When the Church is The Church Part 2

When a person finds their identity in Christ, the natural outflow of their lives is one that serves God and others. In this message, Pastor Mark David Bradford uses Jesus as the ultimate example of a life that serves.

Jesus extended the greatest invitation to His disciples, "Come and follow Me and I will make you to become fishers of men." This invitation extended in Matthew 4 also defined what a disciple is: One who is called by Jesus, changed by Jesus and challenged by Jesus mission. 

In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, the Apostle Paul gives the analogy that the church is the body of Christ. Addressing our deepest human needs for belonging, security, and significance, this message reveals how these needs are only met in Jesus Christ and in the context of His Church. Every believer belongs to the Body, matters to the Body, and is needed by the Body. Your role in the church is indispensable and is all for the glory of God.

In this opening message of our new series, we explore Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” from Matthew 16. At Caesarea Philippi, Peter declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” and Jesus responded by promising to build His church upon that confession. Using the analogy of physical health versus heart disease, this message reminds us that our greatest need is not outward improvement but a transformed heart surrendered to Jesus Christ.

Romans 9 is one of the most challenging and powerful chapters in Scripture as Paul wrestles with the sovereignty of God, human responsibility, and the faithfulness of God’s promises. Through heartfelt compassion and biblical truth, this message reminds us that salvation is by God’s amazing grace alone. Because God is good and sovereign, we can trust that He is writing a story that is far greater than anything our finite minds can comprehend.

Romans 8:28-39 reminds believers that through Christ, we are “more than conquerors.” In this powerful message, we explore five unshakable promises of the gospel: God is for us, Christ has paid for our sin, no accusation can stand against us, guilt no longer defines us, and nothing can separate us from the love of God. Through every trial and hardship, believers can stand with confidence knowing they are securely held by the unfailing love of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:28 is one of the most famous and quoted verses in all of Scripture. All things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. In this message, All Things Are Working, we look at 3 hopes the believer has in the midst of suffering. 

Your new life in Christ is marked by three new characteristics that the Apostle Paul brings out in Romans 8:12-17: In Christ, you have a new instigation, a new identity and a new inheritance. Because of this, believers are called to fight sin in the Spirit while realizing that their Heavenly Father desires an intimate love relationship with them that is real and personal. 

In this message from Romans 8:1-11, we look at three aspects of our salvation. First, our justifcation means that we have been saved from the penalty of our sin. Second, our sanctification means that we are being saved from the power of sin. One day, we will be saved from the very presence of sin. What a great salvation we have through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

In Romans 7, Paul reveals the real struggle believers face with sin. Paul shows that even as Christians, our flesh battles our desire to follow God. The law exposes what is wrong with us, but it cannot cure us. Only Jesus brings rescue, grace, and victory. As Paul reaches the end of himself declaring, "What a wretched man I am!" he asks "Who can rescue me?" Thank God for Jesus!