Listen from the 2009 Archive

Expecting the Gift by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Advent 2009
It's getting close to Christmas -- a time for great expectations. And it's not ALL about what lies under the tree. As followers of Christ, we sense a change in the mood and the air in anticipation of what is to come. Choose today to live with expectation, and you will find that the Kingdom is near.

Preparing for the Gift by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Advent 2009
Whenever a king was going to enter a city in ancient times, the people who lived there would build a special entrance that was always straight and smooth. In our homes we are now busy with preparations for Christmas. We need to make paths straight for Him. We have to fill in the valleys of despair and disappointment. We have to cut down the mountains of pride and self-centered living. We have to straighten what is crooked and smooth that which is rough. Prepare the way for the coming King!

Waiting for the Gift by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Advent 2009
At the time Jesus was born, the nation of Israel was waiting for a Messiah. God had been utterly quiet on the topic for over 400 years. In fact, many people were no longer waiting, but simply caught up in the distractions of life. Today, the followers of King Jesus wait for His return. Are you waiting, or have you forgotten to wait amid the distractions of life?

On Journey, On Mission by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: New Life 25th Anniversary
As New Life celebrates 25 years of a journey that continues in God's faithfulness, one thing is clear: His story is seen in YOUR story.

From Glory to Glory by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
All along the way these 18 weeks of Seismic Shifts we have seen that God offers us the power we need for radical life transformation. It begins with small changes that lead to dynamic breakthrough just where we need it.

From Closing the Deal to Making the Journey by Children's Pastor Sharon Wood
Series: Seismic Shifts
None of us like anything forced upon ourselves -- food, household chores or even Jesus. Yet that's the very image many of us have of evangelism. Sharing Christ isn't about "closing the deal." Rather, it's about walking alongside someone for part of their journey to Christ.

From "One Size Fits All" to Your Outreach Style by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
All followers of Jesus have a unique, God-given style of evangelism. Yours is probably not the same as the person's who is sitting next to you. The "right" conversation will probably vary with the other person in the conversation. There are many styles -- try one on. If it doesn't fit, then try another!

From Us to Them by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
Us - those of us who have been called into God's eternal kingdom. Them - those who haven't (yet). The Bible says Jesus became like us. He made the shift from Us to Them so that we could have life. Because we were once lost like "them," Jesus asks us to reach out to them. The need is real; it is big; it is urgent.

From Fleeting Wealth to Lasting Wealth by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
Jesus challenges us to invest not just for the future, not just for retirement, but for all eternity. Do you put your time and resources into things that are temporary or eternal?
Video: Advent Conspiracy - Enter In

From Hamsters to Sharers by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
When we talk about tithing, the subject isn't really about money; it's about our hearts, about our faith. When we tithe, we are trusting God to bless us with what we need. When we don't, we choose to live outside of His blessing.

From Mine to God's by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
Trusting God is easy when it's in the abstract. When we make the shift from talking about trusting God to giving back ten percent, it can be a lot harder.
Video: Tithing Rap

From Flattery to Truth Telling by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
Do you always tell the truth? Do you always invite the truth? In fact, it can be difficult to balance being truthful with being kind. God invites us to do just that: To speak truth into each others' lives AND to speak it with great love.

From Served to Serving by Pastor Mike McCoy
Series: Seismic Shifts
In our culture, it's sure great to be the one served. Jesus' example, however, leads us to a different kind of thinking. Here's the Son of God and He took on the very nature of being a servant. His very purpose on earth was to serve. In fact, He defined love as laying down one's life for others.

From Burning to Building by Phil Wood
Series: Seismic Shifts
James 3:8 says, "...the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire." Our tongues can do tremendous damage...and they can also build up, teach and spread joy. The trick is to be intentional about how we use our tongues.

What Is the Best Way to Live by Pastor Sean Blomquist
Series: Guest Speaker
The secret to a successful life? It's right there in Micah 6:8: "...Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God." Pastor Sean believes that this means living a life built around three principles: Compassionate generosity, solitude with God and unity with others for doing good.

Love In Hard Times by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Hope in Hard Times
As Christ followers today, we are outsiders to the rest of the world. The difference between the contempt for Christians we see today versus that of the generations before is that today's contempt for the church is the church's fault. The hallmark of Jesus' life (and death) was his love for those who didn't deserve it. As His followers, we should reflect His love...and we don't nearly enough. The good news: We can.

Holiness in Hard Times by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Hope in Hard Times
God's grace in your life breeds holiness even in hard times. Holiness means to be set apart for a purpose. God calls us holy because He is holy...not because of my goodness. Question: Have you set YOURSELF apart for God's purpose?

