Tony French Speaks

Two men find a number on the ground. One says its a six. The other says its a nine.The only one that really knows what it is is the author.

Jesus changes everything. What he changes most is you.Jesus tells us to put off the old and to put on the new.When we do that, with his help, things are different. People are different. Churches are different. Our world is different

Because of the work that Jesus has done on our behalf, we have been changed. We now have purpose. As a church, we are family. Family is messy. We can live with purpose and choose to engage our family, or we can keep our distance and appear to live nice, calm lives. We are a family of broken, wounded people who need other broken and wounded people to help us live our lives for the Kingdom of God.

Faith is an operating principle of life. Everyone lives by faith. The important thing about faith is what the object of faith is. God has proven that He is the most reliable thing to put your faith in. We need to recognize the things that we have put our faith in that are not from God.

The gospel is good news, really, really good news. It is a treasure that is worth more than anything else you own. If you are having trouble seeing that, it might be that you have only a portion of the gospel. Today we dig into three aspects of the work that Jesus did that changes everything for us. It is incredible...

The enemy works overtime to steal from you.What is he stealing? One of the most important things he steals is our joy. As followers of Jesus, we should be full of joy, not blissful ignorance, but real joy. Do you have yours?

Who are you? Your identity is critical. What determines who you are? Is it your dna, or your background, or where you are from? Sure, all of those things are important. But the most important thing about followers of Jesus is who they are In Christ. Those things are the truest things about you. They are not true because of you, but because of what Jesus has done in you. He has changed you. In Christ, you are accepted by God. Believing this will change everything about you.

Father's Day is a day to honor fathers. Honesty is a key ingredient of honor. Your father was broken and wounded. He wounded you. He might have been a good man, too. Can you hold both things?And, masculinity is a gift from God. It is to be valued and treasured (the same with femininity). In your opinion, who is better? Men or Women? (if you made a choice, you are part of the problem).

Who are you? In Christ, you are secure.Understanding and believing who you really are is foundational.

Who are you? Your identity is critical. What determines who you are? Is it your dna, or your background, or where you are from? Sure, all of those things are important.But the most important thing about followers of Jesus is who they are In Christ.Those things are the truest things about you. They are not true because of you, but because of what Jesus has done in you. He has changed you.In Christ, you are accepted by God. Believing this will change everything about you.

Ezekiel had a vision of dry bones coming back to life. What a scene.Jesus has a plan to restore your life. Just like the vision that Ezekiel had. Jesus wants to restore your dry, dusty marriage, your dry, dusty relationships, your dry, dusty career, your dry, dusty life.

When someone in authority over you gives you a command, you should follow the command.Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, gave us a new command. The command is to love one another. But not just with any type of love, he said that we are to love others the way that He loves us.

God has provided a great resource for us. This resource reveals truth. It reveals the greatest gift that we have ever received, Jesus Christ.You should engage this resource, it will have deep impact on you.

It is the kindness of God that leads us to repent. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but it is His kindness that causes us to change.

We need to praise God. It is good for us. Come and sit next to God and let His glory stir praise in you.

We have received the Holy Spirit of God. With that come many benefits. One benefit is that we are changed so that we can over come our fear. This is life changing.

It is a common experience to come to the empty tomb and wonder about it. Some even call it nonsense. That is ok, it is a great place to start. The shame would be to encounter the empty tomb and walk away without wondering about it. Jesus invites you to wonder, His invitation is to "come and see".

All of us has sinned. Each of us has gone our own way. And God demonstrates his love for us by paying the penalty for our sin. It is a worthwhile thing to spend some time reviewing the depths of our sin so that we can begin to understand the great price that was paid for us to be forgiven. Our forgiveness was purchased, it was not free.

There is a place in your heart that is intended for God. Putting something else in His place will work for awhile, but there is no real life in it.