Nathaniel From Timfam

Confessing Christ as Savior and Lord doesn't just change us individually. This basic confession changes the people of Jesus into a powerful force to fight evil. 

It's one thing to know what to do for the people around us. It's another thing to get past all our concerns and fears to actually do them. Courage has at least 2 parts that move us to action. Let's check it out in Matthew 14:22-36. 

The Christian thinking about the human heart is radical. First, good or real religion deals with it - not just with our actions or thinking. Second, the gospel is for every heart, no matter who you are or what your background. Third, the gospel gives a new heart. 

Jesus offers spiritual life because he is the giver of real, physical life. As long as we consider ourselves the lord of our lives, we won't experience the joy and pleasure of physical life. There is a lot of pain and suffering in life, but we have every reason for life. Let's live! 

I struggle to overcome the sense of meaninglessness and lack of purpose that can easily invade my days. I might think that my work or skill could give me a sense of purpose, but what about when my work ends or my skill isn't needed anymore? And I resist anyone else - a boss, even parents - pushing a sense of purpose on me. Something about Jesus fills my life with purpose. The lasting purpose of life. 

If you've ever struggled to see who you are and the impact you have on others, then you need to go with Jesus in John 9. Jesus helps us move from spiritual blindness to spiritual sight. 

Everyone lives for something. Is it something physical? It needs to be something inside you, something you can't touch or feel. Something that goes beyond what we think, or what we feel, or even what we desire. When we empty ourselves of our own push for life, we can be filled with the life of the one who gave everything for us. Let's get into John 4:5-29

What's the biggest threat to you and I experiencing a new life? Age? Morality? Religiosity? Education? Nope. Jesus shows us, and delivers a new life this week. Enjoy! John 3:1-16

There are so many places in life where I live inconsistently - and other people see it! If often wonder what life would be like if I could like consistently. Peter invites us to discover a life where we could live more consistently. Let's get into it in 2 Peter 1:16-21

I think sometimes that I wouldn't mind knowing real privilege. I'd like to stand out from the crowd and be recognized as different. But I know that I don't want to stand out for a lot of the same values that others appreciate. In Matthew 5, Jesus holds out a picture of a new life and says, you can have the privilege of this new life. In this sermon, we walk the first four steps (Matthew 5:1-6) on the path to privilege. 

Listening is a basic skill in any relationship. Listening builds connection. It places the hearer in the shoes of the speaker so their life is validated, justified. The marvel is God invites us to listen to him and to receive everything he has. We are shaped, molded, enveloped and changed by the forgiveness, approval, and grace he expresses. 

God wants to use you to preserve the world around us. In order for us to be much help, we need to be changed deeply. What a miracle it is to see renewal happen in us and around us! 

Relationships are filled with assumptions, expectations, and stories we tell ourselves about people. That isn't all bad. We expect love, kindness, generosity, honesty, and trust from certain people in our lives. But we need to take steps to change those expectations and that starts with our behavior.  Matthew 4:12-23

Relationships are hard. They can be really hard. Loving others and loving God go hand in hand. In this first message on relationships, we seek (and God willing discover) the key to pleasing relationships. 

If Christmas is true, then it changes everything about the way we behave. First and foremost, instead of receiving gifts, we become great gift givers. 

We resist a new status. How many of us like to be called Mr or Mrs so and so? God calls us to claim our status as his son and experience. The Spirit works in us so we can powerfully experience our status as a son of God. 

There is no doubt that this baby (Jesus) is a big deal. But the really great part of Christmas is that you are a big deal. And when you realize you're a big deal to him, this baby will be your big deal. 

In Joseph, Jesus shows us a new way of living. We are faithful. Even more, we leave the blame, guilt, and shame where it should be.