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In this message, guest speaker Pastor Phil Hopper from Abundant Life Church joins Bethlehem Church to walk through Joshua 3. Standing at the edge of the Jordan River, the Israelites faced a crucial choice: stay in the comfortable wilderness or step into the promises of God. Through this powerful story, Pastor Phil exposes the trap of being an "unbelieving believer" and reveals why true spiritual breakthroughs require more than partial commitments—they require full consecration. Discover how dying to self opens the door to experiencing the resurrection power of Jesus in your life, marriage, and everyday walk.   💡 Key Takeaways:   Unbelieving Believers: It is possible to have enough faith to get out of Egypt (be saved), but not enough faith to step into the Promised Land (walk in abundant life). Consecration vs. Commitment: God doesn't call us to make another casual commitment in an overcommitted life. He calls us to consecrate ourselves—taking up a cross and dying to self. Crucifixion Precedes Resurrection: You cannot experience the resurrection power of Christ without first going through a personal crucifixion—surrendering your rights, habits, and pride. Faith in Action Puts God in Motion: God didn't part the Jordan River while the Israelites waited on the bank; the priests had to set foot in the water first. Submission Over Suppression: Managing or suppressing sin never works long-term. True freedom comes when you stop trying harder and start submitting daily to Jesus.   ✝️ Scripture References:   Joshua 3:1–17  John 10:10  Luke 9:23  Romans 12:1  Titus 3:5    📌 Timestamps:   00:00 - Welcome / Night of Worship & Baptism Announcement 02:14 - Introducing Guest Speaker Pastor Phil Hopper 04:42 - Joshua 3: The Context of Crossing the Jordan 06:58 - The Danger of Being an "Unbelieving Believer" 10:49 - Why Joshua Leads the Way, Not Moses (Jesus vs. the Law) 11:45 - The Significance of the Three-Day Wait 15:49 - Dying to the Wilderness Experience 18:05 - Embracing the Cross We Carry Daily 21:37 - Consecration vs. Commitment 25:51 - Pastor Phil’s Story: The Prodigal Coming Home 30:03 - Why the Flesh Must Be Crucified, Not Contained 33:47 - Faith in Action: Stepping into the Water First 36:55 - How Surrender Saved Pastor Phil’s Marriage 41:47 - Crossing Between the Dead City and the Dead Sea 43:04 - The 1989 Funeral That Changed Everything 46:08 - Prayer, Gospel Invitation & Call to Respond 📲 Download the new Bethlehem Church App to stay connected, access resources, and take your next step with us today! 🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to know more about you. Click this link to let us know you’re watching! https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1284381 If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please click here: https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/376703  We’d be honored to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/    🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date: Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/    #BethlehemChurch #PastorPhilHopper #Joshua3 #FaithInAction #Conscration #CrucifixionAndResurrection #PromisedLand #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

In Week 6 of the Good News series, Pastor Jason Britt unpacks 1 Corinthians 9 to address a silent trap in a culture obsessed with personal freedom and total autonomy: aimlessness. Freedom without direction leads to running in circles, expending energy without making real progress. Whether you are feeling exhausted, going through the motions, or chasing goals that leave you empty, discover how shifting your mindset from temporary crowns to an eternal prize changes the way you live, train, and run your daily race.   💡 Key Takeaways:   Aimlessness Is Activity Without Direction: The biggest threat in a culture of maximum freedom isn't always laziness—it's staying constantly busy without clear spiritual direction. Redefining True Freedom: Freedom isn't satisfying every appetite; it's the capacity to choose strict training, saying no to things you don't have to, and yes to habits that build long-term endurance. The Maturity Question: Immaturity constantly asks, "Is this wrong?" or "Am I allowed to do this?" Spiritual maturity asks, "Where is this decision taking me?" Preparation Beats Performance: The moments nobody celebrates (private prayer, boundary setting, quiet faithfulness) prepare you for the moments nobody can carry you through. Grace Sustains to the Finish: God’s grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning. The same grace that pardons you at the starting line equips and sustains you all the way to the end.   ✝️ Scripture References:   1 Corinthians 9:24–27  Titus 2:11–13 Matthew 6:19–20  2 Timothy 4:7   📌 Timestamps:   00:00 - Community Event Recap: Moms & Motors Care Day 02:17 - Outdoor Baptisms Announcement 03:22 - Cultural Metaphors: How We Talk About Success 05:04 - Context of Corinth: Freedom, Status & Upward Mobility 06:58 - 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 & The Isthmian Games 10:15 - The Hidden Consequence of Maximum Freedom: Aimlessness 11:58 - What Is Aimlessness? (Activity Without Direction) 15:15 - Chariots of Fire: Eric Liddell vs. Harold Abrahams 19:04 - You Become What Your Current Choices Train You to Become 21:49 - The Deeper Freedom: Voluntary Restrictions 24:36 - Redefining Discipline (Uphill Dreams vs. Downhill Habits) 28:26 - The Maturity Shift: "Where Is This Taking Me?" 29:44 - The Moments Nobody Celebrates Prepare You 37:35 - Grace That Saves Is the Grace That Sustains (Titus 2:11–13) 42:31 - The Story of Cliff Young: Running Through the Dark 47:07 - Gospel Invitation & Salvation Prayer 50:38 - Blessing & Pastoral Prayer   📲 Download the new Bethlehem Church App to stay connected, access resources, and take your next step with us today! 🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to know more about you. Click this link to let us know you’re watching! https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1284381 If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please click here: https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/376703  We’d be honored to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/    🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date: Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/      #BethlehemChurch #GoodNewsSeries #1Corinthians9 #JasonBritt #WhatRaceAreYouRunning #OvercomingAimlessness #SpiritualDiscipline #Grace #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

