Just Where He Wants
Kyle Smith // 4.13.25
We conclude our Healthy Church series with a massage that summarizes the heart of the series. God has gifted His followers in diverse ways and puts them together in local communities "just where He wants." It is our responsibility to care for one another with the special grace that God has given us.
Desire the Most Helpful Gifts
Kyle Smith // 4.6.25
In 1 Corinthians 12-14, the Apostle Paul teaches extensively on the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to each believer and the proper way to use those gifts for the benefit of others. It is all too common to neglect the gifts or to try to use them for our own good, when the clear call is to seek supernatural ways to be the most helpful for others in our community.
Don’t Pretend
Kyle Smith // 3.30.25
Paul warns about the problem of pretending to love the church, but not putting that love into action. He then goes on to give example after example about what it looks like to live out that love. A healthy church doesn' just pretend to love each other, but really loves.
One Body, Many Parts
Kyle Smith // 3.23.25
This text is one of several in the Bible that use the body as a metaphor for the church. Similar to individual parts of the body, God gives each of us abilities to do certain things well. In isolation those abilities can do some good, but the impact is multiplied when in unity with the abilities of others. A healthy church resists isolation and embraces unity, diversity, and mutuality.
A Holy People
Tucker Parman // 3.16.25
In this text, Paul makes the claim not once, but twice, that Jesus sacrificed Himself for the church with the goal of making her holy. This week, we will explore the concept of holiness: what it is, where it comes from, how it appears in our lives, and ultimately, how we are called to pursue it.
The Parable of the Sower
Jerilyn Wilson // 3.9.25
Why is there such a wide variety of responses to the good news of the Kingdom of God? Jesus shows us how the condition of our heart, whether hard or soft, has a dramatic affect on our capacity to understand the Word of God. As a healthy church, there is much we can do to soften our hearts and increase our receptivity to the truth God is wanting us to hear.
But God, So God
Kyle Smith // 3.2.25
The phrase "but God" communicates the incredible news of the gospel. We were dead in our sins, "but God" loved us and granted us salvation through Jesus. That isn't the end of the story though.The phrase "so God" communicates continued purpose after salvation. A healthy church is made up of individuals who have received life in Jesus AND live out His plans and purposes.
Stones & Priests
Kyle Smith // 2.23.25
In this text, Peter starts off by telling his Gentile audience that they can "grow into a full experience of salvation." This full experience is recognizing and walking in our individual parts of building a healthy church. Peter uses the concepts of stones and priests to communicate the purposes God has for us post salvation.
Family by Adoption
Kyle Smith // 2.16.25
By God's grace we have been adopted into His family. The good news of our adoption is not isolated to having a Father, but that we also have siblings. A healthy church recognizes and functions as an imperfect family led by our perfect Father.
Special Grace
Kyle Smith // 2.9.25
As we kick off this new series, we consider how God gives every believer their own special grace that is to be used in the context of the local body He has placed us in. A healthy church is not determined by its size or how talented a few people are, but by the body walking in their individual special grace.