Have you ever been somewhere where you didn't understand the language? It was likely a frustrating and confusing experience. As you'll hear in today's message from Pastor John, when the spiritual gift of tongues is used in corporate worship, it can make people feel left out and confused. Tongues are an awesome gift, but they should be used in your …

What comes to mind when you hear the word prophet? Maybe you picture an old man in a long robe or the person on the street corner with a sign yelling 'Repent!'. But as you'll hear in today's message from Pastor John, there are two different types of prophecy. Yes, there is future prediction prophecy, but the word also means to share the Word of God…

Love seeks the highest good of another person. Are you seeking the highest good for your spouse? Your children? Your friends? Today, in his message, Pastor John explains what it means to truly love someone. It's not an emotion; it's devotion. It's consistent, just like God's love for you is. You'll learn what love is and what it isn't. As you liste…

You've likely heard Chapter Thirteen of First Corinthians before. Known as the 'Love Chapter,' it details how Christians are to love others. “Love is patient, love is kind...” But today in his teaching, Pastor John asks you to insert YOUR name in the place of love. Are you patient? Are you kind? Are you envious? As you realize that you aren't all t…

Think of the many parts that make up your physical body. There's your hands, feet, eyes, and ears. Then, you have a brain, heart, liver, and lungs. The list goes on. It takes ALL of these unique parts working together in harmony for your body to function well. As you'll learn in today's message from Pastor John, the same is true of the body of Chri…

Have you wondered if you're filled with the Holy Spirit? If you have placed your faith in Jesus, then you have the Holy Spirit. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit resides in you. But today, in his teaching, Pastor John poses another question, “Does the Holy Spirit have YOU?”. Have you surrendered your thoughts, actions, heart, and life…

Are you connected to the body of Christ? In today's message, Pastor John encourages you to be involved in your local church. You'll learn about the many different gifts of the Spirit and how they are meant to be used to edify and build up the body of Christ. All of the gifts come from the Lord and are to be used for the good of the Church and to gl…

Did you know that the Holy Spirit is a person? He is also one with God. Today, in his teaching, Pastor John helps you understand this third member of the Trinity better. You'll learn that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers. He imparts grace upon you for service and ministry and enables you to use those gifts for building up the Chur…

What's commonplace in our culture may be offensive to another. As you'll hear in today's message from Pastor John, if you're a follower of Christ, you're called not to be offensive or dishonoring to others. Being insensitive doesn't help spread the Gospel message. You'll learn about the problem that the Corinthian Church had with conducting themsel…

Context matters. Life in the twenty-first century United States looks much different than life in the Middle East two thousand years ago. Today, Pastor John emphasizes the importance of context when studying Scripture. You'll hear how the Apostle Paul addressed the Corinthian Church regarding women having their hair uncovered in public. It's import…

Some people struggle with understanding how and why God is a jealous God. Today, Pastor John uses the illustration of marriage to unpack this idea. If your spouse were flirting with or involved with another person, you'd be upset. It would hurt you because you love them, and they have pledged their loyalty and commitment to you. Similarly, Christia…

Have you ever driven up a mountain with drastic drop-offs? It's terrifying to imagine going off the cliff. Well, today in his teaching, Pastor John illustrates just how vital it is to stay away from the edge of sin. Don't try to see how close to the boundary you can get before falling off. It's not worth the danger that it puts your soul in. The Ap…

Have you let unbelief and fear hold you back from experiencing all God has for you? Today, in Pastor John's message, you'll hear about the mistakes the first generation of Israel made that led to them not entering the Promised Land. Joshua and Caleb were the only two who trusted in the Lord and had faith. Therefore, out of the two million Israelite…

How's your race going? You'll be encouraged in today's teaching from Pastor John to make it to the finish line. It's not so much about how you run the race; it's about how you finish it. You'll hear about Israel and how they started off well. God abundantly blessed them by freeing them from Egypt and guiding them through the wilderness. Yet somewhe…

What are you struggling to give up for the sake of the Gospel? Today, Pastor John shares in his teaching about the importance of being flexible. The Apostle Paul was willing to adjust things about himself for the sake of whoever he was trying to reach for Christ. It's never okay to sin to get the Gospel out, but it is okay and even necessary at tim…

Is there an area of indulgence you need to give up for the sake of the Gospel? In today's message, Pastor John urges you not to let your lifestyle get in the way of you sharing Jesus with others. If there's something you're doing that's causing someone else to stumble and sin, it's time to cut that out of your life. Just because you have the libert…

In today's message, Pastor John teaches that love sets limits on Christian liberty. This means that although there are activities you're free in Christ to do, if something you're doing is causing someone else to sin, then it IS sinful to do. Think about your life. Are you being a stumbling block to someone? This could look like spending time in cer…

