The Transformative Power of Worship: Psalm 95

The Lordship of Christ: 1 Cor. 6:19-20, Rom. 14:7-8, Gal. 2:20

Series: All Hands on Deck: The Ships of the Church Pastor Michael Gay Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC June 28, 2026 1. The Transaction of Grace: 1 Cor. 6:19-20 2. The Security of Ownership: Rom. 14:7-8 3. The Daily Surrender: Gal. 2:20 True freedom is not found in self-reliance. It is found in surrendering to the right master. Every person serves one of two masters: their own sinful nature or God. At the cross, Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price to redeem us, which means we now belong to Him completely. That ownership is not a burden. It is the greatest security we could ever have. When we understand the heart of the One asking for our surrender, everything changes. He loved us first, He gave everything, and His love never runs out. True freedom comes from trusting the One who already knows the outcome and loves us enough to lead us through it.

Define the Relationship: 1 Cor. 12:12-27

Series: All Hands on Deck: The Ships of the Church Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC June 21, 2026 1. Every Believer Needs to Be Added to the Church (1 Cor. 12:13/Acts 2:47) 2. The Church Needs You (1 Cor. 12:15-20) 3. You Need the Church (1 Cor. 12:21-27) 4. The World Needs the Church to Display the Gospel (Eph. 2:11-22)

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.