Fielder Church Sermons

We prefer a god we can box in, control, and contain with rules and regulations, but because of it, we end up serving a false god made in our own image. It is called legalism and is merely a cover for our attempts to control the universe around us. Christ Jesus, the Son of God, is the One truly in control of the universe, and he gets to determine what we do and when we do it. His thoughts are higher and his ways are better. When we let him control instead of trying to take the reins ourselves, he leads us to love, service, freedom, and delight. Takeaways: Trusting in God requires a holistic approach, encompassing every aspect of our lives, not just selected areas. The Sabbath is intended to be a day of rest, joy, and healing, rather than a burden of rules. Jesus emphasizes that mercy and kindness should take precedence over rigid adherence to religious laws. The essence of faith lies in recognizing God's grace, which liberates us from the yoke of legalism and guilt. Christianity is fundamentally about what God has accomplished for us, not what we must do to earn His favor. Our understanding of the Sabbath should reflect the heart of God, focusing on love and compassion above all. Companies mentioned in this episode: Compassion International

In our sin, we are naturally inclined to ignore God’s work, choosing self-reliance over dependence on Him. We are born with a prideful desire for independence from God, seeking in vain, rest for our souls through our own efforts rather than through his grace. Jesus call to us is “Come to me.” To answer that call is to take his yoke upon us, meaning we repent from self-reliance to turn to reliance on Christ. He gives us pardon for sin, empowers us to obey God and gives us rest for our souls. Takeaways: Worship is not confined to singing; it encompasses all aspects of our gathering, including sharing and giving. Jesus admonishes cities that witnessed his miracles yet failed to repent, highlighting the seriousness of their indifference. Surrendering to Jesus is essential; he invites us to bring our burdens and find rest for our souls. The relationship between Jesus and the Father is unique, emphasizing that only through Jesus can we understand God. Indifference towards Jesus is a form of rejection, and we must actively choose to follow him wholeheartedly. Jesus calls us to relinquish our self-reliance and depend on his strength and guidance in our lives.

We reject the wisdom of God because it doesn’t match our expectations nor does it always give us what we want. The gospel teaches us that our expectations and desires are selfish because they focus on building our own kingdom. Our kingdom is temporary but the heavenly kingdom is eternal. Takeaways: In Matthew 11, we observe that even the most faithful servants, like John the Baptist, can experience profound doubt amidst dire circumstances, revealing our human vulnerability. Jesus responds to doubt with compassion, reminding us of His track record of faithfulness to instill reassurance in our hearts during times of uncertainty. The act of bringing our doubts to Jesus is not only acceptable but essential, as it allows us to confront our fears directly with the truth of His character. Doubt does not equate to a lack of faith; rather, it signifies a critical juncture where we must choose to rely on Jesus and His promises against our uncertainties. The importance of recognizing that God's plans transcend our immediate expectations is illustrated through the narrative of John the Baptist's imprisonment and his inquiries to Jesus. Ultimately, Jesus calls us to mature in our faith, urging us to trust in His divine wisdom and overarching plan, even when our circumstances seem contrary.

We long for comfort. We want ease and assured freedom from suffering in our lives. We won’t admit it, but we act like Jesus owes us a life like that for saying we believe in him. This causes us fear and doubt if following Jesus is really worth the cost when the life He promises includes suffering. Belief in the gospel shows us that the American dream isn’t the standard for our lives. Jesus is the standard. In this life, we will suffer because He suffered first. His suffering was worth it because through his obedience to suffer, we were rewarded. In the same way, our suffering is worth it as well because others will be rewarded through our obedience. Jesus is worth the cost!Takeaways: In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus prepares his disciples for adversity they will face while preaching, teaching, and healing, highlighting the challenges of their mission. The notion of being sent out as 'sheep among wolves' serves as a metaphor to illustrate the inherent dangers and hostility that the disciples will encounter. Jesus underscores the importance of enduring through persecution, stating that those who persevere in their faith will ultimately be saved and rewarded. The call to acknowledge Jesus before men emphasizes the necessity of public faith, wherein believers must openly declare their allegiance to Christ despite potential repercussions. Through the teachings in this passage, we learn that genuine faith in Jesus will triumph over fear of man, enabling believers to navigate trials with confidence and hope. Ultimately, the cost of following Jesus is significant, yet the promise of eternal reward far exceeds the challenges endured in this life.

When we don’t care about the harassed and helpless, we’ll do nothing to tell them about the hope and peace found in Christ, which is stinging hypocrisy since someone told us about the very hope we’re keeping to ourselves. Since Christ stepped into our pain and healed us through the cross, we are indebted to him. So, we must accept his call and let him send us to bring peace and healing to others. Our faith in the gospel compels us to go! (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) Takeaways: This podcast episode emphasizes the importance of compassion in viewing people, advocating that we should see beyond inconveniences to their underlying struggles. The speaker reflects on personal failures in loving others adequately, illustrating the need for humility in ministry and interpersonal relationships. Listeners are encouraged to engage in prayer as a foundational step in their spiritual journey, emphasizing the significance of calling upon God for laborers. A pivotal message conveyed is that Jesus sends us out not when we feel ready, but rather to prepare us through the act of going out into the world. The speakers highlight the significance of being interruptible, drawing parallels between their own experiences and the compassionate nature of Jesus. Finally, the episode urges believers to actively share the gospel, stressing that receiving grace necessitates sharing it freely with others.

The central theme of this podcast episode revolves around the extraordinary nature of faith, particularly as exemplified by the fervent belief of a woman who, despite enduring years of affliction, ultimately finds solace and healing through spiritual means. Pastor Jason Movia articulates the profound impact of divine intervention in the lives of individuals, emphasizing the transformative power of unwavering faith. He recounts the narrative of miraculous occurrences, wherein individuals afflicted by demonic influences or physical ailments experience liberation and restoration. Furthermore, the discussion delves into the significant implications of faith in confronting adversity, highlighting the importance of belief in the process of healing. Through a thorough examination of these themes, we seek to inspire listeners to reflect on their own faith journeys and the potential for miracles in their lives.When we don’t believe in the miracles of God, we don’t do anything to posture ourselves to receive them. If Jesus could conquer sin and death, then there is nothing he cannot do. It is time for us to exercise genuine faith, right here and right now, and posture ourselves to receive what only he can give. Takeaways: The episode emphasizes the significance of faith and its transformative power in individuals' lives. Pastor Jason Movia articulates the extraordinary nature of miracles witnessed throughout history. We discuss the profound impact of spiritual encounters on personal healing and societal change. The dialogue reflects on the historical context of religious teachings and their modern relevance. Listeners are encouraged to contemplate the nature of belief and its implications in everyday life. The conversation delves into the complexities of spiritual struggles and the notion of evil in the world.

We tend to misunderstand what we most need from God. We think we need Him to meet our expectations and change our circumstances. When our greatest need is the forgiveness of our sin, being called out of life and being brought into a new life in Him. Jesus came to meet our greatest need. His life demonstrated that he had the authority to meet our greatest need. He has authority in word and work to forgive sin, call sinners to himself and bring a new way of life, in his kingdom, that cannot be contained in an old religious system.

We tend to focus on building our own kingdom, so we view Jesus’s power as simply a means to get more for ourselves instead giving more of ourselves. We forget that he is building his kingdom and not ours. Jesus is the supreme power of the universe and rightful owner of everything, so we must relinquish the right to build our kingdom and seek to build his kingdom alone. When we repent of selfish pursuits and instead trust in his rule, we experience his full power in our lives. Takeaways: In Matthew Chapter 8, Jesus demonstrates unparalleled authority and power over natural and supernatural realms, revealing His divine nature. The true test of discipleship lies in following Jesus during challenging times, rather than when it is convenient or beneficial. Jesus explicitly rejects shallow faith, emphasizing that genuine discipleship requires a commitment that is not self-serving or opportunistic. The response of the townspeople to Jesus illustrates that acceptance of His power comes with the willingness to relinquish control over one's own life. Discipleship demands immediate action and commitment, as procrastination often stems from a lack of true faith.

When we don’t recognize who Jesus is and the power he holds, we don’t come to him with expectant faith for him to do what seems impossible to be done. Jesus’s death and resurrection prove to us both that Jesus has the willingness to meet us in our need and the power to do something about it. So, if we believe this to be true, we will be compelled to come to him with our needs and experience his impossible resurrection power in those needs.

Because our hearts are wicked and desperately sick, we don’t even have the power in ourselves to do what God’s word tells us to do, so we always miss its blessings. Christ died to redeem our wicked hearts so that we could finally obey the word of God and receive its blessings. In Christ we have the power to obey. Now we just have to choose to do it.