National Community Church Audio Podcast

The culmination of the Priestly blessing is God's gift of peace. But how do we reclaim the Biblical ideal? When our world is in constant conflict, war is waged, chaos is prevalent, what should a hope for peace look like? In this sermon we’ll break down the Biblical definition and ethic, how it applies to our life, what our relationship with it should be, and what calling we have within it. Peace is both a gift as well as a pursuit. At the end of the day, we look to Jesus words in John 6:33 “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Grace is too big to be defined. It is better experienced than explained and translates better as story than doctrine. Grace makes the first move, it makes unexpected moves, it makes bold moves, and it calls us home.

Blessings beyond what we can perceive with the naked eye.

To say, "God keeps you" sounds like a benign statement. When in fact it is quite the opposite. It’s one of the most powerful statements that can be made. To keep is not a one time act of affection. It’s not a flash in the pan. It’s not young love. It’s not sexy. To keep is hard work. It’s faithfulness. It’s loyalty. It’s commitment. God does not just watch over us, but He actively keeps us in His purposes. In this message, we’ll unpack the kaleidoscopic meaning of this statement as well as wrestle with it’s implications in our lives.

The blessing of God is the difference between the best you can do and the best God can do.

Don't let Jesus' last command become your least concern. Make disciples who make disciples.

Who are you? You are God’s workmanship—nothing else, nothing less.

The danger in following at a distance is that we will be following closely enough to see Jesus but far enough away that our lives aren't affected by Him.

Perhaps you are suffocating under the weight of your own self-expectation. Or handicapped to walk in God's plan because of paralyzing fear. In this message, Joel and Nina share their story of overcoming insufficiencies. God doesn't just use you in spite of but because of your weakness. Through God's power, you can rewrite the script of fear and self-doubt in your life.

Surely our proclamation becomes the next generation's pavement. How is God calling you to pave straight paths for the youth around you.

There is no great opportunity without giant opposition. But we can be "strong and courageous" because God is with us wherever we go!

Scripture is the script cure

When Jesus walked out of the tomb, the word impossible was deleted from the dictionary.

Destiny is not a mystery. Destiny is a decision.

The altar was a place of encounter between God and man. Quite literally it was a place of sacrifice. We’ll break down it’s importance in entering the presence of God by looking at the Old Testament Tabernacle, the specifications of the altar itself, and the sacrifice which needed to be made. God’s sacrifice of His son incites our sacrifice of praise. And our praise leads to His presence. Now the question becomes, “Are we willing to wait on God?" For many in our generation, we have not learned what it means to wait, to wrestle, to linger, to tarry in the Lord’s presence. To get on your knees and not get up until you have a conviction from God. This message is an invitation to the altar, to praise, and to press in like you haven’t before.

You can't do the will of God without the ark of God.

Have you had an experience with God, but don’t actively follow him? Are you living with one foot in the world and one foot in Christ? Elijah addresses the people of Israel who have “two opinions” in 1 Kings 18, but also speaks to our mindset today. He gives a powerful liturgy to lead people to an altar experience. He draws people in, builds an altar up, lays a sacrifice down, pours his trust out, then steps forward in confident prayer as God reveals himself to the people of God…and to us.

Party Like It's 1999 BC

When your life is altered, make an altar. New beginnings requires new postures- take a posture of listening, a posture of sacrifice, and a posture of worship.

An altar is not CASUAL, it's COVENANTAL; at age 75 Abram in faith made a covenant with God. An Altar of covenant is a PLACE and PROMISE!