Dayspring Fellowship Podcasts

Barriers Redrawn

April 16 & 17,2016
Jesus in Action -Messages from Mark
 
This weekend we are going to continue our series in the book of Mark. We will be looking at chapter 3, where Jesus redraws or eliminates barriers that restrict us from fully living out God’s will for our lives. Jesus directly addresses barriers of unholiness and estrangement, powerlessness, isolation and the enemy.
Christ desires for us to experience his healing and restoration. Will you step forward for His healing? He longs to send us out with power and authority in order that we may proclaim the message of Christ to our community. Will you step out courageously?
Join us this weekend as we celebrate the victory we have in Christ and the unity we have with one another as brothers and sisters.

Jesus Surprised People; Why Are His Followers So Predictable?

April 9 & 10, 2016
Jesus in Action -
Messages from Mark
 
We’ve just begun a new series of messages going through the
gospel of Mark, chapter by chapter. To promote what we’ll learn this weekend,
I’ll give you a sneak peek at one of my study questions:
    
“People hold many negative stereotypes about Christians. For instance, we’re
thought of as conservative in all the wrong ways, somber and grumpy. Some
people think of us as narrow-minded and no fun. We’re seen as rule-keeping
hoop-jumpers, hypocritical and condescending. But are any of these
characteristics true of Jesus? What was he like? What should a Christian be
known for in America today?”
     
Join us in worship as we get a good look at Jesus in Mark 2. We will see him
surprising people over and over again. From what we’ll see in our reading,
maybe followers of Christ should not define ourselves or be defined by
predictability, for our Lord was just the opposite!

What Mattered Most to Jesus

April 2 & 3, 2016
Jesus in Action -
Messages from Mark
 
Whenever I think I’ve got a lot on my to-do list, I think of
Jesus, who was absolutely surrounded with human needs. An endless parade of
people clamored for his attention. Mark opens his account of Christ’s ministry
by depicting Jesus on a very busy day. He had seemingly unlimited opportunities
and responsibilities. After giving his all from dawn to dusk you’d think he
would want a good night’s sleep and not set his alarm so he could get some
extra shuteye. But he got up when it was still dark to devote time to his
highest priority. This weekend we’ll see what mattered most to him and learn
that it should be our top priority as well. Read Mark 1 in preparation for our
worship service. And invite a friend to join you this weekend.

What Do You Expect?

March 26 & 27,2016
This Resurrection weekend we will read in Mark 16 about what happened when the first visitors to Christ’s tomb found it empty. They were expecting to find the body of Jesus where it had been laid. They brought spices to anoint his corpse in order to mask the odor of inevitable decay. What they found surprised them and changed the world.
     
We can be like them, not really expecting to experience Jesus alive. We tend to live our lives as if Jesus stayed put in the tomb and is not alive, around, or available today. It is time for a change in our worldview and resulting lifestyle.
     
Come worship with us this weekend as we discover the significance of the reality of the resurrection.

Motives to Forgive

March 19 & 20,2016
The Road to Reconciliation - Part 3
 In our final look at Paul’s letter to Philemon,we’ll examine some powerful reasons to forgive. This will require more than a quick glance, however.  We’ll break down Paul’s appeal to his dear friend Philemon, in order to discover answers to the question: “why should I forgive?”  We’ll discover forgiveness is a key that unlocks immense spiritual blessings.  There are some really good reasons to forgive.  My prayer is for God to rivet these lessons to our hearts & minds so we never forget the importance of receiving grace from God & extending grace to others, even those who have wronged us.
 
We will remember the Lord Jesus by partaking of the bread & the cup together, so prepare your hearts for worship.
 

Restoring Relationships

March 12 & 13,
2016
The Road to
Reconciliation - Part 2
 
Last week, we looked at Paul’s short letter to a dear friend,
Philemon.  We began a 3-part journey on the road to reconciliation. 
This week, in Part 2, we’ll look at what it takes to restore a broken
relationship.  We’ll cover some helpful insights—whether we’ve been the
offending party or the one offended. Restoring relationship with others begins
by getting our hearts rightly aligned with God.  As those forgiven much by
God, we have a divine opportunity to walk in humility and to extend grace to
others.  Last week, we focused on Philemon.  This week, we’ll gain
some insights from a runaway slave named Onesimus.  You may find yourself
in his fascinating story.
 
