Coastal Church Podcast

<p>The very definition of devotion is "love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity or cause". This week we will introduce what it means to be completely devoted to Christ and to the Word.</p>

<p>Pastor Dave Koop shares a final message for the year 2012 on the power of having peace in our lives through the story of Gideon in the Bible.</p>

<p>Christmas is a busy season with celebrations. In all our activities there is an underlying craving to experience a pure joy, perhaps like we did as a child.</p>

<p>Our real Christmas wish is that during this time we feel we are worthy of attention, and that we are important to someone else. Satan’s primary strategy is for us to value the opinion of others more than the truth of what God says about us. True significance can only come from living for Christ and not the approval of others.</p>

<p>Christmas is rooted in family, and within each one of us there is a yearning for meaningful family relationships at this time of year.</p>

<p>Guest speaker Gordon Pennington shares on how to be an influence in today's culture.</p>

<p>Andrew is a great example of someone who boldly introduced others to Jesus. In this message Pastor Dave Koop examines who Andrew introduced to Jesus, and how it still applies today.</p>

<p>Jesus gave us the order to “GO”. In Matthew 28:18-19 it says, "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”</p>

<p>The Holy Spirit is here to empower and guide us in the everyday decisions we struggle with. In this message Pastor Dave Koop goes through how can we tap into this power.</p>

<p>God has given us the Holy Spirit to live within us, and this source of power will bring change to the world around us. In a culture that has a negative view of Christianity, Jesus wants us to bring change. Jesus demonstrated that compassion for a hurting world releases His power.</p>

<p>The key to building great relationships can be summed up in the great commandment to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.</p>

<p>Small groups help us grow together because they are a place where we can affirm each otherʼs worth, be honest and open, and pray for each other.</p>

<p>A healthy life group has what we call fellowship. This word is translated from the Greek word koinonia. Koinonia is translated into four essential elements for fellowship: 1. Community 2. Participation 3. Contribution and 4. Generosity. To do life together requires the element of generosity.</p>

<p>We have this idea that if we are financially or relationally independent, we will be happy. But God had a better way when He designed our lives to be rich with community living interdependent with each other.</p>

<p>God’s design of community is reflected in the early church, which had key components that made it healthy and very attractive.</p>

<p>In the upside-down kingdom we believe, despite what we see, that God’s word is true. Jesus told Thomas (John 20:29) that those who believe without seeing are blessed. In the kingdom we can be confident because God has approved us through what Jesus has done.</p>

<p>In the upside-down kingdom we believe, despite what we see, that God’s word is true. Jesus told Thomas (John 20:29) that those who believe without seeing are blessed. In the kingdom we can be confident because God has approved us through what Jesus has done.</p>

<p>God’s way will ensure a brighter future for you and your family! In this message Pastor Dave Koop uses the story of Jacob and Esau as an illustration of how to rule over your appetites, and not to allow them to rule over you. You have no idea what hangs in the balance of your decision to trade your future for a “bowl of stew”.</p>

<p>It seems upside down, but Jesus taught us that in His kingdom we are to bless rather than curse others, and this includes our enemies.</p>

<p>Joseph is a great character in the Bible that demonstrates the principle of forgiveness versus taking revenge.</p>

<p>Our destiny is directly related to the understanding of our spiritual identity and the choices we make because of it.</p>

<p>Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:10 to pray “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” In praying this we are asking for two things: 1. A radical change in society. 2. A radical change within ourselves.</p>

<p>Believe it or not - you were created for and with rhythm! True rest can be found when we understand the rhythm of life.</p>