December 29 2013: And Mary Pondered...

Luke 2:19 reminds us that Mary took all of the information about her new son - the changes that would come and the impact on the world - and PONDERED.  How often do we take a critical look at our own lives? How often do we take the time to follow Mary's example and PONDER?

December 8 2013 - Advent Peace

"Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me."  Is Peace on Earth something we honestly HOPE and EXPECT?  It is part of God's promise as foretold in Scripture, and perhaps we need to embrace this future more fully...

December 1 2013 - At the Movies: Are You Living for the Sake of Others?

Jesus himself gives clear instructions that, in following him, we should seek to "lose our lives."  Paul encourages the Philippians to act with humility and consider others greater than themselves as a way of following Jesus' example.  Are we doing the same?  Are you living for the sake of others?

November 24 2013 - Am I Living By The Truth?

"You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Using John 8:31-32, Brad asks the question: Are we living by a truth that is eternal?  Or are we making up our own truth as we go along?

November 10 2013 - At the Movies: Is Your God Puny?

In the first of a 4-part series, Brad uses several clips from the movie "The Avengers" to pose the question, "Is your God puny or powerful?"  The theme Scripture is Ephesians 3:20-21.

October 27, 2013 - (un)COMMON Week 4: Our Homes

In the 4th week of the series, Brad looks at the Biblical instruction to "Love your neighbor as you love yourself" and how it impacts our choice to treat our homes as offerings to God.

October 20 2013 - (un)COMMON Week 3: Our Resources

In the third week of this series, Brad explores how our resources - including, but not limited to, our money - can be used by God to accomplish extraordinary things!

October 6 2013 - (un)COMMON: Our Calendars

The first message in the series "(un)COMMON: Claiming the Ordinary for the Extraordinary."  Brad explores Jesus' words to "store up treasures in heaven" and how that relates to the treasure of time.  How will your 168 hours be dedicated to extraordinary purposes this week?

September 29 2013 - Get Real Week 4

In the last message of this series, Brad discusses how our desire to be liked and accepted is perfectly fulfilled through God's love for us.  To try to have that need met in any other way will always be disappointing.

September 22 2013 - GET REAL Week 3

In the third week of this series, Brad takes a look at the practice called "Vaguebooking" and explores how it just might be someone crying out for real, authentic relationships.  How will we react to those cries around us?

September 8 2013 - Get Real Week 1

Get Real: Authentic Relationships in a Facebook Culture.  In the first week of this series, Brad introduces the series using 1 Corinthians 13 as a springboard.  Are we choosing to be kind, loving, and generous in ALL of our interactions - online and otherwise?

September 1 2013 - Communion in Community

In the last Sunday at West Jackson Middle School, Brad celebrates the Lord's Supper with the people of Arbor Pointe.  We take Christ in so that we may then take him out.

The service closes with a special time circled around the cross.

August 25, 2013 - Amazing Grace (Week 4)

In the last message of this series, Brad shares how it is a necessary act of grace for us to be able to forgive ourselves.

August 18 2013 - Amazing Grace Week 3

Using passages from Ephesians and Colossians, we are reminded that a key evidence of grace in our lives is whether or not we choose to forgive others.  This Sunday's message contains some very practical steps to take in that process.

August 11, 2013 - Amazing Grace Week 2 (Psalm 51)

In the second week of this series on Grace, Brad explores David's experience of grace, beginning with his actions in 2 Samuel 11 and continuing in his discussion with God in Psalm 51. We see evidence of repentance, forgiveness, and redemption! "Create in me a clean heart…"

August 4 2013 - Amazing Grace Week 1

GRACE is a key concept in our Christian faith.  But what is it?  In this first week of the "Amazing Grace" series, Brad explores how grace is A) NOT getting what we DO deserve; and B) GETTING what we DON'T deserve!

July 28 2013 - MOVE Out of Blindness

In the final week of the MOVE series, Brad challenges us to take off our blindfolds so that we can see clearly.  Blindness keeps us from seeing sin, struggles, and the Spirit, while MOVING into the light of Christ gives us new vision in those areas.

July 21 2013 - MOVE Out of Bondage

In week three of the "MOVE" series, Brad explores how Christ has come to set us free.  What are the things that keep you chained and shackled?  Have you surrendered them to Christ so that he can set you free?

July 14 2013 - MOVE Out of the Box (Acts 11)

God wants to do amazing things in and through us - but we must be willing to MOVE.  In Acts 11, Peter shares about how God led him out of a "box."  What sort of boxes does God want to rip down in your life?

July 7 2013 - MOVE Out of the Boat (Matthew 14)

God can do amazing things in and through us - but we must be willing to move where he is leading.  This new series begins with the story of Peter walking on the waves as he moves toward Christ.  What "sea" is he calling you onto?

SOLID (Week 4) - Psalm 77

In the last week of the SOLID series, Brad explores a lesson from Psalms.  Be honest with God, even when you find yourself on uncertain ground.  And then, do what the Psalmist did: REMEMBER!

June 16, 2013 - SOLID (Week 3) - Jesus in the Cemetery

In Luke 8, Jesus has an amazing encounter with a demon-possessed man in a cemetery.  The result: the man is freed from evil, pain, isolation, and death. He goes from living among the rocks (the tombs) to living upon the ROCK!

June 9, 2013 - Solid (Week 2) - The Life of Paul

The life of Paul gives us a great example of someone who brought broken, messed-up parts of his life to God, who then transformed the life Paul had to offer.  He became SOLID in the hands of Christ!

