Episodes
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Whose World Is It?
The universe in which we live either WAS designed and built by God (or at least a creator), or it was not. Both of these views contain a wide variety of nuanced aspects. Many, if not most people do not believe this is really a critical issue. In this second message of the series The Big Picture,...
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More Than A Ticket
Many believers have developed a very limited view of what the Gospel is. Some followers of Jesus have come to understand that the Gospel is so we can work harder and become better versions of ourselves. Others see the Gospel as "fire insurance" or a ticket to heaven. The Gospel is MUCH bigger…
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He Came Looking For You
Do you ever feel like you don't fit in? I do. In my experience people often feel like they don't belong somewhere, and often many "somewheres" in their life. Many people feel that way about church. Most of those who feel that way about church avoid going. We all long to belong. We want to connect...
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The Wrong Kind of Salty
There are a LOT of "salty" people these days. But the kind of "salty" that Jesus told His followers to be, is not that kind of salty. In this last message of the series Loving Your Neighbor in a World of Hate, Pastor Steven Merritt challenges the hearer to not only be the right kind of salty, but...
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Love That Fulfills
Pretty much every one of us is looking for fulfillment in this world. Pastor Dale Otto reminds us that fulfillment CAN be found. In this fourth message of the Loving Our Neighbors In a World of Hate, Pastor Dale outlines what that fulfillment looks like, and how we are changed by it.
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Whose Are You?
We live in a world that's expert at building walls — tribe, class, party, race. The church is supposed to be expert at something else.In this third message of the Loving Our Neighbor in a World of Hate series, Pastor Steven Merritt walks through Scripture to show what a family adopted by the same...
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Love You Can't Fake
Despite what we see every day in social media and in the entertainment industry, LOVE is more than a sentiment. Love is a choice that leads to action. Love is also hard. Maybe that is why so many choose to just say the words and go through the motions. Love is often painful. In this second…
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Why We Can't Get Along
We live in a world that is full of hate (and envy, lust, greed, etc.). It is why we have such difficulty getting along with one another. It is an old story though. There is an answer to this problem, and the solution is older and more powerful than the problem. But we must look at the problem...
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What Is the Bible Actually For?
We have been looking briefly at the trustworthiness of the Bible, and the focus of it. But what is the Bible actually for? What is its purpose? Why do we have it? And what good is it in today's world? In the third message of the series "How to Read the Bible," Pastor Steven Merritt tells us what…
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The Old Testament Has a Plot Twist
Some, if not many believers do not see the purpose of the Old Testament, or they read it like historical reference. In this second message of the How to Read the Bible series, Pastor Steven Merritt how to read the Old Testament in a fresh way, by revealing something that many never even think of.
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More Than a Book
Is the Bible truly trustworthy? Is the Bible the Word of God? If so, what is its purpose? Can we trust it, and if so, how far? This first message in the How To Read the Bible series, Pastor Steven Merritt begins a four-part discussion on the purpose and reliability of Scripture.
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His Yoke of Freedom
The Kingdom is upside down. Humanly we would never equate a yoke (used by teams of oxen to haul heavy loads) with freedom. Being connected to something or someone for the purpose of work or labor is thought of as liberating. Yet, in the Kingdom of God, this is exactly how we get freedom and rest....
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Not For the Weak
Living life in the Kingdom of God is upside down. It takes a lot of strength to admit your weakness and yield to God. It takes an immense amount of trust. And He will give you the strength to trust Him if you are at least willing to be made willing. One thing is for sure - even though His…
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You KNOW What to Do
Some things we are able to do without any training. Most things we want to do need some explanation, instructions, and even modeling. Most (not all) followers of Jesus know far more of what they SHOULD be doing that they are currently doing. In this latest message of the Set Free series, Pastor...
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After the Storm
Not everyone is what they appear to be, or even what they claim to be. Many claim to be followers of Jesus, and even have amazing deeds to back their claim. But an authentic relationship with Jesus is not about words, or even deeds. And the storm that is coming will reveal the truth of the…
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The Most Ignored Person in Your Church
Despite the increasing prominence of some religious groups, by and large the church seems divided and powerless. That lack of power reveals a great deal. It reveals that someone in the church has been ignored. Pastor Steven Merritt begins a new series called Set Free, a deeper study into the role...
