Advertise on podcast: Castle Hills Christian Church

Galatians 5:19-24 NET Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God! But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Our emotional health is deeply connected to our spiritual formation. Through this series, we will discuss different ways to ensure we are taking care of our emotional health so we can be effective disciples. Next Steps Share one true thing you have been carrying quietly with someone who is trustworthy. It can be something small. At the end of each day, ask two questions: what did I feel today, and what did I do with those feelings? Be a safe person for someone else.

The stories and ideas seeded in Genesis can help us cultivate a thriving life of faith. “Instead of just reading it like a history book or as a telling of how things and peoples began, we read it as a book that contains truth for how God’s people are to approach the themes of life even in the midst of life.” Matthew McBirth Next Steps Release one judgment this week that belongs to God. Pray: “God, I trust You with justice.” Choose one act of grace instead of retaliation. Forgive someone this week.

The stories and ideas seeded in Genesis can help us cultivate a thriving life of faith. “Instead of just reading it like a history book or as a telling of how things and peoples began, we read it as a book that contains truth for how God’s people are to approach the themes of life even in the midst of life.” Matthew McBirth Next Steps Tell someone this week a story of God’s faithfulness in your life. Speak truth with love instead of avoiding hard conversations. Speak words of hope into someone’s life this week.

The stories and ideas seeded in Genesis can help us cultivate a thriving life of faith. “Instead of just reading it like a history book or as a telling of how things and peoples began, we read it as a book that contains truth for how God’s people are to approach the themes of life even in the midst of life.” Matthew McBirth Next Steps Name your Goshen. Thank God for one thing in your Goshen Reflect Jesus in your Goshen.

The stories and ideas seeded in Genesis can help us cultivate a thriving life of faith. “Instead of just reading it like a history book or as a telling of how things and peoples began, we read it as a book that contains truth for how God’s people are to approach the themes of life even in the midst of life.” Matthew McBirth Next Steps Don't ignore the fractures in your relationships. Don't cover them up. And don't let yourself be defined by them. Identify where God is already stitching things back together, even in small ways.

The stories and ideas seeded in Genesis can help us cultivate a thriving life of faith. “Instead of just reading it like a history book or as a telling of how things and peoples began, we read it as a book that contains truth for how God’s people are to approach the themes of life even in the midst of life.” Matthew McBirth Next Steps Name the hurt honestly before God. Choose to forgive, even if your feelings haven’t caught up. Take one step toward healing.

The stories and ideas seeded in Genesis can help us cultivate a thriving life of faith. “Instead of just reading it like a history book or as a telling of how things and peoples began, we read it as a book that contains truth for how God’s people are to approach the themes of life even in the midst of life.” Matthew McBirth Next Steps Consider who God is. Consider faithfulness a choice. Consider your calling.

The stories and ideas seeded in Genesis can help us cultivate a thriving life of faith. “Instead of just reading it like a history book or as a telling of how things and peoples began, we read it as a book that contains truth for how God’s people are to approach the themes of life even in the midst of life.” Matthew McBirth Next Steps Stop letting your location determine your identity. Stay faithful in the waiting season. Clothe yourself with Christ daily.

The stories and ideas seeded in Genesis can help us cultivate a thriving life of faith. “Instead of just reading it like a history book or as a telling of how things and peoples began, we read it as a book that contains truth for how God’s people are to approach the themes of life even in the midst of life.” Matthew McBirth Next Steps What do you need to say “no” to this week to create space for God? How can you prayerfully involve yourself in the path of your family this week? In what area of the church do you feel led to love and serve?

The stories and ideas seeded in Genesis can help us cultivate a thriving life of faith. “Instead of just reading it like a history book or as a telling of how things and peoples began, we read it as a book that contains truth for how God’s people are to approach the themes of life even in the midst of life.” Matthew McBirth Next Steps Name the drift. What are you justifying? Where have you become spiritually casual? What have you stopped confessing? Practice integrity when no one is watching. Run from what pulls you away from God. Trust God in unfair seasons.

What can diversity teach us? What can we learn from people who maybe different from us? What do Kingdom Partnerships look like? Ponder these questions and more in this sermon. Next Steps Move from proximity to relationship by learning each other’s names, sharing a meal, exchanging stories, or serving together. Be willing to be uncomfortable and practice Holy Curiosity by asking respectful questions. Regularly remind yourself what heaven sounds like.

The stories and ideas seeded in Genesis can help us cultivate a thriving life of faith. “Instead of just reading it like a history book or as a telling of how things and peoples began, we read it as a book that contains truth for how God’s people are to approach the themes of life even in the midst of life.” Matthew McBirth Next Steps Examine Your Heart Be Faithful in the Pit Hold Your Dreams with Humility Place Your Hope in God, Not Outcomes

The stories and ideas seeded in Genesis can help us cultivate a thriving life of faith. “Instead of just reading it like a history book or as a telling of how things and peoples began, we read it as a book that contains truth for how God’s people are to approach the themes of life even in the midst of life.” Matthew McBirth Next Steps Identify anything that has been drawing your attention away from God and remove it from your life.

The stories and ideas seeded in Genesis can help us cultivate a thriving life of faith. “Instead of just reading it like a history book or as a telling of how things and peoples began, we read it as a book that contains truth for how God’s people are to approach the themes of life even in the midst of life.” Matthew McBirth Next Steps Identify your “Shechem.” Where have you settled instead of obeyed? Invite God back into decision-making. Pray before reacting. Guard your heart intentionally. Make one concrete change this week. Move the last 20 miles. Partial obedience is still disobedience.

Why Genesis? Why now? The stories and ideas seeded in Genesis can help us cultivate a thriving life of faith. “Instead of just reading it like a history book or as a telling of how things and peoples began, we read it as a book that contains truth for how God’s people are to approach the themes of life even in the midst of life.” Matthew McBirth Next Steps Name God in your story. Open your eyes to what God is doing. Be someone who sees others.