The Narrow Door

LINDA SPARKS, Director of TEAM, Women’s, Assimilation, and Worship

• BIBLE VERSE

  Luke 13:24-25 “He replied, “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ “

• INTERPRETATION

  Work hard to enter the narrow gate – this is an interesting statement. While salvation is a free gift offered to all who ask God to forgive them of their sins – there is a striving, a struggle that happens in the soul when one comes to reason and think about the things of God. We can be familiar with God, we can attend church and be comfortable with God, but never enter into relationship with God. The way to God is exact and narrow – all roads don’t lead to God, there’s only one and you must put effort into finding that narrow road. There is a struggle for our souls and in the end – God will separate those that believe from those that don’t and the door will be closed forever. To be familiar with God doesn’t mean that you are saved. Many will knock with confidence pleading with God that they belong in heaven – but they never gave their hearts and lives over to God in saving faith.

• BREAKTHROUGH

  There is only one way to salvation – it’s through total surrender to Jesus Christ. All roads do not lead to heaven, only one and it’s exact and narrow.

• LIFE APPLICATION

  As I look at the ministry that God has allowed me to have – I should never assume that people have made a decision for Christ. I should always ask exacting questions – when did you pray the sinners prayer? I should always be ready to walk with anyone, any time, anywhere the narrow road that leads to heaven.

• ENTREATY

  God, give me insight when and were to ask those around me the question of their salvation. This is the most important decision that anyone will ever make. Help me to be a light for You wherever I go.

Never Thirst Again

NATASCHA MOSS, Event Coordinator

• BIBLE VERSE

  John 7:37 “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”"

• INTERPRETATION

  I can’t help but be encouraged by this verse. God has the ability to make us thirst no more. He is living water and sustainer of all life.

• BREAKTHROUGH

  God has the power to quench and nourish and clean my sin stained life.

• LIFE APPLICATION

  To all who are thirsty Jesus says let him come. He is ready and willing to quench my soul but I have to come. I must go before him with my thirst and be refreshed by him in his word.

• ENTREATY

  Lord, help me to never thirst again. May I be quenched and nourished by your spirit and gladly approach your throne when feeling parched. Help me to be refreshed in you and your word. Wash me clean Lord. In your precious name, Amen.

Three Ways To Share Your Faith

ANDREW GUTIERREZ, Director of Film and Production

• BIBLE VERSE

  Acts 17:10-12 “As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men .”

• INTERPRETATION

  Paul and Silas had been preaching the Gospel of Jesus throughout different cities and in different synagogues. When they got to the Berean’s they actually humbly listened to Paul’s message and investigated the truth of his claims in the Bible. As they were researching if the man of Jesus was consistent with who the Bible professed about they believed and accepted Christ.

• BREAKTHROUGH

  God is not trying to hide Himself from examination. Paul commends these people because they took their faith seriously enough to examine it before making an impulsive decision. These people were humble though. The main difference is the humility in truly searching for God. These people truly wanted to know God, and searched for Him with their heart and their mind. God rewarded their smart search and revealed himself to them.

• LIFE APPLICATION

  Not everything has to be impulsive. God rewards those who seek Him and search for him with their mind. He let’s us wrestle with Him, but graciously gives us what our heart really desires. The character of the Berean Jews was noble, and their hearts were willing to humble their previous thoughts and change the direction they were going, if they found evidence for God. God rewards those who examine and look for Him. He isn’t asking me to have an illogical faith.

• ENTREATY

  God, thank you for allowing me to wrestle with You. Thank you for being bigger than my questions and bigger than my fears. I am humbled by the fact that You are such a consistent, yet surprising God. You’re not afraid of my inquiry and You’re willing to let me wrestle with You to reveal aspects of you I may not have known yet. I am grateful for the fact you encourage me to use my mind. Give me a humble posture when wrestling with some of the big issues in my life. I trust you and I love You. Amen.

Satan Works In The Church

LINDA SPARKS, Director of Adult Ministries/Assimilation/Worship

• BIBLE VERSE

  Acts 17:10-12 “As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men .”

• INTERPRETATION

  Paul and Silas had been preaching the Gospel of Jesus throughout different cities and in different synagogues. When they got to the Berean’s they actually humbly listened to Paul’s message and investigated the truth of his claims in the Bible. As they were researching if the man of Jesus was consistent with who the Bible professed about they believed and accepted Christ.

• BREAKTHROUGH

  God is not trying to hide Himself from examination. Paul commends these people because they took their faith seriously enough to examine it before making an impulsive decision. These people were humble though. The main difference is the humility in truly searching for God. These people truly wanted to know God, and searched for Him with their heart and their mind. God rewarded their smart search and revealed himself to them.

• LIFE APPLICATION

  Not everything has to be impulsive. God rewards those who seek Him and search for him with their mind. He let’s us wrestle with Him, but graciously gives us what our heart really desires. The character of the Berean Jews was noble, and their hearts were willing to humble their previous thoughts and change the direction they were going, if they found evidence for God. God rewards those who examine and look for Him. He isn’t asking me to have an illogical faith.

• ENTREATY

  God, thank you for allowing me to wrestle with You. Thank you for being bigger than my questions and bigger than my fears. I am humbled by the fact that You are such a consistent, yet surprising God. You’re not afraid of my inquiry and You’re willing to let me wrestle with You to reveal aspects of you I may not have known yet. I am grateful for the fact you encourage me to use my mind. Give me a humble posture when wrestling with some of the big issues in my life. I trust you and I love You. Amen.

Fall Calendar

Sunday ​September 18​ 12:30 ​Volunteer Lunch and Pool Party at the home of Eric and Muna Bohn

21692 Dirigo Cir. HB 92646

Tuesday ​September 20 5:00 – 6:00 ​PG1 Kick off

​6:30 – 8:00​P.A.C.K (performing arts at citykids)

(NO PG1 & P.A.C.K – November 22/December 13 – January 3)

Sunday ​October 30​ 12:30​Harvest Pre-Set up

Monday​ October 31 ​5:00 – 7:00 ​Harvest

Tuesday ​November 15 ​6:30 – 8:00​Stage Rehearsal

Tuesday ​November 29​ 6:30 – 8:00​Stage Rehearsal

Sunday December 4​ 12:00 – 5:00​Stage Set up

6:00 – 8:00​Stage Rehearsal

Tuesday ​December 6​6:00 – 8:00​ Dress Rehearsal

Friday ​December 9 ​6:00 & 7:30 ​Musicals