“Wait on the Lord is a constant refrain in the Psalms, and it is a necessary word, for God often keeps us waiting. He is not in such a hurry as we are, and it is not His way to give more light on the future than we need for action in the present, or to guide us more than one step at a time.” J.I. PA …

Wendy Powell, Community Outreach Pastor If we lose our place in God’s story, we will forget essential things that shape our hearts, our lives, and our eternity. We forget who we are. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the pr …

A conversation with Pastor Angel Finsrud about what it means to wait on God in the face of stage 4 cancer

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Isaiah 35:3-10 Strengthen the feeble hands,      steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful hearts,      “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come,      he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution      he will come to save you.” 5 Then …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor If you are an authentic follower of Jesus, you have a King! In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the LORD, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they cov …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor If you are an authentic follower of Jesus, you have a King! The Challenge: Can you put your faith above your politics? (MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL) The Story of Two Kings King 1: Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twent …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Kings & Kingdoms Bible Reading Plan Download & Print at ctk.link/kings If you are an authentic follower of Jesus, you have a King! (MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL) The People of Israel Demand a King They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ( …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor With God, sometimes the detour is the destination. Acts 16: Paul’s detour to a new destination 6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7  …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Jesus prayed. Therefore, we pray! Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 My personal definition of prayer: I believe that prayer is a deep, personal, continual, Spirit-led opportunity to speak and listen to God. In John 17: Jesus prays for himself After Jesus …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Generosity is a gift Romans 12:4–8 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Hebrews 10:23-25  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one an …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Why does Jesus want his people to be actively involved in serving? Because serving connects us to the heart of God. A Conversation About Serving – Matthew 20:20-28 20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, and sked a fav …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor The Beginning vs. The End Sun is created  vs. Son of God replaces sun Satan claims a victory vs. Satan loses Sin enters vs. Sin is forever banished People hide from God vs. People see God face to face Grief and sorrow are common vs. Hope and joy are restored The …

Wendy Powell, Community Outreach Pastor The Bible is a story of a king and his kingdom. Revelation 21:1-10, 22-27 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming dow …

Ryan Ervin, Adult Ministries Pastor Revelation 20 The Thousand Years And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He thr …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor The Story in a Nutshell God steps into the trainwreck of humanity to redeem and restore his relationship with his creation. What has been occurring on earth: Rise of the Anti-Christ The Seven Bowls of Judgment The Demise of Babylon The Battle of Armageddon (Danie …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor The Glory of God Revelation 15:2–4 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang …

“Worship is our response to what we value most.” – Louie Giglio “Worship is attention.” – Matt Chandler Revelation 14:6-7 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL) Revelation 10:8–9 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “ …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Revelation 5:1-4 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heav …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor A few things the Bible says about the Holy Spirit: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” John 14:16–17a For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. A …

Ryan Ervin, Adult Ministries Pastor Revelation 1:9–20 9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I he …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, “If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues that are described in this book. If anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him, his share in …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor John 18:1-8 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.        2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met t …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor John 15:1-11 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Finding our way home: John 14:1–6 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepa …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor John 11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.)  Connection with Jesus b …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor John 10:11-18 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatt …

Josh Lease, Student Ministries Pastor John 10:1–6 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, a …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor [Jesus] said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 Light: illumination that makes sight possible A biblical description of light: 1 John 1:5-7 5 This is the message we have heard …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Exodus 16:11–15 11 “The LORD said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites, Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’”          13 That evening q …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Luke 23:32–42 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive …

Emily Jamieson, Guest Speaker   Luke 19:28–44 28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you ent …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor A Story of Yes: Matthew 4:18–22 18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Miracles happen when people say yes to God. Ezekiel 3:14-15 The Spirit lifted me up and took me away and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit with the strong hand of the Lord upon me. I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Aviv near the Kebar River. …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” MARK TWAIN The Adversary 1 SAMUEL 17:4-7 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on h …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Genesis 12:1–4 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation,          and I will bless you; I will make your name great,          and you will be a ble …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Revelation 21:3-5 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more d …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor The Bible gives us wisdom about the future: Proverbs 16:3       Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:9       The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 15:22    Without counsel plans fail, …