In Week 5 of the Good News series, Pastor Jason Britt walks through 1 Corinthians 7 to tackle four major questions surrounding marriage and singleness. Whether you are married, single, widowed, or divorced, your relationship status may describe your season, but it does not define your life. Discover how shifting your central life question from "What's best for me?" to "What honors God?" reshapes your identity, covenant commitment, and daily calling.   💡 Key Takeaways:   What Honors God > What's Best for Me: Living as a follower of Jesus means trusting that what honors God is ultimately what is best for your life. Covenant Over Compatibility: Marriage is not built on "soulmate" language or ideal feelings, but on a covenant promise that holds steady through fluctuating seasons. Singleness Is Not a Waiting Room: Neither Jesus nor Paul was married, yet neither lived an incomplete life. In Christ, your life does not begin when someone else chooses you—you are already chosen. Contentment in Your Assignment: Contentment isn't pretending you wouldn't choose a different circumstance. It is remaining faithful right where God has placed you.   📌 Timestamps:   00:00 - Welcome & Labor Day Weekend 00:43 - Recap: You Are Bought at a Price (1 Corinthians 6) 02:47 - How Do We Make Decisions? ("What's Best for Me?" vs. "What Honors God?") 04:44 - 2 Corinthians 5: No Longer Living for Ourselves 07:17 - Intro to 1 Corinthians 7: Marriage, Singleness & Relationship Status 09:47 - Contentment & Calling in Every Situation 14:00 - Question 1: “What if (my) marriage isn't what I thought it would be?” 20:38 - Question 2: “What if my spouse does not follow Jesus?” 25:32 - Question 3: “What if I'm single—is something wrong with me?” 31:11 - Question 4: “What am I supposed to do with this season (of singleness)?” 36:28 - What Does Faithfulness Look Like in Your Season? 39:19 - Salvation Prayer & Prayer over Singles and Married Couples   ✝️ Key Scriptures:   1 Corinthians 6:19–20 2 Corinthians 5:14–15 1 Corinthians 7:1 1 Corinthians 7:17, 19-20, 24 1 Corinthians 7:12–14 1 Corinthians 7:8 1 Corinthians 7:32–35 Matthew 22:30    📲 Download the new Bethlehem Church App to stay connected, access resources, and take your next step with us today! 🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to know more about you. Click this link to let us know you’re watching! https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1284381 If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please click here: https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/376703  We’d be honored to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/    🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date: Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/      #BethlehemChurch #GoodNewsSeries #1Corinthians #PastorJasonBritt #RelationshipStatus #Marriage #Singleness #Contentment #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

In Week 4 of our Good News series, Pastor Jason Britt dives into 1 Corinthians 5 and 6 to address biblical sexual ethics and identity in Christ. Comparing and contrasting ancient Corinth and modern culture, the sermon exposes the flawed belief that bodily actions carry no spiritual weight. Rather than approaching the topic with shame or behavior modification, the message delivers gospel clarity: our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with an unthinkable price, and designed to honor God.   💡 Key Takeaways:   Identity Precedes Behavior: God doesn't call us to moral “white-knuckling”; He reminds us of who we are, Whose we are, and Who dwells within us. Sex Is More Than Physical: Because we are a unity of body and spirit, sexual intimacy creates a profound spiritual "one-flesh" bond that directly impacts our soul. Boundaries Create True Freedom: Just as a train is most free when running on its tracks, operating within God's boundaries leads to freedom rather than collateral damage. Secrecy Sustains Sin: Lasting freedom from sexual temptation and pornography requires stepping out of silence and into community and accountability. Grace Leaves a Price Tag: God’s call to purity isn't driven by anger or a sledgehammer, but by the high price Jesus paid to redeem us as His prized treasure.   📌 Timestamps:   00:00 – Intro: Musical Crowd-Pleasers 03:28 – Three Non-Crowd-Pleasing Topics 05:44 – Corinth vs. Modern Culture 08:19 – The Problem Defined 09:48 – Preaching to the Church 14:06 – Refuting Bodily Dualism 15:17 – The Body Belongs to the Lord 18:23 – God's Original Intent in Genesis 20:32 – The Principle: Identity Precedes Behavior 26:14 – Fleeing Sexual Immorality 27:08 – Why Sex Is More Than Physical 32:03 – The Path: Flee, Honor & Community 38:59 – Washed, Sanctified, Justified 40:36 – The 4-Part Gospel Pattern 41:55 – Closing Prayer   ✝️ Key Scriptures:   1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 9-10, 12-13 1 Corinthians 6:11, 13-20 Genesis 1 & 2 Matthew 5:27–28   📲 Download the New Bethlehem Church App to stay connected, access resources, and take your next step with us today! 🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to know more about you. Click this link to let us know you’re watching! https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1284381 If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please click here: https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/376703  We’d be honored to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/    🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date: Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/      #BethlehemChurch #JasonBritt #GoodNews #1Corinthians #BiblicalSexuality #IdentityInChrist #FreedomInGrace #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

What if doing whatever you want isn't actually freedom? In this message, Pastor Matt Piland dives into 1 Corinthians 5 & 6 to address a major tension in both ancient Corinth and modern society: the difference between cultural freedom and gospel freedom. Discover why obedience is a response to grace, how good desires can become subtle masters, and how the cross gives us the power to lay down our rights for the sake of love.   💡 Key Takeaways:   Powerless to Refuse: Sometimes what begins as something you are free to choose can become something you feel powerless to refuse. Grace & Obedience: Obedience is not something we do so that God will love us; obedience is our response to the love and grace He has already given us. Mastered by Desires: Freedom isn't just about whether you are allowed to do something, but whether that thing has become your master and controls your life. Pride vs. Shame: The gospel simultaneously destroys our pride ("look what I've done") and our shame ("look what you did") by placing our identity entirely in what Christ accomplished on the cross. Rights vs. Love: True Christian freedom isn't self-indulgence or demanding our rights—it's having the freedom to lay our rights down to serve others in love.   