Victory Fellowship Church Podcast

What is revival?

Revival a rediscovery of the purpose, presence and power of God when our faith has grown cold. Revival is a turning back to God after a period of being numb, lukewarm, or unenthusiastic in our faith. Revival is when you fall back in love with Jesus, all over again - like it was the first time.

When you read the book of Acts, you may recognize that what happens during "revival" - salvations, healings, deliverance, rededication - is actually just "normal" Christian, kingdom life.

Why do we need revival?

Both coffee and churches grow cold if you simply do nothing. The church has a history of God sending revivals, great awakenings, and moves of God that "warm us up."

What brings revival?

The personal revival of a few usually precedes the corporate revival of many. In other words, God often uses a handful of people as a spark to ignite a flame in others.

John 6:35"Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

You will eventually become full of what you hunger for. Get around some people hungry for Jesus and watch your appetite increase. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 

Your prayer life reveals what you think about God.

What is MEvival?

MEvival is revival without hunger and prayer. It's revival meetings that are all about me.

Do you feel the weight of your past mistakes? Does thinking about the future make you anxious? In this message, Pastor Eric Robertson explains how we can "redeem the time."

Ephesians 5:15-16 " See that you walk circumspectly [carefully], not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

- MEdeeming the time is fixating on the future.

We are addicted to the future. Because by our own design, we are never living in the moment we are living for. 

We connect our happiness to a moment that never comes. 

The gospel gives us hope for the future and hope for now. 

Matthew 6:31-34

""So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."" NLT

Why would God equip you to do something that is outside of His will?

When we worry about what the future holds, it robs us of our present peace. 

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- MEdeeming the time is being preoccupied with the past. 

Condemnation, shame, and guilt anchor is to our past.  

God wants to do a new things in you. His mercies are new every morning. 

The only thin anchoring you to your past is a lie that you believe. 

Philippians 3:13-14

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." NLT‬‬

- How can you live in the present and Redeem the Time?

      - Treat time like a gift, not a guarantee.

James 4:14

"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone." NLT 

Psalm 90:12

"Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." NLT

       - Time is a limited resource. 

What you do on this planet has eternal weight. 

The things that you do to serve God will never be forgotten. The things of this world leads to nothing that lasts eternally. 

        - Learn Patience over Productivity.

Psalm 37:7, Colossians 3:12, James 1:4

        - Cultivate Contentment over Control

Luke 12:25-26, Hebrews 13:5

A lot of the running we do is to get things that we don't need. 

Don't let what you could have keep you from enjoying what you do have. 

         - Rest, Don't Rush

Hebrews 4:9-10,11

God wants you to rest. He created Sabbath for you. 

What is MEvenge? MEvenge is ungodly revenge. It's hurting those who have hurt you. In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares how to handle the desire for revenge. 

Revenge is not the same thing as self-defense.

It is a good thing to stop someone from hurting you.

Luke 4:28-30 

Acts 9:24-25 

Revenge is not the same thing as justice.

Justice is stopping someone from hurting someone else.

Isaiah 1:17

MEvenge thrives on the idea that if someone hurt you, "don't get mad, get even." But think about it. Why would you want to be even with, and on the same level as, someone that hurts others? Jesus teaches us a better way than MEvenge. There is a Godly revenge when you let the Lord be your defender.

Romans 12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

How do we stop MEvenge?

1. Be careful to do the right thing. (Romans 12:17)

James 4:17

We do the right thing, not because it's popular, and not because it will benefit us, but we do the right thing because its the right thing the do.

2. Live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)

1 Corinthians 6:7

3. Leave room for God as your defender. (Romans 12:19)

God won't fight you for the position of defender in your life.

Hebrews 10:30-31

Treat people well, or else God may have to get on their side to defend them against you.

4. Do good to your enemy. (Romans 12:20)

To "heap burning coals" is a Hebraism meaning "to awaken one's conscience" with a burning shame. 

Matthew 5:43-48

MEvenge is NOT freedom from the pain, its furthering the pain.

5. Overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

We Christians overcome bad behavior, we don't use bad behavior for our own purposes. We fight fire with water, putting out the fire, and we overcome evil with good.

Hebrews 12:15

That person who hurt you is already in pain.  They don't need punishment, they need deliverance. If they get right with God, they won't hurt anyone any more.

