Messages

Heaven Came Down by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
Some days we are on top of the world. Then there are days when we feel like the entire world is on top of us. No matter what kind of day Paul and the apostles were having, they continued to spread the Gospel. Especially, when we are in the midst of a rotten day, it is important to stay in the Kingdom: Know God is there; stay connected in community; and look for what God is doing and wants to do through you.

The Jerusalem Council by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
Disagreements. They are a part of life at home, at work, even at church. It happened in the early church, too. The remarkable thing is to notice how the mature Christians leading the early church made tough decisions on hard topics.

Paul Begins His First Missionary Journey by Roger Dill
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
The entire book of Acts is the story of UP, IN and OUT. The early church was not an either/or church. It was not UP or IN or OUT. It was UP and In and OUT. Because of this, our super-ordinary God uses ordinary people, filling them with His Holy Spirit to do extraordinary things.

Beyond Navel Gazing by Pastor Sara Wolbrecht
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
Being a follower of Christ means that we have to ask ourselves two important questions: First, do I want to live with Christ at the center of my life? And, second, how can I live with Christ at the center of my life? The real key, of course, is to get ourselves out of the center.

Building Bridges by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
At the outset of the church, it was a priority of the Holy Spirit that racial/ethnic barriers were destroyed. Yet over and over the Christian faith has been used to justify racism and prejudice. When you look at the book of Acts, you see that at the foot of the cross -- everyone is welcome.
Plus: Forgiveness

Racism to Discipleship by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
Few of us think of ourselves as racist, but many of us still have lingering stealth racism -- just another reminder that we still need to grow in Christ to produce fruit that lasts. Check in with yourself this week: UP - How is my time with my Father? IN - How are my relationships within my community? OUT - Am I making a difference in the world?
Plus: Car Bashing: Black and White
Plus: Muslim Discrimination: 20/20 clip
Plus: Rosa Parks: The Test

Peter and Cornelius by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
We all have people with whom we struggle, and the apostle Peter certainly did. In his case, it was Gentiles. Even when God gave him a vision (3 times), he struggled. He had received the truth in a powerful way, yet living out truth as a lasting life change was hard -- just like it is hard for us. However, this is just what Jesus calls us to do everyday. So check in with yourself often: UP - How is my time with my Father? IN - How are my relationships within my community? OUT - Am I making a difference in the world?
Plus: Thou Shalt Laugh - Subtle Racism

Living With Your Call by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
In the midst of the earthiness, Jesus knows you. Jesus is calling you, calling you by name. Because you are valuable. Because He loves you. It is heaven breaking through. The big question: How do you make normal the extraordinary things of God in your life?

Who Tells Your Story, Part 2 by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
Just as Stephen spoke into the story of the Hebrews, we need to allow others to speak into ours. At the same time, we are to do the same for others. Paul calls it prophesying, and it means to encourage, exhort and comfort. Those are things everyone can use more of!

Who Tells Your Story by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
We all have a story, but have you ever heard your story told by someone else? When Stephen revisited the history of the Hebrews, the religious leaders were not impressed. In fact, they were furious, furious enough to stone him to death. You see, Jesus changed everything.

Freedom in Discontent by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
Contentment breeds unity -- and Satan hates unity, so he will do whatever it takes to destroy unity. When there were rumblings of discontent in the early church, the apostles jumped right on the problem. Where are the rumblings of discontent in your life? Will you jump right on the problem?

Truth or Dare by Roger Dill
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
In a day when 91% of Americans admit to lying on a regular basis, the story of Ananias and Sapphira makes us stop and take notice. When we lie to make ourselves look better, we rob ourselves of the thing we all desire the most: being accepted for who we really are.

One Heart, One Soul by Pastor Sean Blomquist
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
It was an amazing time in the early church: All the believers were of one heart and soul, sharing everything, so that no one was in need. Now what would that look like in the 21st century? Perhaps it is less radical than you might think.
Plus: The Eight-Dollar Hot Dog

How to Live in the Confidence of the Power of God by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
Signs and miracles. They were alive and well in the early church, and they are in the present day, too. Signs are indicators that we can live in the confidence of His promises. In fact, the very purpose of signs is to offer a glimmer of the Age to Come, even as we live in the present evil age.
Plus: Frances Finn Healing Video

Pocket Change by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
When Peter and John went to heal the lame man at the Temple Gate, he was looking for a few coins. Peter and John had in mind so much more for him. We, too, need to learn to live beyond lives of mere pocket change. We need to learn to live each day in the refreshing of the Holy Spirit. That is the life our heavenly Father has in mind for us.

