Episodes
Sunday Jan 07, 2024
Draw Near (Psalm 73)
Sunday Jan 07, 2024
Sunday Jan 07, 2024
Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor) - Psalm 73:25-28 (Psalm 73:1-28)
Drawing close to God is about having a relationship with God that is personal and intentional. In this study of the 73rd Psalm, we will learn how this relationship is not easy! It is about struggle and surrender!
By learning to be honest about our sin, and to trust God, we can draw close to Him!
Draw Near
I. The Struggle
A. the temptation of the World
--- the superficial life
--- the selfish life
--- the self-sufficient life
B. the battle with doubt
II. The Surrender
A. acknowledge God's authority
B. humble yourself
C. commit to a life of worship
Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
The Happy Life: Learning to live well by embracing wisdom. (Week 1)
Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
Pastor Chris Andrews (Associate Pastor) - Proverbs 3:13-18 (Proverbs 3:13-18; 22:3; 27:12)
We’re diving into the book of Proverbs, tapping into God’s wisdom for blessings, health, and a truly fulfilling life. Let’s learn together how to live well and experience the joy that comes from embracing His wisdom!
The Happy Life"Learning to live well by embracing wisdom."Week 1
Handout/Outline
1. Wisdom brings blessings.2. Wisdom is valuable.3. Wisdom brings rewards.4. Wisdom brings the happy life.
Sunday Dec 31, 2023
The Only Resolution You Need!
Sunday Dec 31, 2023
Sunday Dec 31, 2023
Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Psalm 23:1-4 (Psalm 23:1-4; Isaiah 53:6; James 1:8; Matthew 16:18)
As we begin a new year, we like the idea of a fresh start. This is a new year, with new opportunities to start things off right and to make things better. Out of all the New Year's resolutions we can make, the book of Psalms gives us one that is the foundation to everything else.If we get this one right, everything else will fall in place! This truly can be the best year ever!
The Only Resolution You Need!
Resolution: I will follow God!
1. some things need to change
2. some things need to go
Wednesday Dec 27, 2023
New Beginnings
Wednesday Dec 27, 2023
Wednesday Dec 27, 2023
Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor) - Philippians 3:13-14 (Philippians 1:6-7, 12-14, & 20-24; 2:9-16; 3:4-9, 11-14 & 20-21; 4:6-13; 1 Timothy 1:14-15; Matthew 9:10-12; Acts 8:1-3; 16:25-26)
The New Year gives us an opportunity to step back, look at our lives, and evaluate.In this hopeful and challenging lesson, Pastor Matt points to the Bible character Paul as an example of someone who enjoyed a new beginning because of Jesus and the power of the Gospel.If you are struggling with doubt, guilt or regret as you head into the new year, there is hope! Look to Jesus and find a new beginning in Him!
New Beginnings
Handout/Outline
I. A new beginning despite sins of the pastA. self-righteousnessB. violence
II. A new beginning despite trials in the presentA. the faithfulness of GodB. the furtherance of the GospelC. the development of spiritual maturity
III. A new beginning despite the uncertainties of the futureA. the security of salvationB. the promise of resurrectionC. the certainty of Jesus' return
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
WONDERFUL
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Isaiah 9:6 (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:13)
Christmas is all about Jesus! We love to celebrate this time of year with parties, gifts, and fun decorations. Like the song says, "It's the most wonderful time of year!" This is so true because Jesus is called Wonderful in the book of Isaiah. He is the reason this season is filled with awe and wonder!Christmas means so much more when we understand the great wonder that makes it wonderful!
Illustration #1: House decorated with Christmas lights
Illustration #2: Christmas Tree
Illustration #3: Christmas Cards
Illustration #4: Christmas Carols
Illustration #5: Christmas Movies (Charlie Brown Christmas)
Illustration #6: Christmas Shopping
Illustration #7: Festive Christmas Clothes
Illustration #8: Christmas Party
Illustration #9: Nativity Decorations
Illustration #10: Christmas Dinners
Illustration #11: Christmas Gift Exchange
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Jonah: from running to revival (Angry with God - Lesson 5)
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Jonah 4 (Jonah 4:1-11; Romans 8:28)
The book of Jonah does not end the way you would expect it to end.
After Jonah preaches to the city of Nineveh, they repent and turn to God. This sounds like a victory, but Jonah does not see it that way. Jonah gets angry with God for showing mercy to the enemy.
