friend of sinners

During this message, Pastor Michael Hamilton continued in the collection, "Friend of Sinners," where he speaks on how God is not the author of your pain, but He will turn your pain into purpose.

During this message, Pastor Michael Hamilton kicks off our newest collection, "Friend of Sinners," where he speaks on how grace is not an excuse; it’s empowerment.

This series is all about learning to be a friend, whom sinners want in their presence. It’s about truly loving our neighbors, not just when they agree with us. 

In the fifth and final message of this series, we look at Matthew 9:9-13. This is the story of Matthew, the tax collector, not the person that’s usually invited to everyone’s parties. Jesus constantly kept people off guard; especially the religious leaders of His day. No one could figure Him out. Why would this man intentionally associate Himself with sinners, tax collectors, and prostitutes? Isn’t He worried about His reputation and the potential rumors? 

In this story, we’ll discover what makes Jesus radically different and special as a friend. We’ll see the importance of simply liking people (that’s typically the first step toward love). Lastly, it’s important to see the role being at the table for a meal plays in one’s transformation. There’s always something special about being at the table with Jesus, family, and friends. 

Spiritual growth involves seeing ourselves anew, again and again, in relation to the Father. In Part 2 of William’s message on The Prodigal, you will begin to see yourself in a fresh light. The sensitivity and empathy of the Father comes alive through this simple yet profound story.

See the heart of the Father as the true star of this beloved passage, and discover how to view yourself – at any stage of spiritual growth – in ways that free and empower you to carry the love of God to the lost. 

How do you view the lost? Are you in a position to extend grace to those who need it? How does the Father respond to those in need? In week four of the series, "Jesus, friend of sinners," we explore these and other important questions. No matter where you are in your walk with God - or even if you don't have one - you are sure to be encouraged by this week's message.

This series is all about learning to be a friend whom sinners want in their presence. It’s about truly loving our neighbors, not just when they agree with us.
In the third message of this series, we look at the story of The Good Samaritan. Many of you might be thinking, I know that story, I can skip this one. Whatever you do, don’t skip this message. The historical context for this story is remarkable and timely for today. There’s many new insights available from this story, but more importantly, there’s many new applications. 
The applications from this message will radically change how you see people, move toward people with a heart full of compassion. This proves once again that rules don’t work; only relationships work. It’s time to notice who is in our circle of influence for an eternal purpose. 

This series is all about learning to be a friend whom sinners want in their presence. It’s about truly loving our neighbors, not just when they agree with us. 

In the second message of this series, we look at Luke 10:25-29 where the lawyer asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” There’s a lot more to this question than one might think initially. Listen to this message and discover who is your neighbor and what is your privilege and responsibility to love your neighbor as yourself. Christianity isn’t struggling because people don’t believe our truth anymore; Christianity is struggling because we aren’t proving love works to our neighbors. 

Jesus was labeled by his critics as a “friend of sinners.” Rather than rail against it, Jesus embraced the title, and in so doing showed us the heart of the Father.

In the first message of this brand new series, William shows us how Jesus actually sees and approaches sinners. Would you love to learn not only the practical steps involved in following His example, but also learn the all-important motivation behind them? Tune in to hear the heartbeat of Jesus.

Stephanie welcomes pastor and author Jared C. Wilson for an intriguing conversation about what a true, authentic friendship with Jesus feels and tastes like. They talk about how it will transform your life, and your very identity. It is about knowing Christ, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship in His sufferings – as Paul tells us in Philippians 3:10, which is Stephanie’s favorite verse and lifelong quest! So, you are invited to join this conversation to embrace friendship with Christ in ways that will take you deeper than any other relationship on earth.

Stephanie and Jared talk about what friendship is – what is has been historically, and what our modern technologies have turned it into. They discuss the importance of a lifelong quest for humility as the key to ever-deepening intimacy with Christ. They talk about the danger and reality of staleness with Him and how to remedy. They talk about that “holy heartburn” the disciples on the way to Emmaus experienced when Christ gave them the greatest, most comprehensive Bible study ever – and how we can join in on the experience. Jared touches on the importance of suffering in the midst of life as a touchpoint towards Christ – much as we would rather avoid it.