Are you walking in MEvenge is the Lord your defense?

Repentance is not the same as MEpentance. In this message, Chance Holt explains the foundation of repentance on which we need to build our faith. 

Jesus came to establish the kingdom of God. 

Worldly culture vs kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:33 

True wealth comes from seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness. 

Culture says repentance is a sign of weakness. The ways of the kingdom of God are opposite to the ways of worldly culture. 

True wealth comes from seeking out the kingdom of God and His righteousness. 

Fear based repentance is repentance focused on ourselves. 

Repentance is not just emotional remorse and regret. Repentance is Godly sorrow that leads to salvation and leaves no regret. 

Mark 6:12-13

Repent and then people were healed. 

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

2 Cor 7:10

Hebrews 6:1. Repentance is the elementary side of being a Christian. 

Repentance is a prerequisite (foundation) to your relationship with the Lord. 

Repentance is a daily decision meant to be renewed day by day. 

God forgives you when true repentance begins, not when it's complete. 

To redeem something is to gain possession of it in exchange for payment. The Bible says that Jesus redeemed us – He has gained possession of us, and the payment was His blood.

Hebrews 9:12 “With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.”

MEdemption is when you try to pay your own way. The problem is, you don’t have the right kind of currency, and you don’t have enough currency to redeem yourself.

The transaction is complete and you have your receipt—God wrote it down in His word, and its just as the scriptures said. If you or anyone else doubts that the purchase has been made, look at the receipt.

Have you received the pardon God has granted, or are you still sitting in the prison of sin, guilt, shame, pride, and self-righteousness? 

Are you trying to pay for your own MEdemption?

Jesus taught the "Beatitudes," but what are some of the ME-attitudes that make us MEligious? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares about the worldly thinking that opposes Jesus' teaching on living in the Kingdom. 

Matthew chapters 5-7 contain Jesus' famous sermon often called "The Sermon on the Mount." The sermon starts in verses 3 through 10 with 8 statements that all begin with the phrase "blessed are ________."

Over time, these statements were called The Beatitudes from the Latin word for "blessed."

1. Beatitude: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The "poor in spirit" are those who recognize that their need for God. 

MEattitude: I am blessed when I don't need anyone else's help.

Galatians 5:25

God will be your crisis manager, but he would rather be your daily planner.

2. Beatitude: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

MEattitude: I am blessed when I never experience loss, grief, or mourning.

Acts 14:22 

John 16:33

The Kingdom of God is now and not yet—at the same time.

3. Beatitude: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Meekness is ability restrained by wisdom. 

MEatittiude: I'm blessed when I get to say and do what I want, because I am right.

James 3:13

2 Timothy 2:25

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

4. Beatitude: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Righteousness is the state of being in acceptable condition to God. 

MEattitude: I will feel fulfilled when I get everyone else's approval.

Galatians 1:10

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

MEattitude: People need to get it together and be more like me.

James 2:13

1 Corinthians 4:5

Judge actions, but don't judge people.  

6. Beatitude: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

MEattitude: How I live doesn't really matter.

Just because God loves us, doesn't mean He won't instruct us.

1 Cor. 9:27

Your purity will affect God's presence in your life.

 Your behavior doesn't earn you a relationship with Jesus, but a relationship with Jesus will affect your behavior. 

7: Beatitude: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Peace is not the absence of conflict or troubles, but the learned skill of remaining unaffected by them.

MEattitude: I am under no obligation to help the world around me.

Ephesians 2:10

1 Peter 4:10

The church has got to be more concerned with making a difference than making a point.

If you want to be recognized as a child of God, give what you've got.

8. Beatitude: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

MEattitiude: I am blessed when everyone agrees with my faith.

1 Peter 3:14 

If nobody ever disagrees with you, you're probably not standing for anything.

Are you living according to the MEattitudes?

MEligion is when your faith is all about you. In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares how to ensure that you are not worshipping MEsus. When we engage in MEligion, we are worshipping MEsus. MEligion is idolatry.

What is idolatry?

An idol is anything or anyone we allow to take the place of God in our lives.

Exodus 20:3 First commandment: You shall have no other gods before me or beside me.

God doesn't want to be one of many, He wants to be your one and only.

Worship is Attention, Affection, and Action.