📌 Timestamps:   00:00 – Generosity & Answers to Prayer: The Longs’ Testimony 03:58 – Welcome & Summer Sabbatical Reflections 05:27 – The Family Cruise Story & The Power of "It Is Included" 09:45 – The Tension: Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should 10:48 – Context of Corinth: Secular Values Infiltrating the Sacred 12:42 – Divorcing Holiness from Grace 15:02 – The Problem: What If Doing Whatever I Want Isn't Freedom? 16:25 – The 1983 Toyota Supra: License, Freedom, and Boundaries 18:00 – 1 Corinthians 6:12 (Mastered by Anything) 19:04 – A Better Question: Is It Becoming Your Master? 22:25 – How Good Things Can Become Ruling Things 25:22 – Confronting Sin & Pride in the Church (1 Corinthians 5:2) 27:26 – Choosing Sin vs. Defending Sin 29:54 – The Path: You Do Not Belong to Yourself 31:55 – The Gospel Destroys Both Pride and Shame 34:50 – Disputes & Lawsuits: The Need to Win 38:55 – Called to Live in Freedom to Serve 39:39 – The Principle: Freedom to Lay Down Our Rights 41:00 – Viewing Grace vs. Viewing a Cruise 44:31 – Closing Prayer & Response ✝️ Key Scriptures:   1 Corinthians 6:12 1 Corinthians 5:2 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 1 Corinthians 6:7-8 Galatians 5:13–14   📲 Download the New Bethlehem Church App to stay connected, access resources, and take your next step with us today! 🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to know more about you. Click this link to let us know you’re watching! https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1284381 If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please click here: https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/376703  We’d love to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/    🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date: Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/   #BethlehemChurch #GoodNews #1Corinthians #Freedom #MattPiland #Grace #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

Are we being shaped more by the wisdom of our culture or by the way of the cross? In this message, Pastor Jason Britt dives into 1 Corinthians 2, drawing powerful parallels between ancient Corinth and our modern culture. Discover what it means to stop adapting Jesus to fit our comfort zones and start living with the mind of Christ in a world that needs a countercultural witness. 💡 Key Takeaways: Corinthian vs. Christian: Just like the early believers in Corinth, it’s easy to let the culture around us shape our instincts more than the gospel does. The World’s Operating System: Human wisdom promises freedom and hides the cost, but the wisdom of the cross tells us the cost upfront and leads to true life. The Mind of Christ: Having the mind of Christ isn't something we achieve—it's something we receive through the Holy Spirit to see people and the world as Jesus does. Distinctly Different: Tension and standing out aren't signs that something is wrong; they are evidence that God's Spirit is active in your life. 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 – Fun "Golf Cart Video" with Pastor CJ & Pastor Jason  02:16 – Say That Again Podcast Season 2 Teaser 03:31 – Welcome & Baptism Celebrations 04:49 – Message Intro: Corinth & 2026 American Culture 07:46 – Historical Context: Population vs. Church Size in Corinth 10:15 – Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:4–16 13:25 – The Problem: Adapting Jesus to Fit Our Comfort Zone 18:12 – The Principle: Two Sources of Wisdom, Two Spirits 22:23 – Deconstructing Cultural Sayings ("You Do You" & "Your Truth") 27:50 – The Panama City Hotel Illustration: What Looks Good vs. The Reality 32:49 – The Path: Choosing Faithful Countercultural Living 35:10 – Three Self-Reflection Questions to Evaluate Your Mindset 40:48 – Running with the Wind vs. The Humidity: Staying the Course 42:48 – Prayer of Blessing  ✝️ Key Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 2 Jeremiah 17 Philippians 2 We exist to lead people to discover a new life in Christ. This is the vision of Bethlehem Church, based in Bethlehem, GA.   📲 Download the New Bethlehem Church App to stay connected, access resources, and take your next step with us today! 🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to connect with you. Click this link to let us know you’re watching! https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1284381 If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please click here: https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/376703  We’d love to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/    🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date: Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/ #BethlehemChurch #GoodNews #1Corinthians #MindOfChrist #JasonBritt #Wisdom #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

In week one of our GOOD NEWS series through 1 & 2 Corinthians, Pastor Jason Britt dives into 1 Corinthians 1 to explore why the message of the cross is as revolutionary today as it was in the first century. Just like ancient Corinth, our culture promises status, significance, and self-reliance—yet true freedom is found only at the foot of the cross. Discover how a bigger view of Jesus dismantles division, humbles our pride, and frees us from the pressure to be impressive. 💡 Key Takeaways: A Bigger View of Jesus Prevents Division: The cure for an immature, divided, or culturally compromised church isn't better programs—it’s a bigger view of Jesus Christ. The Danger of Formative Culture: We are called to live distinctly different lives (holiness) right in the middle of our culture, rather than escaping it or letting society shape our faith. The Cross Confronts Pride: The cross isn't a self-help tool or a life coach; it’s a rescue operation. It confronts our self-reliance by reminding us that we were completely unable to save ourselves. The Cross Frees Us: God didn't choose us because we were wise, influential, or noble by human standards. The cross frees us from the exhausting treadmill of trying to be religiously impressive. 