Philippians 3:12-14 - Paul reminds us that the focus of this life is to be in a forward direction. We cannot change the Past, but we can learn from it and use it to help us focus as we go forward. Our ultimate goal is allowing Christ to be seen in us so that the world may know Him as their Lord and Savior.…

The Messiah - Jesus came to this earth to save us. It was the purpose of His birth; He was born to die. He made an “all-in” commitment that resulted in His death on the cross. He offers Salvation to anyone who commits to following Him. I pray that you have accepted that gift. For those of us who have – let’s focus our energy on sharing Christ with …

Jesus comes to deal with messy people. All of these people teach us something about Jesus. The shepherds teach us to be willing to follow. The Woman at the Well reminds us to focus on the future, not the past. The publicans and tax collectors challenge us to meet people where they are. The religious leaders challenge us to be bold when dealing with…

Jimmy Cockburn - Messy PlacesAv Jim Thomas

Matthew 1 – Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus proves that God is in control and keeps His promises. God redeems the unredeemable and gives people with a messy past grace, mercy, hope, and a future. No one is beyond the love of God. He will use anyone who comes to Him. The Messiah came to save sinners and give them a new purpose.…

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Paul writes to help these people develop a deep inner strength that helps in times of difficulty. We must possess a heart of gratitude. Prayer needs to be as natural as breathing. Every day, we must rejoice in who God is and what He has done in our lives. These three elements are essential to Christian growth.…

Romans 13 / Titus 3 We are incredibly privileged to live in a democracy where we are allowed a voice in our Government. To represent our heavenly citizenship well, we must actively pray and support our Government in embracing Biblical values. We must teach our children honor and respect for authority by modeling a life that practices honor.…

Jeremiah 29:7 - Jesus was incredibly political, but He focused on the Kingdom of Heaven and not the cities of men. God calls us to be ambassadors of His Kingdom in the world. His Kingdom is one of unity, love, and obedience to God. Represent Jesus well during this election. Vote this week to help God’s Kingdom and your country prosper.…

Jimmy Cockburn - Resurrection of ChristAv Jim Thomas

1 Peter 5:12-14 – Peter focuses on 3 things essential to a life of peace when faced with hardship and persecution. He reminds us to surround ourselves with a community of believers. Peter wants us to treasure the grace that God has shown us. He challenges us to love and focus on the needs of others. As you leave this morning, I pray that you experi…

1 Peter 5:8-11 – Peter commands us to be self-controlled and alert. He does not want us to focus on the noise and fear that Satan tries to create in our lives. Peter wants us to stop fighting against God's plan and respond appropriately to our difficulties.Av Jim Thomas

Jimmy Cockburn - 1 Peter 5:5,6Av Jim Thomas

1 Peter 5:5,6 – Peter reminds us that a servant's heart is one of the keys to enduring difficult times. Gratitude guides our focus and is essential for our mental well-being. Humility builds a foundation to see difficult situations from a proper perspective. He challenges everyone to clothe themselves in humility and serve someone this week. Go and…

Jimmy Cockburn - 1 Peter 5a - 2024 0922Av Jim Thomas

1 Peter 4:12-19 = Don't be surprised when difficulty or testing comes. It is an opportunity to draw closer to the heart of God, and He is suffering with you. It is easy to want to retaliate when wronged, but our response should reflect the character of Christ and glorify Him. Let's trust Him with everything this week.…

1 Peter 4:7-11 = Peter challenges people to implement 6 attitudes reflecting Christ. A balanced life does not react; it is spirit-controlled and involves serving and loving others. The life that Peter describes honors & glorifies God. It is a life that allows people to see God in us. I pray that we each live that type of life this week.…

1 Peter 4:1-6 = Peter reminds us that this world is not home. We are visitors in a foreign country. Our job is to live for God in such a way that people see a difference. Difficulty, hardship, and persecution is to be expected.Av Jim Thomas