"A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will come out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping, we are becoming."

― Ralph Waldo Emerson (19th Century American Philosopher)

How do we defeat idolatry?

Engage your blades! Cut down those things in your life that replace the Lord—especially yourself. Deuteronomy 12:1-3 

Three blades to engage so you don't worship Mesus:

1. Engage your focus.

Mark 12:29-31 Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." 

Current world population is just under 8.1 billion people. God loves you, and He is interested in you. If He were interested in only you, He would have created only you.

Philippians 2:4 NLT "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."

2. Engage your humility.

Humility is accurately determining who is really in charge. Understanding authority is key to humility. We can only do something good because He first did something good for us.

Philippians 2:3 NLT "Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

We are to act as if others are better, not think they actually are better. 

James 4:6b NLT "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Humility turns God from your adversary to your advocate.

3. Engage your service.

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

Service is God's pathway to our purpose. You won't be happy until you're helping.

We assume that in order to be happy we have to focus on ourselves, when all along God wired us for happiness through helping others.

Matt 25:37-40

Engage the blade of service and watch selfishness turn into selflessness. 

Are you worshipping MEsus?

What is MEligion? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally explains that 

MEligion is when your faith is all about you.

James 1:27 ESV

Christians are called to be Christ-centered not self-centered. God came to save you, but part of that is saving you from you. 

4 Symptoms of being MEligious:

1. Your spiritual disciplines only benefit you.

Spiritual disciplines are the intentional activities we do to grow in our faith. Right things

done the wrong way become wrong things.

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. NLT

The invitation to follow Christ is an invitation into community because other people have been invited, too.

2. You make a big deal out of other people's sin instead of your own.

1 Timothy 1:15 "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." NIV

An inflated view of yourself leads to a deflated view of your sin. 

Matthew 7:3-5 "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye." NLT

The Bible works best as mirror for seeing your own issues clearly, not a pair of binoculars to see others' issues clearly.

I often hear church people say things like "we need to take a stand against sin." I agree, but if we're going to be Biblical, we need to take a stand against your own sin, not the world's sin.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NLT

The church doesn't exist to judge the world, but to love the world so that they might pursue a relationship with God.

3. You get frustrated when God doesn't do what you want Him to.

Galatians 6:9 "Let's not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary." NASB

1 Peter 5:6-7 "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time"

When is God going to do that thing He promised? When He's good and ready.

Make sure your faith is tied to a relationship with God, not a result from God.

4. You struggle with confusion, instability, and disorder.

James 3:16 "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." NIV

When we're consumed with ourselves, we'll often make decisions that hurt others and hurts oursleves. When we're consumed with Jesus, we'll make decisions that help others and help

ourselves.

Are you being MEligious?

These politically charged words exist in our culture because the church has not taught biblical manhood and biblical womanhood, and that's my goal for today.

It depends on who you ask, but toxic masculinity is the collection of negative

stereotypical behaviors associated with men. What the world calls toxic, the Bible calls sin. Its not masculinity that's toxic, its sin that's toxic—whether the sin is done by a man or a woman.

"Feminism" means all sorts of different things depending on who you ask. Originally, it was the idea that women are equal to men; that they have the same value as men—which is a Biblical concept. But today, feminism is often understood as seeking, not equality, but equity among men and women. 

In addition to political division, and racial division, class warfare and economic division, we have division between the sexes. Our spiritual enemy is the devil—in Greek, diabolos literally means "the accuser." If the devil can get us to join him in his accusation of each another, we will be too distracted by our offense at one another to stand up to what he is doing. 

Three biblical truths about men and women:

1. Men and women bear the image of God and are unified in Christ.

Genesis 1:27 

Gal. 3:26-28 "... There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female..."

Our differences disappear when we are hidden in Jesus.

2. Individually, men and women are only partial reflections of humanity.

Genesis 2:18-24 

The tragedy of fatherlessness is an example of how both sexes are important and necessary to humanity.

According to Fatherhood.org, when a child is raised in a father-absent home they are:

4x more likely to live in poverty, more likely to have behavioral problems, more likely to commit crime, more likely to go to prison, 7x more likely to get pregnant as a teenager, more likely to face abuse and neglect, more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, 2x times more likely to suffer from obesity, and 2x more likely to drop out of school.