Stephanie reads all the books whose authors she welcomes here at Gospel Spice (yes, that is a LOT of reading). But once in a while, a book draws her in so deeply, and resonates with her own longing so closely, that she finds herself lingering within its pages and relishing its flavors. So it was with Jared’s book, “Friendship with the Friend of sinners.” So, listen in, and then consider grabbing your own copy – for yourself and for a friend! Stephanie suspects you will be glad you did.

MORE ABOUT JARED C. WILSON

Jared C. Wilson is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Author in Residence at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a pastor and Director of The Pastoral Training Center at Liberty Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO. An award-winning author of over 20 books, Jared also hosts the For The Church Podcast and co-hosts The Art of Pastoring Podcast, which is published by Christianity Today.

Jared is not a catalytic "agent of change" or a visionary anything. He is a failed church planter and once made a mess of his marriage. He likes food too much and worries way too much about what people think, and he's definitely not all that he's cracked up to be. After nearly 30 years of ministry, he's mainly learned that he's kind of a nincompoop. But he knows Jesus loves him.

Find more at https://www.jaredcwilson.com/

MORE ABOUT “FRIENDSHIP WITH THE FRIEND OF SINNERS”

Are you longing for true connection? The Bible calls Jesus the friend of sinners, but it’s hard to imagine what friendship with Jesus really looks like. How are we supposed to feel that close to a holy, perfect, and invisible God? How do we see Jesus as the real person he is? And how do we experience true friendship with him when we struggle to maintain true friendship on earth?

Join author Jared C. Wilson as he explores what it means to be a friend of Jesus. Through candid personal stories and insights into the Gospels, Wilson uncovers easily overlooked details of the close relationship Jesus had with his followers. He reveals the ways we often hold Jesus at arm’s length and shows how to draw close to him through radical honesty, consistent communication, and unconditional love.

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(*ListenNotes ranking, 2023)

Experience the peace and presence of Jesus like never before, by walking in His footsteps on this virtual, highly personable tour of first-century Israel! Sign up today at gospelspice.com/footsteps for all the details.

DATES | October 5 to November 16, 2023 (registration closes on October 10, so register now!)

LOCATION | Online! 

Life is busy, and full of worry, anxiety, and stress. What if what we needed was a solid reminder of Jesus’ very real presence in our lives? What if walking in His footsteps for a few weeks might prove the cure to our endless challenges, so that we may view our life as He does?

It’s said that a visit to Israel will forever change your experience of Scripture. That statement is right. But more than that, it will forever change your experience of Jesus.

Here at Gospel Spice, our goal is to know Jesus more. It means deepening our theology, for sure, but what about discovering the little things Jesus enjoyed? Think of your best friends, or deeply loved ones. You know their favorite color, food, and scent. Not because it’s life-changing, but because it is about intimacy, and knowing one another well. So, how about discovering one of Jesus’ favorite childhood smells, or the Galilee skyline He woke up to every morning? It may not alter your theology, but it will help you know Him more.

Do you need a full measure of His peace and comfort? Do you need to be reminded of His love for you? Do you need His guidance to navigate your life right now? Stephanie just returned from the Holy Land and invites you to walk in the footsteps of Jesus on this virtual tour of first-century Israel from the comfort of your own home. We will be journeying through Scripture together to meet Jesus where He walked, taught, and fellowshipped with His friends in Galilee. We will encounter Him on the Passion walk, from the Upper Room to Golgotha. We will meet Him in the Garden Tomb.

So, pack your virtual sandals, along with a very real Bible and pen, to journey through Scripture in the footsteps of Jesus!

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Listen as Pastor Doug Agnew preaches a sermon called Friend of Sinners from Mark 2:13-17.

How true it is that so few people have any ‘real’ friends - friends who REALLY care, friends who are true and committed. Well, there was One in the Bible who was called a friend. But often the term was used in a derogatory way. You see the Lord Jesus Christ was known as the friend of SINNERS. Who would want to associate with the poor, the sick, the needy, the sinful? Christ certainly did. In fact, He died for those that did NOT love Him in return – His enemies. Do you have a friend like that?