📌 Timestamps:   00:00 - Togo Mission Trip Video  01:43 - The Hope of the World: Global Impact & Welcoming Bethlehem 02:47 - Celebrating 25 Years of Marriage: The Butler Cabin Lesson 06:08 - Introduction to First-Century Corinthians & The City of Corinth 10:19 - Series Overview: Problem, Principle, and Path 12:43 - The Problem: Culture Forming Our Faith More Than We Realize 14:20 - 1 Corinthians 1:1–9: Sanctified & United in Christ 16:45 - The Cure for Division: A Bigger View of Jesus 19:28 - The Principle: When Identity Isn't Built on Jesus, Division Follows 23:11 - Division in Corinth: "I Follow Paul" vs. "I Follow Christ" 25:55 - The Golf Club Illustration: We Are Instruments 28:50 - The Path: The Way of the Cross Sounds Foolish to the World 34:58 - The Cross Confronts Us: A Rescue of Corpses, Not Self-Help 38:37 - The Cross Frees Us: God Chose the Foolish and Weak Things 42:38 - Boasting in the Lord & Closing Prayer 44:48 - Salvation Call: Committing Your Life to Jesus ✝️ Key Scriptures:   1 Corinthians 1:1-31 We exist to lead people to discover a new life in Christ. This is the vision of Bethlehem Church, based in Bethlehem, GA.   📲 Download the New Bethlehem Church App to stay connected, access resources, and take your next step with us today! 🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to connect with you. Click this link to let us know you’re watching! https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1284381 If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please click here: https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/376703  We’d love to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/   🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date: Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/   #GoodNews #BethlehemChurch #JasonBritt #FirstCorinthians #TheCross #FaithJourney #BiggerViewOfJesus #Corinth #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

In the final week of our Summer at Bethlehem series, Pastor Jason Britt brings a life-giving message titled "No Experts Allowed." No matter where you are in your faith journey—whether you feel dry, are brand new to faith, or are coming back to God—discover why there are no "experts" at prayer, only learners. Learn how prayer acts as ground zero in our battle against the illusion of control and how adopting continuous "breath prayers" transforms our daily walk with God.   This service includes a special moment of Communion as we celebrate the power of the gospel, as well as a dedicated time of prayer over students, teachers, coaches, and school faculty entering a new school year.   💡 Key Takeaways:   There Are No Experts in Prayer: Prayer is a lifelong journey of a son or daughter talking to their Father. The only way to guarantee failure at prayer is simply not to pray. Prayer is an Ongoing Conversation: Beyond a scheduled quiet time or appointment, prayer is meant to be continuous—like breathing ("breath prayers") in any moment or situation. Ground Zero Against Control: Prayer is where our addiction to control begins to die and where our “lip service” trust meets real-life alignment. Relinquishment Over Surrender: To relinquish is to voluntarily give over what we hold on to—our fears, past, need for status, and need for control—into God's hands.   📌 Timestamps:   00:00 - Welcome & The New Bethlehem Church App 02:17 - How Has God’s Word Changed & Shaped Me? 02:59 - The "Now Power" of the Gospel (Romans 1) 05:00 - Good News vs. Bad News: Identity Transformation 08:14 - Special Service Moment: Mid-Service Communion Explained 11:45 - Taking the Bread: Remembering the Broken Body 14:12 - Taking the Cup: Proclaiming the New Covenant 17:33 - Message Intro: "No Experts Allowed" 18:45 - The Only Way to Guarantee Failure at Prayer 21:45 - Point 1: More Than a Scheduled Appointment (1 Thessalonians 5) 26:15 - Practicing "Breath Prayers" Throughout the Day 30:50 - Point 2: Ground Zero Against the Illusion of Control (Colossians 3) 33:45 - Quiet Confidence vs. Complete Reliance 35:40 - Learning to Relinquish: Voluntarily Giving Control to God 41:30 - Praying Scripture & A Prayer of Relinquishment (Richard Foster) 44:33 - School Year Blessing: Praying Over Students, Teachers & Faculty ✝️ Key Scriptures:   Romans 1:16  John 3:16–17 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 Colossians 3:1–2 Psalm 20:6–7   We exist to lead people to discover a new life in Christ. This is the vision of Bethlehem Church, based in Bethlehem, GA.   🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to connect with you. Click this link to let us know you’re watching! https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1284381 If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please click here: https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/376703  We’d love to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/   🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date: Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/   #SummerAtBethlehem #BethlehemChurch #NoExpertsAllowed #JasonBritt #Prayer #Communion #Gospel #FaithJourney #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

In this week’s message of our Summer at Bethlehem series, Pastor Chris Bell from 3Circle Church in Fairhope, Alabama explores the critical concept of spiritual hydration through the lens of John 7:37–38. Physical dehydration leads to fatigue, vulnerability, and sickness—but soul dehydration carries far more dangerous, eternal consequences.   Set against the historical backdrop of the Feast of the Tabernacles (Festival of Booths), Pastor Chris reveals the profound significance of Jesus interrupting the most sacred day of the Jewish festival. While the priests poured out water to commemorate God's provision in the wilderness, Jesus stood up and declared that He Himself is the fulfillment of that promise—the source of eternal, living water.   💡 Key Takeaways:   Physical vs. Soul Dehydration: Your body cannot survive long without water, and neither can your soul. Many people spend their lives running on spiritual fumes, trying to quench an internal thirst with physical pursuits. The Context of John 7: The Feast of the Tabernacles was a week-long celebration commemorating God providing water from the rock in the desert. On the "Great Day"—the final, quiet moment when priests poured water from golden cisterns—Jesus interrupted the sacred ritual to announce, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink." Proximity vs. Experience: Coming to church, studying theology, or being around Christian culture provides proximity, but proximity alone cannot quench your thirst. You can admire a bottle of water all day, but it won't hydrate you until you drink it. Thirsty People Make Vulnerable Choices: The thirstier you become, the lower your standards drop for what you are willing to drink. When we don't satisfy our souls in Christ, we end up drinking from dirty, toxic wells—damaging marriages, careers, and personal integrity in search of fulfillment. Relationships & Status Cannot Save: Expecting a spouse, a career, a bank account, or a truck to satisfy your soul will crush that relationship or goal under the weight of an expectation only Jesus can fulfill. Drinking = Believing: To "drink" of Jesus means to place the full weight of your trust (pisteuo) in Him, letting Him take up residence in your life and trusting Him to sustain your future. There Is No Other Stream: Quoting from C. S. Lewis’s The Silver Chair, Pastor Chris reminds us that "There is no other stream." You can keep searching the world for another source, but only Jesus quenches the human soul.   