3. Men and women are different by design, and their unique roles are grounded in biology.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 

What do men do? Men take responsibility. Guys, it may not be your fault, but it's your responsibility. God has written into your biology the ability to be powerful so you can protect and provide.

1 Peter 3:7 

Physical strength does not equal spiritual strength.

Men are remarkable, resourceful, and required. Women are incredible, essential, valuable.

Don't let the enemy trick you into being offended with men or women. Men and women's value doesn't come from their similarity to each other, but in their differences from each other.

Remember, if you only love someone because they are similar you, you not loving them, you're loving yourself.

Will you choose to see men and women the way God does?

Should a Christian consume the same entertainment that everyone else does? How do we know what's appropriate and what's not? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares truths and advice to help us make wise entertainment choices. 

Two Biblical truths to consider:

1. Your intake will determine your outcome.

Proverbs 4:23

Who you are right now is the sum total of your physical, emotional and spiritual intake.

Don't like how you feel? Feed your heart different food. The key to changing what you're full of is to change what you feed on.

2. Christians live differently than the world.

Titus 2:12 "And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God"

Christians should affect culture, not reflect culture. We are called to walk differently, and if you're not different, you're probably not walking in your calling.

Music is supernatural.

2 Kings 3:15

1 Samuel 16:23

2 Chronicles 5:13-14

If Christian music can usher in the presence of the Holy Spirit, what spirits do you think non-christian music can usher in?

Stories affect you deeply.

Implicit learning happens through stories – that's why Jesus used parables. Every story has a moral.

Mark 7:20-23

What is your TV teaching you? It's called "programming" for a reason.

Sports & hobbies are fun...unless they rob you of your relationships and resources.

1 Corinthians 6:12

God didn't save you just so you could live a life of leisure. He's got a job for you to do!

Ensure that your entertainment doesn't become your enslavement:

1. Protect your time.

Ephesians 5:15-16 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise..."

Distraction is destructive to your destiny. You don't need more time; you just need more time management.

Life application #1: Don't binge watch shows or movies.

Life application #2: plan your times of entertainment – not just a start time, but an end time.

2. Protect your mind.

Romans 12:2 "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind"

Renewing your mind is a lifestyle of practicing repentance – changing your mind so that you can change your actions.

Life application #1: Turn off the TV when you're not actively watching something.

Life application #2: Use filtering programs like Vidangel, and look up movie reviews online. 

3. Protect your family.

Proverbs 22:6 

Some of you are binge watching Netflix when you need to binge watch your children.

Life application #1: Shield kids from inappropriate entertainment.

Life application #2: Teach your children why we don't expose our hearts to harmful things.

We protect what's important, and we hide our valuables. 

Entertainment can be fine. Too much entertainment—or the wrong kind of entertainment—can be fatal. God wants you to enjoy yourself, but He doesn't want you to injure yourself. Protect your heart and use wisdom.

Will you let the Holy Spirit guide your entertainment choices?

What is gossip? Gossip is sharing information about someone else's life which thoughtlessly or maliciously spreads rumors or reveals private facts. It's gossip whether it's true or not, and it's gossip whether it's intentional or not. In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares how to recognize and avoid the sin of gossip. 

How do I know if its gossip?

1. Is it positive and public information?

2. Would you say it to their face?

3. Would you want it said about you?

4. Did you ask the person you're telling not to share it?

You don't have to say everything you think, and you don't have to have an opinion on

everything people do.

The effects of gossiping are incredibly divisive and destructive.

1) Gossip hurts the victim. Proverbs 16:28

2) Gossip hurts the listener. Prov. 18:8 

Gossip affects your soul like cake, cookies and ice cream affect your body.

3) Gossip hurts the speaker. Prov. 13:3 

4) Gossip hurts the church. Prov. 12:18

The church exists to bring healing to the world around us, but we can't do that if we're always wounding people with our words.

5) Gossip hurts God. Ephesians 4:29-31

You can't love God and trash his children at the same time.

How to stop gossip:

1. Guard your ears. Proverbs 17:4 

Gossip stops when there is no one to listen. You promote what you permit. Walk away.

Two questions to ask a gossiper:

1) Why are you telling me this? 

2) Have you talked to them about it? 

