Audio Messages

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In God We Trust: Faith and the American Dream
| Sat, Apr 26, 2014 | Pastor John Stillman
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Many Christians are living the American Dream. This is tragic! The American Dream leads us to focus on a faith that makes us feel fulfilled, caters to our comforts, or makes us the most happy. In this opening sermon from 1 Thessalonians, Pastor John looks at three foundations of Biblical faith.
A Passion for Faith for the Glory of God
1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5 | Sun, Jun 29, 2014 | Pastor John Stillman

Jesus said that a day was coming when the hearts of many would freeze over and grow cold, when instead He calls us to have a white-hot passion for the gospel and God's glory. In this message, Pastor John looks at Paul's sermon on Mars Hill as one pattern for our gospel witness to those who do not know Jesus yet. The application is to go face-to-face with evangelism for the glory of God!

Examples of Faith - pt. i
1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 | Sun, May 11, 2014 | Pastor John Stillman

As Americans we get very sentimental about some things that seem to typify American ideals. Things like, "Mom, baseball, and apple pie." Moms mean giving and sharing. But how much do our lives exemplify God's ideals? In this message, Pastor John focuses on how the humility of a shared soul brings great glory to God.

How to Grow Your Faith: Delighting in the Faith
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 | Sun, Aug 03, 2014 | Pastor John Stillman

It is very easy when we hear the commands of God to think of them as duty rather than something to delight in. But the psalmist says there is a blessedness that comes from meditating on and obeying and delighting in the commands of God day and night. In this final message from 1 Thessalonians, Pastor John looks at how delighting in the commands of God gives us great reason to worship.

How to Grow Your Faith: Wholly Holy Like Jesus
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 | Sun, Jul 13, 2014 | Pastor John Stillman

Spiritual growth is God's will. For many Americans, the holes in their knowledge or application of the gospel are the closest they get to "holiness". In this message Pastor John explains how God works to fill our "holes" with His holiness.

Suffering For the Faith - pt i
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 | Sun, Jun 15, 2014 | Pastor John Stillman

America was first settled predominantly by men and women who desired the freedom of religion, and America remains "unusually religious for an affluent, industrialized Western nation." (NYT, 5/17/2014) Yet, even in America, we feel the pressures of persecution. In addition, world-wide religious persecution against followers of Christ is at some of the highest levels ever. In this message, Pastor John explores what God's response to persecution teaches us about what our response should be.

Examples of Faith - pt. ii
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 | Sat, May 17, 2014 | Pastor John Stillman

American society gives a lot of influence to those with celebrity and status, but is that the kind of influence we need in the church? In this message, Pastor John preaches on the nature of and call to Biblical church leadership.

Called to Faith
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 | Sun, May 04, 2014 | Pastor John Stillman

From the first page of the Bible, God says to us, "Enjoy my grace! Extend my glory!" In this message, Pastor John explores how Biblical faith calls us to these two actions. More importantly, the Bible teaches us that God chose us in eternity past for this purpose. "Enjoy His grace! Extend His glory!"

Dying in the Faith
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 | Sun, Jul 27, 2014 | Pastor John Stillman

Death is tragic. Losing someone close to us through death is an all too common experience and it is frustrating to us, because we were meant to live. In this message, Pastor John shares how the resurrection of Jesus gives us hope for life in the face of death.

How to Grow Your Faith: Work Matters
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 | Sat, Jul 19, 2014 | Pastor John Stillman

We were made for work, but the presence of sin and sinners in the world has corrupted the good thing that is work. In this message, Pastor John shares some encouraging words for the sinful Workaholic, the Lazy boy, and the Disillusioned to help us turn ordinary work into something extraordinary.

How to Grow Your Faith: Strengthened by Community
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 | Sun, Jul 06, 2014 | Pastor John Stillman

You were made to know Jesus and then to grow to become like Jesus. Sadly, many Christians do not give evidence of their new life in Christ. In this message, Pastor John review five key areas of spiritual growth for every believer, and then focuses in on growth as a community project.