Jason Harris shares on God orchestrating events beyond our limited understanding.
Archives: Episode
Church Power Grid – God’s Gifts and Government
The Holy Spirit and his gifts empower the church—under Christ and his chosen shepherds—in unity, decency, and order. Keys to power and unity include forgiving one another and following God's appointed order: Christ the Head, then God-ordained shepherds, then other believers serving Christ, the church, and the world.
Empowered To Serve – Part 3
1 Peter 4:10-11 teaches that: We all have gifts; they are intended to serve others; we must steward them well; and they are for God's glory. Also, we see in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 that love is above them all, and in Philippians 2:2–8 that we are to have the mind of Christ (perfect humility) in all we do. Gifts are given "for the common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7) and are meant to build up the church in unity, maturity, and love. If you don't know your gift(s) – ask God and the people around you, and then use them for his glory!
Empowered To Serve – The Gifts of the Spirit
We have all been empowered by the Holy Spirit with specific gifts and abilities. We should all aim to identify these giftings and use these talents and abilities to better serve the body of Christ!
Empowered To Serve
After Jesus left earth, the Holy Spirit came to enable believers to resist sin and fulfill God’s mission. He existed from the beginning and throughout the Old Testament (Genesis 1:2; Numbers 11:9; Job 34:14-15; Psalm 104:30; Isaiah 32:14-18, 44:3; Joel 2:28-29)—but since Acts, he has been present with us in a new way, as promised by both John the Baptist and Christ (Matthew 3:11; John 16:7; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). He purifies, unifies, illuminates / instructs, and empowers (2 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Corinthians 12:13; John 14:26; Acts 2).
Be Strong – Identity
Who is the authority that decides who I am? Expressive individualism says it’s ME; but God says it’s HIM. Paul says: Don’t be trapped by the philosophies of this world that are not according to Christ (Colossians 2:8); instead, let Christ give you his own new identity (Colossians 3:1-17), bought by the authority of his sacrifice on the cross.
Be Strong – Stronger Together
Just as a redwood tree's roots are wide just as they are deep, so a Christian's roots should not only have depth in their relationship with God, but also width in their relationship with others. We are all stronger when we are part of a healthy, life-giving community. Ephesians 3:14-19 tells us to be rooted and grounded in love…together with God’s people. Loving God’s people is key.
Be Strong – Waiting On The Lord
Samson was crazy strong in body, but not morally. True strength comes from seeking God (Isaiah 40:31). On our own we can’t be strong, but in the Lord we can!. Compare Samson’s ever-increasing moral compromises, humiliation, and death (Judges 13-16) to Christ’s example of Ephesian 6:10 (the secret of true spiritual strength): “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.”
Be Strong
We’re in a spiritual battle! The Bible tells how to win it, and shows how Jesus won against Satan’s temptations.
The Armor of God
Senior leader JR Quigley preaches out of Ephesians 6 on the Armor of God.
What’s Love Got To Do With It?
What is love? It’s a commitment to serve. Jesus washed his disciples’ filthy feet, and commanded them do the same for one another (John 13:1-9, 34-45). He surprised everyone by never doing what they expected. He was a master at loving and serving people, and making them feel valued. With his help, we must follow his example. Nothing in the universe matters more.
Through The Church Part 2 – Spiritual Warfare is Waged
We are an army of sheep! In community—not alone—we fight Satan’s lies and our own sins to realign with God’s gracious plan, which eventually will bring all of creation out of Satan’s darkness (and our own rebellion) back into Christ’s kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13-14, 1 John 5:18-20).
Through The Church
Through the church, God shows his wisdom (Ephesians 3:7-13). You have a gift to be used for this purpose. Use it! Take it seriously! God has prepared good works for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). Do them!
Wisdom: Self-Control in Words and Deeds
Words hold the power of life and death (Genesis 1, Proverbs 18:21). We must learn to control our words—and our deeds. We are to seek “the wisdom of Solomon” and exhibit self-control and fairness—not sinful behaviors like rage, contentiousness, and overindulgence in food and drink.
Wisdom: Good Character and Good Words
Wisdom is better than gold (Proverbs 3:13-18); it includes good character (integrity)—and good words that bring help, not hurt. The critical importance of words is confirmed by Solomon (Proverbs 10:19-21), Jesus (Matthew 12:36-37), James (James 4:6), and Paul—who adds that even our very salvation is confirmed by our words (Romans 10:9).
God’s Wisdom
Solomon was blessed for seeking wisdom above all else. God’s simple wisdom beseeches us: Work hard, trust God, do good! Proverbs 1:7 and 3:5-6 teach us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and that we must trust in God, not in ourselves. It also warns repeatedly that if we fail to heed wisdom’s simple message, we will inevitably reap the fruits of our folly. So if we are wise, we won’t ignore God’s wisdom; instead, we will heed it and follow it.
Christmas Eve Service at MHCC
JR Quigley shares on Christ's coming and inevitable second coming based on the writings of John in the books of John and Revelation.
Skilled – The Philippian Jailer
Through Scripture we must become mature and skilled in “the word of righteousness” (Heb. 5:13)—able to convert unbelievers, as Paul converted his Philippian jailer. Paul was so mature that even after being beaten and imprisoned, his testimony of praise to God actually redeemed the jailer’s life, both physically and spiritually. Like Paul, we must move from milk to solid food. God calls us to radical spiritual change – a powerful testimony to the world.
Building Community and Living the Mission in the Nations
The world rebels more and more, yet God is achieving his mission of uniting all things under Christ. Our part is to reach the whole earth with his message by doing the good works he has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Scripture repeatedly describes God’s sovereign plan to restore and reconcile all of creation back to himself (Ephesians 1:9-10)—and he WILL achieve it. So when the world rebels, he’s not worried or scared; instead, he laughs (Psalm 2:1-6) because he knows that in the end, his own good plan will prevail. And we are to help him carry it out. We must not be distracted by COVID, or politics, or the loss of freedoms that is surely coming. Instead, we must join him in the high calling of carrying his love and service to the ends of the earth.
This Changes Everything!
Like us, the Jews wanted favor — not hard truths. But when Jesus preached both, he changed everything. So they tried to kill him. They thought God’s blessing was for them, and God’s vengeance was for others; but he told them he came to save the whole world. We must not repeat their error. The way to find blessing is to bless others, not ourselves. That is Christ’s mission—and ours. Instead of praying, ”Lord, bless me!” —let us pray, “Lord, bless THROUGH me!”