2. Guard your mouth.

Matthew 12:36 

Your words are meant to be "working". When you are confronted with a problem, whether in your own life or someone else's, you are expected by God to use your words to work positively in the situation.

3. Guard your heart.

Psalm 7:14

Identify the root in your heart that makes you want to gossip:

Pride – knowledge makes you feel important

Offense & Anger – you want to hurt someone because you are hurt

Control – you use rumors to manipulate a situation

Gossip vs The Gospel

Gossip is bad news; the gospel is good news

Gossip lies; the gospel loves

Gossip hurts people; the gospel heals people

Gossip says "look at what they did;" the gospel says "look at what God has done."

Gossip repeats rumors; the gospel reveals truth.

Gossip tears down; the gospel builds up

Gossip focuses on someone's past; the gospel focuses on someone's future

Gossip says "listen to what they said," the gospel says "listen to what God says about them."

Gossip condemns; the gospel redeems

Gossip says "this is who I think they are;" the gospel says "this is who God says they are."

Gossip says their sin is forever; the gospel says their sin is forgiven

Gossip says "what happened isn't over;" the gospel says "it is finished."

Are you willing to allow the Lord to convict you of the sin of gossip?

Women in ministry is not an easy topic. Thousands of books have been written on the subject. In this message, Lead Pastor Jamie Nunnally gives a Biblical defense of why our church ordains women and allows them to preach.

Three things you should know:

1.  Men and women equally bear the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and are equal heirs of salvation in Christ (Galatians 3:28).

2.  In Ancient Greek, the word for man and husband are the same, and woman and wife are the same. 

3.  The Bible is written from a patriarchal perspective, because it was written in a patriarchal culture. 

Old Testament

Miriam – prophet (Exodus 15:20) 

Deborah – church government/administration (Judges 4-5) 

Huldah – teacher/prophet (2 Kings 22:11-20) 

These were exceptions – almost all leadership was male. No female priests—the highest ranking spiritual position in Israel.

New Testament

Anna – prophet (Luke 2:36)

Phoebe – deacon and "ruler." (Romans 16:1-2)

Junia – apostle (Romans 16:7)

Priscilla – teacher (Acts 18:24-26)

Nympha – house church leader (Colossians 4:15) 

Women will prophesy (Acts 2:17-18)

Women were the first to tell of the resurrected Jesus (John 20:11-18)

Women traveled with, learned from and supported Jesus (Luke 8:1-3)

Passages used to restrict women in ministry:

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 

1) No one believes this or else women couldn't sing or greet someone. 

2) Women are given permission to pray and prophecy while wearing head covering in 1 Corinthians 11:5 – how can they also keep silent?

3) The point of this whole chapter is to institute order in the church service (v 40). Paul was not creating doctrine regarding women preaching, but was solving a problem regarding women talking during the meeting. 

1 Timothy 2:11-15 

1) Learn submissively – Context: Paul is coaching Timothy, a new pastor in Ephesus that was known for Artemis worship and female domination.

2) Gynē can be translated woman or wife.

3) "Usurp authority" means to dominate, master another or even kill.

4) Saved through childbearing. Women don't need Artemis to save them during childbearing,   

Can a woman be a pastor?

A pastor is a shepherd is one who guards and guides the flock. What about an overseer, bishop, elder - a leadership position of authority and oversight in the church?

Qualifications for church leadership:

1 Timothy 3:1-7 

1) There are no male nouns or pronouns here except "husband of one wife" which is literally "a one woman man."

2) What sort of person should be in leadership - their character and spiritual legacy.

It's "all hands on deck" in the kingdom of God! 

I'm a pragmatist. I'm in favor of what works and I see female pastors leading people to Christ, making disciples, producing fruit and advancing the kingdom. Limiting women in ministry doesn't make sense – it removes 50% of the workforce. Since women are called to make disciples then they must teach, preach, pray, prophesy and lead, etc. – not just other women and children.

Stories are powerful. Your past can help someone's future. In this message, Paul Bobo shares his story of childhood abuse that led to alcohol abuse and uncontrollable rage. Addiction to pornography followed. The lies of Satan filled his thinking. The Lord intervened and set Paul free.  

Paul shared statistics of the negative impact pornography has on individuals, families, society, and children. 

God invites us to come to Him for freedom from every bondage. 