“How do you become completely present in the sacredness of this current moment?” – Pastor Grant If we can be present with Jesus, we can be present with anyone.   John 13:6b-8 “Lord, are You washing my feet?”          Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, bu …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today.  Let us begin.” M O T H E R   T H E R E S A Mark 5:24-34 A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor 2 Samuel 12:1–10 (God’s Word Translation) So the LORD sent Nathan to David. Nathan came to him and said, “There were two men in a certain city. One was rich, and the other was poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cows, 3 but the poor man had …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Satan has two tools when it comes to your past: Shame Condemnation When the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thro …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. HEBREWS 13:8 Revelation 2:1-7 These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I …

Miracles happen when people say yes to God. 1 Samuel 24: An Opportunity for David to Say Yes to God After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men …

Luke 2:1–21 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazaret …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor God’s plan to commune with humanity (John 1:14): 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. The Word became flesh and we have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Notice: Jesus embodie …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Isaiah 40:3-5 “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD;           make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up,           every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level,           the rugged places a …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL) What do we do when God says wait? Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor God does miracles that begin with a single detail.   Pieces of the Christmas Puzzle from Ancient History I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” – Genesis 3:1 …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Matthew 1:1–16 This is a record [genealogy] of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah was the father of Perez …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor “Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” – FRANCIS CHAN Daniel 3:22-26, 28 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers, who took up Shadrach, …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor The marks of a Cross-centered life: A supreme love for Jesus (Luke 14:26-27 CEV and Galatians 5:22-23) A denial of self (Matthew 16:24) A deliberate choosing of obedience (John 14:15) An unswerving commitment to embracing the Word of God (John 8:31) A commitment …

RYAN ERVIN, ADULTS MINISTRY PASTOR Question: What is the money culture of the family of God? 2 Ways the Economy of the Cross has Impacted Ryan’s Finances Forgiveness Trust Every time there is forgiveness it’s because someone accepted the loss. Matthew 25:14-30 14 “Again, it will be like a man going …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,  but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18   The Cross is a place of contradiction “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take …

Wendy Powell, Community Outreach Pastor What does the cross mean to you? John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and …

Emily Jamieson, Guest Speaker www.emilyjamieson.com Your notes…

Roundtable discussion with some of our Next Gen Ministries staff

Connection Your notes: Blessed Your notes: Broken Your notes: Given Your notes:

Wendy Powell, Community Outreach Pastor The Psalms are the Bible’s prayer book. The Psalms are a form of worship that unites us. When we voice our beliefs out loud together, we remind each other of what’s true. Praying the Psalms together reinforces our shared identity as the Church, the people of G …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Matthew 26:36-46 36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Your notes… Ephesians 3:14–21 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor There is power in the words “Can I pray for you?” Within days of his crucifixion, in John 17, Jesus prays: For himself (as the conduit for our salvation) After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor The Prayer of Jabez: 1 Chronicles 4:9–10 9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.”           10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Luke 18:9–14 9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor 1 Samuel 1:1-2 There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peni …

Carrie Butler, Network Prayer Pastor Isaiah sees God and listens to a message from God. Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings th …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Jesus teaches us how to pray: 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  Your notes… 6 But when …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor A summary of the book of Jonah: Chapter 1 – Running from God Chapter 2 – Running to God Chapter 3 – Running with God Chapter 4 – Run-in with God Jonah 4 1 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord… 4 But the Lord replied, …

Brian Steele, Adult Ministries Pastor The book of Jonah is a “great” fish story. But… Jesus is the greater Jonah. Matthew 12:40-41 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The me …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Jonah 1:17–2:10 17 Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. 1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. 2 He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord,         and he answered …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Jonah Chapter 1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” Why didn’t Jonah want to go to Nineveh? Nineveh was known as the City of Blood. God’s word …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Meaning: Jesus Christ, Anointed Son of God, Savior The “people of the fish” were: Faithful to the message 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd…        22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man …

