Heartland Alliance Church Podcast

Christ's Absolute Supremacy and Cosmic Scope; Christian Vigilance and Mission-Focused Living; Interdependence and Communal Edification

The Rocks: Who is somebody in your life who is like a rock? Am I willing to be a rock for someone? The Wrestlers: Who is somebody in your life who is wrestling in prayer? Do I wrestle in prayer for my church and for others? The Race: Do I need to do the hard work of reconciliation with someone?

Real friendship is: Faithful even when it's hard. Courage to find grace in the truth. Surprised by unlikely connection through Jesus. 

Followers of Jesus must walk in wisdom so that we can take advantage of every opportunity to tell, or point, someone towards Jesus.

In a world of injustice and meaningless work, being rooted in Jesus makes us act in justice and work on purpose.

Cherish children's obedience; Foster fatherly encouragement.

Restart healthy communication. Restart out-serving one another. Restart healthy connection. 

Be wise about: Your communication; Your deeds; The Name of Jesus; Thankfulness.

What is the better message about Jesus? Let a better message dwell in you! Let a better message guide our teaching and building up. Let a better message be your celebration and gratitude. Let a better message be our unity. Will we let a better message dwell in us and come out of us? 

Permit peace to rule in you. Ruling peace calls you to communal unity. Peace and unity bear fruit in grace-growing gratitude. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. Let His word fill you richly. Let everything reflect Him. Lead with gratitude.

Bear with one another and forgive each other. How do we move toward forgiveness?

Jesus loves us the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us the way we are; He wants us to be just like Jesus. What is God's Part? What is our Part?

Vision Statement: A community rooted in Jesus, led by His Spirit, living out His mission. How could you lean in to be more rooted in Jesus? How could you lean in to be more led by His Spirit? How is Jesus calling you to lean into His mission work?

Take Jesus up on His invitation. Remember your baptism. Confess your love and tell your story! Practice resurrection together.

Colossians 3:11 - Christ is all, and is in all.

Youth ministry is so important here at Heartland. Youth are not just the church of tomorrow, but the church of today. Why Refuge? (Ps 46:1, 2 Cor 5:17) Why youth ministry? (Mat 19:13-15, 18:3) Church of today vs Church of tomorrow (Mat 28:19-20) 

The church is not a place for people who have it all figured out. It's a community of people who are being rebuilt, learning, growing, and working through these very areas (in Colossians 3:5-7) with honesty and grace. 

You have been raised with Christ! What is holding you back from seeking Jesus above everything? Prayer starts with Jesus. Seek Jesus above everything to get his perspective on anything.

It is ingrained in us to slip back into measurable rules and regulations to find success over destruction caused by self-indulgences, but we can only truly overcome by belonging to God and letting Him form us.

Being led by emotional experiences and pride leads us to exchange our relationship with God for worthless idols, and to division and a breakdown in relationships. Christ promised fullness in our abiding connection to Him and to His body.

This sermon takes a look at Colossians 2:16-17 and addresses the pressure of religious performance, the problem with shadows, Jesus as being the reality, the danger of legalism, and living in the freedom of Christ.

Spiritual circumcision is identity received. The identity received in spiritual circumcision is inward and spiritual, complete, divine, realized by our thorough identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, brought to fullness in spiritual baptism, and received by faith. Then, our water baptism is identity embraced.

We all desire to have purpose and to feel alive. We're drawn to ads, reels and content that tell us what satisfies and is fulfilling, but they come up empty. The only place to find fullness of life is free and available. It's the fullness of God for us in Jesus.

Have you ever heard something that sounded wise, but turned out to be quite foolish and dangerous? Followers of Jesus must guard themselves against worldly influences that would draw them away, choosing instead to be rooted in the truth found in Christ. Reality 1: Dangers are closer than they seem. Reality 2: God is closer than He seems. We need to be on guard and on our knees.

God's Kingdom and plans are way better than anything we could ever dream up for ourselves. Real power and direction are found when we move ourselves off of the centre of our heart, and we are filled with the Holy Spirit of the Living God.

Move from consumer to contender. Jesus is the Champion; His victory is our victory. How can we run the race set out for us? With these points: throw off, get free, and fix your eyes. We can move from consumer to contender when we allow the Lordship of Jesus to lead us.

Where does our craving for acceptance come from? True acceptance is available through Jesus! Embrace the rewards of intimacy with Father God. We are being formed by something – let's choose to be formed by intimacy with our Father God. What might be keeping you from intimacy with God the Father?

Rooted in Christ. Built up in Christ. Established in the faith, just as you were taught. 

Longing for peace in the past. Real peace is available when Jesus is in charge. Longing for peace in the present. The cross of Jesus is the instrument of lasting peace. Longing for peace in the future.

Christmas has its roots in hope. The root of hope in Isaiah is ___________. Life comes to dead things when Jesus is involved. The root of our hope is not in the physical alone but in the ___________. Hope in God's justice brings peace. Christmas and the second coming bring hope. Hope changes how we live today.

Salvation addresses our greatest need, it came at a great price, and it brings the greatest blessing. We must continue.

Colossians 1:21-22: 21_______ _______ _______ alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 _______ _______ he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation -

To be a committed follower of Jesus, we must drop the excuses, learn the lessons, and make a difference.

Reconciliation - what does it mean? The fullness of God in Jesus brings total reconciliation, shaping our attitude towards the world and our hearts for others. Jesus is God's fullness on earth; reconciliation comes because Jesus was God; reconciliation means something needs reconciling; He is reconciling "all things" in heaven and on earth; reconciliation is only possible through His blood; the world is being reconciled so let that change us. The fullness of God in Jesus brings total reconciliation, shaping our attitude towards the world and our hearts for others.

The background - why Paul wrote what he wrote; Christ is the Head of the Church; Christ is the Beginning and the Firstborn from among the dead; Christ is supreme in everything; re-centering on Christ.

All of our hope should be in the Creator rather than the created. Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer. We can grow in worshipping the Creator rather than the created. Live with purpose praising Him and rest in Christ trusting Him.

What if unseen forces are enslaving you? Freedom isn't just found in the absence of chains; it's discovered in the embrace of a relationship with Jesus. Activate the finished work of Jesus for your ongoing freedom. You are beloved, redeemed, and forgiven! Celebrate your true freedom and identity today! Practice gratitude to root yourself deeper into the goodness of God. Freedom isn't just a gift; it's an invitation to walk.

There are so many ways to pray: The Lord's Prayer, praying Scriptures back to God, and corporate prayer.

The journey of the gospel begins with sharing and bears fruit in those who receive it, it moves through faithful gospel messengers, and is motivated by Spirit-filled gospel love.

When rooted in the hope stored in heaven, we have confidence to act in faith and love. Be a person rooted in hope - hope reserved for you in heaven is future; hope reserved for you in heaven is present; when love is a difficult choice; when faith is on shaky ground. Let hope in.