Dayspring Fellowship Podcasts
Weekend messages from Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon.
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Episodes
Tuesday Aug 10, 2021
Tuesday Aug 10, 2021
The Circle of LoveHow Do You Recognize a Christian?August 8, 2021
On December 10, 2020, the Washington Examiner ran a story with this headline: Dairy Queen customers contribute to 900-vehicle ‘pay it forward’ chain. It began on December 3, when one man decided to pay for the car behind him — prompting a chain of giving that lasted almost three days and resulted in more than $10,000 in sales. Perhaps you’ve been in a Starbucks or McDonald’s drive-thru and been pleasantly surprised to have it happen to you; or maybe you’ve been the one spreading kindness to those in line behind you.Though the concept of ‘pay it forward’ has been around for centuries, the idea was popularized by the 1999 novel and subsequent movie of the same name. However, there’s one significant difference between the book/movie concept and the drive-thru line experience. In the storyline, when someone, ‘pays it forward’ they must do something for someone else that the person cannot do for themselves. Hmmm.We’ve been studying our way through the letters of the Apostle John this summer, in a series we’ve called How Do You Recognize a Christian? As followers and lovers of Jesus, the way we live should give to those around us clear evidence that we are who we say we are…people who love and follow Christ. Our lives should tell the story of God’s extravagant love for us…and for others. One of the first Bible verses kids learn in Sunday School says, “We love because He (God) first loved us.” In his gospel account of Jesus’ life, John records these words spoken by Christ, “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” Just as I have loved you is a pretty tall order. I mean, I want to love others like Jesus did; but what does that really mean, practically speaking, for me and for you?
Tuesday Aug 03, 2021
Tuesday Aug 03, 2021
Tried & True
How Do You Recognize a Christian?
August 1, 2021
It began in 1956 and was on-air continuously until 1978. Since then it’s been revised several times, reaching a total of 31 seasons in 2021. To Tell the Truth is an American game show in which four celebrity panelists are presented with three contestants. The contestants all claim to be the same person, with an unusual occupation or life experience. The goal for the panelists is to question the contestants to determine which are the imposters and who is telling the truth. When questioned, the two impostors may lie; but the real person must answer honestly. Asking good questions, listening carefully to the responses, and paying attention to body language are all important factors in determining who is the real deal and who are the fakes. But even knowing that two of the three contestants are lying often doesn’t help the panelists. Determining who the liars are isn’t always as easy as it sounds!
We’ve been working our way through the letters of the Apostle John this summer, in a series we’ve called How Do You Recognize a Christian? We’re looking at the first six verses of 1 John 4 this week, where we find some strong words of exhortation. Like a father warning his children, John reminds his readers, “You can’t believe everything you hear!”
So how do you know what is really true? What sources warrant our trust? There is more information available to the average person today than at any other time in history. It can be overwhelming to even attempt to try and make sense out of the rhetoric, the reporting, the spin, or the sales pitch.
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
This week, we are about halfway through our summer series, How Do You Recognize a Christian? as we study the letters written by the Apostle John. There’s an old song that says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” That’s the heart of what John is getting at in our study this week. The only way the world will know what the love of Jesus looks like, is if they see it authentically reflected in how we love them.
Saturday Jul 24, 2021
Saturday Jul 24, 2021
Who's Your Daddy?How Do You Recognize a Christian?July 18, 2021
Nobody likes to be wrong. And in a very real and devastating sense, our culture has lost the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. If you were to say to someone, “What you are doing is a sin,” what they will most likely hear you saying is, “I’m judging you,” not, “I love you enough to tell you you’re headed for trouble.” In our world, the idea of sin has been diluted; and instead of sin, we use words like error, mistake, sickness, faux pas, failure, fault, weakness…or even, preference.Changing the language we use doesn’t alter the reality…our world, and every person in it, is infected with sin. There is no vaccine that can stop it; it’s only growing and will continue to grow worse.But, there IS hope!This week as we continue in our summer series, How Do You Recognize a Christian? we’re learning about the hope that is available for our sin-sick world. We do not have to live enslaved to the power of death and destruction. Victory over sin can be our new reality.Are you in need of some hope? There is a Deliverer, a Rescuer, a Hero - who promises freedom to those who will follow Him. I invite you to join us this Sunday, as we talk about what it means to experience freedom from the power of sin, to walk in victory and experience true joy.
