The Branch Church

<p>It’s rare to see the Lord “fighting mad.” But it’s just as important to understand what He’s fighting for. There are moments in our lives when the Lord “disturbs the peace” in order to make it possible for us or others to experience true, substantial peace. This weekend, in Matthew 21:1-17, we’ll look at a story that exemplifies this. There are layers to this story and multiple points of intersection for our lives.</p>

<p>Have you ever had that awkward silence with someone you love after an intense disagreement? Didn’t know how to move forward? That could be what happened with Jesus and His disciples in Matthew 17 along with two of the strangest stories in all the gospels.</p>

<p>This weekend in Matthew, we see Jesus set the foundation for His church. Josh Brake brings us the word from Matthew 16:13-28.</p>

<p>One of Chris’s favorite stories in all of Matthew is finally here! It’s the story of Jesus walking on water — and Peter, for that matter. There are layers to this story as we learn what it means to look FOR Jesus in rough water and high winds. Then to look TO Him.</p>

<p>This weekend, in Matthew Chapter 12, we see Jesus saying over and over again that, “something greater is here….” Chris also talks about the one “unforgivable” sin and the question a lot of folks ask, “Have I already done it?”</p>

<p>It’s possible to give someone a gift that they find offensive. Jesus is the greatest gift of all – and sometimes the gift can be offensive to us. Why does that matter? What does it have to do with following Jesus?</p>

<p>This weekend, Chris is back to bring us a word out of Matthew 9:35-10:39 with Jesus teaching his disciples about authority, risk, discomfort, and sacrifice.</p>

<p>This weekend we come to the calling of Matthew, the titular author himself. Josh Brake is bringing this message to the Vista Ridge campus this weekend.</p>

<p>This weekend we come to the calling of Matthew, the titular author himself. Hunter Wheatcraft brings the word from Matthew 9:9-13 to the Farmers Branch campus.</p>

<p>This weekend we’re taking a tour through a few stories, back-to-back in Matthew 8-9:7. These stories share a common thread or theme that runs through them all. <br><br>And, in case you’re thinking, “Hey, wait a second! We just finished Matthew 4 this past weekend? What about 5-7? What about the Sermon on the Mount?” We’ll circle back around to that after Easter. Stay tuned for more on that later.</p>

<p>We’ve been hearing the phrase “unprecedented times” a lot recently, and while these are turbulent times, they are not unprecedented. “…the people living in darkness have seen a great light, on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” - Matthew 4:16</p>

<p>Have you ever been in the middle of a fight and didn’t know it? How about a war? In Matthew 4, we walk through a story which none of us would ever know about were it not for Jesus telling His disciples. Because no one was there when it happened. No one except for Jesus. Satan. And a few angels. But He wanted us to know about it. But why?</p>

<p>The story of Jesus’ baptism is actually a perfect setup for a new year! But to get there, we have to go through a man named John the Baptist who dresses like a Star Wars character and eats like a reality TV show contestant.</p>

<p>The King has come, but how do we live beyond Christmas? What does it mean to respond to the coming of Jesus?</p>

<p>The responses to the coming of Jesus are quite varied, and are embodied in the part of the real Christmas story found in Matthew 2:1-12. People talk about “being in the Christmas spirit.” But which one?</p>

<p>Kicking off our journey in the Gospel of Matthew, Chris brings up the front and back of Christmas trees, “coffin apartments,” and what in the world those things have to do with Matthew 1!</p>

<p>This weekend is the final (and possibly the most important) message of our series on the Holy Spirit. The thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians is often used to speak into marriages, but it’s not really about marriage. It’s about life with the Spirit!</p>

<p>This weekend, we find out what the Holy Spirit has to do with “body-building.” We also explore how the spirits of inferiority and superiority so often get in the way of us growing together in the ways and work of the Holy Spirit.</p>

<p>Do you have a Christmas gift list? Did you know there’s such a thing as a Spirit gift list? And did you know you can ask for the gifts on the list?<br><br>We’re spending some time in 1 Corinthians 12-14 over the next couple of weekends. We’re called to be more than open to the ways the Holy Spirit operates in our lives. We’re called to eagerly desire and pursue such things by the grace of God. Let’s grow together!</p>

<p>One of the most common references to the Holy Spirit in Scripture is as a “deposit.” This has implications both for our attitude and our mindset about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives today, but also how the work of the Spirit points us to a future day.</p>

<p>There were varied opinions and reactions to the move of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2... but no one was indifferent about it. Something is happening. Come and see.</p>

<p>This weekend, some will be challenged and stretched by this particular part of the series. We are considering the power of the Holy Spirit.<br><br>The power of the Spirit doesn't always work to get us out of a jam, or make our life easier or more comfortable. The One who walked in it more than anyone else ever has — Jesus — still had a cross in His future. But He also had a resurrection! The power of the Spirit was involved in both. (see Hebrews 9:14 and Romans 8:11)</p>

<p>This weekend we consider what Scripture has to reveal about the Holy Spirit as a person, and why that matters.</p>

<p>This weekend we begin a new series: Holy Spirit: Person, Power, and Presence. We’ll consider what Scripture has to tell us about the reality, mystery, and practical need for the Spirit of God in our lives. By God’s grace, we’ll grow in our understanding of what it means to be a Spirit-led people with Spirit-empowered lives.</p>

<p>There are no “finished products” for God to work through. Though God works through us, He is still working on us. This weekend we wrap up our Ancient Future series on the church in Antioch with one final message about ongoing change. Antioch was a place where not just new believers were emerging, but seasoned believers were being changed in an ongoing way.<br><br>Have you ever believed something in your mind and yet you had trouble living it out – as if there was a gap between how you thought and how you lived? We’ll talk about it this weekend and even see this dynamic at work in the lives of the spiritual leaders of the early church. We’re all under construction!</p>