Month: May 2022

“But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.” Acts 16:18 

I don’t know if I’ll preach on Paul’s annoyance, but it makes me laugh every time I read this passage. It says this woman with the spirit of divination followed them around for DAYS. Finally, Paul had enough and exorcised the demon. Why didn’t he do it earlier? What exactly is a spirit of divination? Why wasn’t Paul afraid of the demon? Are there still spirits like that today? I have so many questions about this passage. But I think what matters is how the story ends. It ends with a jailer being saved from suicide and coming to faith along with his whole family. How exactly God does that kind of work is far more interesting to me. We’ll explore this breakthrough to salvation on Sunday.

-Pastor Travis Norton

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“do you want to be made well?” -Jesus 

This story from John 5 is such a simple story, repeated throughout the Gospels. A person is sick, encounters Jesus, and Jesus heals them. But this story is all about the question. ‘Do you want to be made well?’ The assumption is that you don’t even need to ask, everyone wants to be made well, right? That’s what we’ll be thinking about this Sunday as we continue the sermon series, Breakthrough. Does everyone want to be made well? Do we want to be healed of everything in us that needs healing? Do we even want to know all the areas of our life that need healing? Are we ready for the changes that come when we receive healing from Jesus? So many questions! 

-Pastor Travis Norton

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So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” Acts 11:1-18

I wonder how often we get in God’s way?  I know that as we go about our daily lives and routines, we likely don’t pause as often as we should to either ask what God is doing or see what the Holy Spirit is up to in our lives.  We may not have visions like Peter did but surely God is at work in all that we do.  Where are the places that you can be open to what God is doing in your life and in the lives of those around us.  Peter needed to be convinced three times on several separate occasions that God was working with him, sometimes we might need that convincing too.  Look to those around you, and to God’s still, small voice, or booming call to see what’s next for you in this world, and remember it is for the sake of the gospel.  

P.S. Let’s stop getting in God’s way and do the work together!

-Pastor Carrie Baylis

“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” John 21:16 

Three times the same question is asked of Peter. ‘Do you love me?’ Put yourself in his shoes. If you were asked over and over again by Jesus if you loved him, how would you respond. It reminds me of that scene in Good Will Hunting where the psychologist played by Robin Williams keeps telling Will over and over again ‘it’s not your fault.’ By repeating the statement he gets through to his client. Is Jesus doing the same thing for Peter? Trying to get through to his heart. Trying to get to an answer that isn’t just off the cuff, but is deeply considered. If Jesus asked you, and you fully understood the ramifications, would you declare your love for him? What do you think it looks like to love Jesus? 

-Pastor Travis Norton

Looking for last weeks worship? You can find it here!

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