Lake Tapps Christian Church

A message where we unpack what it means to “pass the baton” and how important that can be in light of Joshua following after Moses.

Lake Tapps Christian Church

A message that explores how much responsibility we have in our relationship with God as well as beholding the amazing mercy of God.

Lake Tapps Christian Church

Lake Tapps Christian Church

Our final week of this series is about fearing the future. One of the good things about God is that He offers us a promise that pushes back our worry about the future. David celebrates that two things will follow us for the rest of our days--God's goodness and God's love. Worry loses its effectiveness when it meets God's goodness. Here's to a bright future.

Today's message is for those who feel the weight of life. The constant daily battles we face leave us tired, worn out and not at our best. God meets us in these battles, not when they're over, but right in the middle. David describes God as setting a table for us in the presence of our enemies.

Today Shepherd David teaches us about having the right perspective in the valley. Clarity comes with the mountaintop views but we can still have perspective in the valleys. We know valleys are dark, difficult, full of disappointment and discouragement but that's not all. Instead of being air-lifted out of the valley David reminds us that Jesus is in the valley ready to equip and shape and sustain us.

The future is uncertain. We're just trying to figure what the new normal is. It creates a new level of stress. On top of that no one seems to know how long it's going to last. We've got moments where it feels like we can barely hold it together for one more day. It's why we're leaning into Shepherd Jesus. Get ready for some practical teaching on how to navigate daily decisions when your future is uncertain.

The truth is—we have more in common with sheep than we want to admit. We need protection, comfort, encouragement, discipline, direction to name few shared needs. It's one reason why we are so easy to worry, we have much to worry about. It's also why Jesus calls himself our shepherd, the shepherd cares for the sheep. We kick off our series The Goodness of God with a simple question, can you say "Jesus is my shepherd."

Peace is not the absence of fear, it's finding presence in the midst of the circumstances you're facing. This week we'll explore Jesus' words "My peace I give to you" from John 14, and we'll slow down a bit together and be reminded of the greatness of God.

Jesus overcame death and Jesus gives us life after death. This is why we celebrate Easter, but I've got even better news for you, especially as we live by faith in a crisis. Jesus is beaten, he's stripped of his clothing, he has no money, no possessions, he has no pockets. Yet what he gave out of emptiness gives us new life. Not just life after death we can even have life near death. What this means is that in the crisis, when life may never be the same, when you're not at your best--Jesus gave his life so we'd have life to give.

When it comes to a crisis, with all the pain, and suffering and injustice, everybody finds someone to blame. Today message is so important because we look to the source of all evil. We need to know who the enemy is so we know how to respond. If you're a Christian, you know that pride is the source of all evil. One author describes it like this, "The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being."

Habakkuk has shown us a remarkable combination of deep frustration coupled with total commitment. He's not giving up even though he doesn't understand. This week Habakkuk demonstrates how to wait on God in the crisis. When life is sideways we struggle to connect with God, Habakkuk shows us how to keep perspective, obedience and patience.

Research says that most couples have arguments about small, nagging things as often as 312 times per year. On paper, washing dishes, hanging up clothes, and taking out the garbage don't seem like relationship busters. Except that after you've had the talk, after they've agreed to change, the small things can turn into big things. Today we learn how to handle those intense relationship rattling patterns.

oday we learn from Adam and Eve, specifically when shame entered their story. Shame brought fear of rejection and hiding, making their relationship feel unsafe. We've continued this pattern, experiencing coldness and distance in our relationships along with a steady stream of conflict. The beauty of Jesus' life, death and resurrection is that we are fully known and fully loved, it's the antidote to shame. Check this out.

Relationships are tricky. Sometimes it feels like people just want to talk about themselves and we can't get a word in edgewise. Other times we'll receive compliments or praise only to be asked for a favor soon thereafter. Those helpful friendships that build us up and breath life are far and few between. Today, we're talking about how to use our mouths to care for others. Caring happens when I agree to do my part.

If you ask people why they don't go to church they might explain how it's boring, or irrelevant, or that they love Jesus just fine without the mess of church. It's true, church is messy and it attracts people that can be uncomfortable. Today we dive into Uncomfortable People, how things went wrong and what we can do about it. Finally, a message for introverts, extroverts, millennials, octogenarians, Republicans and Democrats.

One of the most uncomfortable moments in life is when we must move forward without the details. God comforts us in these moments by giving us the Holy Spirit who promises to never leave us. You'd think that would get us on our way to following God with our lives. It's just that the Spirit doesn't lay out a five year plan for us to follow, instead the Spirit invites us to walk by His side. It's why we're calling him the Uncomfortable Comforter.

Lake Tapps Christian Church