The Bible doesn't give black-and-white instructions for handling every situation you'll encounter in life. There are a lot of gray areas that require you to use discernment and follow the Holy Spirit's leading. Today Pastor John warns of two extremes to avoid-- legalism and license. Instead, find balance in liberty controlled by love. This is what …

Whether single or married, all believers are called to live lives devoted to service to God. You'll be encouraged in Pastor John's message today to give Jesus the priority in your life. Don't let your marital status be an excuse not to serve the Lord with your time, talents, and treasure. Marriage is a wonderful gift from the Lord, but it's importa…

What's distracting you from serving the Lord? Today, in his teaching, Pastor John speaks on the topic of singleness. Oftentimes, those who are single are better able to devote themselves to service than those who are married and have children. There's nothing wrong with getting married, but you shouldn't neglect the things that are most important. …

The topic of divorce is oftentimes very painful. God designed marriage to be a commitment made for life. Believers should fight to remain married, but what about those who have unsaved spouses? Pastor John dives into this question in today's teaching. You'll learn that if your unsaved spouse wants a divorce, the Lord permits you to let them go.The …

If you're a follower of Jesus, don't marry someone who doesn't share your faith. You may think you'll convert them. but there's no guarantee of that. In today's teaching from Pastor John, he urges you not to make a foolish mistake. When you love Jesus, you put Him first. He's number one in your life. It affects how you live, how you spend your time…

God designed marriage to be a lifelong commitment between man and woman. It's not something you can simply end at any time because it no longer suits you. In his message today, Pastor John urges you not to divorce your spouse. Take the covenant you made before the Lord seriously. The Corinthian Church mistakenly believed that sexual intimacy was si…

Sexual immorality is rampant in our culture today, and many people have an 'anything goes' attitude about it. You'll hear in today's teaching from Pastor John that God has a design and standard for marriage. Marriage is to be a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. Sexual intimacy is meant to take place within marriage. Culture may chang…

Are you battling with sexual temptation? You are NOT alone. This is an issue that many Christians struggle with. Today, in his message, Pastor John encourages you to take practical action against the temptations. This may look like cutting off friendships, changing the places you spend time at, getting a new job, or getting rid of your computer. Se…

You have many important, God-given desires and drives. Hunger causes you to eat; thirst causes you to drink. This is all good. But, as you'll hear in Pastor John's teaching today, these desires have limitations. When you overindulge in these things, you can find yourself dealing with sins like gluttony, drunkenness, slothfulness, and sexual immoral…

That's a hard word to hear. Today in his message, Pastor John shares the sobering truth about sin found in Paul's letter to the Corinthians. The truth is that a born-again believer will not be habitually or intentionally living a life defined by sin. You'll never be sinless, but if you've truly been saved, you won't engage in ongoing sinful lifesty…

People today are quick to sue over anything. Pastor John shares in today's teaching that the Corinthian Church was much the same way. Believers were suing one another over money and property disputes. This is NOT how God's people are supposed to operate. Christians are blessed with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God and should be able to handle di…

As a follower of Jesus, you're not meant to walk alone. In today's teaching, Pastor John encourages you to get plugged into fellowship with other believers. You need the accountability, support, and prayer that comes when you do life with others. Living a life of purity is challenging, but you'll find that it gets easier when you invite people into…

We're living in a world that calls good evil and evil good. Today, you'll hear Pastor John teach in his message that as a believer, you are to follow God's Word. This means living a life of purity and holiness. Unfortunately, sexual immorality isn't only rampant in the world today but also within the Church. In His Word, God sets clear boundaries f…

Would you describe your life as pure? Today in his teaching, Pastor John encourages you to live a life of purity before God. You don't live a holy life to earn salvation, but you do so to glorify God. Jesus died for your sin-- not so that you could go on and continue in your sinful behavior but so that you can find freedom and forgiveness. You're n…

Did you know that you've been entrusted with dispensing God's Word? Today, in his message, Pastor John urges you to be a faithful steward of the Word of God. Sharing the Gospel isn't just the responsibility of your pastor. It is the duty of every follower of Christ. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Think of the people in your li…

Are you faithful? You'll be challenged in today's teaching from Pastor John to live a life marked by faithfulness. Consider whether you are being faithful to all that the Lord is calling you to-- to God, your family, your ministry. Is faithfulness being woven throughout the fabric of your life? If the answer is no, identify your areas of weakness a…

Man's wisdom is not the same as God's. We can find ourselves in trouble when we neglect the important elements of ministry in favor of the carnal ones. You'll hear Pastor John teach in today's message about the importance of using your gifts to build up the Church, God's way. God's way isn't interested in flashy gimmicks and programs. It is by enga…

