The Choice that Matters Most: Matt. 7:13-29

Enriched for Generosity: 2 Cor. 9:6-15

Series: All Hands on Deck: The Ships of the Church Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC June 14, 2026 1. Giving Activates God's Law of Multiplication (v. 6) 2. Giving Fuels Our Enjoyment of God (vv. 7-10) 3. Giving Results in Glory to God (vv. 11-14) 4. God is the Ultimate Giver (v. 15) Biblical stewardship recognizes that everything we have belongs to God, and we are simply managers of His resources. God's law of multiplication, found in 2 Corinthians 9:6, shows that generous sowing leads to generous reaping, just like planting seeds produces abundant fruit. However, stinginess and self-serving motives can prevent this principle from working. Paul teaches that giving should be intentional, heartfelt, and cheerful rather than reluctant or compulsory. When we give generously, God provides all grace to abound so we can experience sufficiency and joy in participating in His work. Our generosity creates a multiplication of thanksgiving that brings glory to God and deepens relationships within the body of Christ.

The Transformative Power of Worship: Psalm 95

Series: All Hands on Deck: The Ships of the Church Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC June 7, 2026 1. Worship is Giving Supreme Value with Heart, Service, and Mind (vv. 1-11) 2. Worship is Unlocked by the Spirit Bringing Us to God (vv. 1-2) 3. Worship is Fueled by the Truth of God (vv. 3-7) 4. Worship is Amplified in Community (vv. 1-7) 5. Worship Transforms Us if We Participate in it. (vv. 8-11) Is the music part of church something you participate in or just try to endure?  Worship is giving supreme value to something with our heart, service, and mind - and everyone worships something, whether they realize it or not. True Christian worship, as described in Psalm 95 and John 4, must engage both our emotions (spirit) and our understanding (truth). Corporate worship is particularly powerful because it unites believers with different experiences and perspectives in celebrating God's character and works. When we fail to worship God, we become faithless grumblers focused on circumstances rather than grateful followers. Worship serves as the fuel for spiritual transformation, causing us to pray, give, serve, and share our faith boldly.

The Choice that Matters Most: Matt. 7:13-29

Series: The Good Life: Learning to Live in a Complicated World Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC May 31, 2026 1. Be Careful to Choose the Right Gate (vv. 13-14) 2. Be Careful to Avoid Being Deceived (vv. 15-20) 3. Be Careful Not to Deceive Yourself (vv. 21-23) 4. Be Careful to Obey Jesus' Voice (vv. 24-27) Jesus presents humanity with the most crucial decision we'll ever face: choosing between two gates. The wide gate appears easy and attracts many, but leads to destruction. The narrow gate is difficult to find and challenging to walk through, yet it's the only path to eternal life. Following Jesus means going against popular opinion, surrendering personal desires, and facing persecution. We must also guard against false teachers who promise easy paths while leading people astray. True faith isn't just about doing good works, but about obeying God's will and building our lives on the solid foundation of Christ's teachings.

How to Change Lives: Matt. 7:1-12

Series: The Good Life: Learning to Live in a Complicated World Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC May 24, 2026 1. See Clearly (vv. 1-6) 2. Pray Persistently (vv. 7-11) 3. Love Unconditionally (v. 12) Many Christians fall into the trap of trying to fix others by criticizing their behavior, but true change comes from heart transformation, not behavior modification. Jesus teaches us in Matthew 7 not to judge others harshly while ignoring our own flaws. Instead of trying to change people through criticism, we should pray persistently for their hearts to be transformed by God. The Golden Rule calls us to love others unconditionally, treating them as we would want to be treated, regardless of their response. When we understand the grace God has shown us, we can extend that same grace to others while trusting God to do the work of heart change.

The One Cure for Anxiety: Matt. 6:19-34

Series: The Good Life: Learning to Live in a Complicated World Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC May 17, 2026 1. Live in One Direction (vv. 19-24) 2. Trust in One Provider (vv. 25-32) 3. Pursue One Mission Daily (vv. 33-34) In a world where anxiety affects millions, the Bible offers a powerful cure that goes beyond temporary fixes. Jesus teaches in Matthew 6 that peace comes not from eliminating all problems, but from making God's kingdom our singular focus. This requires three key shifts: living in one direction by choosing heavenly treasures over earthly ones, trusting in one provider by recognizing God as our ultimate source, and pursuing one mission daily by seeking His kingdom first. When we stop trying to serve two masters and instead devote ourselves fully to God's purposes, we find the peace that comes from knowing what truly matters most.