-
January 29 -
We Exist - Equipping the People of God -
Download
As Jesus gave His final thoughts to His disciples before ascending into heaven, He gave them the charge of making disciples. That call was as much for us as it was for them that day. What does it mean for us today to make disciples? How do we define discipleship? What can we do to foster an environment where people are growing deeper in their life with Christ?
-
January 22 -
We Exist - Establishing a People in God -
Download
Establishing a people in the gospel and their faith is a prominent theme in the New Testament. As we turn toward our mission statement and the 'what' of our vision, establishing people in their relationship with God takes a lead role. What is meant by this term and how do we see it taking shape in the ministry of Valley Free?
-
January 15 -
We Exist - Calling Out a People for God -
Download
Discovering our purpose as a church means that we need to understand the plan of God and what it is that He is seeking through history and for His eternal purposes. When the Lord returns, what will He find His people doing? As the time grows closer and closer, how can we most effectively bring glory to God?
-
January 8 -
We Exist - Bringing Glory -
Download
The flag (or colors) of a civil war military unit embodied the cause, the values, the community of the men who fought under it. Where it went they went. All of the commitment, valor and sacrifice of the unit were directed at the symbolism of the flag. As followers of Christ, what is the great purpose that motivates us, that calls us to consecrate ourselves to the cause and to sacrifice our all? Today, we begin a series to discover our purpose, mission and calling as a church.
-
January 1 -
It Found Me Out -
Download
We all deeply desire to know and be known. Yet the best efforts of the world leave us empty and lonely at the core of our being. This is because we can only truly be known in the depths of who we are, by God, our Creator. And we can only truly know the substance and meaning of life through God, the Revealer.
-
December 25 -
Astonishing Generosity - The Gift of Life -
Download
The incarnation of Jesus Christ reveals much to us about the generosity of God. Perhaps the greatest gift from God is that of life. The depth of this gift is felt in the physical realm, the manner in which we live our daily lives and in the eternal dimension.
-
December 18 -
Astonishing Generosity - The Gift of Light -
Download
When the Apostle John was looking for a way to introduce the Lord Jesus in his account of the gospel, he turned to the concept of light. He called Jesus the 'True Light', the 'Light of Men' and the 'Light that shines in the darkness'. The Light, embodied in the Lord Jesus Christ, is given by God to illuminate our lives and to reflect the glory of God. The gift of Jesus to us is also a gift of wisdom, of seeing God and walking in His Truth - of living in His light.
-
December 11 -
Astonishing Generosity - Our Generous King -
Download
The Bible doesn't tell us his name. But Matthew does tell us about his life. He was a young man who had it "all goin' on". In his estimation, his life was in order and he was following God's path. Yet something was missing. He came to Jesus to find out what that missing piece was. Today, this young man will have much to say to us about how our view of discipleship might collide with the generous offer of life with Christ.
-
November 20 -
Weakness to Witness -
Download
When our witness is weak, stale, or non-existent, what is the issue? As followers of Christ our witness should be accompanied by power and results. Yet it seems far too common that it's accompanied by fear, apathy or indifference. It sure seemed different for early believers in the book of Acts. What are we missing? Is there a reason for our stagnant witness?
-
November 13 -
Elijah - Walking in the Spirit of Elijah -
Download
James 5:17 says that Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. That is good news! It says that God was able to unleash extraordinary power in and through a man no different than us. So how do we apprehend this kind of life, this kind of power? What are the implications in our lives as we seek to walk in the 'spirit of Elijah'?
-
November 6 -
Elijah - The Calling -
Download
God called Elijah into His work and Elijah followed. In the power of God and the confidence of his calling, Elijah walked in the power and presence of God. God's calling on the life of Elijah was key to his restoration after suffering from discouragement. Today, we celebrate the commissioning of a missionary. This commissioning is a confirmation of the calling of God on her life. What is this calling? Is it just for missionaries? Could this calling also be part of God's work in my own life?
-
October 30 -
Elijah - The Gift of Friendship -
Download
We all know the power of friendship. A true friend is indeed a life-long treasure. In the life of Elijah, a faithful companion was part of God's plan of restoration for the discouraged prophet.
-
October 23 -
Elijah - What Are You Doing Here? Pt 2 -
Download
The opposition from Queen Jezebel was too great for the prophet, Elijah. His discouragement and depression removed him from the battlefield of faith, from God's plan for his life and led him to a lonely cave on Mt. Horeb. How does God respond when discouragement shuts down our ability to hear God's voice and to sense His direction? What does it take to hear His voice and sense His presence once again?
-
October 16 -
Elijah - What Are You Doing Here? Pt 1 -
Download
Discouragement, though an unwelcome visitor, infiltrates our lives all too often. When discouragement goes deeper it turns into depression. Elijah, a man like us, was not exempt from fits of depression. Today, his story serves as a window into this often unspoken side of life. How is it that we sink into these dark places? What is God's view of us when discouragement marks our life? How can we rise above the darkness?
-
October 2 -
Elijah - The Power of Worship -
Download
We discovered last week that the religion of the prophets of Baal was empty, provided no results at the end of the day. Any system or view that doesn't have Christ at the center is doomed, coming up short of answers. As Elijah stood firm in the face of such overwhelming opposition, his confidence in God and his approach to worship become a model to us.
-
September 25 -
Elijah - The Prophets Call -
Download
Facing down a small army of false prophets and calling down fire from heaven, now there is something you don't see every day! Elijah, a man like us, is known for his extraordinary faith in this situation. What kind of faith did he have that produced such confidence in God's response? What is God looking for that causes Him to respond in such a mighty way?
-
September 18 -
Elijah - When Godlessness Rules -
Download
Elijah serves as a model of what it means to stand firm and courageous in faith and trust in the Lord. This is no better illustrated than in the confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. But how did the king and the people get so far from God? How did they come to show such rejection of their Redeemer Yahweh? Today we look at the influence and power of godlessness on a people.
-
September 11 -
Elijah - In the Shadow of the Almighty -
Download
As Elijah moves from training in God's school to stepping out into ministry, we see a confidence and courage that marks his faith. We all long for that, to be grounded in God's wisdom, leading and power. Today's passage shows us not only Elijah, but another man of God named, Obadiah. From their enounter, we can see what it means to live in the "Shadow of the Almighty."
-
August 28 -
Elijah - When Obedience Disappoints -
Download
As we have followed the prophet Elijah, we have seen him move through the lessons of trusting God. The curriculum, given by God, is designed to move the prophet deeper into his trusting of God in all things. Only then will he be ready for the ministry God has ahead of him. Today, we peer into his greatest test so far when Elijah's obedience leads to disappointment. Will the prophet trust God in the depths of disappointment?
Home | Contact | Directions | E-Giving