Your Power Source
01/15/12
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Acts 8:14-17
Jesus came to show us a new way of life. His purpose was to give himself up so that you and I might be forgiven of sin and receive the gift of a new life. But how are people supposed to live this new life that Jesus gives?
The disciples were not sure what they would do when Jesus went back to the Father. But our Lord promised to send the Holy Spirit. Every person who puts trust in Jesus Christ as Lord is filled with God's Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin and draws people to Christ. In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul describes how the Holy Spirit shapes Christians. As the Spirit produces good fruit a believer becomes a living testimony of the transforming power of Christ.
Finally the Holy Spirit equips Christians to serve the Lord and others by placing spiritual gifts in each Christian. Every believer has been gifted by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of serving and building others up in the local church.
Podcast
Jesus came to show us a new way of life. His purpose was to give himself up so that you and I might be forgiven of sin and receive the gift of a new life. But how are people supposed to live this new life that Jesus gives?
The disciples were not sure what they would do when Jesus went back to the Father. But our Lord promised to send the Holy Spirit. Every person who puts trust in Jesus Christ as Lord is filled with God's Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin and draws people to Christ. In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul describes how the Holy Spirit shapes Christians. As the Spirit produces good fruit a believer becomes a living testimony of the transforming power of Christ.
Finally the Holy Spirit equips Christians to serve the Lord and others by placing spiritual gifts in each Christian. Every believer has been gifted by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of serving and building others up in the local church.
Podcast
Getting To Know Jesus
01/08/12
Dr. Phil Wilkes, John 1:1-18
Who would you like to meet and spend some time with? It can be anyone alive today. Who would you tell? So how does it make you feel to know that God, who created you, wants to spend time with you? God came looking for you. Jesus invites you to get to know Him and experience the true life that is only possible through Him.
Every day you are given 24 hours. You make decisions about how you will use your skills, your gifts and resources. What you do is influenced by your values and priorities. As you reflect on Jesus you will be reminded of all the Lord can do in you and through you. John says Jesus is the true light and therefore can give you direction in life. Jesus is the living word of God. All he has to do is speak his word into your life and it will happen. He knows best how to work in your life. Jesus is the embodiment of God's love. You can trust him to always work in your life for good. Jesus is the source of grace and truth. You don't have to try harder to earn God's forgiveness. You welcome Jesus into your life as Savior and He forgives you and gives you a new heart. Jesus is truth. He does not change God will not trick you or deceive you.
You have to decide if you are willing to trade what you have been doing for yourself in order to flesh out the life Jesus wants for you. His love for you means He will not force you to serve Him. That's your decision. As you read John 1 consider who Jesus is and what He can do in you and through you. What do you need to do to give yourself fully to Christ?
Podcast
Who would you like to meet and spend some time with? It can be anyone alive today. Who would you tell? So how does it make you feel to know that God, who created you, wants to spend time with you? God came looking for you. Jesus invites you to get to know Him and experience the true life that is only possible through Him.
Every day you are given 24 hours. You make decisions about how you will use your skills, your gifts and resources. What you do is influenced by your values and priorities. As you reflect on Jesus you will be reminded of all the Lord can do in you and through you. John says Jesus is the true light and therefore can give you direction in life. Jesus is the living word of God. All he has to do is speak his word into your life and it will happen. He knows best how to work in your life. Jesus is the embodiment of God's love. You can trust him to always work in your life for good. Jesus is the source of grace and truth. You don't have to try harder to earn God's forgiveness. You welcome Jesus into your life as Savior and He forgives you and gives you a new heart. Jesus is truth. He does not change God will not trick you or deceive you.
You have to decide if you are willing to trade what you have been doing for yourself in order to flesh out the life Jesus wants for you. His love for you means He will not force you to serve Him. That's your decision. As you read John 1 consider who Jesus is and what He can do in you and through you. What do you need to do to give yourself fully to Christ?
Podcast
What Now?
01/01/12
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Matthew 2:1-2, 13-15
Christmas is over. The gifts have been opened and some of them returned to the store for what you really wanted. Just kidding. What comes next? No doubt you sang some Christmas carols during December, perhaps attended a special Christmas service or choir musical and paused to reflect on the serene, peaceful nativity scene. But what now?
Joseph and Mary are now parents. Jesus is a tiny infant that must now be cared for each day. After all the head spinning events of angels visiting them both, shepherds and magi showing up they now get down to real life.
Real life for them means fleeing to Egypt because a death threat has been issued for Jesus by Herod. Real life meant settling in Nazareth and raising Jesus.
What about you? Now that you have celebrated Jesus birth what do you do with Jesus? His parents had to make an effort to raise him. They would experience times when it wasn't easy, comfortable or convenient to be Jesus parents. The same is true for anyone today who seeks to follow Christ.
Yet God calls us to this amazing journey with Him. While it isn't always easy we do know deep in our hearts that God only leads you in the way that is best for you. It isn't always comfortable to live for Christ, but Jesus never promised that to us. Sometimes you will be inconvenienced by following Jesus. Mary was pregnant outside marriage. Not convenient. Joseph was told to go through with the marriage. What would his friends think? Not convenient. Christians today in many nations are persecuted, arrested and even killed for following Jesus. You get the idea.