How do we respond to God when He does things we think is unfair? This study ends with Jonah learning a valuable lesson from God that applies to all of us.
Series description: When we think of Jonah, we think of the guy that ran from God and got swallowed by a whale. There is nothing wrong with this thought, because it is what happened.
Have you stopped to think of why Jonah ran from God? He loved God, so why wouldn't he just obey. The truth is because Jonah struggled with something that we all struggle with in our daily lives. What is it? It is foundational to this story and we will expose it in this study!
Jonah: from running to revivalLesson 5 - Angry with God
Handout/Outline
Why do we get angry with God?I. We think that God doesn't get it.God is giving Jonah an object lesson:A. The Lord was helping Jonah understand through blessing him (by giving to him).B. The Lord was helping Jonah understand by taking.
II. Because we think He doesn't care.
Sunday Dec 17, 2023
Forward by FAITH --- Faith, now it’s your turn!
Sunday Dec 17, 2023
Sunday Dec 17, 2023
Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Hebrews 12:1-2 (Hebrews 12:1-2; Romans 10:17; Philippians 1:6)
The truth about living by faith is...we don’t have what it takes. This is why we try and try and end up failing.
So what is the answer? The answer is simple, you must start with the author of faith. Who is the author of our faith? Who sustains our faith? Who gives us the endurance to keep going when our hearts fail?
Jesus! He is the author and finisher of our faith!
Series description: The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God. The Bible teaches us that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. We know that it was by faith that Daniel faced the lion's den, Noah built the ark, Moses saw the sea split, and David experienced the giant fall!Faith is necessary and essential to experience victories in our lives, but do we really understand Faith? Hebrews 11 not only explains faith, but it illustrates the power of faith through the stories of God's people living out their faith.In order to move forward by faith as Christians, we must have a full understanding of faith. This series will take us through Hebrews 11 to discover the power of faith and how to live it out!
Forward by FAITH"Faith, now it's your turn!"
How to live by faith?1. Go to the source of faith.2. Trust in the sustainer of your faith.3. Keep your eyes on Jesus.4. Let go of the things that hold you back.5. Now run!
Sunday Dec 10, 2023
Forward by FAITH --- Faith is a struggle!
Sunday Dec 10, 2023
Sunday Dec 10, 2023
Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Hebrews 11:32-40 (Hebrews 11:32-40; Judges 4:8-9; 6:13; 13:24-25; 15:20; 16:1; Psalms 51:10; Genesis 3:17-18; Job 14:1; John 15:4; 16:33; Galatians 6:7-8; James 1:3; Philippians 1:20)
We always associate living by faith as victory, which it is, but victory does not always come in the way that we think. Hebrews tells us the stories of faith being lived out in the lives of those that trusted God. It also explains how faith is not always easy and life does not always go the way you think it should. But God is always working, even when we struggle with faith.
Series description: The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God. The Bible teaches us that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. We know that it was by faith that Daniel faced the lion's den, Noah built the ark, Moses saw the sea split, and David experienced the giant fall!Faith is necessary and essential to experience victories in our lives, but do we really understand Faith? Hebrews 11 not only explains faith, but it illustrates the power of faith through the stories of God's people living out their faith.In order to move forward by faith as Christians, we must have a full understanding of faith. This series will take us through Hebrews 11 to discover the power of faith and how to live it out!
Forward by FAITH
"Faith is a struggle!"
The truth about faith:
I. Faith is a struggle
A. because of doubt
B. because of fear
C. because of us
II. Faith does not eliminate hardship
A. this world is broken (cursed)
B. our choices have consequences
C. God uses hardship to change us
D. God uses hardship to change others
III. Faith in God brings eternal hope
Illustration #1: Tony, Logan & Jenny right before Logan's first surgery
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
Jonah: from running to revival (Revival - Lesson 4)
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Jonah 3 (Jonah 3:1-10; Ephesians 2:1; Luke 12:48; 19:10-13; Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 4:12; Jeremiah 23:29)
When we run from God, we make a mess! When we surrender to God, He not only restores us, but God uses us to do great things for His glory.
Jonah goes from running to revival! The revival that takes place was not because of Jonah, but because of the powerful message of the Gospel that He delivered!
Series description: When we think of Jonah, we think of the guy that ran from God and got swallowed by a whale. There is nothing wrong with this thought, because it is what happened.