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The Kiss
Betrayal is a terrible experience. It hurts so much because there is relationship, and the trust was violated. It hurts. Continuing with the Questions from Jesus series, Pastor Steven Merritt addresses the issue of betrayal, and asks believers if they have been betraying Jesus.
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Are You In the 10%?
Continuing with Questions Jesus Asked, Pastor Steven tells us the account of the ten lepers Jesus healed on His way to Jerusalem. He tells us especially about the one leper that came back and why WE should be more like that leper.
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Worse Than Witchcraft
What if I told you that there are many people who consider themselves believers who are likely committing a sin that is worse than witchcraft? That's shocking isn't it? A bold claim? Maybe, but Pastor Steven Merritt helps us understand that there are some things that God cannot stand as we…
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Are You Blind?
Some people believe they see clearly, but in truth they are blind. There IS a Truth, and that Truth is a person, Jesus. Pastor Dale Otto continues the sermon series that focuses on questions Jesus asked, and the truth His questions reveals.
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Why Do You Doubt?
A follower of Jesus will encounter supernatural things. In fact, living as a believer is a supernatural occurrence in and of itself. Often, however, we lean on our reason. And while reason is not a bad thing, sometimes what God is revealing to us will seem to contradict "reason," even though it...
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Why Do You Doubt?
A follower of Jesus will encounter supernatural things. In fact, living as a believer is a supernatural occurrence in and of itself. Often, however, we lean on our reason. And while reason is not a bad thing, sometimes what God is revealing to us will seem to contradict "reason," even though it...
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Stop Trying So Hard
Are you fighting a fight that has already been won? On this Resurrection Sunday, Pastor Steven Merritt reminds us that Jesus has already won the victory!
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Did Jesus Pray for You?
We have several prayers of Jesus written down in the Gospels. Perhaps the most well-known is His prayer recorded in The Gospel of John, chapter 17. There are a lot of things Jesus prayed for and about in this prayer. Was He praying for YOU? Pastor Steven Merritt starts a short sermon series…
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What God REALLY Wants
This series has looked at how we can know God, and why we should want know Him. Now, in this final message of the series we consider why this is what God really wants, and what it means to us. Pastor Steven Merritt gives some insights from Scripture on how we can really please God.
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A Terrible Trade
Life is full of trade-offs. Not all trade-offs are good though, are they? Many people trade off one the most valuable opportunities they will ever have for something that is completely worthless. In this second message in the series To Know Him, Pastor Steven Merritt walks us through some of the...
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Come As You Are
What do you think of when you think of God? Do you believe it is possible to know Him? What if I told you He wants for you to know Him? You can be as close to God as you want to be. In this first sermon of the series To Know Him, Pastor Steven Merritt begins a brief study of the Book of Hosea.…
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Those God Chooses
Many of us have things in our past that we believe disqualify us from serving God. We have shame, and fear, and we are just not convinced God wants us. And we definitely don't think He could ever use us. It may surprise you who God chooses. In fact, would you believe that God has chosen you? In...
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Questions from a Doubter
We all doubt from time to time, don't we? Have you been there? Are you there right now? This message is for YOU! Gideon asked some important questions that you have probably asked too. In this third message of the "God and the Underdogs" series, Pastor Steven Merritt gives us God's answers to the...
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Personal Attacks: Responding the Daniel Way
Personal attacks hurt! When people are out to get you, what do you do? How should you respond? In this second message in the "God and the Underdogs" series, Pastor Steven Merritt offers some guidance on how to handle critics, EVEN if they are targeting you to kill you.
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When You Feel Like an Imposter
What's holding you back? For many it is the idea that they do not feel "real" or authentic. They do not believe they have the ability to do what they believe God is calling them to do. In this first message of the series, "God and the Underdogs," Pastor Steven Merritt offers some insights into…
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Lessons from the Wise Guys
There was a reason Herod was "disturbed" by the arrival of the magi searching for the one born to be King of the Jews. Those who are seeking God can learn some important life lessons from the magi, the wise guys. This coming year will be better or it will be worse, and YOU are the one who will...
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Do You Believe In Miracles?
Some say miracles happen every day, all around us. Others say there is no such thing as miracles. Are miracles possible? Is so, why do they happen, and when? In this second part of the Questions of Christmas, Pastor Steven Merritt takes a brief look at one miracle that changed the world, and...