June 2 2013 - Solid: Elijah

1 Kings 18 has the amazing story of Elijah versus the prophets of Baal.  In it, Elijah provides and example of someone whose life is built solidly and firmly on their faith.  Will we choose to be like him and rebuild the altars to God in our lives?

May 26 2013 - Life IN the Spirit

Following from the May 19 message, this week Brad focuses on WHAT the Holy Spirit does in us.  Galatians 5 lists the fruit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

May 19, 2013 - Life FROM the Spirit

Pentecost is the day that Christians around the world celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit.
But who IS this Holy Spirit, and are we really taking advantage of the gift that God has offered us?
This is the first of a 2-part message.  Next Week: Life IN the Spirit. (What does the Holy Spirit DO?)

May 12, 2013 - Spiritual Parents

On Mother's Day, it's important to remember that we have opportunities and responsibilities to care for others - whether they're related to us or not!

May 5, 2013 - Healing Waters

As Christians, we practice and celebrate baptism.
But what does it mean?

That's the focus of this message.  The congregation's response included a time to remember one's own baptism.

April 28 2013 - Going Out With Love

In the final message of the "Going Out" series, Brad explores Jesus' farewell commandment to his disciples in John 13.  How well do we love one another "in here" so that we will be prepared to love "out there"?

April 21, 2013 - Going Out With Power

In the third message of the "Going Out" series, Brad explores how the power that is available to us as Christ-followers is different from the power we so often see around us in the world.

April 14 2013 - Going Out With Compassion

In John 21, the resurrected Jesus meets Peter on the shore and presents him with a privileged responsibility.  "Feed my sheep."  The work of Christ becomes the new life work of Peter.  THIS is an act of compassion on Jesus' part, and he only gives Peter this task after spending some time restoring their relationship.  How is Christ asking you to be compassionate this week?  Will you "feed sheep"?

March 31 2013 - Going Up to Victory

On Easter Sunday, Rev. Brad Greene concludes the "Going Up" series with a message centered on Jesus and his victory over life and death - a victory that truly changes everything!

March 24 2013 - Going Up to a Cross

The story of our Christian faith involves Jesus choosing to move toward the cross.  He utters the question from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me."  Brad explores this question from Matthew 27 and how we might hear it as a victory song rather than a cry of abandonment.

March 17 2013 - Going Up to Do the Hard Stuff

Sometimes we hesitate when faced with doing things that we know will be difficult.  But Jesus gives us an example of what true resolve looks like, as he "sets his eyes toward Jerusalem."  He undertakes the most difficult thing that's ever been done…and he does it for us.  He gives us an example of faithfully moving into difficult things, and he also gives us his presence as we move into the difficult areas of our lives.

March 10 2013 - Going Up to Find Peace

Jesus gives us an example of how to find peace in the midst of the busy-ness and demands.  He shows us the importance of making time, space, and a place to meet with God!

March 3 2013 - Going Up To Meet Needs

In Matthew 14, Jesus interrupts his own wishes in order to meet the needs of others.  And he does it through the faithful offering of one person.  What gift(s) do you have that might meet the needs of others?

February 24, 2013 - Going Up...To Be Changed

In Week 2 of the series "Going Up," Rev. Brad Greene explores how Jesus was changed on the mountain so that we can be changed in the valley. (Luke 9:28-36)

February 17 2013 - Going Up...To Face Temptation

A new series begins by looking at Matthew 4, where Jesus is tempted in the wilderness.  The key points to look at are: Timing, Tempter, and Testimony.

February 10 2013 - Red Letter Reset 6: Rock and Sand

At the end of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7, Jesus reminds us to build our lives on SOLID foundations!  Foundations are the load-bearing part on which the rest of a structure is built. Are we laying a solid foundation - or on one that's bound to crumble? (This message included 3 video clips - Buildings falling + 2 clips from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.)

February 3 2013 - Red Letter Reset 5 (The Lord's Prayer)

In Matthew 6, Jesus gives us a model/pattern for prayer: Step into God's presence, and then offer him your past, present, and future.

January 27 2013 - Red Letter Reset 4 (LUST!)

Jesus gives a difficult teaching about the importance of removing lust from our lives.  But it's easier said than done.  Rev. Brad Greene teaches on Matthew 5:27-30 and offers some resources to help in the journey.

(It's a little longer than usual, partly because of the time spent to split the room up, hand out some resources, etc.)

January 20 2013 - Red Letter Reset 3 - Anger

The series on the Sermon on the Mount continues with Jesus' instructions regarding anger in Matthew 5:21-24.  Anger is harmful to the body…and it's harmful to the Body of Christ!  It prevents us from being an effective witness for Christ and his work in our lives. So what do we do about this thing that we all struggle with?

January 13 2013 - Red Letter Reset 2 (Salt & Light)

APOLOGIES: There are some technical difficulties with this podcast.  The microphone clips in and out on occasion.  It's NOT your speakers or device!

Rev. Brad Greene explores Jesus' instructions in Matthew 5:13-16 to be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world."  As followers of Christ, we are to prevent decay and dispel darkness!

January 6 2013 - Red Letter Reset I (Matthew 5:1-12)

Rev. Brad Greene begins a new series titled "Red Letter Reset" based on Jesus' words in Matthew 5-7 (The Sermon on the Mount).  The series begins with the teachings normally titled "The Beatitudes." According to Jesus, what does it look like to be blessed?