📌 Timestamps:   00:00 – The Story of the Church on the Red Hill: 20 Years of God’s Faithfulness 02:45 – Welcoming Guest Speaker Pastor Chris Bell 06:30 – Understanding Soul Dehydration & Spiritual Hydration 07:35 – The Background of the Feast of the Tabernacles (Booths) 11:10 – The Ceremony of the Golden Water Pitchers on the Great Day 13:30 – Jesus Interrupts the Ceremony: John 7:37–38 18:55 – Our Bodies and Souls Get Thirsty (Psalm 42:1) 22:15 – Why Proximity to Church Isn't the Same as Drinking 23:50 – Thirsty People Make Bad Choices (The Garden Hose Illustration) 28:45 – Stop Crushing Your Relationships & Career with Unrealistic Expectations 36:30 – What Does It Mean to "Drink" of Jesus? (Believing & Trusting) 40:30 – C.S. Lewis’s Lesson: "There Is No Other Stream" 42:55 – Closing Prayer   ✝️ Key Scriptures: John 7:37–38 Psalm 42:1 John 15:5 1 John 2:15–16   We exist to lead people to discover a new life in Christ. This is the vision of Bethlehem Church, based in Bethlehem, GA.   🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to meet you. Please click https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/504192 to fill out our Connection Card! If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please text INCHRIST to 97000. We’d love to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/   🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date: Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/   #SummerAtBethlehem #LivingWater #John7 #ChrisBell #SpiritualHydration #BethlehemChurch #FeastOfTabernacles #JesusSatisfies #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

In the eighth week of our Summer at Bethlehem series, we revisit one of the most familiar stories in Scripture: the encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. Familiarity often breeds passivity; because we grew up singing the childhood song about the "wee little man," we frequently overlook the radical, scandalous grace displayed in this scene.   Most of us live our lives as if we are constantly auditioning for God’s attention, wondering, "Am I good enough? Am I loveable? Am I worthy?" This message dismantles the myth that we must clean up our lives before Jesus will enter them. Whether you are hiding behind a resume of success or drowning in a reputation of past mistakes, the gospel declares that Jesus sees you, knows your name, and desires to move from being a guest in your life to being the Lord of your house.   💡 Key Takeaways:   Familiarity Breeds Passivity: The greatest threat to gratitude isn't adversity—it’s familiarity. We stop appreciating our spouses, our children, and the gospel itself because we have come to "expect" it. Don’t let the fact that you know the story keep you from being transformed by the Savior within it. Accumulation ≠ Fullness: Zacchaeus had "won" the cultural game. He possessed the money, the title, and the authority, yet he was hollow. Resume, recognition, and reputation might give you status, but they will never give you lasting satisfaction. You can have everything and still have nothing. Jesus Initiates: If there was ever a person who "failed the audition" for God’s attention, it was Zacchaeus. Yet Jesus didn't wait for him to get down from the tree or clean up his ledger; He looked up, called him by name, and invited Himself over. The gospel always finds you before you find it. Love Inspires What the Law Demands: When Jesus enters the house, the atmosphere shifts. Zacchaeus doesn't just offer the minimal legal restitution (double); he offers a radical, extravagant 4x return. You don’t change to “get” Jesus; you change because you’ve encountered Him. Renting vs. Residing: There is a massive difference between renting a room in your house to Jesus and letting Him take up residence. Renting implies you retain control of the other rooms; taking up residence means He has authority over the entire house. Jesus isn't looking for a guest room; He is looking for lordship. The Two Trees: Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree to get a glimpse of the Lord. A few days later, Jesus climbed another tree—the cross—to seek and save the lost. Bad men become good men only in the hands of the perfect Man.   📌 Timestamps:   00:00 – Serve Crew Video  01:31 – Introduction from Pastor Jason  03:16 – The Danger of Familiarity: Why We Underappreciate Grace 06:41 – Contextualizing Zacchaeus: The Chief Tax Collector & The Occupying Empire 08:45 – The "Hollow Trophy": Why Status and Success Never Satisfy 13:33 – Accumulation ≠ Fullness  17:05 – Jesus Sees People (He Sees YOU) 22:48 – The Myth of the Audition: Why Jesus Initiates Before We Clean Up 25:29 – Religious Indignation: Why the "Moral" People Often Miss the Gospel 26:21– Radical Transformation: Moving from Greed to Extravagant Generosity 30:39 – Jesus Doesn’t Just Forgive; He Transforms Everything He Touches  37:18 – Two Questions to Reflect On 39:17 – The Irony of a Name: Zacchaeus ("The Pure One") Meets the Savior 43:52 – Closing Prayer: Opening Every Room of Your Life to Jesus   ✝️ Key Scriptures:   Luke 19:1–10 Romans 5:8 Ephesians 2:8–9   We exist to lead people to discover a new life in Christ. This is the vision of Bethlehem Church, based in Bethlehem, GA.   🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to meet you. Please click https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/504192 to fill out our Connection Card! If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please text INCHRIST to 97000. We’d love to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/   🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date:   Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/   #SummerAtBethlehem #HeSeesMe #Luke19 #Zacchaeus #GraceInitiates #BethlehemChurch #JasonBritt #IdentityInChrist #Repentance #RadicalGenerosity #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

