Mission Church: Teaching Podcast

Being ready is one thing, but knowing what you're ready for is probably an important thing to figure out; right? Well, in this final part of Ready, Pastor Tommy Bowman helps us align our "readiness" with a purpose that changes everything.

Who's ready to repent!? Uh... that may not have been the best way to start this description, but we think it's time to define "repentance" in a way that doesn't freak us out. It's really all about "change" and choosing a new direction or seeing a new perspective. See, it's not scary, we just need to be open to change, and not for change-sake but for the betterment of our lives.

In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus says "Alright, huddle up. I gotta get you ready to play offense and prayer is how we play offense. But not just any offense, no... I want to teach you the triangle offense of prayer." Ok, ok, we know that's not a literal translation. Yet, when you pair Jesus' words in Matthew, and the command to pray given in 2 Chronicles chapter 7, it's clear that prayer is the game-changer we've all been looking for.

In 2 Chronicles 7, we're about to find out that "what" God said to King Solomon is, of course, important, but it's also the "when" God said it that rings-a-bell with us today. Just after the Grand Opening of the first temple in the Old Testament, God's question wasn’t, “Is the place ready?”–His question was “Are the people ready?" So, how do we get ready? Well, in God's words, "ready" begins with humility.

There is an Old Testament story that parallels so much of our story here at Mission: it’s the story of Jericho. This is a story of a group of people walking together in one direction, seeing before their very eyes something that only God could do. How did the walls of Jericho fall? The same way the "walls" in our own lives can be overcome; by looking in the right direction.

So, what does a great awakening need? Watch and discover the 5 critical components shared by Guest Teacher and Lead Pastor of Cherry Hills Community Church in Colorado, Shane Farmer. Needless to say, we couldn't agree more with all 5!

Joseph resisted a lot of things as he rose to power. He resists making it about him and made sure that everyone knew (Including the most powerful man on the planet, Pharaoh!) it was God's power on display. Then Joseph gets to prove his words true with a redeeming action that can only be explained as, "Only God." Just another day in the life of a dreamer; right?

God is the dream-giver but you also have an enemy named Satan who wants nothing more than to unravel God’s dream for your life. Satan is the great dream assassin and he begins to come after Joseph in two specific ways that pirate and steal more dreams than we can think of: Sin and Silence. There is good news though! God is with us in both.

God knew that living life without a dream would be an issue for us. He knew how easy it would be for us to confuse existing with living. So listen, let's clear something up: no matter what you did last year or last night... God has a dream for your life and he wants you to live it! It’s true for you, and it was true for Joseph.

It goes without saying that we hope you’re warm and toasty, holding a piping hot beverage, and still in your pajamas for Church Online! Every year at this time we tell our amazing volunteers to stay home and enjoy a weekend off with their loved ones. It’s a small way we can say ‘Thank you!’ for the countless hours spent making church happen for so many. So, hit play and get comfy, church awaits!

We've all probably looked at the Christmas story from a few different points of view; right? The shepherds, the wise men, and of course Mary and Joseph. However, what if this year we noticed someone that doesn't have a Christmas song made about them? Of course, he had always been there, but for some reason, we consistently overlooked him. Him being there in the story points not just to the wonder of Christmas... but to the waiting of Christmas. His name is Simeon.

What does Jesus, as our Everlasting Father, give us and show us? Because the best Fathers do two things; right? They give good gifts to their children and, by example, show their kids how to live. Even if your earthly father didn't get this right, your heavenly Father excels at both giving and showing us love in equal, and everlasting measure.

The key question in part 2 of our series 'He Will Be Called' is this: Why does the might of our Mighty God matter? What difference does it make... What impact does the might of God really have on your life and mine? To answer this question, we’re going to turn from the book of Isaiah to the book of Mark. Mark records so many stories of our Mighty God… Jesus Christ. However, one of those stories in particular really zeroes in on why the might of our Mighty God matters more than you may realize.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6-7 Isaiah is the 1st of the Major Prophets and is one of the most important books in your Old Testament. And here's the kicker; this prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ was written by Isaiah some 700 years before that 1st Christmas. It was a time of gloom, despair, and exile. And to a people in that place, due to their hard-heartedness and rebellion against God, God in his kindness writes to them a message of hope. Specifically of who was to come that 1st Christmas morning.

As we arrive at the end of our journey through the book of Acts there are three key observations that encourage each one of us to ask a few very important questions: "Who am I going to Rome with? "Will my impact be limited?" And, "Is there an Acts 29?"

Here's a question you've probably never asked yourself... Have you received the baptism of John or Jesus? Told you. Now, why are we asking this? Because it's asked in Acts Ch. 19. Maybe even as important is the question, "How do you know which baptism you've received?" Well, let's get some answers; shall we?