The Branch Church

<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>

<p>“When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done….” (Acts 11:23)<br><br>This weekend, we focus on what the church in Antioch has to teach us about being a person and a church rooted in grace. The presence and absence of grace impacts every realm of life — marriage, parenting, business, friendships, relationships, etc…. And then there’s the grace of God in our own lives.</p>

<p>This weekend, we consider what it means to worship or minister to the Lord (Acts 13:2). You might be thinking, "Really? We minister to the Lord? I thought it was just to other people!”</p>

<p>180 million people in more than 2,000 languages are Bibleless. This weekend we’ve asked Greg Pruett, the President of Pioneer Bible Translators to bring us a special message from the work they’re doing to translate the Gospel into every language, and bring it to every tribe and tongue around the world.</p>

<p>This weekend we focus on another key description of the church in Antioch that is a theme for us to lean into as individuals, and as a church.</p>

<p>Sometimes you have to go backward in order to move forward.</p>

<p>What would it be like for the confession, "Jesus is Lord" to be the lens through which we process life – with all of its wonder, complexities, mystery, and adversities? And how does this shape how we respond to others around us?</p>

<p>There is something else “better left said” and it’s only three words. They aren’t “I love you.” They are three words that were actually the only creed of the early church, and in fact appear in quotes in multiple places in the New Testament.<br><br>“Jesus is Lord.”<br><br>These words can actually make some people angry when taking into account what we are witnessing around us right now. For others, they can be consoling. For others, they can actually be a compass helping us to navigate our way forward. And for all of us they are “saving” words in more ways than appear on the surface.<br><br>It is better left said, and often.</p>

<p>Jesus says in Matthew 18 to be humble like a child.<br>This weekend, our Kids Ministry Director, Alexis Hall, teaches us what it means to have complete dependence and trust in God. Being reliant on God to tell us who He is and who we are. This means realizing who’s who -- who is the child and who is the parent.</p>

<p>Elton John said it was the hardest word to say. The band Chicago sang about it, too. We’ll talk about what “it” is this weekend in a message that’s been brewing in Chris for a little while.<br><br>You’ve probably heard it said that “some things are better left unsaid.” This weekend, Chris tells us there are some things “better left said.” But the things better left said are often the hardest to say.</p>

<p>This weekend we’ll cross the finish line of our “By Faith” series and our journey through Hebrews 11. We’ll be in Hebrews 11:32-40. The journey of faith features two kinds of faith experiences. Both will be present in our lives when it comes to walking out our faith.<br><br>People and churches tend to build belief systems around one or the other, instead of acknowledging both. When we do this with one, to the exclusion of the other, it makes the journey harder than it has to be. And, if we're honest, it’s challenging enough!</p>

<p>This weekend, Chris Seidman is back to help us draw wisdom and inspiration from the story of Rahab.</p>

<p>Ryan Rainey helps us draw wisdom and inspiration from the story of Jericho.</p>

<p>Hunter Wheatcraft helps us draw wisdom and inspiration from the life of Enoch.</p>

<p>This weekend, Ryan Rainey helps us draw wisdom and inspiration from the crossing of the Red Sea.</p>

<p>Tim Ketchersid helps us draw wisdom and inspiration from the faith of Amram & Jochebed, the parents of Moses.</p>

<p>This weekend, Josh Brake, helps us draw wisdom and inspiration from the faith of Sarah.</p>

<p>This weekend our special guest, Mitch Wilburn, helps us draw wisdom and inspiration from the faith of Noah.</p>

<p>Come along as Ryan Rainey helps us draw wisdom and inspiration from the faith of Joseph.</p>

<p>Tim Ketchersid helps us draw wisdom and inspiration from the faith of Abel.</p>