Telling The Truth

We learn in Scripture how God wrestled Jacob to the ground one night and turned him upside down—so he could live right-side up. Jacob became a “prince” with God instead of a pain. When we're suffering the consequences of our own poor choices; when we're bearing the brunt of someone's vengeance and anger; when we feel absolutely on our own and life is not working out as planned, that's when God will turn up. He wants to walk down the stairway of heaven right into our hearts to make us aware of His personal interest and concern.

Just before His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples that they would soon “realize that I am in the Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” (John 14:20). As modern disciples, we must embrace the mystery of the mutual indwelling of which He spoke.

In a world of screens and social media, nearness is increasingly uncommon. Yes, we're more connected than ever before, but comments and video calls haven't helped our loneliness—doing little to bring us comfort. So where do we turn when the whole world feels distant? In this message, Stuart Briscoe draws your attention to God's precious promises in Psalm 23. As your strong and steady Shepherd, God is intimately present in your life. He is near—always leading to you to pastures of comfort and peace.

Moses asked if he could see God's glory, but he was told nobody can see God and survive. But God wants to be known, and He came “veiled in flesh” so that we could come to know Him and not be burned up by the experience.

The angel announcing the birth of Christ explained that he would be known both as "Immanuel - God with us" and also "Jesus—because he will save his people from their sins." Enjoying Christmas involves grasping what this means.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 Jesus did not say, “Come to me and I'll fill your life full of stuff.” He said, “I'll fill it full of Me. I'll fill it full of God, and then you will have life to the full." And that's what Christmas is all about. We often forget that as we get busy shopping, baking, decorating, wrapping, and attending parties. In this message, Jill challenges us to keep the focus on Christ and the significance of His birth this Christmas.

We love the Christmas story. Every year we revisit it, but whatever happened to the peace on earth part? Was it just an idle, sentimental hope, a dream, wishful thinking, escapism, unrealistic? What is this peace? Jesus spoke about this later in his own life and ministry in John 14:27, speaking to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Let not your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”   Notice the contrast there: The peace the world gives is external, but the peace Jesus gives is internal. The diagnosis of the Bible is that the biggest problem we have in our world today is not out there. It's in the human heart.

Charles Price opens the book of Matthew to the story of the men from the East who followed the star to Bethlehem in search of a newborn king that turned out to be Jesus Christ. These men in the story were on a search. And many of us today are also on a search—for meaning and purpose. We are assured in Matthew 11:10, “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Ever feel like something is missing, like you just don't belong? You probably feel that way because it is true! God created us for Himself and put eternity in our hearts—we were not made for here. So how do we make the most of this life where “everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (as Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes) in a world that is not our home?

Daniel's great vision ended with him learning many astonishing things. He did not understand everything because the information concerned the near and distant future, but he was greatly encouraged. We, too, do not understand it all, but we can be encouraged.

When trials and suffering come, where do we turn? We ought to turn to God—the God of all comfort. Suffering in this life is inevitable. David knew that. He wrote some of his psalms about it. But he wrote with the knowledge that God's love brings comfort, encouragement, freshness, and life to those who seek Him. In this message, Jill points us to the many resources for encouragement that God has given us: His Holy Spirit, His Word, and His people. God asks us to bring encouragement to those around us.

Everybody is growing old. Some are further along than others. But growing older does not necessarily mean growing wiser, more mature, or holier. It can mean becoming meaner, crabbier, and more selfish. We need to take care to grow old gracefully and gratefully!

Mark Twain said, "My life has been full of many problems, most of which never happened!" He presumably looked to the future with a degree of trepidation and spent a lot of time being anxious about things that actually never happened. Does that sound like something you do, too? Another great author, the Apostle Paul, said that no matter what happens—don't be anxious about anything. In this message, Stuart Briscoe looks to Scripture to identify the formula for becoming worry-free, no matter what circumstance we are facing—or think we'll have to face.

As disciples of Jesus, we know we're called to spread the good news of the Gospel. But sometimes we fret about exactly where our mission field is, and to whom we're meant to share God's Word. In this message, Jill Briscoe puts it bluntly: “It doesn't matter where you're standing, that's your mission field.” She explains how God fills the gaps of our inadequacy as we obey his command to tell others about the liberating love of Jesus. As part of her message, Jill tells the compelling story of how she and her husband, Stuart Briscoe, began their lifetimes of evangelism in the United States and around the world.

Christianity is unique in that contrary to other religions it is not primarily about mankind's search for God but God seeking mankind. He is looking for those who will “worship Him in spirit and in truth.” But what does this mean? And why is He doing this?

Thanksgiving is a characteristic of the Christian lifestyle, and lack of thanksgiving is condemned by God. The English word "thanksgiving" in the New Testament is a translation of the Greek word "eucharistia," which at its core is "charis" or grace. An understanding of grace is absolutely necessary for an appropriate response of thanksgiving. Grace and thanksgiving are inextricably bound up in each other.

Jesus is coming again. He is coming soon... and we'd better be ready! Jill Briscoe boldly states this as she talks about the second coming of Christ. She explains the need to be alert and shares the joy in anticipating His return.

How can I know that I belong to the King and His kingdom? What characteristics should shine through my life? Jill gives us some examples of Christ-following traits in Luke chapter 10. This message is centered on the Good Samaritan—the man in the ditch.

Everyone is good at something. This natural talent is a God-given gift, but what are we supposed to do with it? In Matthew's gospel, Jesus answers this question plainly using the story about the landowner and the talents. What can we learn from each servant's decision? 

The prodigal son is a well-known story that perfectly illustrates God's grace and forgiveness. Walk through this familiar parable with Jill as she takes a closer look at how it illustrates receiving forgiveness and extending it to others.