Dirty Little Secret

Walking With Ghosts: Week 2

Duane Calvin – Raleigh Campus Pastor

Description:
Our current grief has no comparison to our future glory. While we may not always see Jesus in our grief, He is with us if we just look for Him. In week two, Duane Calvin shares about the ghost of grief.

Message Notes:

Jesus shows up in our grief.

The ghost of grief is one that shows up in just about every area of our lives. 

John 20:11-14 (NIV)

Looking for Jesus in our grieving means that even in the midst of our loss we look for Him to show us the way to hope. Followers of Christ never grieve alone. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (NIV)

Psalms 34:18 (NIV)

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

Matthew 28 (NIV)

As Christians we grieve differently because we know Christ, and it means that we never have to grieve alone. 

John 20:15-16 (NIV)

Jesus comforts us in our grief. 

Our current grief has no comparison to our future glory. 

John 20:17-18 (NIV)

Allow yourself to grieve and, in your grieving, look for Jesus. 

Remember that you should never grieve alone, and you don’t have to allow the ghost of grief to dictate your current condition. 

Ever feel like shame is haunting you? You're not alone. Hear from Matt Curtis in week 1 of "Walking with Ghosts" to learn how to respond, with God's help, to the "ghost" of shame. There is hope where you are, and we are here to help you in the journey!

Love God? Check. Love people...all people? Maybe not so easy. But that's what we're called to do. In this sermon Duane Calvin speaks on the power of loving God and loving people.

How can we desire the best for our worst enemies? And is it possible that no one is out of God's reach? In week three of the series, Ayren Nelson unpacks Acts 9—a story of how one of the early church's greatest enemies ultimately became one of the biggest contributors to the New Testament. 

Our mission? Sharing the timeless message of Jesus. In week one of the series, Director of Pastoral Development, Gary Vet, explores the history of the church through the Book of Acts.

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good! It’s catchy and it’s true, but do we really believe it? Duane Calvin takes us through the Book of Ecclesiastes to uncover the goodness of God and the source of real satisfaction. 

Glorious isn’t a word we use too often—it’s reserved for things that are special and powerful. In week three of the series, guest teacher Ben Foote explains how truly believing God is glorious has the power to conquer all fear.

This Is Our God: Week 2
Chase Gardner

Description:

It’s not that hard to believe that God could love us when we’re at our best, but how could He possibly love us when we’re at our worst? In week two of the series, Chase Gardner uses the story of the Samaritan woman at the well to show how Jesus goes out of His way to meet us in our shame.

Message Notes:

God is gracious and we don’t need to prove ourselves.

John 4:3 (ESV)

Jews and Samaritans saw each other as unworthy of dignity or respect.

Jesus intentionally goes to Samaria.

John 4:7a (ESV) - The Samaritan woman goes to the well at a time when she knows no one will be around.

John 4:7b (ESV) - Jesus speaking to this woman would have been seen as scandalous.

John 4:9 (ESV) – Jesus isn’t worried about what people are thinking; He just cares about this woman.

John 4:10-14 (ESV) – Jesus is talking about her spiritual thirst.

John 4:15-17 (ESV) – People often misinterpret that this woman is an adulterer.

What if the problem Jesus was trying to fix was actually shame?

Jesus is breaking every social rule to meet this woman at the epicenter of her shame.

At our worst, Jesus still wants to draw near.

John 4:19-26 (ESV)

Jesus is the answer to receiving the forgiveness, acceptance, transformation, redemption, and unfathomable grace that you have to experience to truly believe.

John 4:27-29 (ESV)

The woman leaves her shame and runs to the people who have harmed her because they have no power over her anymore.

Not only did God freely forgive her and love her, but He used the rest of her life in a powerful way.

This Is Our God: Week One

Chase Gardner - Teaching Pastor - Hope Community Church

Description:

If God is great, what does that mean for us? In week one, Chase Gardner shares just how "great" the God of the Bible is and why that changes everything.

Message Notes:

God is great.  

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” – A. W. Tozer

The things that you most want to change about your life are probably rooted in lies that you believe about God.

Romans 12:2a (ESV) Transformation comes through the mind.

Judges 6:1-6 (ESV) Israel begins to believe a lie about God that He is not great and in control.

Your prayer life will reveal how great you believe God is.

“I’m increasingly persuaded that there are only two ways of living: 1) trusting God and living in submission to his will and his rule, or 2) trying to be God. There’s little in between.” – Paul Tripp

God teaches Israel that they make lousy gods.

• Judges 6:1, 6a (ESV)

God first humbles them, but He’s still with them regardless of the circumstances.

• Judges 6:11 (ESV)
• Judges 6:12-13 (ESV)

God is who He says He is no matter the circumstances.

• Judges 6:14-16 (ESV)
• After God humbles us, He will usually weaken us.

The army was too big for God to show Israel that He was in control and had the power to save them.

• Judges 7:2-3 (ESV)
• Judges 7:4a (ESV)
• Judges 7:7-8 (ESV)

If dependence is the goal, then weakness is an advantage.

• 2 Corinthians 12:9b (ESV)

In the end, God shows Israel that He is great, and He is in control. 

• Judges 7:19-21 (ESV)—

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