Posts by Michael Nelson (Page 3)
Desires of the Heart
Weekly Update – April 25th, 2024 In James chapter 4, our writer begins by asking the question, “what causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?” James is not asking because he doesn’t know the answer here though. He is asking because he knows the answer and he is trying to make a point with his readers. The reason for their fighting and quarreling is because their “passions are at war” inside of them. (Jas. 4:1). What makes this worse…
God and Money
Weekly Update – April 18th, 2024 Money is not an easy topic to bring up with anyone. Nobody wants to think about a debt they owe, just as no one likes to come face to face with how much or how little money they have. Yet in our world, we have accountants, financial planners, and the IRS that all tell us what we should do with our money. No matter what our thoughts are here, the question we should ask…
The Good Samaritan
Weekly Update – April 11th, 2024 In Luke 10:25-37, we find the popular account of what has traditionally been called, The Parable of the Good Samaritan. As the parable begins, there is a lawyer who comes up to Jesus and asks him what he needs to do to ensure that he has eternal life. Jesus masterfully turns the question around and asks lawyer what the Scriptures say. This lawyer replies in Luke 10:27, “You shall love the Lord your God…
True Heart Change
Weekly Update – April 4th, 2024 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” That verse from Genesis 1:1 is probably very familiar to you. In fact, behind John 3:16, that is likely one of the first verses you may have memorized from the Bible. But lets try to look a little bit deeper into what is going on when God created everything. How did God create? God created everything by speaking it into existence. Before God spoke…
Resurrection Living
Weekly Update – March 28th, 2024 This Sunday we approach our annual celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In reality, we should celebrate the resurrection every time we gather, as it is only by the resurrection that we have purpose given to our lives as believers. Nevertheless, we gather this Sunday to sing, pray, read and listen as we consider our risen savior. Despite our gathering though, does the resurrection have any more barring upon our lives? What I…
Gathering Under God’s Word
Weekly Update – March 21st, 2024 Everything we do when we gather as a church goes back to the word of God. We believe that “faith comes by hearing” (Rom. 10:17) this word and that the gospel message spoken by the word of God is the very power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16). The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12) and it is profitable for our reproof, correction and training in righteousness (2 Tim.…
Easter 2024
Weekly Update – March 14th, 2024 In just a few weeks, we as Christians celebrate the cornerstone of our faith. As the apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “if Christ has not been raised, then our faith is in vain.” What this means is that the resurrection does matter. We can’t simply resort to saying that Christianity is about doing good for others or living a morally pure life. If Christ has not been raised, then he is just…
Forgiveness
Weekly Update – March 7th, 2024 Last night during our Biblical Counseling Class, we had a long discussion on forgiveness. In light of that discussion, I wanted to repost an article from one our updates a few years ago on this topic. It is below: One of the hardest aspects of living in the community of the church is practicing forgiveness. Someone says a wrong word against us, goes behind our back or tells others something untrue and it hurts…
The Ministry of Preaching
Weekly Update – February 29th, 2024 This past Sunday, Dan Holsten had the privilege of preaching during our Sunday morning service. He preached from Ephesians 2:1-10 giving us the call to live like we were dead. Back in December, Jason Franklin preached on the priority of the Scriptures, in October Nathan Sharon preached from 2 Samuel 11, and last June, Clint Blankenship preached from Matthew 6. Likely, over the course of this year, you will have an opportunity to hear…
Biblical Sexuality Pt. 7
Weekly Update – February 22nd, 2024 Over the last year, we have been slowly walking through our newly adopted statement on Biblical Sexuality. There are nine points to this statement. This week we will look at point seven. Point one can before found HERE. Point two, HERE. Point three, HERE. Point four, HERE. Point five, HERE. Point six, HERE. Point seven is as follows: People who experience sexual attraction for the same sex may live a rich and fruitful life pleasing to God through…
Kansas City Shooting
Weekly Update – February 15th, 2024 Yesterday, tragedy occurred right here in our own backyard. What was supposed to be a celebration of the Chiefs back-to-back Super bowl win, ended with a mass shooting leaving 1 dead and 22 injured. The unimaginable became true once again as both children and adults were targets in a mass shooting. Three suspects have been taken into custody, as half of the victims, ages 6-15, were taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital for treatment. Many…
Trusting God
Weekly Update – February 8th, 2024 Every single person experiences adversity. Some walk through the threat of cancer, the heartache of losing a loved one or the emotional pain of dealing with a rebellious child. Others experience the frustration of dashed hopes and unfulfilled dreams. Then there is injustice, loneliness and grief as well. Added to this, world events also have the ability to bring anxiety and fear to our hearts. Some pain is quick and traumatic, other pain is…