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Most of us know what it’s like to feel like we don’t really belong in a certain group.  Our name may be on the membership list, but we’re not really part of the “in-group,” the important people.  We feel like we’re second-class citizens.  This can even happen in churches, and this morning Paul tells us that it has to stop. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show

Last week Paul told us how amazing Jesus is—He is God in the flesh, supreme over creation and supreme in our salvation. This morning we’ll take a look at the center of that salvation—the cross—and think about why the cross of Jesus is our only hope in this broken world. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show

At certain points in our lives, we ask an important question: Can this person do the job? Before you ask someone to babysit your six-month old little girl, you want to know: Can I trust this person? Before you ask someone to do some electrical work in your house, you want to know: Can this person do the job? This morning we’ll hear Paul tell us that when it comes to Jesus, He can do the job!  He has what it takes. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show

If someone were to ask you what you need more of right now, what would you say? More time? More money? Better health? More friends? More fun? This morning, Paul tells us what we really need more of in our lives—and the answer is somewhat surprising. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show

Have you ever wondered if there’s a secret to life that you’re missing? Is there some insider information, some shortcut that will make your life really take off?  The Christians in Colossae were wondering if they were missing something, if they needed something to add to their faith in Jesus.  This morning, Paul will remind them and us that if we have Jesus, we have everything we need!! He is enough! - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show

Jesus is about to wrap up all his instructions to his disciples as he sends them into the world and out on mission. At the heart of Jesus's instructions is ultimately a question: "Will you trust me?" When trouble comes, when a decision needs to be made, "will you trust me?" If we can truly learn to trust Christ and be faithful on mission, we'll see that the prize of discipleship is ultimately Union with Christ. - Pastor Arek O'Connell Support the show

Last week we saw Jesus send out the 12 disciples into the world and onto the mission field as his representatives. Jesus gives them a lot of instructions for their travels and tells them to expect opposition. And when we meet opposition and trouble in the world on the mission field we need to learn to place our trust and fear in God. - Pastor Arek O'Connell Support the show

We've come to the section in Matthew where Jesus isn't going to be the only one doing Kingdom ministry anymore. Now, Jesus is going to send his disciples out to join in Jesus' mission. The disciples' mission may look different practically today than ours, but the one thing we all have in common. Being sent by Jesus requires us to obey and imitate Jesus. - Pastor Arek O'Connell Support the show

This morning, we’ll look at two stories about two very different people. They came from different places on the social ladder, but they shared one thing in common—Jesus was their only hope. They were desperate for what only He could do. Their need brought them together. Jesus gave them life. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show

If you were to make a list of those most likely to be chosen as disciples by Jesus in Capernaum, Matthew would have been at the bottom of the list. Disliked by all. Dishonest in his work. Disrespected by most who knew him. Yet today we’ll see that Jesus calls Matthew’s name and Matthew joins the disciples. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show

If someone were to ask you, “What’s the biggest problem in your life right now?” how would you answer?  Would you mention a physical problem? Financial difficulties? Some person? This morning, Jesus challenges us to recognize that the biggest problem in our lives is not one we necessarily think about that much—but it should be. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show

Almost everyone wants to change.  We want to have more joy and peace. We want to be a bit nicer or gentler. We want to change, but many of us don’t want to change too much. And that can be a problem with Jesus, because when He comes into our lives, He wants to change everything. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show

Matthew has been telling us about Jesus—that He has the power to heal and to drive out demons. Now Matthew takes it a step further and tells us that Jesus has power over nature itself.  He speaks and the wind and waves obey. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show

Following the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus started attracting large crowds that would follow him and watch him perform miracles. Some in the crowd were so amazed by his miracles that they wanted to become his disciples. What they learned an important lesson that we'll discover together. Faith comes at a cost, but discipleship costs us everything. - Pastor Arek O'Connell Support the show

What do we do when we're out of options? Who do we turn to for help when we've tried everything in our power and still come up empty-handed? A leper and a centurion turn to Jesus in Matthew 8, hoping that he can help them. What we'll learn in Jesus' interactions with these two men is that in times of desperation, Jesus is the only one who is able and willing to heal our deepest pain and problems. - Pastor Arek O'Connell Support the show