Sunday Jul 11, 2021
Sunday Jul 11, 2021
The Blessings of AbidianceHow Do You Recognize a Christian?July 11, 2021
Language is an ever-evolving thing. But where do new words or phrases come from and how do they go from obscure to official? A word gets into a dictionary when it’s used by many people who all agree that it means the same thing. First, you drop the word into your conversation and writing, then others pick it up; the more its use spreads, the more likely it will be noticed by dictionary editors, or lexicographers. Dictionaries can add more than 1,000 new words in a single year. Consider these recent additions to our English dictionaries:Hygge, (h(y)o͞oɡə) depending on how poorly you pronounce this Danish word, means a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable. In the US, we call those hugs.Merriam-Webster defines the term makerspace as “a communal public workshop in which makers can work on small personal projects.” A makerspace is like an art studio for the whole community. Most makerspaces cater to hobbyists rather than professional artists.Crowdfunding is “the practice of obtaining needed funding (as for a new business) by soliciting contributions from a large number of people especially from the online community.”This week, as we continue in our summer series, How Do You Recognize a Christian? I’m creating a new word: abidiance. I’ve decided it means “the act of abiding in Christ.”But what does abiding mean? What does that look like in the life of someone who follows Jesus? Where do we abide and how do we do it? The apostle John, whose letters we are studying this summer, stresses the importance of abiding more than once in his epistle. It’s important that we understand what it means and why it’s so vital for us!
Tuesday Jul 06, 2021
Tuesday Jul 06, 2021
Truth Is Stranger Than FictionHow Do You Recognize a Christian?July 4, 2021
Most people are familiar with the classic ‘icebreaker’ party game, Two Truths and a Lie. To play, one person has to make three statements about themselves to the rest of the group. Two statements must be true; the other, however is a lie. Each person guesses which of the three statements they believe is untrue; and once all guesses have been made, the lie is revealed. It’s a fun, harmless way to get to know people a little bit better. And though the deception is intentional, it’s not really for the purpose of deceiving anyone. The point of the game is to learn new truths about others.But in real life, lying isn’t fun or harmless. Dishonesty breaks relationships and destroys trust. Being swindled or deceived can be costly. We’ve all heard stories of people who have lost everything because they trusted someone they shouldn’t have. There are multiple studies that suggest that, on average, Americans tell one or two lies every day. Additional studies have identified nine primary motivations that cause people to lie. So, if lying is so prevalent, how can you tell the difference between the truth and a lie?Psychologists and body language experts who study these things tell us that there are a variety of ways to tell if someone is lying. Body movements, such as fidgeting, facial expressions, or certain hand gestures can all be clues to whether or not someone is telling the truth. But being able to accurately interpret those signs or signals requires training in how to spot a liar. Discernment – the ability to tell the difference between what is true and what is false – must be developed over time and with intention.We are about a month into our summer series, How Do You Recognize a Christian? This week, we’re talking about the importance of being able to tell the difference between biblical teaching (doctrine) and false teaching. It is vitally important that we know the truth. Because ‘truth’ comes in a wide variety of flavors these days. Everyone seems to have their own version. We must know, without a doubt, how to navigate the sea of half-truths, almost-truths, and outright lies in order to stand firm in our faith. And the Apostle John has some important instructions for us on how to develop the ability to identify the liars.
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
A Cautionary TaleHow Do You Recognize a Christian?June 27, 2021
If you live in Oregon, where our church is located, you’re probably aware that much of our state is under an “excessive heat” warning this weekend. Around here, that means the highways to the Oregon coast will be packed with cars as people seek to escape from the heat. The forecast at this point indicates it will be about 35 degrees cooler, just 64 miles west!The purpose of a warning is to provide people with information that allows them to prepare for unusual or potentially dangerous circumstances ahead. Fans and AC units are flying (or have already flown) off the shelves at home improvement and hardware stores around here. We’re stocking up on popsicles and ice cream, preparing to cook outdoors, and covering windows to block out the sun. People are doing whatever they can to prepare for the weekend heat wave.This week, in our summer series How Do You Recognize a Christian? we’re taking a look at a warning the Apostle John gives to those who have chosen to follow Christ. We all know that God is love. And that the love God has for the world has conquered the power of sin and death for those who accept His love. But not all love is created equal. In fact, there is a particular kind of love that God hates. And this is the love John wants to warn us about. You might wonder how any kind of love would be a problem. I encourage you to join us as we find out together.