If you want easy and comfortable don't follow Jesus. If you want a life filled with purpose, joy and peace and power then Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. So the question for you is, “What Now?”
Podcast
Christmas is over. The gifts have been opened and some of them returned to the store for what you really wanted. Just kidding. What comes next? No doubt you sang some Christmas carols during December, perhaps attended a special Christmas service or choir musical and paused to reflect on the serene, peaceful nativity scene. But what now?
Joseph and Mary are now parents. Jesus is a tiny infant that must now be cared for each day. After all the head spinning events of angels visiting them both, shepherds and magi showing up they now get down to real life.
Real life for them means fleeing to Egypt because a death threat has been issued for Jesus by Herod. Real life meant settling in Nazareth and raising Jesus.
What about you? Now that you have celebrated Jesus birth what do you do with Jesus? His parents had to make an effort to raise him. They would experience times when it wasn't easy, comfortable or convenient to be Jesus parents. The same is true for anyone today who seeks to follow Christ.
Yet God calls us to this amazing journey with Him. While it isn't always easy we do know deep in our hearts that God only leads you in the way that is best for you. It isn't always comfortable to live for Christ, but Jesus never promised that to us. Sometimes you will be inconvenienced by following Jesus. Mary was pregnant outside marriage. Not convenient. Joseph was told to go through with the marriage. What would his friends think? Not convenient. Christians today in many nations are persecuted, arrested and even killed for following Jesus. You get the idea.
If you want easy and comfortable don't follow Jesus. If you want a life filled with purpose, joy and peace and power then Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. So the question for you is, “What Now?”
Podcast
Immanuel-God With Us: An Indescribable Gift
12/25/11
Dr. Phil Wilkes, 2 Cor. 9:15
What gift have you ever received that left you speechless or filled with incredible joy? Was it something you got for Christmas as a child? Maybe a birthday present or gift from a friend. Perhaps it is a gift given to you by a family member or your spouse.
When it comes to God giving us Jesus, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:15 “thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” What compelled Paul to write this description of Jesus? There are several reasons why Paul says that Jesus Christ is the Indescribable Gift.
He reminds us that God is with us. Jesus entered into our world to deliver each of us from sin's control. Jesus came and lived the perfect life as one of us. Therefore He could be the sacrifice that takes our place on the cross. Through Jesus you can experience God's grace instead of judgment. Through Jesus you are forgiven, adopted into God's family, filled with the Holy Spirit and given His peace to guard your heart and mind. Yes, Jesus really is the indescribable gift to every person.
Podcast
What gift have you ever received that left you speechless or filled with incredible joy? Was it something you got for Christmas as a child? Maybe a birthday present or gift from a friend. Perhaps it is a gift given to you by a family member or your spouse.
When it comes to God giving us Jesus, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:15 “thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” What compelled Paul to write this description of Jesus? There are several reasons why Paul says that Jesus Christ is the Indescribable Gift.
He reminds us that God is with us. Jesus entered into our world to deliver each of us from sin's control. Jesus came and lived the perfect life as one of us. Therefore He could be the sacrifice that takes our place on the cross. Through Jesus you can experience God's grace instead of judgment. Through Jesus you are forgiven, adopted into God's family, filled with the Holy Spirit and given His peace to guard your heart and mind. Yes, Jesus really is the indescribable gift to every person.
Podcast
Immanuel-God With Us: Responding to God (2)
12/18/11
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Luke 2:7-15
People can respond differently to the same news. It was that way back when Jesus was born.
Some had to trust God when doing so just didn't make sense. It wasn't easy for Mary to become pregnant while unmarried. Their travel to Bethlehem wasn't good news. Travel was hard, there was the expense and they ended up in a cattle stall. Yet through their obedience God did something amazing—Jesus was born. God was among us.
The Shepherds, Magi and Herod all made responses to the news of Jesus being born. The same is true today. As you listen to how they responded perhaps you will find encouragement to make the choice to say yes to all Jesus wants to do in you and through you.
Today the Gospel is good news but some do not respond positively to it. Others do and their lives are forever transformed by God's grace. How will you respond to God this year?
Podcast
People can respond differently to the same news. It was that way back when Jesus was born.
Some had to trust God when doing so just didn't make sense. It wasn't easy for Mary to become pregnant while unmarried. Their travel to Bethlehem wasn't good news. Travel was hard, there was the expense and they ended up in a cattle stall. Yet through their obedience God did something amazing—Jesus was born. God was among us.
The Shepherds, Magi and Herod all made responses to the news of Jesus being born. The same is true today. As you listen to how they responded perhaps you will find encouragement to make the choice to say yes to all Jesus wants to do in you and through you.
Today the Gospel is good news but some do not respond positively to it. Others do and their lives are forever transformed by God's grace. How will you respond to God this year?
Podcast