Santa Maria Foursquare Church

When God Hits Pause Pt 4

The Apostle Paul wrote to followers of Jesus, telling them to be aware of the enemy's schemes. And since the beginning, his most often-used scheme is to lie. In fact, Jesus called the devil the "father of lies." Through the story of King Hezekiah, we'll identify five of the enemy's most common lies — that he often uses during difficult pauses — all designed to steal our confidence and faith. 

When God Hits Pause Pt 3

Pauses in our story are not barriers to God's deep work in our lives — they are actually the way He carries it out. Pastor Dennis Easter talks about three kinds of wordless expressions that appear in these pause times. They are sighs, unspoken prayers that are cries for God's presence. And He is listening!

Psalms 5:1-2 “Listen to my words, Lord; consider my sighing. Pay attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for I pray to you."

When God Hits Pause Pt 2

Pastor Gary Howse picks up the theme of God's pauses, by reminding us that they are purposeful. God's intent is that these pauses — when it seems like God isn't involved or even aware of our situation — will deepen our walk with Him. Gary looks at a time when Jesus paused, taking a nap on a boat when all hell was breaking loose. What His disciples learned in that scary moment would transform them forever. 

When God Hits Pause Pt 1

In Philippians 1:6 we're promised that God will finish what He starts in our lives. So why does God take SO LONG to move things across the finish line? What we discover is that God is not in a rush. He uses the "pause button" to do a deep work, not only in our lives but in the lives of others around us. 

Just Like Jesus Pt 3 - Deploy

We finish our three-part series on discipleship by looking at deployment — joining God on His mission to the world. As we take a look at how Jesus sent out His disciples, we come to better understand the who, the where, and the how of deployment. 

Just Like Jesus Pt 2 - Develop

Why do I go through difficulties in life? Since I'm a follower of Jesus, shouldn't He just remove all pain from my story? Actually, God's Word shows us again and again that God uses the difficulties in our lives to bring about maturity so we can stand strong. This is how God develops our faith so we can become like Him.

Just Like Jesus Pt 1 — Discover

The goal of Jesus’ ministry wasn’t to “convert” people to a new religious system. His goal was to raise up disciples — people who would look just like Him. In our church family when we talk about discipleship, we use three words that describe three phases in this process of becoming like Jesus: Discover, Develop, and Deploy.

Today, we’re looking at the importance of discovery — being Kingdom Adventurers who are consistently making new insights into who God is, what He’s said and done, and (very importantly!) who we are in His story.

Life in Review

We began 2019 by looking at what Jesus said was the greatest commandment. It was an opportunity to:

• REDEEM any area of life that had been broken
• REALIGN any area of life where we had drifted, and
• REIGNITE any area of life that had grown cold

At the end of the year we're revisiting this conversation, and looking ahead to 2020 with a renewed passion to love God with all that we are. 

The Christmas Announcement

Most people don’t like change. But the reality of that first Christmas is that it was incredibly disruptive. In fact, Christmas changed everything — the God who created the universe showed up and intersected human history. And the announcement of this miracle was made by an angel to some shepherds, and at first, it freaked them out! But what the angel said moved them from fear to becoming joy-filled, seekers of Jesus — and it will do the same for us.

Hell's Malware

What is sin? Many would say sin is doing "bad things" that trample over the boundaries God has established. But what if it's more sinister than that? What if sin opens a door for hell to upload "malware" into our soul — malicious code designed to destroy our perception of life? And if that's the case, what can we do to experience freedom and the restoration of our vision?

Resurrecting Generosity Pt 8

In the final message of this series, we roll up our sleeves and get practical about how to be generous. Can we just give however and wherever we want, or is there wisdom we can add to our giving?

CLICK HERE to download the handout that goes along with this message. 

Resurrecting Generosity Pt 7

There are things that have to die so generosity can thrive — and obligation is something that must go. How does obligation show up? Most often through the belief that God's people "have to" tithe. But as long as our giving is viewed as a requirement, it will never lead to a spirit of passionate generosity. 

CLICK HERE for a handout that goes along with this message. And...

CLICK HERE for an article written by Pastor Tim Mosshoder that's a deeper dive into the topics explored in this message. 

SPECIAL NOTE FROM PASTOR TIM: This message may be challenging for some whose faith experience is so deeply attached to tithing that it makes all other ideas seem like they could be a betrayal of God and His Word. I get it, because that was my story. My goal is not to convince anyone they should stop giving (no matter the percentage), but to see even greater generosity released as we come to understand the Apostle Paul who said, "Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly" (2 Corinthians 8:12). Thanks for walking in grace with me as we explore this important topic together!

Resurrecting Generosity Pt 6

From the very beginning of time, God has given humanity the authority to manage the resource He's provided. Simply put, we're called to be good stewards of all He's given. But mismanagement of resource robs our fruitfulness and destroys all hope we have of generosity — so it has to go! 

CLICK HERE to download a handout that goes along with this message. 

Resurrecting Generosity Pt 5

If generosity is going to live, other things have to die — including greed. Greed twists together the ungodly traits of selfishness and a continual lust for more. It's a malignant form of desire that will kill off generosity if we don't push it from our lives. 

CLICK HERE to download a handout that goes along with this message. 

Resurrecting Generosity Pt 4

If generosity is going to live, other things have to die. Fear is the first that has to go. As long as fear is driving our decisions, we’ll never become generous people with our time, talent or treasure. But, as we trust in God and walk in His ways, we can overcome any fear that holds us back from a generous life.

CLICK HERE to download a handout that goes along with this message. 

Resurrecting Generosity Pt 3

The more we know who God truly is, the more generous we become. This intimate knowledge of God is what propels us to cross the line, from just being fruitful to becoming generous multipliers as well. Today we're looking at three truths about God that unlock a spirit of fearless generosity.

CLICK HERE for a copy of the handout that goes along with this message.

Resurrecting Generosity Pt 2

In God's words, "Be fruitful and multiply" we find instruction for living in His blessing. But many of us settle for fruitfulness and never experience God's best for our lives. Rather than learning to generously multiply what God has provided, we try to hold on to what we have. But the paradox of God's blessing is found in Mark 8:35 where Jesus says, "Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it."

CLICK HERE for a copy of the handout that goes along with this message. 

Resurrecting Generosity Pt 1

What can four words teach us about generosity? God's words, "Be fruitful and multiply," are not only his blessing but are also instructions for how to live in this blessing. Being fruitful is all about flourishing in God's favor, but multiplying is about giving so that others can flourish — and that requires generosity. 

Crushing Anxiety - Bonus Track

Jesus cares about our mental health, and before we leave this series, let's discover how He is uniquely suited to lead us from depression to health and freedom. 

Crushing Anxiety Pt 2

Anxiety is common to all people — but God never intended for it to crush us. We're called to resist it. Today we're looking at a tool designed to help us "take every thought captive" so we can identify and interrogate those Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs!) that bring torment to our minds and souls. 

Remember: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." Psalm 34:18

CLICK HERE to download the free resource that accompanies this message.