“Are We Convinced?” | SUMMER AT BETHLEHEM - Week 7 | July 12, 2026   If our definition of Jesus doesn’t change everything about us, then we don’t have a biblical definition of Jesus. In this powerful message from our Summer at Bethlehem series, Pastor Jason Britt dives into Mark 2 to look at a familiar story through a challenging lens: Are we truly convinced that Jesus is the answer to the deepest struggles and ailments of the human condition? There is a radical difference between a casual mindset that views Jesus as merely "helpful" and a deep, unshakeable conviction that drives us to action. Through the story of four unnamed friends who literally tore open a roof to lower a paralyzed man down to Jesus, we discover what it means to be part of a "Serve Crew"—a stretcher-bearing community in a mind-your-own-business world. Pastor Jason challenges us to move past a consumer mindset, look past our temporary "felt needs," and let Jesus address our ultimate soul-level need through the miracle of forgiveness. Whether you are a student looking to activate your faith, someone wondering how to share Christ with a struggling friend, or someone ready to transition from a "volunteer mindset" to a "servant heart," this sermon is a fresh invitation to engage with the body of Christ. 💡 Key Takeaways: "Helpful" vs. "The Answer": There is a vast difference between treating Jesus as an optional self-help tool and being fully convinced that He is the answer to our deepest brokenness. Felt Needs vs. Ultimate Needs: We often bring a checklist of earthly "felt needs" to God (finances, marriage, stress). Jesus refuses to let our circumstances define our ultimate need—which is the restoration of our soul through His forgiveness. Volunteer Mindset vs. Servant Heart: A volunteer gives their spare time to fill a slot; a true servant gives themselves to fulfill a divine calling. A Stretcher-Bearing Community: True faith is an active, visible group effort. In a modern world that screams at everyone to mind their own business, we are called to be a community that actively carries others to Christ. Your Mat is Your Story: True grace doesn't just get you off your mat; it transforms the very thing that used to hold you paralyzed into the powerful story of life change that you carry out into the world. 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 - Middle School Camp recap: Never Underestimate the Beauty of the Church 03:05 - Fulfilling a Calling: Moving from a Volunteer to a Servant Heart 05:41 - The Challenge: Do You Have a Biblical Definition of Jesus? 11:43 - Scripture Reading: Mark 2 & The Crowd at Capernaum 14:39 - Grabbing a Mat: Creative Problem Solving & Refusing Excuses 18:17 - Three Questions for a Convinced Faith 21:04 - Individualism vs. True Soul Healing: Addressing the Real Need 26:34 - The Greatest Miracle: The Price and Blessing of Forgiveness 27:24 - The Cynics in the Cheap Seats: God Knows Our Internal Thoughts 31:43 - A Stretcher-Bearing Community: Examples of Next-Gen & Foster Servants 40:00 - Carrying Your Story: What Used to Carry You, You Now Carry 41:24 - Summary & Action Steps: Whose Corner of the Mat Are You Holding? ✝️ Key Scriptures: Mark 2:1–12 Psalm 139 Psalm 103:2–3   We exist to lead people to discover a new life in Christ. This is the vision of Bethlehem Church, based in Bethlehem, GA.   🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to meet you. Please click https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/504192to fill out our Connection Card! If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please text INCHRIST to 97000. We’d love to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/   🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date:   Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/   #BethlehemChurch #JasonBritt #AreWeConvinced #Mark2 #SummerAtBethlehem #ServeCrew #FaithVsMindset #BiblicalCommunity #SurrenderingToJesus #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

“Trust in the Lord” | SUMMER AT BETHLEHEM - Week 6 | July 5th, 2026   In Week 6 of our Summer at Bethlehem series, we examine one of the most familiar, anchor-point passages in the entire Bible: Proverbs 3:5–6. King Solomon, renowned as the wisest man to ever live, penned these words not as abstract philosophy, but as a framework for survival passed down to the next generation.   When we envision God making our paths "straight," our minds naturally visualize an upward, predictable trajectory of success. In reality, life often feels completely chaotic and scattered. Through heavy seasons of personal loss, medical diagnoses, and unexpected breakdowns, this message explores what it looks like to stop trading God's perfect track record for unproven, fragile substitutes. It is an urgent invitation to stop leaning on our own limited understanding and cast our entire weight onto a God who has never failed.   💡 Key Takeaways: The Weight of Ba-tach: The Hebrew word for trust used in this passage is ba-tach. Far from passive optimism, its physical word picture is throwing oneself facedown on the ground because there is nowhere else to go. It means throwing your entire physical and emotional weight onto a solid, unmovable object, completely confident that it will not buckle or break. The Trap of Unproven Substitutes: We are fiercely prone to trading God's proven, flawless track record of faithfulness for unproven substitutes. We split our weight between God and less trustworthy things like finances, career positioning, political outcomes, or the approval of our spouses and children—falling into anxiety the moment they shift. Acknowledge Means Yada’: In English, to "acknowledge" someone means to tip your hat or nod in their direction. But the Hebrew imperative used here is yada’, which means to know someone intimately, personally, and experientially. Acknowledging God is not merely recognizing that He exists; it is living in a state of total, obedient dependence because you know His character. He Moves the Next Step, Not the Whole Map: We constantly demand that God show us the final destination, but He chooses to give us just enough light for the immediate next step. Like Joseph in the prison or Joshua at the Jordan, a "straight path" is rarely an easy or problem-free path—it is simply a God-directed path walked one step of obedience at a time. Don't Shrink the Map: When circumstances fall apart, our instinctual prayer is always, "God, change my situation and shorten this trial." But while we are entirely focused on where we are going, God is intimately focused on who we are becoming. Shrinking the map to avoid the traffic and breakdowns of life means missing the miraculous transformation happening within the valley. One Step From a Miracle: Often, we find ourselves exactly one step of obedience away from God doing something supernatural. The priests had to physically step into the rushing, flood-stage waters of the Jordan before the river ever parted. Trust isn't about calculating the outcome; it's about knowing the Guide.   ✝️ Key Scriptures: Proverbs 3:5–6 Genesis 39:20–23 Joshua 3:13–17   We exist to lead people to discover a new life in Christ. This is the vision of Bethlehem Church, based in Bethlehem, GA.   🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to meet you. Please click https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/504192to fill out our Connection Card! If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please text INCHRIST to 97000. We’d love to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/   🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date:   Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/   #SummerAtBethlehem #KevinMiller #TrustInTheLord #Proverbs3 #Trust #Yada’ #FaithfulnessOfGod #BethlehemChurch #Obedience #NextStep #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