What is your story?  How is God working in your life?

Will you respond to the Lord's invitation to walk with Him?

Stories are powerful. Your past can help someone's future. In this message, Virgil Thomas shares his story of childhood trauma, transformation through Jesus, and the call to evangelism. 

Virgil grew up in the south side of Chicago. He experienced a childhood of trauma in a dysfunctional family.  He only heard mention of Jesus 3 times in his childhood. But, as a teenager, he encountered people who shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with him. 

The Lord provided a beautiful environment for his spiritual childhood; he was discipled and trained. 

Virgil and his wife, Veronica, worked as ministers, including starting churches in Kenya.

God used Virgil to impact the lives of many through his willingness to follow God's direction. 

You may think, "I can't do anything for God." You may have lots of excuses. 

There are no valid excuses. You can do it. 

Nehemiah was just a bartender. What made him think he could do something great for God? He was burdened and he realized that he had to do something about it. 

God is putting His finger on you to do the thing He has put on your heart. 

What is your story?  How is God working in your life?

Will you respond to the Lord's invitation to walk with Him?

In this message, Pastor Jamie lays out what he learned on his sabbatical.

Stories are powerful. Your past can help someone's future. In this message,  Allison Stoyer shares her story of the temptations of the world,  God's redemption, His mercy and love.

Allison grew up in church and embraced religion. Later, she lived years that left her with guilt, shame, and regret. 

After an encounter with Jesus, she chose to follow Him. She began to surrender her life to her loving Lord. 

The Lord restored her. And he can restore you. 

What is your story?  How is God working in your life?

Will you respond to the Lord's invitation to walk with Him?

Stories are powerful. Your past can help someone's future. In this message,  Brian Hill shares his story of experiencing God, of hearing from God, and of growing closer to Him.

There is a difference between singing songs to God and worship. 

Brian shares how the teachings and courses at VFC led Him to a deeper relationship with Jesus. 

1) Have a personal relationship with God. 

2) Get good teaching that is based on scripture. 

3) Prayer and reading the Bible go together. 

4) Practice Fellowship 

Christianity is a team sport. 

If anyone says he loves God and hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar. How can you love God who you haven't seen and not love your fellow believer whom you have seen.

Brian shares about the loss of family members and how the church family, the body of Christ, ministered to him and his wife, Gloria. 

Giving matters. Give of your time and your service. 

What is your story?  How is God working in your life? Do you recognize God's faithfulness in your life? Are you positioned in a church family so that you can be a friend to someone in need? And so that you can receive during your time of need?

 Stories are powerful. Your past can help someone's future. In this message, Rosa Law shares her amazing story of her journey with God. He has been faithful to bring her through tragedy and trials. We hope her story encourages you in your walk with Christ.

Do you love a good story? In this message, Chris Ambrose shares his story about how God met with him at a young age, protected him, guided his family, and walked with them through trials. 

As a child, Chris encounter God through a movie "King of Kings", which he attended with friends. He feels that God claimed him at that time.  He didn't have anyone to disciple him and didn't grow in this relationship with God.  

As a teenager Chris struggled. Chris states, "Even in the darkness of my sin, God protected me." The steadfast love of the Lord never changes; his mercies are new every morning.

Chris went to Germany as a serviceman; his merciful God protected him from judicial judgement. 

Chris emphasizes the importance of walking closely with God. If you want to make a difference in life, you need to be committed to prayer, love the word, and pursue God. 

We carry the authority of Christ's kingdom wherever we go. 

If you want to influence your children toward God, speak words of encouragement and kindness. 

Be strong and courageous Joshua 1:9

You can literally change someone's life with a timely word from God. 

God ministered to his family through the body of Christ when they lost a beloved son. 

Nothing can separate us from God's love. 

Take your  resources, talents, gifts, and pain to minister to others. 

Do you love a good story? In this message, Pastor Eric shares his story about how questions about his faith led him to experience God in a deeper way.

We love a good story. We hear about the faithfulness of God. If you submit your story to God; it helps others find freedom, but if you hold on to your story, it can become

gossip. 

We read the Bible. We read about the stories of (God's people. Stories are powerful. Consider, who is your story for?

This story is for someone who doesn't know why you are even listening to this message. You feel distant from

God. 

God has an invitation for you through this story.