beyond

Final Responsibilities

beyond — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:10:02 +0000

Art Morris wraps up Beyond’s verse-by-verse study of Ephesians by looking at three final thoughts from Paul in Ephesians 6:18b-24. There is much encouragement in this passage to be responsible in our relationships, in our duties, and in our ministry.

The Battle of Our Lives

beyond — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:14:19 +0000

Often we get so wrapped up in the day to day stuff of our lives we lose sight of the fact that there is a battle raging all around us. In Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul reminds us that our fight is not against “flesh and blood”, that is, other people. Rather, Satan and his demons are scheming against us. Then, in one of the most well-known sections of the book, he explains what it means to prepare for this type of battle. Using the visual mnemonic of a Roman soldier’s battle gear, Paul describes the essential tools that we’ll need. Ultimately, however, what we need most is the commitment to stand — together as a church — and hold our ground for God.

Working for Jesus

beyond — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:16:02 +0000

Ephesians 6:5-9 is a great example of how Scripture is timeless. Although Paul’s focus is on how slaves and masters who are Christ-followers should interact, it also serves as a great text to inform us about the nature of our working relationships and to remind us of God’s great history of setting captives free. Finally, it highlights the fact that we were once all slaves to sin (Romans 6) and Jesus can not only be our boss, He can be our Savior.

Kids and Dads

beyond — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:51:09 +0000

Returning to our verse by verse study of Ephesians, Art Morris works through Ephesians 6:1-4. This text has some foundational truth regarding the interactions within the family and the responsibilities of fathers.

Death Interrupted

beyond — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:46:00 +0000

In the final message of the Life Interrupted series Eric Kramer preaches on the ultimate victory: when Christ gave us Death Interrupted

Career Interrupted

beyond — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:48:53 +0000

Eric Kramer continues the Life Interrupted with today’s focus on careers. Nowadays a job interruption is very common. Eric’s sermon is enhanced by a personal word from a fellow Beyond leader, Phil Scott who speaks at the end of the message.

Love Interrupted

beyond — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:25:24 +0000

In the second sermon of the Life Interrupted series, Eric Kramer gives us six principles to focus on when relationships get strained or broken. We can persevere through these times because of the sustaining love and grace of our Savior, Jesus. Because of God’s great love for us we can have faith in the promise found in Romans 8 that He really can use even the bad times for our good.

Worship music for the day was provided by Denny Denham, an awesome singer-songwriter from a sister church. He closed our time with a word of testimony about God’s work in his life, followed by his great song I Believe. If you could use a message of peace and healing, do yourself a favor and head over to his site or sample his music here (or better yet, buy the album!):

Life Interrupted

beyond — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:39:54 +0000

How many times has our life really gone the way we expected? Isn’t the insight from SNL’s Gilda Radner still true: “It’s always something!”? How do we respond when our lives are interrupted. In this first message of a new sermon series, Eric Kramer explores this topic from a very personal angle.

Marriage Rights

beyond — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:30:25 +0000

Ephesians 5:22-33 contains some of the richest teaching on marriage in the entire Bible. Art Morris discusses this passage emphasizing the role of both husbands and wise being Christ to each other.

Choices

beyond — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:20:02 +0000

The latter half of Ephesians has been seen through the years as being intensely practical teaching by Paul. The heart of a pastor comes through. Surely the teaching, inspired by the Holy Spirit, of course, has the flavor of counseling those who have gotten themselves off track by making bad decisions. Art Morris leads through this section of Ephesians 5:15-21. Issues of time management, alcoholism and mutual submission are discussed.

Worship 101

beyond — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:09:54 +0000

In a special message, Jim Keown gives the Beyond Family a primer on Worship and encourages us to be authentic and enthusiastic about it.

From Darkness to Light

beyond — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:03:30 +0000

Art Morris works through the opening verses of Ephesians 5 in this message. Here, Paul makes the (possibly obvious) point that Christians should live differently than non-Christians. This is not about “religion” encouraging a certain type of behavior from an outside influence. Rather, a Christian, changed from the inside out will want and be compelled to live differently because of the Holy Spirit’s power and influence. We are supposed to walk as children of Light!

Seven Simple Duties

beyond — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:56:07 +0000

In this message from our series on Ephesians, Art Morris walks through the directives that Paul has for Christians who want to live a new life. The focal passage is Ephesians 4:25-5:2. Helpful information on bitterness, including the list of questions, and the glass of water illustration (original from Amy Carmichael) derived from Mark Driscoll’s book, Death By Love.

Expand Your Expectations

beyond — Mon, 25 May 2009 00:02:48 +0000

In this special message, Eric Kramer revisits our core values and challenges us to revisit our commitments also. Using the core insight from Ephesians 3:20, he makes the point that we need to refocus our efforts — starting with the leadership team.

Spiritual Maturity

beyond — Sun, 17 May 2009 22:21:07 +0000

We measure growth in people with scales or measuring tapes, birthdays or accomplishments. But, how do we monitor spiritual growth? What does it mean to be a mature Christian? Art Morris works through Ephesians 4:17-24 with this theme in mind. Prior to the message we saw this clip — a seemingly light, vintage, yet biting, commentary from Amy Grant. During the message we played a clip from Mark Driscoll’s (Mars Hill Church, Seattle, WA) treatment of Ephesians 4:22 — the full sermon available here.

Growth and Service

beyond — Sun, 10 May 2009 23:21:44 +0000

There are so many ways to serve our Lord and so many opportunities to do so. As he works through Ephesians 4:7-16, Eric Kramer lays out a potential new vision for areas of service.

Unity

beyond — Sun, 03 May 2009 23:21:19 +0000

Eric Kramer asks us to focus on the power that Christians might have if they could work in a unified way. Ephesians 4:1-6 is the focal passage. Just past midway we watched the Nickelback video “If Everyone Cared.”

For This Reason

beyond — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:39:35 +0000

Paul, with an overwhelming pastor’s heart, encourages us in Ephesians 3:14-21 to consider just how all-encompassing the love of Christ is. Art Morris works through this passage and then has a question of personal commitment for each of us.

A Momentary Distraction?

beyond — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:13:56 +0000

Art Morris works through what he thinks may be one of the earliest “ADD Moments” by looking at Ephesians 3:1-14.

The Glory of Easter

beyond — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:01:27 +0000

In Genesis God identifies Himself as “I Am”. The very fact that the creator of the entire universe would trouble Himself to reveal that very personal item to man is amazing. The mystery of the gospel includes the fact that God brings so much glory to himself by extending grace to us. Eric Kramer explores this mystery in Part III of our Holy Week series. Again, credit to Stanley and Giglio for inspiration and and some content.