“A ship is always safe at the shore, but that’s not what it was built for.” “The greatest risk is not taking any risks at all.” — UNKOWN Luke 5:1-11 1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’ …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor A Harmony of the Gospels When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Matthew 17:24–27 24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”           25 “Yes, he does,” he replied.           When Peter came into the ho …

GRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR Mark 1:16-20 16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Matthew 4:18-22  As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people. …

Josh Lease, Student Ministries Pastor John 21:1-3 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to f …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor “To be alive at all is to have scars.” John Steinbeck   The Story of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ MATTHEW 28:1–7 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.         There was a viol …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor On Maundy Thursday, Jesus was preparing physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Am I prepared for Easter? More than just a timeline… Jesus awakens in Bethany (Mark 14) Peter and John sent to prepare for the Passover (Luke 22:7–13) Jesus walks to Jerusalem (Ma …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor No one wants to be remembered for the worst moment of their life. What we often forget about Judas: Judas was selected by Jesus as one of the Twelve. Judas had every opportunity to change his direction. Judas experienced every miracle that Jesus ever performed. J …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Monday morning on the way to clear the temple: The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too ea …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Three Moments on Holy Monday 1. A moment to pause Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. – Mark 11:11 What happens the next morning… Jesus entered the …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor “I’ve got so much work to do today, I’d better spend two hours in prayer instead of one.” – Martin Luther Matthew 21:1–11 1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor A reminder from Jesus about the end times: Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Suc …

A reminder from Jesus about the end times: Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is …

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  – John 8:34-36   To have victory over “besetting/habitual” sin, I must: Identif …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor To conquer a besetting or habitual sin, I must: Fearlessly identify it (Hebrews 12:1) Place Jesus over it (Hebrews 12:2) Acknowledge how vulnerable I am to it (1 Corinthians 10:12) Recognize how my sin affects others (1 Corinthians 5:6) Understand the sin pattern …

Dr. Lem Usita, Guest Pastor Romans 7:15–25 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Genesis 20:1–6 1 Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, 2 and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.   …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Question: What is your besetting sin? Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eye …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Habitual sin confirms that you have forgotten… Who you are Who Jesus is When dealing with habitual sin… You don’t start with the sin; you start with the Savior! Isaiah 61:1–3 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,           because the LORD has anointed me   …

We’re all the wise men, trying to figure out what gifts to bring to the party. What gifts do I bring to the world? Space for your notes…

Emily Jamieson, Guest Speaker How can this be? Luke 1:26–29 Now in the sixth month [of Elizabeth’s pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor My perception of the shepherds was that they were insignificant. Luke 2:8 KING JAMES VERSION And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. We’re all shepherds, trying to figure out if the good news is …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor In the Christmas story: Mary made room for a miracle baby Joseph made room for discomfort Shepherds made room for a new message Wise men made room for worship The Innkeeper…did not. Or did he? Luke 2:4–7 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galil …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Psalm 100:1–5 1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.           2 Worship the Lord with gladness;           come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the Lord is God.            It is he who made us, and we are his;           we are his people, the sheep of h …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor The Denials 17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?”          He said, “I am not.”          18 Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and t …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor John 13:1–17 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. An awkward reality (verse 2) The evening meal was in p …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor The setup to the red-letter question: Don’t let a human rule stop you from helping or healing Do experience God’s blessing, but don’t think this world will satisfy Do the hard work of loving your enemies Don’t judge Do forgive Do understand that your mouth reveal …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor On the way to the airport, fear had a voice: You are never going home God isn’t taking care of you You are on your own Jesus Speaks to the Voice of Fear in Mark 4:35-41 (emphasis added) 35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to t …

Part 4: “Who of You by Worrying Can Add a Single Hour to Your Life?” Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Naming a worry is the first step in defeating worry. The Red-Letter Question in Luke 12:25: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”  The Truth About Worry Worry is futile an …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor In the last 24 hours… Jesus fed the 5000 (John 6:1-15) Jesus walked on water (John 6:16-24) Jesus introduced himself in a new way – I am the Bread of Life (John 6:25-60)   Cringe Moments from John 6 41 At this the Jews there began to grumble about him beca …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Matthew 20:29–34 29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”         31 The crowd rebu …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor • October 2, 2022 What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. – A.W. Tozer Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Matthew 16:14 They r …