This weekend, bring an open heart & a friend!
John  

A Heart to Forgive

The Road to Reconciliation - Part 1
 March 5 & 6, 2016
Profound spiritual lessons are tucked away in Paul’s shortletter to Philemon, a dear friend & Christian leader.  (I encourageyou to locate Philemon in your New Testament & read it before thisweekend’s message—it’s only twenty-five verses & can be read in 2-3minutes.)  The story that unfolds is fascinating.  A ‘useless’ slavesteals, then runs from his benevolent master, Philemon.  The fugitiveescapes to Rome where somehow he meets the Apostle Paul who knows Philemonwell!   Guess what happens?  Paul shares the transforming powerof the Gospel with Onesimus, the slave.  The bond slave becomes a brotherin Christ!   Now, Paul sends the Onesimus on a long road toreconciliation, carrying a letter, written by Paul, to Philemon.  There are powerful lessons about forgiveness in this three person real lifedrama.  You don’t want to miss this amazing story. Forgiveness changeslives!
Come this weekend and we’ll walk the road to reconciliationtogether.
John

How Can Anything (or Anyone) Grow in the Desert?

February 27 & 28,
2016
Are We There Yet?
 
Have you seen those cool time-lapse videos of plants blossoming
in the desert? They are so wild. It is hard to imagine how anything can grow in
an arid environment that is so barren and seemingly God-forsaken.
     
We’ve been learning that the desert experiences of our lives are not at all
God-forsaken. In fact, God is with us in the dry times. Times of testing can be
fertile for personal growth in character and faith.
     
The Israelites spent time in the desert and didn’t get much out of it. The
harsh climate brought out the worst in them. The desert was their training
ground but they failed the test. They became disheartened and spewed complaints
about their conditions. They didn’t bloom; in fact they died there.
     
This weekend we will continue to learn from their experience so we can thrive
even in the dry times of our lives. Come worship with us as we explore what it
takes to grow during our desert days.

What Lonely Leaders Need

February 20 & 21,
2016Are We There Yet?
 
If we use simple definitions, you’ll see how this message will
relate to you:
•A leader is someone who seeks to influence and serve others.
•Lonely leaders are those who feel like they are all alone, shouldering
overwhelming responsibilities without help.
     
This weekend we will listen in as a lonely leader cries out to God. His prayer
is not polite but raw and unfiltered. Moses suffered a meltdown when he came to
the end of himself and had nothing to meet the demands of those he was called
to serve. He felt like the burden of responsibility was too much for him, and
he was right! He couldn’t do it alone. Can you relate?
     
Elijah and Jeremiah also cried out to God when they experienced similar
discouragement. The Bible is full of lonely leaders and so is every church,
school, and hospital where people working with people face job burn out.
     
All parents are at risk of a Moses-like meltdown, as are those caring for their
elderly parents. We don’t want to crumble under the cumulative pressure of our
responsibilities. In Numbers 11 we will observe several ways we can learn from
the example Moses set.
Come worship with us.

What Do You Get When You Don't Get What You Want?

February 13 & 14,
2016Are We There Yet?
 
I’m starting a series on the art of waiting. We don’t always get
what we want when we want it, so we find ourselves struggling with the fact
that we have not yet arrived. We’re all on our way and we can relate to the
Israelites on their long trip to the Promised Land. It wasn’t an easy or quick
trip for them. They didn’t get what they wanted right away so they complained.
We can be like them.
    
When you’re forced to wait, do you get grumpy or do you get closer to God? It’s
up to you. Our response to disappointment determines what the journey will be
like.
    
The Bible says a lot about how we should view desert-like experiences. We will
learn what good can come from tough times in our lives. This week’s message may
apply to you concerning where you want to be financially, relationally,
physically, and/or spiritually. Come worship with us and bring a friend.