Please join us as Pastor Patrick Joyner continues the series on the Gospel of John. John 15:18-16:4.

Please join us as Pastor Patrick Joyner continues the series on the Gospel of John. John 15:1-7. The question at hand is simply what does it mean to abide in Christ? Often when we think of abiding, there is an inclination to draw attention to the union with Christ. But what we see in the term “abiding” in this chapter, particularly in verse 4, is that it is a verb, a directive to those already in union with Christ. To abide in Christ means we can participate in and look forward to: being grafted in, friendship, safety, revelation, comfort, correction, worship, adoration, and eagerly waiting. To abide and flourish we must believe and apply His truths.

Please join us as Pastor Patrick Joyner continues the series on the Gospel of John. John 15:1-17. Doing the works of Christ is the purpose of all believers (John 14:12). God honoring productivity is not a New Testament idea. The first command God gave Adam and Eve, be fruitful and multiply, sounded a lot like John 15. God’s intention for creation was not only to have children but that they involve themselves in the work of the earth - cultivating and creating. This fruitfulness was in the context of abiding with God. In John 15, we see that the recovery of communion with Christ brings a recovery of God honoring productivity (fruitfulness). Both physical and spiritual productivity was necessary and expected as fruit bearing is the essence of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever.

Another thing we see in this passage is that the abiding work that the lord Jesus is calling us to is the consequence of prayer. We should ask ourselves, “Is the work I do a result of prayer? Am I willing to ask the Lord to help me with all the things I think, say, and do with my hands?”

Please join us as Pastor Patrick Joyner continues the series on the Gospel of John. John 14:8-24. As we look at this gospel, and in the book of Acts, we can marvel how people missed Jesus as the messiah. No one can identify Jesus on their own - only God can open our eyes to the truths of Christ. The spiritual realities of our conversion is recorded clearly in scripture: man doesn’t find God, God finds man. No one can come unless the Father draws him. Chapter 14 has an idea of comfort, in the way Isaiah cried out “Comfort my people”, directly associated with the Messiah, with the greatest of all needs of mankind. We also see the introduction of the Holy Spirit as helper and the concept of prayer. Jesus tries to help His disciples understand that something better was coming than Jesus being with them physically. He was going to the Father to involve Himself in another aspect of the spiritual warfare on earth but was leaving with them the Holy Spirit.

Please join us as Pastor Patrick Joyner continues the series on the Gospel of John. John 14:1-7. The Lord Jesus Christ tells the apostles "Let not your hearts be troubled." They didn't know and wanted to know where He was going; they were struggling and Jesus had a gentle rebuke and profound encouragement in these seven verses. We live in troubling times; most satisfied with "micro events" of peace. We may find we are building our lives on these events, which, though wonderful, are not true, enduring peace. Christ has intended that our peace be in Him, now.

Please join us as Pastor Patrick Joyner continues the series on the Gospel of John. John 13:36-38. In these verses, Peter asks where is Jesus going and why he cannot go. Peter’s desire for knowledge, which is not offered by God, becomes a stumbling block for his life’s purpose of selfless gospel service. The sin of our first parents was the pursuit of wisdom independently from God and to use themselves as a standard for right and wrong. They were discontent with what God had given to them as revelation and this became a tremendous stumbling block for them. Taking in the truths of God is vital but are we content in what God has revealed? Are we content to invest ourselves in those things and their application? Everything we do, moment by moment, is in direct relation to what God has called us to. Another issue is lack of self knowledge and overestimation of one’s spiritual state and understanding of the truth. When God redeems us, He brings us to spiritual life as a baby.

Please join us as Pastor Patrick Joyner preaches on Luke. Luke 1. Luke has a distinct purpose, brought about by the Holy Spirit, to direct the truthfulness to that which may seem difficult to believe. One of the most important works that God has set for Himself regarding mankind is to humble the pride of man. One of the ways He has decided to do this, is to insist that the process of gaining understanding, walking with the Lord, and growing in sanctification is a process that is so involved in God Himself and something that takes time and investment; we see this in Mary and Zechariah.

Please join us as Pastor Patrick Joyner preaches on Isaiah. Isaiah 9:1-7. Isaiah chapter 11 begins with a shoot from the stump of Jesse. It isn't normal for growth to come from a stump; stumps represent death. The entire theme of these verses in chapter 11 are things that are absolutely unlikely. As we follow the Lord and hope to see change in our life, it seems slow, often impossible. But God isn't like us, so He doesn't do things like we do, and He is full of surprises. As we continue the theme of Isaiah chapter 11, Ezekiel chapter 37, the valley of dry bones, asks the question, "Can these bones live?". As the lion seems to not be able to lie down with the lamb, God says it will happen, just as the dry bones will live. The whole point of the Messiah is to bring life where life isn't expected. Without Christ, we are in a hopeless situation, spiritual darkness, with no help at all. In Isaiah chapter 9, we see redemptive beauty.