Our best answers for questions you’ve asked! Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor and Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Hosted by Drew Young, Communications Team Staff Note: Different from “Ask Me Anything” Sundays, we are not taking questions real-time today. All questions have been submitted by CTK …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor • September 18, 2022 To the graduates of the wisdom of James… 1) Watch out for the sneaky sins of the slippery slope If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. – James 4:17 2) Hold your money with humility for the sake …

Part 5: Telling It Like It Is  • Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor James 4:1–10 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You …

Part 4: Watch Your Mouth!  • Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor James 3:1–12 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able t …

Part 3: It’s The Least I Could Do • Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Your notes… Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not fro …

Part 2: There’s No Shortcut • Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Sanctification: The process of learning to love like Jesus loved and live like Jesus lived. James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith p …

Part 1: Lock and Load!   Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor   The Primary Question of the Book of James I know you want to, but will you? The Writer: The apostle James = the brother of Jesus = straight shooter Who is James writing to? The Diaspora = Jewish people scattered among the nations T …

Pastors Grant Fisbhook & Julie Burleson Our final focus: There is a time for war and a time for peace. War: the waging of armed conflict against an enemy Peace: harmonious relations and freedom from disputes; an absence of war War is a regrettable reality in a broken world. God used war for two …

Grant Fisbhook, Lead Teaching Pastor Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 1 There is a time for everything,  and a season for every activity under the sun: 2 a time to be born and a time to die,  a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal,  a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a t …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor Hello. I’m Grant. Our scripture for today says…. There is a time to be silent. Let’s practice. Before we begin…does silence make you uncomfortable? It doesn’t have to. Take a breath. Thank God for that breath. It’s a gift. God gave you life and breath today. …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 1 There is a time for everything,           and a season for every activity under the sun: 2 a time to be born and a time to die,           a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal,           a time to tear down and …

Ryan Ervin, Adults Ministry Pastor Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 1 There is a time for everything,           and a season for every activity under the sun: 2 a time to be born and a time to die,           a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal,           a time to tear down a …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor A time to search and a time to give up. Ecclesiastes 3:6a Now is the time to search for: Wisdom, knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:1-6) God’s strength and presence (1 Chronicles 16:11, Isaiah 55:6 and Jeremiah 29:13) God’s answers (Matthew 7:7-8) God’s hear …

Lem Usita, Executive Director of the Firs Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 1 There is a time for everything,           and a season for every activity under the sun: 2 a time to be born and a time to die,           a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal,           a time to tear …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor There is a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them. Ecclesiastes 3:5 A time to gather stones Building (1 Kings 5:17) Punishment (Joshua 7) Sacrifice (Deuteronomy 27:5–6 and Hebrews 9:12) To remember (Joshua 4:4–8) The right kind of memorial – to honor Go …

Steve Osborne, Guest Pastor from North County CTK We can’t control the season we’re in or how long it will last. What do we do with the season we’re in? Ecclesiastes 3 There is a time for everything,        and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die,     …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 1 There is a time for everything,           and a season for every activity under the sun: 2 a time to be born and a time to die,           a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal,           a time to tear down and …

GRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 1 There is a time for everything,         and a season for every activity under the sun: 2 a time to be born and a time to die,         a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal,         a time to tear down and …

GRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR ctk.church/day2pray   Scripture teaches there is a time to kill and a time to heal.  A Time to Kill Hebrew definition of kill: to cut down, to stab, cause to die, to put to death intentionally or knowingly The tough question: Is Solomon contradicting God? So …

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor When it comes to the seasons of life, it’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 1 There is a time for everything,         and a season for every activity under the sun: 2 a time to be born and a time to die,        a time to plant and …

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor   “Our greatest fear should not be of failure… but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” – Francis Chan Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” ”        says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless!        Everything is meaningless.” What do …

Wendy Powell, Community Outreach Pastor John 3:1-8        Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doin …

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. – Ephesians 4:3-6 A script …

1 Corinthians 15:3-10 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After t …

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us… Colossians 1:15–18  15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and o …