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How to Have More Joy
Thanksgiving has not been completely commercialized...yet. But many find difficulty being thankful. Life is hard. But there is a way to have more joy even in difficulty. Anyone can have more joy, and the answer is closer than you might thing. Pastor Steven Merritt reminds his listeners of the…
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Change Your YOUniverse
When we feel out of control we cannot be at peace or feel contented. But what if we can only feel contented by giving up our control? In this final message of the Enough is Enough series, Pastor Dale Otto reminds us that our greatest need is to be in a loving relationship with our Creator God.
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Does God Really Love You?
We hear a lot about God's love. Many struggle with the idea that God is loving AND that there is a literal hell. God's love and His judgment are often misunderstood. One does not make the other impossible - they are not mutually exclusive. Both are true - God is love and there is a judgment. But...
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When You Think About God
When you think about God, what do you think? What we think about when we think about God is important. How we view God is foundational to our ability to be content with life. In this second part of the Enough Is Enough sermon series, Pastor Steven Merritt offers some Scriptural insights to help…
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How Being Content Can Set You Free
The world is a bit unstable these days. When people feel a lack of stability they often tend to seek comfort and protection by acquiring things. This lack of contentment causes other problems. How can contentment set you free from this cycle? Pastor Steven Merritt teaches on contentment and the...
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How Far Is Your Reach?
Is the purpose of the Gospel to make the world better? Many believe so. Some believe that we are supposed to build God's Kingdom here on earth. Pastor Steven Merritt concludes the series of The Heart of the Church by exploring this idea.
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Don't Get Left Behind
Have you ever felt like you were left out, or maybe like you weren't sure what was going on? Part of our frustration often comes from our failure to recognize that we are not speaking the same language as those around us. It may sound the same, but it isn't connecting or communicating. Pastor...
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The Church You've Always Longed For
Statistics show that the "church" is declining, but the Church really on the rise. Have you ever been a part of a local church? What is it you look for? More importantly, what do you LONG for in a church? In this first message of the series The Heart of the Church, Pastor Steven Merritt and…
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The Rescue from Evil
There IS evil in this world. You have seen it. You have experienced it. Would it surprise you to know that evil is out to get you? In this final message of the series on The Lord's Prayer, Pastor Steven Merritt shares the hope of our rescue from evil.
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Debt Forgiveness
When someone harms us we say they "owe" us an apology. This is an expression of a type of social debt that person has incurred. As believers we should be forgiving others even as God forgave us. We should be practicing "debt forgiveness." In this final message of the series on The Lord's Prayer,...
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The Fear of Want
We are all scared of not having enough. We fear running out of what we need. We fear WANT. In some ways living in fear of want guarantees we will lack what we need. That is not a psychological analysis, it is a spiritual reality. In this fourth message in a series on the Lord's Prayer, Pastor...
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When It's Not What You Prayed For
Have you ever had a prayer answered but it wasn't really what you wanted? What if if was answered but you didn't see it because it wasn't what you were looking for? Pastor Steven Merritt continues teaching on what many people refer to as "The Lord's Prayer" in third part of this series.
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How We Should Pray
Do you believe that prayer works? That question itself is a loaded question. What IS prayer? How does it work? Pastor Steven Merritt explores what prayer is and how we "should" pray, in this first message of a series exploring The Lord's Prayer.
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Living Life in God-Mode
Are you facing an overwhelming obstacle in your life? Have you ever wished you had a secret code to get through? Pastor Steven Merritt gives some suggestions for living the life you were meant to live, in this final message in the Summer in the Psalms series.
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Winning Over Worry
We live in an anxious world, don't we? So many people struggle with worry and anxiety. There is a reason, and there is a fix. Pastor Steven Merritt offers some insights about the source and cure for worry, in this fourth message in the Summer in the Psalms series.
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Everybody Worships
Everybody, and I mean everybody worships. When most people hear the word "worship" they have a lot of preconceived notions about what it is and where it happens. We may even have ideas about what worship SHOULD be. Pastor Steven Merritt offers some insights about worship, what it is and who it's...
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Why You Can't Get Along With Some People
We tend to gravitate towards people with whom we have things in common - that is natural. But why can't we seem to even get along with people with whom we DON'T agree? Do we have to agree with someone in order to get along? More to the point, how can we get along with someone when we don't agree...
About this show
Sharing weekly messages and special events to our followers.
Hosted by
Fairfax Nazarene Church
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