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
Level Up LoveHow Do You Recognize a Christian?June 20, 2021
I’m not really much of a gamer. For you older viewers, that’s someone who plays video games. Although I did get sucked into playing Candy Crush a few years ago. It took me maybe six months to “crush” all 1,400 and some-odd levels of the game. That’s time I’m never gonna get back! Since then, I pretty much stick to word games and jigsaw puzzles.
Anyone who plays video games knows that many of them are structured so there is a hierarchy or levels of progress. You avoid the bomb, defeat the enemy, collect the gems, and overcome every obstacle in your way; and then you advance to the next level. And with every level passed, you, your character, or your team increases in ability, strength, resources, or power. You are better equipped for whatever obstacles are to come in the next round.
Some of these games can be pretty addicting! They’re designed to be that way, because, well…that’s how companies get people to spend money on their games. As humans, there’s something in us that is always wanting more...greater ability, more influence, increased strength. Video game developers are just capitalizing on what they know to be true about human nature. You could say that life is like a cosmic video game; and in one way or another, we’re all looking to level up.
This week, in our summer series How Do You Recognize a Christian? we’re looking at what it means to level up in our journey to become more like Christ. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t exempt us from the challenges of life. In fact, in some ways, it can make life harder. There are definitely hazards, obstacles, and an enemy to defeat, as well as treasures to collect along the way. But every step of our adventure with Jesus is intended to challenge us to level up in the way that matters most. We are called to level up our love.
It’s not just a game. The stakes are high. Let’s level up, people!
Wednesday Jun 16, 2021
Wednesday Jun 16, 2021
The Real DealHow Do You Recognize a Christian?June 6, 2021
Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s not…do you know a fake when you see one?From fake grass to fake footwear, fake Amazon packages to fake ID…there’s a “fooler” for just about everything you can imagine.Many of you know of my love for Diet Coke. In a blind test, I could tell you whether the Diet Coke you gave me came from a can, a bottle, or a fountain. I can also tell the difference between a Diet Coke that comes from McDonald’s and one that comes from 7-11. When I travel internationally, I often pack my own supply of Diet Coke in my luggage. In South America, they have a version of Diet Coke called Coca Light. It is NOT the same. But in some locations, I’ve asked for a Coca Light, only to be served Coke Zero. Just for the record, Coke Zero, Coca Light, and Diet Coke are all VERY different! “Same thing!” a restaurant server will say, with a shrug. I beg to differ! Coca Light and Coke Zero are poor “imitations” for REAL Diet Coke.This week, we’re beginning a new sermon series called How Do You Recognize a Christian? Throughout the summer, we’ll be studying through the New Testament letters of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John. In writing these three letters, John hoped to encourage the young churches scattered throughout Asia Minor to have an authentic, contagious walk with Christ; to rekindle their faith, love, and hope. His challenge to them -- live rightly and boldly in a world gone wrong -- is as relevant for us today as it was for his original readers. We know Jesus is the only real hope. Do we live like He is our only real hope? How will the world recognize real hope if they don’t see it in us?
Wednesday Jun 09, 2021
Wednesday Jun 09, 2021
The Real DealHow Do You Recognize a Christian?June 6, 2021
Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s not…do you know a fake when you see one?From fake grass to fake footwear, fake Amazon packages to fake ID…there’s a “fooler” for just about everything you can imagine.Many of you know of my love for Diet Coke. In a blind test, I could tell you whether the Diet Coke you gave me came from a can, a bottle, or a fountain. I can also tell the difference between a Diet Coke that comes from McDonald’s and one that comes from 7-11. When I travel internationally, I often pack my own supply of Diet Coke in my luggage. In South America, they have a version of Diet Coke called Coca Light. It is NOT the same. But in some locations, I’ve asked for a Coca Light, only to be served Coke Zero. Just for the record, Coke Zero, Coca Light, and Diet Coke are all VERY different! “Same thing!” a restaurant server will say, with a shrug. I beg to differ! Coca Light and Coke Zero are poor “imitations” for REAL Diet Coke.This week, we’re beginning a new sermon series called How Do You Recognize a Christian? Throughout the summer, we’ll be studying through the New Testament letters of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John. In writing these three letters, John hoped to encourage the young churches scattered throughout Asia Minor to have an authentic, contagious walk with Christ; to rekindle their faith, love, and hope. His challenge to them -- live rightly and boldly in a world gone wrong -- is as relevant for us today as it was for his original readers. We know Jesus is the only real hope. Do we live like He is our only real hope? How will the world recognize real hope if they don’t see it in us?