Why do we keep sinning? We have come to Christ. We have trusted in Christ? Why do we keep finding ourselves ensnared by sin and living ineffective and unproductive lives? In this message, we learn what sin does to our life and how God instructs us to break free from its control.

Ephesians 4:17-24 -- How Do I Stop Sinning? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Ephesians 4:17-24 -- How Do I Stop Sinning? - Manuscript - PDF
Ephesians 4:17-24 -- How Do I Stop Sinning? - Sermon Handout - PDF
Ephesians 4:17-24 -- How Do I Stop Sinning? - Life Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Sin, Sanctification, Purity, Holiness

An alcoholic swears off the bottle. Three days later he grabs another case of beer at the corner gas station. A husband looses his temper with his wife again. He hates himself for it. Why does he keep losing his temper? Why can't he change? As Christians, we become frustrated when we want to obey Christ but we keep drifting away. Where does the power come from for lasting change? In the second half of John 14, Jesus introduces his disciples, and us, to the Holy Spirit and the crucial role he plays in changing our life.

John 14:15-31 - The Holy Spirit - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
John 14:15-31 - The Holy Spirit - Manuscript - PDF
John 14:15-31 - The Holy Spirit - Sermon Handout - PDF
John 14:15-31 - The Holy Spirit - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Holy Spirit, Obedience, Sin, Purity

In the Avengers movie, Loki uses his scepter to take over the heart of Hawk Eye, one of the film's heroes. While Hawk Eye's mind and body are under his control, his will is under the direction of a sinister force. The movie is a story about comic book super heroes but there is biblical truth behind it. Each of us has a will that is under the direction of a sinister force called sin. When faced with a well-timed temptation, the power of sin allure can overwhelm even the strongest hearts. Where can we find freedom from this slavery. Join us as Jesus tells us where we find "Freedom from Sin."

John on Jesus - Freedom from Sin - Audio - MP3
John on Jesus - Freedom from Sin - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
John on Jesus - Freedom from Sin - Manuscript - PDF
John on Jesus - Freedom from Sin - Sermon Handout - PDF
John on Jesus - Freedom from Sin - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Sin, Freedom from Sin, Sanctification

Where was Jesus in the Old Testament? Was he on vacation until 0 A.D.? In this message, we discover Jesus was surprisingly active. What we learn from following him in the Old Testament teach us how we follow him today.

John on Jesus - Light of the World - Audio - MP3
John on Jesus - Light of the World - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
John on Jesus - Light of the World - Manuscript - PDF
John on Jesus - Light of the World - Sermon Handout - PDF
John on Jesus - Light of the World - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Light, Sin, Jesus, Old Testament, Christ

In 2011, Rob Bell, the senior pastor of Mars Hill Church in Michigan, published a controversial book titled, "Love Wins: A book about heaven, hell and the fate of every person who ever lived." In it, Robs says, "What if the story of heaven and hell we have been taught is not, in fact, what the bible teaches…. how could it be good news if billions suffer in hell while only a select few go to heaven?" Rob proposes that hell is a type of reform school from which everyone will eventually graduate. Is this true? Join us as we let the Bible tell us about heaven, hell and the fate of every person who ever lived.

John on Jesus - What About Those Who Don't Believe in Jesus? - Audio - MP3
John on Jesus - What About Those Who Don't Believe in Jesus? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
John on Jesus - What About Those Who Don't Believe in Jesus? - Manuscript - PDF
John on Jesus - What About Those Who Don't Believe in Jesus? - Sermon Handout - PDF
John on Jesus - What About Those Who Don't Believe in Jesus? - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Hell, Annihilationism, Universalism, Sin, Evangelism, Rob Bell

We are told to invite Jesus into our hearts. The decision to invite Jesus into our hearts sounds like deciding on having cream or sugar in our coffee. It is far too self orientated. According to Psalm 2, Jesus doesn't ask for us to invite him in, he commands us to repent of our sin. We must flee to him as the only shield that can protect us from God's white hot wrath. We are commanded to immediately and unconditionally surrender to Christ's rulership in our life or face Christ's terrifying wrath when he returns.

Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 2 - Immediate and Unconditional Surrender - Audio - MP3
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 2 - Immediate and Unconditional Surrender - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 2 - Immediate and Unconditional Surrender - Manuscript - PDF
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 2 - Immediate and Unconditional Surrender - Sermon Handout - PDF
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 2 - Immediate and Unconditional Surrender - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 2 - Immediate and Unconditional Surrender - Enotes - DOC

Tags: Sin, Repentance, Return of Christ, Wrath of God

In this last message of the third section of James, we learn how pride taints our thinking. We plan our days and our lives with pride, rather than submitting ourselves to God's plans for us. As we refine our skills, we see ourselves as the secret to our success. When it comes to our choices, if nobody will notice, we are quick to cut the corners. Where do these attitudes come from? James tells us these are all subtle ways pride seeps into our think and, unless repented of, shuts of the flow of God's grace into our lives.
CT Studd Poster from sermon - "Only one life will soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last"
James - God of my iPhone - Audio - MP3
James - God of my iPhone - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - God of my iPhone - Manuscript - PDF
James - God of my iPhone - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - God of my iPhone - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Planning, Abilities, Skills, Beauty, Sin

What happens when we fail God, not just once, but again and again. Is there a time when God says enough is enough? Is there a limit to the grace God is willing to extend for the continual sin in our lives? In this message, we discover the depth of God's forgiveness. The one thing that is necessary to receive it and the one thing that can stop it from flowing into our lives.

James - He Gives More Grace - Audio - MP3
James - He Gives More Grace - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - He Gives More Grace - Manuscript - PDF
James - He Gives More Grace - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - He Gives More Grace - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Grace, Sin, Pride, humility

My favorite part of football is the slow motion replay. When you slow things down, you can see the athleticism of the players and disputable calls become clear. James takes the temptations we face, he slows them down to show us how they work, frame by frame, so we can develop a ready defense against them. Do you find yourself giving in to temptation all the time? Are their particular temptations you have lost control over in your life? Join Dr. Trucksess as we learn how to discover a strategy to beat the temptation we face in life.

James - Sin in Slow Motion - Audio - MP3
James - Sin in Slow Motion - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Sin in Slow Motion - Manuscript - PDF
James - Sin in Slow Motion - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Sin in Slow Motion - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Temptation, Sin, Accountability

Whose fault is it anyway? When things don't go the way we expect, we are quick to blame someone or something else for our problems. Unfortunately, when we blame others, we eliminate the possibility of a change. In this message, we learn how the Blame Game is played and how to get out of it. What will it take to end the Blame Game? What will it take to avoid falling to the temptations we face every day? Join Pastor Kurt as we discover answers to these questions.

James - The Blame Game - Audio - MP3
James - The Blame Game - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Blame Game - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Blame Game - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Blame Game - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Blame Shifting, Temptation, Sin

As a Christian, our sins are completely forgiven by Christ. The Bible tells us we will not pass into judgment or be condemned. Does this mean it doesn't matter how we live? Will our sins return to haunt us? An ignored topic of the Bible is the doctrine of Eternal Rewards. God promises to reward us for how we live and we can lose reward for the willful sins we commit. Believe it or not, there is a way to insure we can have greater joy in heaven.

Heaven - Eternal Rewards - My Earthly Choices Make An Eternal Difference - Audio - MP3
Heaven - Eternal Rewards - My Earthly Choices Make An Eternal Difference - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
Heaven - Eternal Rewards - My Earthly Choices Make An Eternal Difference - IPad and IPhone Video - M4V
Heaven - Eternal Rewards - My Earthly Choices Make An Eternal Difference - Manuscript - PDF
Heaven - Eternal Rewards - My Earthly Choices Make An Eternal Difference - Sermon Handout - PDF

Tags: Rewards, Choices, Sin, Kindness, Generosity