Grace in a Foreign Place

Jonah 1:1-6

This Sunday we will explore how disobedience to God’s commands invites judgment, but his steadfast love provides grace. Join us as we start a study of the book of Jonah and explore God’s Grace in a Foreign Place.

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The Cactus Church - Beware of Mission Drift

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18


The term “mission drift” is used these days to describe the inherent tendency of organizations to slowly and subtly drift from their original purpose. This can happen to a church as well. In chapter 3, Paul challenges the Thessalonians – and us – to stay focused on our purpose and warns against things that can consume our time & energy and turn us aside.

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The Cactus Church - Hope in an Age of Deception

2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

Deception is all around us – besides spiritual deception about end times and other matters, there are lies that harm relationships, plus the constant barrage of false promises of the good life in advertisements. How do we avoid being deceived? Paul’s words to the Thessalonians in chapter 2 give us hope in an age marked by deception.

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The Cactus Church - Hope for the Afflicted

2 Thess 1:1-12

By the time Paul, Silas, and Timothy wrote their second letter to the Thessalonians, some things were better, but other things – like suffering – had grown worse. Paul’s words to them give us hope for now, that our present sufferings are not without purpose; and for the future, when our sufferings will end and justice will be served. And his words encourage us to keep our focus on Jesus Christ and press on.

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The Cactus Church - The Flourishing Cactus

1 Thess 5:12-28

This series in 1Thessalonians has been called “The Cactus Church” because the church, like the cactus, flourishes in a hostile environment. We live in challenging times, but the gospel was made for times like ours, and one of the best things we can do is make the church a place of strong and healthy community. In the closing verses of 1Thessalonians 5, Paul has given us a good idea of what this looks like in various areas of the church’s life.

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The Cactus Church - Prepared for Jesus' Return

1Thess 5:1-11

The return of Christ will mean judgment for the unbelieving world and deliverance for his people. We are waiting for Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. Because of his gracious work in us and for us, we are to live in a state of preparedness for his coming: alert and self-controlled, and full of faith, hope, and love.

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Three Things Everyone Needs

Romans 15:5-6

Of the many things everybody needs in life, Paul offers three that are essential for every follower of Jesus.  This week, Guest Preacher Steve Thomas explains why Endurance, Encouragement and Unity give us what we need (must have, really) to live a meaningful and fulfilling life in Christ. 

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Nehemiah - Come Let Us Rebuild

Nehemiah 1-7

If you search Nehemiah on the web - your top results are likely to be "Nehemiah's 5 principles for leadership" or "10 ways to manage volunteers." This week, Ian Martin joins us to explain why he believes Nehemiah is a much better blueprint for community development (common good) - than leadership principles of a single man.

Join us this week as Ian digs in to Nehemiah and details why it is so important to rebuild walls - both for individuals, as well as the community, in order for left-brain principles to thrive. Intrigued? You should be - this is not an episode to miss.

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The Cactus Church - Hope in the Face of Death

1 Thessalonians 4:3-18

Most of us have faced the loss of a loved one. Death seems so final, so hopeless. But the glorious news is, for those who know Jesus Christ, it is neither.  Jesus has died, risen, and will return; because of him, even though we grieve, we have a sure hope in the face of death.

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The Cactus Church - Living to Please God: Love

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

One of the most pressing questions we have as followers of Jesus is this: How can we live to please God? Two weeks ago we considered the challenge of holiness – God is pleased when we embrace his will and acknowledge that every area of our lives rightly belongs to him. And as we shall see this week, God is pleased when we love one another, especially in practical ways that even earn the respect of outsiders.

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Consider Heaven

John 13:36-14:6

This Sunday Job Yan will address some myths and misconceptions many of us have about heaven, & how these may affect the way we now live. 

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The Cactus Church - Living to Please God: Holiness

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Holiness is often misunderstood as shorthand for all the enjoyable activities we should not be doing. This week we’ll consider that holiness for Christians actually means that we are set apart first and foremost for the God who has loved us infinitely and forever. Everything else we do or avoid flows from this primary relationship. 

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The Cactus Church - Faithfulness to the Gospel: Encouragement to Press On

1 Thessalonians 2:17 – 3:13

Our Christian life is like a long race for which we need endurance. We are not in competition with each other; rather, we help each other press on despite our various trials and common adversary. As Paul shares his “heart’s journey” after he had to leave the Thessalonians, we can learn valuable lessons about pressing on and helping others press on toward the glorious finish line together in the presence of the Lord Jesus.

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Faithfulness to the Gospel: Encouraging Those who Suffer

1 Thessalonians 2:13-17

We all suffer with various trials that test our faith. Some suffering is directly related to persecution for following Christ. Paul models for the Thessalonians faithfulness to the gospel in several ways – faithfulness to the message, living consistently with the message, and as we’ll see this week, by challenging these new believers to press on in faith even though they are suffering.

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The Cactus Church - Faithfulness to the Gospel: Living Faithfully

1 Thessalonians 2:5-13

Most of us can think of times when someone’s words have been undermined by the way they acted. If we’re honest, sometimes we’re that person. Our actions affect the way people receive our words, so we should seek not only to share the message faithfully but also to live faithfully. As we resume our series in 1 Thessalonians, we see the faithful way Paul and his team conducted themselves reinforced the gospel to the Thessalonians and provide a powerful example for us.

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Gaining a Heart of Wisdom: Everything (Under the Sun) is Meaningless

Ecclesiastes 1-12; Ephesians 4:17-19

Wouldn’t it be great to have it all? All the things, all the power, all the information? Would it surprise you to hear that the author of Ecclesiastes had laid claim to everything he could see – and that his worldview (repeated 33 times!) was: “Meaningless, meaningless. Everything is meaningless.” How can this be possible? How relevant is his perspective nearly 3000 years after Ecclesiastes was authored? Join us this week to learn if “everything is meaningless under the sun” is still true – and how the answer should provide you reassurance in your daily life. 

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Listening to the Lord

Exodus 3:1-4, 1 Samuel 3:1-10

We live busy lives in a noisy world while God speaks in a gentle whisper. We will talk about the need for creating space to hear God's voice and how to do that. 

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Coming Close

Acts 17:23-34

God came close to us so that we could come close to Him. 
We will be thinking and talking  about how big is God and how far He is, what He did to come close to us and how I can get closer to Him.

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Collaboration in Community

Acts 6:1–7

No one can do it all. Collaboration is an important part of living in community and contributing to society. It allows us to work together to seek the good of our community and expand the reach of the gospel message as we live and serve in the here and now.

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God's Offer to You

Luke 18:1-30

It’s free!! Most of us hear that and wonder, “what’s the catch”?  Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.”  Well, come this Sunday to hear about an offer that is truly free to everyone.  *Spoiler alert – it has to do with Jesus!

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