Walking In Truth

The world is full of uncertainties. It’s constantly changing, and those changes are enough to make anyone live in fear. What will tomorrow bring? As you listen to today’s message with Pastor Johnny, you’ll learn that though the world is uncertain, God is certain. His Word is constant; never failing, never changing. The Apostle Paul understood this. He knew that this world of darkness was not his final home. He knew his faith was sure. So, take a page from Paul’s letter and choose to live in faith, not fear.

If you have all the talents in the world, but no heart, God cannot use you. As you listen to today’s message with Pastor Johnny, you’ll learn that as talented as you may be, your talents don’t matter without heart. Without soul. Without love. You see, God looks inward. And if what’s inside you doesn’t line up with the heart of God, how can you show the world who He is? The good news is this: God is a God of grace, and He has enough for even you. You can grow, be made new and your heart can change.

There are many voices always talking, writing, and teaching. Some preach the truth and some speak their own gospel. As a follower of Jesus, your job is to know the Word of God so that you can decipher between what is true and what is false. In today’s message, Pastor Johnny continues to teach on the importance of truth. If you’re not in the Word of God, how can you know that what you’re listening to is true? Challenge yourself to not depend on others for truth. Learn it for yourself.

Throughout the New Testament, Paul warned - time and time again - about false teachers. And although Paul’s writings were written thousands of ago, they’re still applicable today. As you listen to Pastor Johnny in today’s message, you’ll be challenged to seek the truth. Do not compromise or change the word of God…for any reason. Be careful who you’re listening to. Be cautious about what books you’re reading. God’s word is not meant to be changed to fit your story; you were meant to fit into His.

In order to be a farmer, you must put in the work. You can’t lazily sleep in and think that the cows will milk themselves. You can’t plant a seed and then not pull the weeds. You can’t buy the animals and then not feed them. You can’t claim to be a farmer and then not do any of the required work. Likewise, as Pastor Johnny will teach in today’s message, you can’t claim to follow Jesus and then not put in the work. You must spend time with Him. As a follower of Jesus, your life should reflect His.

Today Pastor Johnny will teach that following Jesus is not easy. In fact, Jesus even said that following Him meant people would hate you. It meant that hardships would come. It meant that you would have to leave behind your old way of life. All these things would be enough for anyone to say, “Nope, that life is not for me.” But Jesus didn’t stop there. He also promised a life of light, love, and purpose. Think about it, you don’t get to see the view on top of the mountain without climbing the mountain first.

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. The Apostle Paul understood what it meant to be strong in Lord. He understood that the world is full of wild things, and it can beat you down. But if you let the Lord lead - if you depend on God’s strength and not your own - you can run the race. You can fight the good fight. You can do what you’ve been called to do. Today Pastor Johnny will teach on God’s strength and how the Lord can carry you in His grace. It is in your weakness, He is strong.

When gas pressure builds up underneath the earth’s surface, it’s only a matter of time until it explodes up into the air above ground. Think of a geyser at Yellowstone National Park that’s just bursting…it can’t be contained. Well, this is a great picture of what it looks like for the pressure of the world around you to just be released, because of God’s power in you that can’t be stopped any longer. Today, Pastor Johnny wants you to walk in a way that can’t help but tell people about God openly, without restraint.

When there’s a power source that goes out, the whole city shuts down. There’s no heat or no electricity, and soon your city’s in a state of emergency, needing relief. Well in today’s teaching, Pastor Johnny talks about a power source that’s outside of you. It’s not from you, but it can be within you, and bring about a powerful effect! But it’s coming to that realization that you can’t do it on your own. You need God and His power to transform you so that you can spread that power to others, and change them too!

Being an undercover cop can have its perks. People don’t realize that you’re there on the job, and you just look like a common civilian. But what Pastor Johnny wants you to think about today is….are you acting like an undercover Christian…where no one knows that you stand for something different than this world? Don’t blend into society by the way you’re living. Stand out, like how a cop with a uniform is noticeable to those around him. Put your armor on, and stand your ground.

