Humans do what they desire to do. This is a profound statement. It is also an obvious statement. Figure out your desires and that is how you tend to live out your life. If you desire happiness, you will tend to try and figure out what makes you happy - and do it. If you desire control over life, you will tend to try and figure out how you can control people, circumstances, and surroundings - and do it. If you desire power, you will work to put yourself in situations you can exercise authority over others - and do it. You get it.
Are our desires wrong? Maybe. Are our desires destructive? It depends. You can judge for yourself - are your desires against God (excessive food and drink, gossip (to be in the know), inappropriate entertainment, lust, etc.)? Then, yes, your desires are wrong and destructive.
Can we change our desires? Yes! And that is the key to the Christian life. We don’t get rid of desiring things as humans. We change our desires. And change only comes with God’s salvation, God’s work, and God’s power in our lives. Pray your desires would be God’s desires - to be like Jesus. Pray and work toward changing your desires to love, serve, follow, and obey God at all costs. When you see a Christian you admire, it is most likely because they have structured their life around changing their desires from self-serving to God serving.
This Sunday we will contrast the early church’s desires with common desires on the modern, American evangelical church. I pray we would reflect Jesus in a simply, organic, and biblical way!
We are meeting outside at Manhattan Beach Pre-School for our Sunday Service at 4:30 pm. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, masks and Bibles! For a complete copy of our guidelines for re-opening CLICK HERE.
*** NEW *** We will also be live on Facebook Live. If you don’t feel comfortable joining us in person, are feeling sick, or have been exposed to someone who is sick stay connected through this live-stream - CLICK HERE at 4:30 Sunday afternoon.
Finally we will provide a video link to the sermon. I will send out an email Monday morning with the sermon link attached.
"Now those who were scattered went about preaching the Word.” - Acts 8:4
- Pastor Curt
Theological Word of the Week:
Union With Christ
A phrase that summarizes several different relationships between believers and Christ, through which Christians receive every benefit of salvation. These relationships include the fact that we are in Christ, Christ is in us, we are like Christ, and we are with Christ.
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology
Upcoming Events
Children's Ministry
Cameron is preparing Kid’s packets for our live, outdoor services! They will be available this Sunday!
-Cameron
Sermon Topic - August 16
Acts: A Holy Spirit Inspired Legacy
Acts 7:54 - 8:4
“Changed Desires”
2020 YTD