Coming of the Spirit by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
The world changed forever on Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit filled the first believers. The world is still changing through the Holy Spirit. He moves when his people expect him to move, when his people are willing to receive him and when his people give him permission to change them.

Waiting on the Spirit by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Acts - Heaven Touching Earth
This is the first of our series in the Book of Acts. During the 40 days after the crucifixion of Jesus, he appeared to the apostles and others several times. In fact, over 500 people witnessed Jesus during this time. Acts is written because God is unfolding his story. He is creating a new heaven and earth and he is calling all humanity to be part of it.

What You Do Matters, Part 2 by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: What You Do Matters
Even when our intentions are good, sometimes good people project the wrong messages to the next generation: 1 - Humility is not cool; 2 - Just let me do it myself; 3 - Freedom creates freedom; 4 - Parents are pals. Keep in mind how God cares for us as His children. That is the model we should follow as we care for the next generation.

What You Do Matters, Part 1 by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: What You Do Matters
We all have a responsibility when it comes to guiding the next generation. Jesus calls us to be better at valuing, blessing and raising kids. Here are a few things to think about as we undertake what is likely the most important job we will have.

The Four Ds of Forgiveness by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Forgiveness
Forgiveness is not just about the past. It is also very much about the future. In order to flourish in the future, we have to make peace with our past. Here are the four Ds that will help: 1 - Defer to God; 2 - Decide to take the initiative; 3 - Disengage from your emotions; 4 - Deliver your enemies to God.

Finding Healing in Forgiveness by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Forgiveness
Forgiveness seems unnatural. The anger and bitterness seem natural. They offer the promise of healing from hurt, but they never deliver. That is what the forgiveness does. We just need to allow God to come and untie the leash.

Unleashing Forgiveness by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Forgiveness
God wants the best for our lives, and that is why He challenges us to unleash forgiveness just as He does. We do, however, have to overcome a few barriers, which keep us linked to unforgiveness.

Forgiveness: The Real F-Word by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Forgiveness
A lot of us today are wearing leashes. We go through our lives dragging around anger, resentment and unforgiveness. It is certainly damaging to ourselves and to our relationships; but it also smashes up the potential that God wants us to live in this one and only life.

The Window of Attitude by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Transformers
Pessimism is not a Christian world view. If your attitude is on the negative side, focus on the faithfulness of God. When we abide in Him (like a fish abides in water), our attitude cannot help but to become more postive.

The Window of Teamwork by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Transformers
Ever try playing baseball by yourself? Well, maybe -- but not for long! Just like baseball, it takes a team to make a church. You are a player (not a spectator), and that means that God intended you to use your gifts to benefit the team.

The Window of Leadership by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Transformers
Some people think it is the job of the pastor to do ALL the work of the church. In fact, the Bible says the pastor should be someone who equips the members of the church to do the work of the church.

The Window of Change by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Transformers
There are only two constants in life: Christ and change. Where in your life are you stuck in a rut? Where are you going through the motions without passion or purpose? Maybe it is time to ask Jesus to help you make some changes.

The Window of Financing by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Transformers
Do you believe that God pays for what God orders? Or is your first question about how much it costs? We often live with a philosophy of scarcity, whereas God is the key to possibilities.

The Window of Stewardship by Pastor Dean Honnette
Series: Transformers
We like money because it makes us feel powerful, secure and in control -- like little gods. Funny...because really it all belongs to God Himself.

The Window of Priorities by Pastor Art
Series: Transformers
From which well have you been drinking? Jesus invites us to draw from His well, to make it the place where we go and what drives our priorities.

Image: How the Church Should See Itself by Pastor Art
Series: Transformers
Just as Jesus reached out to Zaccheus who could not see him because the crowd was in the way, sometimes we need to step away from the crowd and reach out to someone who is hoping to see Jesus.

Your Comfort Determines Your Sacrifice by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Transformers
The gap between how Jesus calls us to live and how we actually live each day... well, it can be huge. However, the bridge across the gap is the cross.

Your Purpose Defines Your Mission by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Transformers
Why do we come to church? Are we here to hang out? According to Jesus, the purpose of the church is to make disciples.

I Will Build My Church by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Transformers
The church is build on a simple confession that Jesus Christ is Lord. It's made of people who acknowledge the claim of Jesus on their lives because they know that in Him they have come to know God.