Have you stopped to think of why Jonah ran from God? He loved God, so why wouldn't he just obey. The truth is because Jonah struggled with something that we all struggle with in our daily lives. What is it? It is foundational to this story and we will expose it in this study!
Jonah: from running to revivalLesson 4 - Revival
Handout/Outline
I. We have a responsibility!A. it requires actionB. it requires obedienceC. it requires urgency
II. We hold the power to change lives!A. it convictsB. it spreadsC. it changes lives
Sunday Dec 03, 2023
Sunday Dec 03, 2023
Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Hebrews 11: (Hebrews 11:2, 6 & 30-31; Joshua 2:1-4, 9-13 & 18; Romans 5:8; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8)
Is anyone too far gone to be reached by God? We will naturally say, "No." But often times we stop praying for people or stop witnessing because we feel as if they are a lost cause.One of the last stories of faith in Hebrews 11 might surprise you. It is not a story of someone that did great things for God, but someone that was radically changed by God...by faith!
Series description: The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God. The Bible teaches us that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. We know that it was by faith that Daniel faced the lion's den, Noah built the ark, Moses saw the sea split, and David experienced the giant fall!Faith is necessary and essential to experience victories in our lives, but do we really understand Faith? Hebrews 11 not only explains faith, but it illustrates the power of faith through the stories of God's people living out their faith.In order to move forward by faith as Christians, we must have a full understanding of faith. This series will take us through Hebrews 11 to discover the power of faith and how to live it out!
Forward by FAITH
"Faith is trusting that God can completely change your life!"
I. God can change anyone!
A. Rahab was living in sin
B. Rahab was broken
II. God delivers hope through us!
A. God sets up divine appointments
B. God uses your story to impact others
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Jonah: from running to revival (Restored - Lesson 3)
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Jonah 3 (Jonah 1:1-2; 2:2, 4, 7 & 9-10; 3:1-3; Romans 10:14-15; Genesis 2:7; Jeremiah 1:5; Psalms 51:12; 139:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:20)
Jonah ran from God, but he got nowhere. We have free will to run from God, but it never pays off. Jonah eventually hit bottom, but God met him at his lowest point. Jonah experiences the grace of God! God restored Jonah after he surrendered.
God can do great things through restored people!
Series description: When we think of Jonah, we think of the guy that ran from God and got swallowed by a whale. There is nothing wrong with this thought, because it is what happened.
Have you stopped to think of why Jonah ran from God? He loved God, so why wouldn't he just obey. The truth is because Jonah struggled with something that we all struggle with in our daily lives. What is it? It is foundational to this story and we will expose it in this study!
Jonah: from running to revivalLesson 3 - Restored
Handout/Outline
Jonah needed to know:I. You were created by God...A. ...for His pleasureB. ...for His purpose
II. You are restored by God…A. ...for His pleasureB. ...for His purpose
Sunday Nov 26, 2023
Forward by FAITH --- Faith is trusting that God’s timing is perfect! (Moses)
Sunday Nov 26, 2023
Sunday Nov 26, 2023
Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Hebrews 11:23-29 (Psalms 13:1; Hebrews 11:23-29; Acts 7:22; Exodus 6:3; 12:13; 13:17; 14:3-4, 10-16, 21-24, 26-28 & 31; 15:1-3; Deuteronomy 9:3; Romans 8:28)
Have you ever been in a situation where you are just stuck? No matter what you do, there is no way out. We struggle in situations like this because we feel as if God doesn't care. We think, "If God cares, then why doesn't He do something?"Hebrews 11 teaches us that God not only cares, He is working things out in His perfect way and timing! God makes a way when there seems to be no way!
Series description: The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God. The Bible teaches us that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. We know that it was by faith that Daniel faced the lion's den, Noah built the ark, Moses saw the sea split, and David experienced the giant fall!Faith is necessary and essential to experience victories in our lives, but do we really understand Faith? Hebrews 11 not only explains faith, but it illustrates the power of faith through the stories of God's people living out their faith.In order to move forward by faith as Christians, we must have a full understanding of faith. This series will take us through Hebrews 11 to discover the power of faith and how to live it out!
Forward by FAITH
"Faith is trusting that God's timing is perfect!"
When nothing seems to be going right:
I. Know that God is always at work!
II. Don't quit!
III. Watch and learn!
IV. Know that God has a reason for everything!