1 Peter 3:18-22 = Peter reminds us that death does not win. The resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates and guarantees a future with Christ for believers. We can live because we are also made alive in the Spirit of GodAv Jim Thomas

1 Peter 3:13-17 = Peter challenges us to reshape our hearts to focus on Christ rather than our fears, concerns, and circumstances. As you have opportunity, share with others the hope that you have Christ. When people see our walk, may it be filled with a gentle firmness that our lives are centered and sourced in something other than the events of t…

1 Peter 3:8-12 – Peter challenges us to be honest and look at our hearts. God can help us develop compassion, love, sympathy, and humility. May each of us bring our lives into harmony with God's plan. Let us pursue peace this week while living in a hostile world.Av Jim Thomas

John 21 = We need to learn that we are not walking this journey alone. Jesus is on the shore, watching and desiring for us to look to Him. He is patient, loving, and forgiving. He offers hope when you see hopelessness. He focuses on your future, not your failure. Follow Him with your whole heart.Av Jim Thomas

1 Peter 03:7 – Peter challenges husbands to know and honor their wives. God commands us to treat them as valuable and vital in our spiritual growth. Failure to obey this command comes at a high price in the life of a Christian Husband. God refuses to hear the prayers of a husband who does not honor his wife.…

1 Peter 03:1-6 – Peter explains what a woman of faith and character looks like. They possess a submissive heart to Christ. They focus more on their inward character than outward beauty. These are characteristics we all need to implement in our lives this week.Av Jim Thomas

2nd Peter 1:8, 9 = Growth is essential to the Christian life. Peter ends the book with this simple admonition – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.Av Jim Thomas

2nd Peter 1:6,7 = As we become aware of God at work in our lives, we focus on God around us. An awareness of God allows us to love and serve the people God puts in our lives. Serving people also draws us closer to loving and serving God. Doing the things Peter encourages us to do is how we grow in the Christian life. Go and grow this week.…

2nd Peter 1:6b – Perseverance is mandatory in the Christian life. Everyone will be tested because God is interested in developing our character. He has a purpose and a plan for your life. Your challenge will be never to quit but to finish strong regardless of life's circumstances. Serve Him this week with your whole heart.…

2nd Peter 1:6a – You will be controlled this week - by God's spirit or the world's. Self-control is deciding you will choose God's ways over your own. It is the power to allow God to be in control. Self-control is mandatory for Christian growth. It is my prayer that we will each lead a spirit-directed life this week.…

2nd Peter 1:5 – Faith, Virtue, and Goodness are the first steps to genuine Christian growth. Peter reminds us that the journey begins with our faith (a personal relationship with Christ). Our next step is determining that we want to pursue the life of excellence that God wants for us. A life of knowing what God wants for us is established and sourc…

2 Peter 01:3-5a—Diligence—Peter explains that Christian growth requires effort. We have to be diligent if we intend to grow. How much effort are you putting into your growth? Real Christian growth does not happen without diligence.Av Jim Thomas

1 Peter 02:23-25 – The Christian life is all about life and death: death to self and life to God. We do not focus on the world around us but on God using us. An attitude of revenge is not the way of Christ and should not be a part of how we live our lives.Av Jim Thomas

1 Peter 02:18-22 – Peter reminds people that life will not be fair, but life is not about them or their “rights.” Life is about serving God faithfully regardless of our circumstances. Most of the time that will involve being mistreated. God calls us to represent Him and not us. Submitting our lives to God’s hand is not optional for the believer but…

Mothers Day 2024 - Proverbs 31 1-10 = Lemuel’s mom offers some great real world advice to her son. She reminds him to develop a servant’s heart. She challenges him to set healthy boundaries and to have a compassionate heart to the less fortunate. These 3 characteristics are foundational to raising the next generation.…

Jimmy Cockburn - Peter reminds us that cleverness will never get you as far as submission.Av Jim Thomas