There are times when you’re getting to know people in a group, and a question might come up like this, “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?” Well today, Pastor Johnny helps you understand that as a Christian, you have the greatest superpower you could ever want because you have God inside of you! He can help you do far more than you can imagine! When fear or anxiety starts to creep in, kick it out the door, with God’s Spirit guiding you along the way. He’ll help you overcome!

As a kid, you think it’s the biggest deal to get free refills on your favorite soda! You almost wonder how they get away with it being free because it seems like it’s too good of a deal. If people would only see God’s Spirit in the same way…wondering if it’s too good to be true, but knowing that there are free refills for life! You shouldn’t feel guilty about this deal! Today, Pastor Johnny says how important it is to let God’s Spirit lead you, and for the gifts that are within you to be used, and not kept secret or hidden.

The idea of being a gladiator might have a glamorous or glorious reputation, on the surface. But what you may not realize is that these gladiators were trained to kill, but also were just part of a chess game for entertainment, in the Roman culture. These people were incredibly courageous, but they knew their whole purpose was to go to the arena and eventually be killed. Well today, Pastor Johnny teaches on how Paul was like a gladiator -in a sense. He knew death was before him, and he was courageous.

When famous people go anywhere, they have to have bodyguards and a whole security team that protects them from danger or harm. Well, it’s important for you to realize that you and others who care about God’s Word need to be that armor or protection of what’s true, fighting off those who seek to discredit God and His Word. Whenever missiles, grenades, or assaults are thrown in your direction, be equipped and armed to fight off the enemy. Pastor Johnny explains more about this today!

Imagine you’ve slipped on a steep cliff, and there’s a deep canyon below that you’re terrified of falling into. So you’re holding onto a branch that you think is sturdy, but you realize that the ground is crumbling around it, trying to hold your weight. What happens if you let go? What you may not realize is that when it comes to money, letting go of that grip is actually very freeing. Today, Pastor Johnny helps you realize how damaging it can be to put your trust and your hope in money.

In 1929, you might have thought you were set for life….you had invested in the stocks, and thought everything was on-track. But to your shock, everything went haywire, and all-of-a-sudden, the finances you thought were secure, are gone. Today, Pastor Johnny wants you to think about money and what you’re investing in. Are you consumed by how much you want to make, so you’ll be happy? Or are you using the resources God’s given you to further His kingdom and purposes…honoring God along the way?

It’s so interesting to watch the Olympic athletes who compete in the hurdle event. Not only do they have to run fast, but they have to gracefully jump over the hurdles that stand in their way, without being swayed or affected by them. It’s truly a remarkable picture of what it looks like as a Christian…jumping over the hurdles of lies and challenges that Satan puts in your way. But Pastor Johnny’s message today is one that’s motivating you to keep running the race for God well, despite the things in your way.

When you think of a soldier who puts his life on the line for his country, perhaps images come to mind of that soldier’s experience. Some of it might involve some camaraderie with other soldiers, but for the most part, there’s a lot of grueling and agonizing training, as well as trauma that happens mentally and physically. Well when it comes to living for Jesus, Pastor Johnny wants to encourage you today to push through the pain and the trials, and fight for something that’s worth fighting for!

You hear about those nutritional smoothies that are packed with protein and fruit..healthy for you, and give you energy and strength for the day. Well today, Pastor Johnny is talking about a spiritual type of food that - when it’s all blended up, you find yourself being more and more like God, the way He would want you to live – toward others and around others. This powerhouse of characteristics is only something you could do with God’s help…because on your own…it would all be junk food.

Many people get caught up in status and acclaim. Maybe it’s a job, maybe it’s a position you hold in the company. Maybe it’s the posh apartment that you live in or the brand of car that you drive. These are all things that won’t last. Today, Pastor Johnny teaches on the topic of money, and other things that can steal your focus, rather than the things that should allow you to be content in the first place. So don’t fall into the money trap or any other status pit that will pull you under, and it’s hard to get out.