Idolatry is one of the central human problems: we take created things and make them ultimate. This distorts our identity, enslaves our hearts, and fragments society. But in Christ, the true Image of God, our worship is re-ordered. Freedom comes not by trying harder to avoid idols but by adoring God more deeply — letting the beauty of Christ displace false gods in our hearts. The Fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5 give us a fantastic guide in that adoration.
september 7, 2025 | Pastor nick
Today we're entering into a new teaching series called Image, Idols & Fruit. This morning Pastor Nick introduces the series with a sermon called Image and Idols by describing the Biblical issue with idols and the initial God given job description of mankind to image God. This leads into the introduction of the fruit of the spirit as both guardrails against idol worship and confirmation of our following the path of God.
september 14, 2025 | Pastor nick
We're headed into our second week of Image, Idols & Fruit - a series where we are studying the fruit of the spirit and this week we are diving into LOVE. Paul provides us with a list of rotten fruit that can be contrasted with the fruit of the spirit and love contrasts with hate, jealousy and quarrelling. Dive in with us to learn more!
september 28, 2025 | Pastor Nick
We're headed into our next week of Image, Idols & Fruit - a series where we are studying the fruit of the spirit and this week we are diving into JOY. Paul provides us with a list of rotten fruit that can be contrasted with the fruit of the spirit and today we learn that Joy is a gift from God and that it is contrasted with empty pleasures which means much of the rotten fruit list! Dive in with us to learn more.
october 5, 2025 | pastor nick
We're headed into our next week of Image, Idols & Fruit - a series where we are studying the fruit of the spirit and this week we are diving into PEACE. Today we discuss the concept of peace, the history of our church, that it is more than non-violence and why we need to be rooted in this way of life and living in the world.
october 12, 2025 | pastor Nick
We're headed into our next week of Image, Idols & Fruit - a series where we are studying the fruit of the spirit and this week we are discussing PATIENCE. There are two types of patience - the momentary kind. The kind where you take a deep breath and get through this moment. And then there is the kind that Paul talks about in Galatians: patience that endures over a long period. Patience again and again and again. This morning we hear inspiring stories about those who came before us and end with the story of God.
october 19, 2025 | pastor nick
We're headed into our next week of Image, Idols & Fruit - a series where we are studying the fruit of the spirit and this week we are discussing KINDNESS. Kindness can be contrasted with selfish ambition. One of these things convinces us to serve ourselves while the other guides us to serve others. Which also means that one of these things aligns with the way of Jesus and one aligns with the way of the world.
october 26, 2025 | pastor nick
We're headed into our next week of Image, Idols & Fruit - a series where we are studying the fruit of the spirit and this week we are discussing GOODNESS. You might wonder how goodness is different than kindness - from last week? This morning we explore that and discuss how goodness shows up all over scripture directing us to bring benefit, healing and blessing. Will you be the change in your community, family or workplace?
november 2, 2025 | pastor nick
We're continuing in our series called Image, Idols & Fruit - a series where we are studying the fruit of the spirit and this week we are discussing FAITHFULNESS. We're going to talk for a moment about witchcraft and sorcery and how that's a worldly way to try and control outcomes. We're going to talk about the beauty of God as a creator - the creator, potter and a covenant upholder. And we'll talk about trust. All of these things lead us into a relationship, though complicated, with a faithful God that creates hope and faithfulness in us.
november 9, 2025 | pastor Nick
We're nearly done with our series on the fruit of the spirit! Today we learn about the fruit of GENTLENESS. In order to really get under this word that our modern concepts often define as weakness we start the conversation with HUMILITY. What we end up learning, this morning, is that gentleness is strength because it innately values other people by using humility. What's more is that its all over scripture! Gentleness is commanded of us as disciples!
november 16, 2025 | pastor Nick
Today is our last Fruit of the Spirit: self-control. It's no small thing to try and honor God with our lives, words and actions by choosing his way over our itchy trigger finger when we want to fly off the handle. This morning we'll talk about a number of Bible stories, extra Biblical stories, Plato and some cool Greek words to really help us get a clear and practical understanding of self-control.
november 23, 2025 | pastor Nick
We're closing out our series Image, Idols & Fruit this morning by wrapping up our conversation with some helpful reminders about idols (which got this whole conversation started!) and some teaching on allowing the Holy Spirit to do the work rather than trying to see the fruit as a list of virtues that we should strive to achieve.