while the self-righteous scoff. In the end, Jesus clarifies the purpose of his preaching and identifies the requirement for salvation.

08/15/21 Sermon - Shane Koehler – In today’s context people often think of forgiveness in purely emotional terms, and not the concept of pardoning or forgiving someone from guilt or punishment. That implies something else - a position of authority.­ In this account, a paralytic is brought to Jesus, and seeing their faith, He declares the man’s sins are forgiven. Jesus then confronts the accusations and doubts of the Scribes through the physical healing of the man. By this miracle, Jesus demonstrates to the people His authority and power to forgive the sins of men. The crowds respond to Christ’s authority with reverence and awe.

8/8/21 Sermon - Shane Koehler - When Jesus encounters two demon-possessed men, he displays his absolute authority over the supernatural realm and his great mercy toward sinful men.

8/1/21 Sermon - Shane Koehler - The account of Jesus calming the storm reveals the deficient faith that often characterizes us when we encounter adversity. We fail to realize that Jesus is not only powerfully able to help, but that he cares deeply for us.

7/25/21 Sermon - Richard Goff - The unity that Christ prayed for in His church isn’t an outward, organizational unity. It is a spiritual unity that comes from people who share a common Savior and a common salvation. We foster this unity as we all think, believe, and act on the same spiritual truths.

7/18/21 Sermon - Lee Parker - Not all that goes by the name "fellowship" is actually genuine Christian fellowship. God's Word identifies the kind of relationships and activities that bring about the spiritual benefits God desires to see among His people.

7/11/21 Sermon - Joel Teague - God intends for His people to walk in wisdom that brings spiritual safety and success. For that to happen, we must have a healthy distrust of our own hearts and a willingness to receive and give biblical counsel.

7/4/21 Sermon - Mike Payne - Christians are unique in possessing an earthly citizenship and a heavenly one. Our earthly citizenship is primarily one of submission and cooperation, since God has established governing authorities for our good. Our heavenly citizenship should be our primary focus, determining our perspective on our role in this world.

6/27/21 Sermon - Brian Irby - God's Word is to be the foundation of every faithful church. The Scriptures are the only way we know God's thoughts, and they teach, reprove, correct, and train the church to live as He wills.

6/20/21 Sermon - Shane Koehler - Jesus challenges the popular idea that the church's goal should be to attract as many people as possible. In one interaction, he actually discouraged two followers from continuing with Him because of their shallow devotion. Jesus instead urges His followers to count the cost of true discipleship.

6/6/21 Sermon - Shane Koehler - When we consider the many causes and activities that the church at large has become involved with, it begs the question, "What is the actual mission of the church?" In the Great Commission, Jesus was very clear that our mission is not eliminating poverty, bringing about social justice, ending violence, etc. -- our mission is making disciples of Jesus by going, baptizing, and teaching them to live as He commanded.