1 Peter 02:9-12 – We belong to God; therefore, He can do whatever He wants with our lives. He wants to use us as a light in a very dark world. We have to stay away from things that hurt our souls. Our lives should reflect God in such a way that it is beautiful and appealing to people who live in a dark, messed up world.…

1 Peter 02:4-8 – We all center our lives around something or someone. Peter reminds us that Jesus Christ must be that center if we are going to survive difficult times. God is working to make us the people He wants us to be. Allow God to do what He wants because He knows what is best.Av Jim Thomas

1 Peter 02:1-3—Peter reminds his readers that a horizontal relationship with God is essential to a vertical relationship with God. Christian growth is assumed, and it involves a steady diet of reading and applying God’s Word to our lives. Christ's followers must get rid of the things that hurt our relationships with other people so that we can be t…

1 Peter 01:22-25 – Our Salvation is the basis for our ability to love others. We need to love people sincerely and fervently. Our Christian growth is linked to our obedience and application of God's Word into our lives. Peter challenges us to love people and God's Word deeply.Av Jim Thomas

1 Peter 01:17-21 = I pray that we are ready to stand before God as our impartial judge. I ask that no one leave here rejecting the message of God's love and grace. Use this message in our hearts so we may leave here loving you more and serving you with our lives.Av Jim Thomas

Message Summary – 1 Peter 1:10-15 – Your salvation is a big deal. Learn to live and act like it is a big deal.Av Jim Thomas

1 Peter 1:3-9 – Christians possess a living hope sourced in the person of Jesus. We have an incredible inheritance that waits for us. While on this earth, our faith will be tested and refined. Times of testing allow us the opportunity to experience God's presence before the time that we live permanently in His presence. Rejoice because a great futu…

1 Peter 1:1, 2 – Peter does not allow his past failures to define him. He focuses on what God has done and is doing in His life. He reminds God's people that God has selected them and has a plan for their lives. God's people need to trust and obey God because we are strangers in this world.Av Jim Thomas

Matthew 5 – The Beatitudes starts with the characteristics of people who need God and desire righteousness (They mourn, hunger, are meek, and are poor in Spirit. It ends with people who possess righteousness (people of mercy, peace, and purity). These people will often face persecution for their lifestyle. It should not come as a surprise but rathe…

Matthew 5 – Being a peacemaker starts with ensuring you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You then have a responsibility to help others make peace with God as an Ambassador for your Savior. As peace workers, we strive to bring about peace whenever we can.Av Jim Thomas

Matthew 5 – A pure heart is a heart whose motives are pure and unmixed. It requires honesty as we evaluate our focus and our heart. The person who does that sees God at work around them and through them.Av Jim Thomas

Matthew 5 – A person of mercy is more forgiving, understanding, and compassionate. Jesus demands that His followers become people of mercy because they have received mercy. He condemns an attitude that desires and longs for judgment. I pray that we act more like Christ and less like the Pharisees this week. Blessed are the merciful for they WILL be…

Jimmy CockburnAv Jim Thomas

Matthew 5 – A meek person chooses humility over ambition & authority. Meek people are not always passive but respond with appropriate anger when needed. Meek people have confidence and trust in their God. They allow God to work out His plan in His time, in His way. The world does not squeeze them into its mold; their God molds them.…

Matthew 5 – A genuinely blessed understands mourning is part of life. Blessing starts with mourning for your sin and the need for a savior. Mourning is required as a part of the Christian journey. If we are going to be like Christ genuinely, then we realize sorrow and grief are necessary for growth. Ultimately, our goal on this earth is to see othe…

Matthew 5 – A truly blessed man recognizes He needs God and begs God to be a part of His life. He places his complete trust in God and depends on God completely. He desperately needs God every day. How much of your day acknowledges that you are totally dependent of God? That is test of being poor in spirit.…

Matthew 5 – Jesus invites the crowd to join Him in a new way of living. The principles he teaches are contrary to the way of the world. He encourages all of us to join Him in living life as He designed it to be experienced. Be blessed and happy in your approach to life this week.Av Jim Thomas