Branch Church Mason Adair

“I WON’T BELIEVE IT UNLESS I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” It was a declaration that earned him the unflattering title Doubting Thomas. The Bible is full of stories and people that had serious “bouts with doubt.” This message looks at how faith does not exclude doubts and questions. The real question is, what are we going to do about our doubt?

Luke 24 shares an interaction the resurrected Jesus had with 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus. Their dreams of Jesus rescuing them from Rome had died with Him on the cross. They were looking for a Geopolitical King to liberate them physically from Rome, instead they got a Servant King, intent on liberating their soul from sin. When God doesn't meet our expectations, we are tempted to lose faith. This message shows how Jesus opened their eyes to His plans and gave them greater faith and hope in the process.

It was the worst thing Simon Peter ever did!... He denied knowing Jesus 3 times and Jesus even gave him a heads up. Yikes! Simon Peter's sin against Jesus was great but Jesus' grace was greater! Jesus would use this failure for Peter's greater purpose, which was "to feed His sheep." This message gives us a great reminder that failure isn’t final. And that a failed Christian isn’t a finished Christian.

Mary Magdalene was the first person to witness the resurrected Jesus. Her life was dramatically transformed by the power of Jesus. Mary is proof that you are not defined by your past. Maybe, like Mary, you’re struggling against demonic forces, addictions or sinful habits you can’t break. Mary says to you. I had seven demons in me. But here is the truth found in the power of Jesus! There is more healing in Him than there is sickness in you, more forgiveness in Him than there is sin in us. There is no struggle, no addiction, no brokenness that His power cannot heal.

Our words are SO powerful. Proverbs says that “the tongue can bring death or life.” That’s a pretty bold statement and a powerful reality. Our words either give life or take life. As Christians, we should strive to use our words in a way that gives life!

In Proverbs 22:6, Solomon instructs a parent to fulfill their God-given role to "direct their children onto the right path." This isn't a passive approach to parenting but an intentional one. This message looks to give 3 encouragements for parents found in this proverb as they navigate the incredible privilege and responsibility God has given them!