1 Samuel 14:1–14 1 One day Jonathan, son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.        2 Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about si …

1 Samuel 23:1-14        When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,” 2 he inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”        The LORD answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.        3 But …

The Two-fold Great Commission Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have com …

The Two-fold Great Commission Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have comm …

“God loves you. He’s on your side. He’s coming after you. And He’s relentless.” – Eugene Peterson Ephesians 4:1-6 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 …

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19 2 Kings 4:1–7       4 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is …

The High Cost of Living (1 Kings 17:7-12)        7 Some time later, the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.” 10 So he we …

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. John 4:4-42 – Jesus and the Woman at the Well Confession — homologeō  to say the same thi …

Minsdset Finding Joy in the Middle of God Knows What Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Surrender your preferences Philippians 1:21–25 21 For to me …

Minsdset Finding Joy in the Middle of God Knows What Colossians 3:7-13.              7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to eac …

Minsdset Finding Joy in the Middle of God Knows What Joshua 6:1-5        1 Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.         2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its …

Philippians 2:1-5 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. …

What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says "…One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus"? Find out in this week's message.

Our series comes to an end, but God's promise to be with us carries on.

Jesus himself came to earth to be with us for a sliver of time in history. But when he left, he sent one who would be God's presence with us forever and always — the Holy Spirit.

Even when God seems far away, we can be sure that he's with us through his people, the Church.

We’re all born with a deep need and longing for connection. It’s hardwired into our souls. God knows this, and he speaks to it in scripture. In fact, God’s most frequent promise in the Bible is, “I will be with you.”

In the conclusion of the Named series, Pastor Ryan Ervin gives insight to the benefits and responsibilities that come with being named Friend of God.

Not only has God given us amazing new names that affirm his love for us, he's entrusted us to tell the world about his love through another name — witness.

The Bible is persistent in teaching us that we are children of God. But based on some of our human experiences as children, that name can be hard to receive. Discover the full scope of what God means when he calls you his son or his daughter!

If you ever feel worthless or useless to God, he wants you to know that you're not! As a new creation, you are God's instrument for sounding his truth and accomplishing his purposes on earth.

God has a name for you — a name for you alone — and it comes from his intimate knowledge of your whole life.

Reconciliation seems harder to come by in today's polarized world. And that's not just in politics, race, religions, or culture — it's in person-to-person relationships. So how do we live up to our God-given name, Ambassadors of Reconciliation?

The name "beloved" can feel a little soft, squishy, and affectionate for some of us. Why are some of us prone to deflect that name when it's given by God?

Isaiah 43:1-3a But now, this is what the Lord says—        he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:        “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;        I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters,        I will be with you; and when you pass through th …

Isaiah 43:1–3 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION 1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.         O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.         I have called you by name; and you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters,         I will be with you. …

Revelation 4:6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.   Revelation 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, stand …

Pastor Grant & Laurel invite four friends to discuss the questions that are on people's hearts and minds when it comes to living for God, living in relationship with others, and living with our own struggles.

If he had the opportunity to sit down for coffee with each person at CTK, here's what Pastor Grant would want to talk about.

Though not technically a parable, these words of Jesus contain a powerful word picture of what it takes to follow Jesus and bear spiritual fruit for him.

Discover the heart of a finding God as Jesus tells the Parable of the Lost Sheep.

Look closer at this parable that gives a glimpse into the end times.

Take a closer look as Jesus speaks about sheep and goats.

What has God put in your hand? What are you doing with it?

What's is Jesus saying in the Parable of the Great Banquet? And what does that mean for us today?

The Parable of the Two Sons MATTHEW 21:28–32        28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’        29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.        30 “Then the father went to the o …

The Backdrop  MATTHEW 13:1-3 Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. 2 A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. 3 He told many stories in the form of parables… The Parable of the Weeds  M …

Central Kingdom Truth You have been invited to an eternal celebration!   Matthew 22:1–14 The Parable of the Wedding Banquet Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.  King = God the Father Groom = Jesus Bri …

Matthew 20:1-16 The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard 1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and …

Matthew 16:13-16      13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”      14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”      15 “But what about you?” he asked, …