High Joy Hard Times by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Hope in Hard Times
Suffering is not life as God intends it. He allows it, though, so expect unfairness and injustice. Suffering is not God's plan, but He uses it to perfect His work in us.

Piercing the Cloud of Discouragement by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Hope in Hard Times
When the future is in doubt and the present is difficult, it is tempting to yield to discouragement. Peter writes this letter to give hope to believers in hard times. Here's why you can have hope: 1) God has chosen you. 2) God has secured your future. 3) God is at work in your life even though there are trials.
Video: Speak With Conviction

From Anxiety to Peace by Madison Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" - Matt 6:25-27

From Stuffed to Satisfied by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
If we are to honor God with our bodies, we need to be watchful about what we put into our bodies. God isn't particularly interested in whether we look like we should be on a magazine cover. He's interested in our health, our faith and our followship of Jesus.
Video: The Little Lambs Room
Video: The Great Hallway

From Rushing to Slowing by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
Have you found that, as your life has gotten fuller and faster, that life has become better and better? If not, welcome to the club! The shift from rushing to slowing is really about trust: If I slow down, will God take care of me? God calls it "Sabbath." It's a special rest for the people of God. Slow down, take what your Heavenly Father has waiting for you.
Video: Fast Food Delivery

You Can Make a Difference by Justin McRoberts
Series: Compassion Sunday
Justin shares from his heart -- and with statistics -- the numbers of people who are living and dying in extreme poverty. More importantly, he shows us that this is a very simple problem to solve. Justin challenges us to begin to do just that!

From Monologue to Dialogue by Phil Wood
Series: Seismic Shifts
God's talking, but are you listening? He uses all kinds of means to help us hear Him, if we would just be sensitive to His voice. How do we know what we're hearing is from God? First, test it -- Is it something God would say? Next, compare it to scripture -- Is it consistent? Finally, try it -- Did it work?

From Snacking to Feasting by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
The Bible provides nourishment for our souls. Just as we need physical nourishment everyday, we also need spiritual nourishment everyday. The Bible provides Revelation - it reveals what God wants us to know. The Bible provides Illumination - it sheds light on areas in our lives which need attention. The Bible provides Application - it shows us what we need to do to be better followers of Jesus. Dig in and fill up today!

From Me to God by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
Worship begins when we are able to look beyond ourselves to God. He impresses us with Who He is. In turn, we express ourselves in worship, and that can take many forms: Music, movement, art. It is doing whatever we do for God's glory. We no longer focus on what we are doing but focus on what God is doing through us, around in and in us.

From Somberness to Celebration by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
Joy and celebration are a choice and, no, they do not depend on your circumstances. This is one of the most rewarding seismic shifts a person can make. Here's how: First, forget what lies behind. Let it go. When the enemy helps you dwell on thoughts that deplete your joy, choose to turn them into praises. Next, accept God's forgiveness. Remember that you are a new creation in Christ. Finally, keep things in perspective. As Paul says, "our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

From Doing to Being by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
For creatures called human beings, we often live like we should be called "human doings." God values us because of who we are, who he made us. He doesn't base our value on what we do. Take rest in that. Receive his love and grace and enjoy the BEING.

From Infancy to Maturity by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Seismic Shifts
God's dream for his children is to move from spiritual infancy to maturity, to become more like Jesus. We weren't made to live our entire lives as babies. We're designed to grow over time, to feed ourselves and, eventually, to help feed others.

Life Habits by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Life Habits
If we want to become more like Jesus, we need to adopt His habits. Here's one: Become a DAILY self feeder. Make a daily appointment with God to listen to what He's saying to you from His word. Use the SOAP principle to journal your time together: S - Scripture; O - Observation; A - Application; P - Prayer

Making My Life Ready for God's Future by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Ruth
It's not the events of your life that shape your future. It's how you respond to them that determines how God will use them for your future. See how Ruth responded to the bitter cards she was dealt and ended up becoming the great-grandmother of King David.

Finding Healing in Forgiveness by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Forgiveness
The focus of unforgiveness is usually in our past -- the things that have happened to us. However, unleashing unforgiveness has a major impact on our future. To live a life of ongoing unforgiveness, we need to 1) Defer to God; 2) Disengage from emotions; and 3) Deliver our enemies to God. To get started, try this: Memorize Colossians 3:13.

Forgive For Good by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Forgiveness
If you've ever allowed God to unleash unforgiveness in your life, then you've experienced some unbelievable benefits in your emotional life, in your relational life and in your physical life.