In Week 5 of our Summer at Bethlehem series, Lead Pastor Jason Britt takes us to a passage that serves as an ongoing mirror for our souls: Luke 15. Through the lens of Jesus' most famous parable—traditionally known as the Prodigal Son—we discover that this isn't just a heartwarming tale about a rebellious runaway. It is a powerful, direct confrontation of the "Us vs. Them" mentality that so easily creeps into our culture and our churches. Whether we find ourselves lost in outward rebellion or lost in inward religion, the story exposes our desperate need to look in the mirror and ultimately embody the heart of the Father. 💡 Key Takeaways: The Bigness of the Kingdom: Pastor Jason reflects on his recent ministry trip to Brazil, watching thousands of pastors and their wives worshiping in Portuguese. It serves as a beautiful reminder that the Kingdom of God is vastly larger than our local context, yet the gospel remains the exact same hope for the nations as it is for our next-door neighbors. Value is Set by the Searcher: In his precursor parables about the lost sheep and the lost coin, Jesus establishes a foundational truth: a lost item's worth isn't determined by the item itself. Its value is proven by the lengths to which the owner goes to find it. What God searches for, He celebrates—and what He celebrates, we should celebrate. The Far Country Illusion: The younger brother didn't just want his inheritance; he wanted his father's benefits without his father's authority. The "far country" is any mental or physical space we retreat to in order to convince ourselves that we don’t need God. Swift Feet of Forgiveness: Repentance begins when excuses end. When the younger brother finally "comes to his senses" and limps home expecting probation, the father breaks all cultural norms by running to him to offer full restoration. The miracle isn't just that the son returned, but that the father never stopped being a father. The Danger of the Older Brother Spirit: The parable ends without resolution because it was originally directed at the grumbling religious leaders. The older brother stayed physically close to the house but remained completely insulated from the father's heart. He was filled with entitlement, comparison, and resentment—proving that religious self-righteousness leaves you just as far from God as wild rebellion does. 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Uganda Mission Trip Video 01:30 – Living on Mission from Uganda to Egypt 02:56 – A Glimpse of Heaven: Preaching to Pastors in Brazil 05:55 – Returning to Luke 15: The Parable as a Mirror for Our Souls 12:03 – The Grumbling Ecosystem: Dismantling the "Us vs. Them" Mentality 15:46 – Precursor Stories: The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin 18:24 – The Far Country: Demanding Blessings Without Authority 22:30 – Coming to Your Senses: Creating a Safe Place for Healing 24:33 – The Running Father: Probation vs. Full Restoration 29:26 – The Grumbling Older Brother: Standing Outside the Party 33:15 – Personal Testimony: Lost in Rebellion vs. Lost in Religion 34:56 – Anatomy of an Older Brother: Entitlement and Blind Spots 36:30 – The Unresolved Ending: You Are One of These Three People 38:56 – Three Questions to Ask Yourself 42:30 – Closing Challenge & Prayer ✝️ Key Scriptures: Luke 15:1-32 James 1:23-25 Ephesians 2:13 We exist to lead people to discover a new life in Christ. This is the vision of Bethlehem Church, led by Pastor Jason Britt and based in Bethlehem, GA. 🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to meet you. Please click https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/504192 to fill out our Connection Card! If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please text INCHRIST to 97000. We’d love to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/   🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date: Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/ #BethlehemChurch #JasonBritt #Luke15 #ProdigalSon #HeartOfTheFather #SummerSeries #RepentanceAndForgiveness #NextSteps #NeighborsAndNations #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

We have all experienced that distinct, crushing sense of overwhelm. Your calendar is packed, the pressures of parenting and work are mounting, and the constant noise of the world never seems to dim. But it’s not just that your life is full - it’s that your soul feels heavy. Most of us have simply adopted a cultural norm that is quietly exhausting us, assuming this chronic fatigue is just the price of admission for modern life.   In this powerful message, we dive into Matthew 11:28–30 to uncover a freeing truth: The weight you’re carrying might not be the one you were meant to carry. Jesus famously promised that His burden is light, yet that rarely matches our day-to-day reality. By breaking down the specific weights we subconsciously pick up, this sermon exposes how we are mismanaging our souls and offers the ultimate trade-off: swapping our exhausting performance for His peaceful presence.   