Mount Carmel Christian Church

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. Psalm 105:5-6 (NIV)Seven feasts of IsraelPassover + Unleavened BreadFirst fruitsWeeksTrumpetsDay of AtonementBoothsRemember God’s grace in fastingRemember God’s goodness in feasting For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (NIV)

Elite athletes have learned that peak performance requires two things: brutal training that pushes the body to its limits, and intentional rest that allows for recovery. You can't do one without the other. As it turns out, that rhythm of suffering and renewal isn't just good sports science; it's wisdom built into creation by God himself.In this opening message of our new Holy Habits series, we turn to Ecclesiastes 3 and the reminder that there's a time for everything. We are the sum of our habits, and the question is whether those habits are leading us toward life or away from it. As followers of Jesus, we're invited to live by the rhythms of grace, walking in step with the Spirit.This week, we explore two of those rhythms. Fasting focuses us on God through suffering, intentionally setting something aside so as not to be noticed by others, but to connect with the Father in secret. Feasting focuses us on God through gratitude, celebrating his goodness through shared meals, good company, and joy. We need both. Fasting without feasting becomes a burden; feasting without fasting loses its meaning.Whether you've never fasted before or you're looking to build new spiritual rhythms into your life, this message offers a practical and hope-filled place to start.Scripture referenced: Ecclesiastes 3; Galatians 5:16; Matthew 6:16-18; Jude 12; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 19.

In this sermon, Aaron is closing out our Bloom series by looking at the different definitions of the word “love” from the original language of scripture. He focuses on “Agape” love and how we the church are to demonstrate that.Bloom recap scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-7For this very reason, make every effort to to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.  2 Peter 1:5-7Types of love:Eros = Romantic loveStorge = Familial lovePhileo = Brotherly loveAgape = selfless, unwavering, unconditional, love of GodBiblical description of Agape:1 Corinthians 13:1-31 Corinthians 13:4-8aExample of Agape love: Jesus washes His disciples’ feetUltimate scripture for Agape love:For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection…2 Peter 1:5–7 (NIV)philadelphia =  the love of brothers, brotherly loveGod’s plan for your transformation is through a faith community10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 (NIV)22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22 (NIV)Go smallGo strong33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” c 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 (NIV)

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness… 2 Peter 1:5–6 (NIV)Godliness = eusebeiaGood + Worship/devout/God-fearingSecular lifeSacred lifeFor God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NIV)Godliness is when every part of your life is sacredWhat needs to be made pure for God in your life?

22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah. c) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” Exodus 15:22–24 (NIV)27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water. Exodus 15:27 (NIV)5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance… 2 Peter 1:5-6 (NIV)Perseverance = HupomoneHupo = UnderMone = StayStay the right course under pressure 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 (NASB)In your walk of faith, where do you need to persevere?

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control… 2 Peter 1:5–6 (NIV)Self control = EgkrateiaTo hold, to grip, to have power overMastery over your appetites, impulses and desiresWho is your master?How does Jesus become master of your soul?FaithGoodnessKnowledgeSelf controlFasting Be held close in love so as to be held accountable in loveBe like Joseph6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” 8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. Genesis 39:6-10 (NIV)

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 1 Peter 1:5What does make every effort mean?The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)Knowledge = the facts about your faith in Jesus.Learn God’s Word so that you can live God’s Word so you can be confident you are doing God’s WillHow can you make every effort to add knowledge?Get a Bible that you can understandEnglish Standard Version (ESV)New American Standard Version -1995 (NASB)New International Version (NIV)New Living Translation (NLT)The Bible was written to be read out loudThe Bible was written to be understood, but it takes workBe like Apollos24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. Acts 18:24-26 (NIV)For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 2 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)

What does it mean to be a "straight arrow"? In this sermon, Didi digs into 2 Peter 1:3-5 and the call to add goodness to our faith, moral excellence, nobility, and an incorruptible character. Using Daniel as our example, we explore how God's power, combined with our every effort, shapes us into people whose integrity stands out.

In this episode, we kick off our new series Bloom by diving into 2 Peter 1:1–4 and exploring the difference between simply knowing about God and truly knowing Him through a lived, relational experience. It’s possible to have all the right information and still miss the transformation.Peter writes with urgency, knowing his time is short, reminding believers that we already have everything we need for a godly life through Christ. The question is: are we just hearers of the Word, or are we doers?Aaron unpacks: The difference between head knowledge and heart transformation  Why your faith is just as “precious” as anyone else’s  How real spiritual growth actually happens  What it looks like to move from hearing God’s Word to living it out If you’ve ever felt stuck in your faith or wondered how to grow spiritually, this message will challenge and encourage you to take the next step.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)Good news: You can be right with God through faith in Jesus!You are valuable to God.But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:10-11 (NIV)You have value to give from God

In this Palm Sunday message, David Rimarski unpacks the root of our “I” problem and the powerful cure found in humility. Walking through Philippians and Romans, we see how Jesus modeled true humility by choosing to serve, even to the point of the cross. This message challenges us to live with unity, care for one another, and follow Christ’s example as we reflect on His journey into Jerusalem.

Didi Bacon shares a timely message from Romans 14, calling us to move away from division and toward unity in Christ. In a world quick to judge and argue over differences, we’re reminded that we are all recipients of God’s grace and called to extend that same grace to others. This message challenges us to lay down judgment, remove obstacles for one another, and intentionally pursue peace and encouragement. What would it look like for you to be a peacemaker and an uplifter in your everyday life?