Santa Maria Foursquare Church

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. 

Crushing Anxiety Pt 1

We're living in troubling times when an uncertain future can leave us tormented by the unwelcomed dread of anxiety. But God cares about our mental health — and Scripture speaks directly to this important topic. Today we're discovering why it's okay to admit we're not okay, and what makes Jesus uniquely suited to take this heavy burden from us and lead us to needed rest. 

Cast Your Nets

Natalie Werking shares from Scripture and her own life about the importance of leaning in to God's leading. God may be shifting the direction of our lives, and fruitfulness comes as we obediently follow his lead. 

A Simple Plan Pt 5 - Sharing the Gospel

We're finishing our series by discussing the importance of communicating the Good News of Jesus to others. And while that may sound a bit intimidating, we explore three ways to make this a simple and powerful part of our lives of faith. Click below for a helpful resource that goes along with today's message. 

CLICK HEREto download a handout for this message. 

A Simple Plan Pt 4 - Connect to the Gospel

It's clear that God calls us to give away our faith to others. But that doesn't just happen by preaching a message; it can also take place as we intentionally and creatively bring others into contact with Jesus. Join us as we explore three simple ways to connect others to the Gospel, through the power of story, invitation, and prayer.

A Simple Plan Pt 3 - Live the Gospel

As people who have been changed by the Gospel, we are called to give the Gospel away — and the first way we do this is by living the Gospel. By how we live our lives we show the world we’ve come from death to life in Jesus. We have to live the Gospel so we can give the Gospel. 

A Simple Plan Pt 2 - A Gospel Letter

The Bible tells us that Jesus has written a letter directly onto our hearts. What does it say? Some may think it's a letter condemning us because of our sin. But it's just the opposite! It's a letter of life-changing good news — the very Gospel itself: Jesus has given us freedom from death, guilt and shame! And this letter is what others should be reading when they read the stories of our lives. 

A Simple Plan Pt 1 - The Fragrance of Christ

As we begin a conversation about evangelism, we're confronted with the reality that many followers of Jesus believe it's important — but they don't view it as necessary. There is a disconnect between our belief in Jesus and the mission He's given us. So we start today with the simple idea, from 2 Corinthians 2, that to the world around us, we're to smell like Jesus — giving off His fragrance of love, grace and mercy. 

Refresh Pt 3 - Your Prophetic Assignment

Pastor Ron dives into your prophetic assignment — who you are in Christ — and how it's activated as you serve others. 

Refresh Pt 2 - Believe Me

In Isaiah 43:10 God says, "You are My witnesses...and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me...” It's great to believe in God — that He exists and has saved us. But we're also called to simply believe God — putting our trust fully in His promises — believing He can, He will, and He is at work!

Refresh Pt 1 - Being Found by God

Proverbs 25:13 tells us, "Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer." This summer we're being refreshed by trustworthy messengers who are speaking into our lives. Today Jennifer Thigpenn shares from Luke 15 about God seeking and finding us in our lostness — even when we feel insignificant, invisible or irresponsible. 

The Devil's Trap Pt 2 - You're Not Enough

If the devil can't trap us in shame, convincing us that we're not enough, he'll work to get us pointing angry fingers of shame at others, believing that God's grace is not sufficient for them. Jesus gets to the heart of this issue in a story he told at a dinner party. What he said undoubtedly shocked those who heard him. But will we allow God to use us in shocking ways to extend his grace to the world around us?

The Devil's Trap Pt 1 — I'm Not Enough

The enemy of your soul can't steal your salvation — but will work round the clock to steal your joy and authority in Jesus. He uses the trap of shame to tell us we're not enough. Let's discover three ways we can avoid this huge shame-trap. (And listen to the end for a powerful testimony by Danyal Schultz!)