💡 Key Takeaways:   The Weight in Your Pocket: One of the heaviest burdens we pick up every day sits right in our pockets. Our phones constantly flood us with global tragedy, endless comparison, and the expectations of others. Human beings were never structurally designed to carry the weight of the entire world before drinking their first cup of coffee. The Three Heavy Categories: When the strong get tired, it’s usually because they are carrying things that aren’t theirs to carry (expectations and comparison), carrying things they were never asked to carry (outcome control and everyone's approval), or carrying it all alone (isolated and performing rather than depending). Proximity Over Performance: Jesus' invitation begins with two words: "Come to me." This is entirely relational before it is practical. He does not say "fix your life first" or "try harder." He invites us to start with close proximity to Him, completely detaching our worth from our daily performance. The Purpose of a Yoke: When Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you," He isn't offering an immediate relief from all activity, but rather a profound rest for your soul. A yoke is a tool built for two; it implies a shared weight. Jesus isn’t removing all responsibility from your life—He is completely redefining how you carry it. A Shift in Posture: Stepping into true rest doesn't necessarily mean changing your external circumstances; it means changing your internal posture. It's about living the exact same life, but walking step-by-step with Jesus instead of constantly trying to perform for Him. The Divine Trade: Our core problem is that we love the idea of rest, but we fiercely resist the vulnerability it takes to get it. Jesus offers a standing, daily trade: our exhaustion for His rest, our pressure for His presence, and our self-induced weight for His perfectly fitted yoke. 📌 Timestamps:   00:00 – Fun Father’s Day Video 02:23 – Introduction from Pastor Clay Scroggins 05:05 – Life Is Not Just Full; It Also Feels Heavy  10:32 – Scripture Reading: Breaking Down Matthew 11:28–30 14:39 – Being “Too Busy” (Putting Things on Ourselves that We Don’t Need to) 25:21 – Taking On an Expectation or Standard from Somewhere Else  29:53 – Identifying the Yoke You Are Carrying 32:37 – Two Personal Reflection Questions  38:14 – Are You Interested in Trading your Exhaustion, Pressure, and Weight for His Rest, Presence and Yoke?  39:25 – Closing Prayer: Giving Up the Weight You Were Never Meant to Carry   ✝️ Key Scriptures:   Matthew 11:28–30 Psalm 55:22 1 Peter 5:7   We exist to lead people to discover a new life in Christ. This is the vision of Bethlehem Church, based in Bethlehem, GA.   🔗 Connect With Us: First Time? We'd love to meet you. Please click https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/504192 to fill out our Connection Card! If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please text INCHRIST to 97000. We’d love to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/   🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date:   Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/   #BethlehemChurch #ClayScroggins #WhenTheStrongGetTired #Matthew11 #SoulRest #TakeMyYoke #SharedWeight #ChristianLiving #OvercomeOverwhelm #FaithOverPerformance #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline

In Week 3 of our Summer at Bethlehem series, our good friend Pastor Mike Linch joins us to share a life-changing word on what it truly means to discover our identity and calling in Christ. Continuing our summer journey through the scriptures that have fundamentally shaped our lives, Pastor Mike takes us to the shores of Galilee in Luke 5:1–11.   Too many of us spend our lives chasing worldly definitions of success, building our own plans, and exhausting ourselves in our own strength—only to end up with empty nets. Through the story of Simon Peter’s miraculous catch of fish, this message confronts our need for control and serves as a powerful guide on how to shift from our personal ambitions to a life of true, kingdom-altering impact.   💡 Key Takeaways:   The Struggle of Empty Nets: Like Peter and his crew, many of us spend our lives working tirelessly through the night, using all of our professional expertise and human energy, only to come up short. Jesus often meets us right at the edge of our exhaustion and frustration, asking us to trust Him in the exact areas where we have failed in our own strength. Settle the Issue of Ownership: Before Peter could step into his true calling, he had to leave his nets, his boats, and his catch behind. True purpose begins when we realize that our life, our talents, our families, and our careers do not belong to us. We have been bought with a high price, and we must fully surrender ownership to the King. Follow a Person, Not a Plan: Humans love blueprints, predictable paths, and five-year strategic plans. But biblical discipleship is about following a Person—Jesus—not a plan. We are called to make our plans loosely and instead focus on keeping in daily, active step with the Holy Spirit. The Shift to Deeper Waters: Jesus didn't tell Peter to stay in the shallow, safe zones of life. He commanded him to go out into the deep. Stepping into your God-given destiny requires moving past comfortable, superficial faith and being willing to take risky steps of obedience simply because Jesus said so. See People as Your Purpose: Peter was a professional fisherman; his purpose was defined by his production and his industry. Jesus completely flipped his worldview by telling him, "From now on you’ll be fishing for people." Our ultimate purpose on this earth is never tied to our occupation or accumulation, but to the people God has placed in our path to point toward Christ. Leave Everything to Gain Everything: The disciples landed their boats with the largest financial windfall of their lives—two boats filled so high with fish they were on the verge of sinking. Yet, in the presence of Jesus, they immediately walked away from the blessing to follow the Blesser. When we encounter Christ, the things we used to cling to lose their grip on us. 📌 Timestamps:   00:00 – Intro & Welcome from Pastor Mike Linch 03:54 – Scripture Reading: Luke 5:1-11 & The Miraculous Catch of Fish 08:58 – Prayer: God, Tell Us What You Need From Us 09:57 – Simon Peter’s Story and How It Relates to Ours  11:48 – Point 1: Settle the Issue of Ownership 18:12 – Point 2: Follow a Person, Not a Plan 23:40 – Proverbs 16:9 & Keeping in Perfect Step with the Spirit 24:54 – Point 3: See People As Your Purpose 32:34 – From Fishing to Fishing for Men: Redefining Career and Calling 33:01 – Prayer: The Final Call to Surrender   ✝️ Key Scriptures: Luke 5:1–11 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 Proverbs 16:9 Galatians 5:25   We exist to lead people to discover a new life in Christ. This is the vision of Bethlehem Church, based in Bethlehem, GA.   🔗 Connect With Us:   First Time? We'd love to meet you. Please click https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.com/people/forms/504192to fill out our Connection Card! If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please text INCHRIST to 97000. We’d love to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/   🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date: Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemchurchga/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehem_churchga/   #SummerAtBethlehem #SurrenderingMyPurpose #Luke5 #MikeLinch #BethlehemChurch #FollowJesus #FishersOfMen #TotalSurrender #StepIntoTheDeep #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline