LIFEGATE DENVER SERMONS

<p>Caring for the widow and the orphan is not a suggestion, but rather a mandate that puts our faith on display. This is a call to turn our orthodoxy in orthopraxy, our beliefs into action. The foster care crisis in America is a solvable issue if the church is willing to enter into the hard places and care for God’s children and families.</p>

<p>In the final week of our series, “Living Stones,” Pastor Nirup teaches us that God is ready to reach the world if we are ready to be used in the process.</p>

<p>t’s time to release what we have received.</p>

<p>There is too much at stake for the church not to call the people of God to the standard of gospel-centered formation through biblical membership.</p>

<p>Prayer is less about what we say to God and more about the power we experience of God. The enemy fears nothing more than when we pray.</p>

<p>It seems that at every level of society, service is valued. Corporate America, public education, and even the Church look for ways to display their benevolence. But could it be, that something is missing? Not merely good practice, but the very heart behind service.</p>

<p>“Presence Is Not An Accessory Of Love; Presence Is The Foundation Of Love.”<br><br>In a world where people are less present; in the same room yet alone; longing for connection yet committed to no one - we are called to be present as a posture of love.</p>

<p>God wants you to see that you matter to Him and His people. <br><br>In this first message of the series, “Living Stones,” Pastor Nirup sets the stage for how we are called not only to belong to Jesus, but to one another in order to become who God has called us to be.</p>

<p>There now lies an empty grave where death once reigned. This empty grave is now the anchor of our lives, reminding us and generations to come that whatever may come in this life we have a resurrection power available to us in Christ Jesus. In His life, death and resurrection, Jesus established the rule of His Kingdom which assures of an eternal life of joy that is experience here and now and in the life to come. His resurrection is our promise that death does not have the final say.</p>

<p>The way Jesus moves in your life may not be the way you expected.<br><br>In “Redefine My Expectation” Pastor Nirup Alphonse teaches from a familiar story to show us that God is always on the move to deliver in you what He has declared over you.<br><br>Mark 11:1-11</p>

<p>One of the most challenging things Jesus instructs His followers to do is to forgive and reconcile with others. This often feels like a simple thing but is filled with moments of grief and pain. Yet, Jesus is leading us into the way of freedom.</p>

<p>Luke 14:25-33 (ESV)<br><br>On his way to the cross, Jesus makes us an offer—come and die. However daunting, this invitation comes with great promise. In giving up everything we find the only way to true life is to carry our cross and come after Him.</p>

<p>There is a promise that Jesus makes that we can be sure to expect - He will return. When He does we will be invited before Him to present what we have done with what He has giving us to advance His Kingdom agenda.</p>

<p>Even when our lives are filled with distractions and chaos God will stop at nothing for you to experience him. It turns out that when you find yourself far from God or experiencing His presence God is working behind the scenes to clean some places in your life to draw you back to the heart of the Father.</p>

<p>Whenever Jesus spoke or moved in power people responded with shock and awe. They were amazed at the authority of Christ. Yet, Jesus never used His power or wisdom to paralyze us. Rather, in our times of greatest desperation Jesus declares and delivers into us exactly what we need.</p>

<p>The good news of the Gospel is that in every season God is faithful to His promise. In this message, guest Pastor Mike Drury, teaches through the Scriptures on how we can experience and expect God's faithfulness.</p>

<p>What if the followers of Jesus could once again be known as people who lived with a deep devotion to God and a love that is expressed towards others. In this message, Pastor Nirup closes out our series “Way People” with a challenge to let love be what we are known for as a church and followers of Jesus.</p>

<p>Nothing upsets the expectations of our modern culture quite like showing love to enemies. It defies logic. It goes against instinct. It upsets a pre-established system of human behavior. And yet, as people of the Way, this is one of our highest callings. Not only because it is distinct in the midst of regular social conduct, but because it is the very essence of Christ’s character.</p>

<p>The way others experience us is based on the place that we operate from. The people of Jesus are called to operate from the place of God’s blessing. When we do - we BECOME a people who are blessed to be a blessing.</p>

<p>Contemporary critics of Christianity seem to agree that of all the ways you could describe “Christians”, love would not be one of them. Yet, Jesus says that the world will know us by our love. We believe this year we can become known in culture as the people of Jesus who live with the radical love of Jesus.</p>

<p>Are you tired of the kind of life that is based on a list of what to do and not do? The life God has promised you is not based on things prescribed for you to do but a description of who you can become. In this message Pastor Nirup teaches us what the fundamental mark of a Christian actually is.</p>

<p>What if this is the year that changes everything? What if your situation never changes but God changes you in the process? In this message Pastor Nirup teaches that the promise of the Gospel is when you belong to God He changes you to become who He has called you to be.</p>

<p>Advent is the reminder that while the world is not as it should be, God has arrived and is on the move. Yet that arrival which came in stillness cannot be kept a secret - we are invited to witness the arrival of a King and make Him known.</p>

<p>Advent is the reminder that while the world was dark, God was moving. God works in the darkness. <br><br>Whatever you are going through, God has entered your story. As He does, He invites you into a promise for you to look to and live from.</p>

<p>The angel tells Mary she will be giving birth to the Savior - Emmanuel, God with us. And now Mary lives in the waiting. How often when we trust that God is doing something, we often struggle the waiting. But Mary didn't lose hope. She anticipated the coming of the Savior and writes a beautiful moving song.</p>