Barriers to Forgiveness by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Unleashing Forgiveness
What are the things that keep me leashed to unforgiveness? Hint: It's all about me! Self-deception, self-defense, self-image and self-protection all prevent us from the freedom of forgiveness.

The Real "F" Word by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Unleashing Forgiveness
When it comes to forgiveness, a lot of us are like a dog, leashed up to anger, resentment and unforgiveness. We don't realize it, but we are dragging it around through life, and it's causing some serious collateral damage in our relationships.

God Is Doing a New Thing, Part 2 by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: The Shape of Our Discipleship
God continues to to amazing things in our midst! God will use this place to remind us of who He is and that will remind us of who we are and what we are here for.

God Is Doing a New Thing by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: The Shape of Our Discipleship
In Isaiah 43:19 it says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; can't you see it?" This is exactly what is happening in our midst right now. God is re-defining our IN community. Let's continue to focus UP on what God is providing, not merely what is happening to you. "More than anything else, put God's work first and so what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well." Matt 6:33.
Video: Before and After

Identity: The Greatest Loss by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: The Shape of Our Discipleship
Our genuine identity comes from our heavenly Father. However, we often replace it with the identity we receive from the world and those around us. This false identity robs us of knowing who God thinks we are and causes us to spend our lives proving ourselves. This is what God really thinks: "You are my son (or daughter) and I am well-pleased with you."

The Triangle - Up by Pastor Sean Blomquist
Series: The Shape of Our Discipleship
In Luke 6:12 it says that Jesus spent an entire night in solitary prayer. How does that sound to you? Hard? It's often difficult to be quiet and alone with just God. Sometimes we struggle with how beloved we are. Other times the struggle is simply to quiet our minds. We CAN learn to be with God -- and just imagine what a great conversation it could be!

The Lord's Prayer by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Can You Hear God Now?
Jesus invites us to communicate with God fully, incorporating all aspects of our lives on earth, as well as all of our relationships: UP - Our relationship with the Father. IN - Our close family relationships. OUT - Our relationships with those outside of our close communities.

Call to Prayer by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Can You Hear God Now?
Call to Prayer for the New Life Family

Crazy Talk: God Speaks to Us by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Can You Hear God Now?
Prophecy. It can be a scary word. Sure, it's OK for the Old Testament guys like Isaiah and Jeremiah, but it can seem a little "weird" today. Well, maybe not. Paul tells the Corinthians to especially desire the gift of prophesy. He says that the person who prophesies is one who builds up, counsels and comforts others. Now that's a gift we'd all like to see more!

What Did God Say? by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Can You Hear God Now?
God's will for us is like a mighty river. As long as I'm going with the flow, I'm going with God. When I'm disobedient, self protective or defiant, the river doesn't change direction. God is still for me, but I am against myself, against the direction and destiny of all creation and the Creator.
Video: Rob Bell's "Noise"

Do You Have Ears to Hear? by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Can You Hear God Now?
Really hearing God results in obedience. But why don't we always obey God when we hear Him? Sometimes we're just hearing too many things at once. When God speaks, He will generally give you ONE thing you need to do. Then you simply need to respond. The real blessing comes from living a life of response to our Father.

Do You Recognize His Voice? by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Can You Hear God Now?
Jesus describes Himself as the good shepherd and His followers as the sheep who know His voice and follow Him. It takes practice on our part to recognize God's voice right away. We need to practice listening to Him as we pray; to develop a habit of listening to Him as we read the Bible; to listen for His voice when we're in the company of good teachers; and, finally, to respond to what we hear by doing what He says.

The Curious Case of Joseph the Dreamer by Pastor Art Barrett
Series: Can You Hear God Now?
When people talk about hearing God's voice, some of us hear their words but have never had that experience. The Bible says that God IS speaking to you and that you can get better at hearing it.

Andy and the Ants by New Life Christian Fellowship
God has been watching over us since the very beginning of time, just like a boy named Andy watched over his anthill. And just like the ants had to choose whether or not they would crawl into the red bucket, we, too, have to choose whether we will crawl into the arms of Jesus. Note: All the images in the movie were created by our resident artist Lori Butler.
Video: Andy and the Ants Movie

The Gift by Narrator Lori Butler
Series: Closing Story from H.A.L.O...On the Air
Listen to the closing story from New Life's Christmas play, "H.A.L.O...on the Air." Lori Butler (as Skybird) tells a great story...and then Pastor Art concludes by sharing how we so often miss the most amazing gift we will ever receive. This Christmas, be sure to fully receive what God has so lovingly prepared just for you.
Video: H.A.L.O. Video Clip