Do you have a fruitful heart? Pastor John describes this in today's message as being a place where the Word of God grows. Are you letting the Word of God take root and flourish in your heart or is it only finding shallow ground? Pray and ask the Lord to give you a fruitful heart. Pray that His Word would not return void but that it would find ferti…

Ouch! Did you feel called out? You'll learn in today's teaching from Pastor John what it means to be a 'carnal Christian.' This is someone who is saved but living like an unbeliever. Is that you today? Don't settle for a saved soul but a wasted life. Take ownership of your faith. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you go deeper in your walk with Jesus. Sp…

Unbelievers can't make sense of the hope and joy that Christians have in the midst of painful situations and trials. When you sing at a grave site, you are bearing witness to the Gospel. Today, in his message, Pastor John shares about the three ways people respond to God's wisdom. There are unbelievers, believers, and believers who live like unbeli…

What situation are you facing that you need God's wisdom to understand? Have you looked to God's Word and asked the Holy Spirit for help? You perhaps have asked the Holy Spirit to empower you, but did you know you can also ask Him to fill you with Godly wisdom? Today, in his message, Pastor John encourages you to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to fil…

Who are some of your favorite Christian pastors and leaders? In today's teaching, Pastor John asks you to consider if it is the Biblical truth and content that attracts you to them or if it is their personality, gifted story-telling, and humor. Paul implored the Corinthian church not to overly focus on these traits but rather to make sure your numb…

When the world sees you putting your faith in a peasant who lived two thousand years ago and died a criminal's death, they call it crazy. To the human mind, it makes no sense. But as you'll hear in today's teaching from Pastor John, true wisdom is found in the Lord. Not by one's intellect or ability. Salvation comes when you put your faith in Jesus…

If you've put your trust in Jesus and been born again, then you have more wisdom than the greatest minds of this world. Today, you'll hear Pastor John share in his message that the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God. Don't be intimidated by worldly wisdom and philosophies. To know God is to have wisdom. You have all the understanding you nee…

A carnal Christian follows the desires of the flesh rather than the Spirit. Pastor John warns in today's message against being carnal. Carnality causes strife and quarreling, which eventually leads to division. A divided church is a weak church. The Apostle Paul urged the Corinthian church to be united and focused on Jesus. They were getting caught…

There is no one more unifying than Jesus. The body of Christ is made up of people from every background. People of every race, age, socio-economic group, and country come together as one. You'll hear in today's teaching from Pastor John that this is God's design for the Church, but sometimes we can focus too much on our differences, and that leads …

Think back to the day you accepted Jesus into your heart. Likely, you were overwhelmed with gratitude and awe for the God who saved you. In today's message, Pastor John shares about his first weeks of walking with the Lord. What a wonder it is that Jesus takes broken people and gives them new life! Is that your story, too? Have you experienced the …

Jesus told His disciples that they were to be in the world but not of the world. This is true for all believers. In today's teaching, Pastor John begins unpacking Paul's letter to the Corinthian church. Corinth was a city that could be compared to Las Vegas. It was known as a hub for sin and debauchery. That lifestyle of sin had infiltrated the Chu…

Ruth and Naomi were destitute. They were without hope and devastated by the circumstances in their lives. Yet, because they had a rescuer, their lives were redeemed. Today, Pastor John will teach how Jesus fulfills all the roles of the redeemer in your life and for all who believe. He, though God, became a man to be your kin, and through His perfec…

Ruth’s story was filled with tragedy, difficulty, and plenty of uncertainty. But, because Naomi planted the seeds of faith in God, Ruth chose to believe and walk in faith in Him. And because of that, her story had a happy ending. What began with death and sorrow, God turned into great blessing and joy. Today, Pastor John will remind you that you, t…

It’s easy to follow God when He makes life comfortable and when things make sense. It can be much more challenging when things are difficult. When God’s will for your life isn’t exactly what you want, you may stumble. Your will and desires are always present and feel the most important. But, today, Pastor John will encourage you to submit your will…

It’s all too easy to try to walk through life in your own strength, trying to control everything and forget to rely on God. This kind of life will wear you out and ultimately not benefit you. Instead, Pastor John teaches today, live under the providential care of God, rely on Him, and find rest in Him. He’s strong, when you’re weak. He’s wise when …

Many believers often wish for God to give very detailed plans and steps along the way in their life of faith. If He’d only tell you exactly what to do, when to do it, and what He’ll do for you, you’d have great confidence. However, as Pastor John teaches today, God doesn’t often give you the whole story. He asks you to trust Him each step of the wa…