Welcome to the Church on the Rock-Nashville, Arkansas weekly sermon podcast! We're delighted to have you join us as we explore and share the teachings that guide our faith and inspire our community.

At Church on the Rock, our vision is clear: We are committed to seeing the lost saved and the hurt restored. We strive to disciple, train, and empower individuals within our ministry, equipping them to serve and ultimately send them out to plant other ministries, continuing this cycle of faith and growth.

Each episode features insightful sermons that aim to strengthen your faith and provide spiritual nourishment. We hope these messages will not only uplift you but also inspire you to share God's love with others.

Don't forget to follow and subscribe to our podcast to stay updated with our latest episodes. For more information about our church, to give, or to get involved, please visit our website at cotrnashville.com. You can also download our app just search for (COTRN).

Thank you for listening, and we look forward to growing in faith together!

Date: March 30, 2025 Pastor: Nick Birmingham Location: Nashville, Arkansas Title: Check Your Heart, Not A Box

Scripture Focus: Philippians 2:12-18

Series: A City on a Hill

Message Overview:

• Call to live out faith authentically and influence our communities positively.
• Paul's example of joy and impact even in difficult circumstances.
• Addressing the common struggle with complaining and its negative impact.
• Believers as a countercultural force against societal discontent.

Key Points:

1. Work Out What God's Working In (Philippians 2:12-13)

• Continue obedience in God's absence, actively living out salvation.
• "Fear and trembling" as reverence, not terror.
• God empowers our obedience.
• Personal responsibility to develop God's work within.
• Reflection: Are you actively growing in your faith or waiting for others?

2. Shine By Serving, Not Complaining (Philippians 2:14-15)

• Stand out as lights by living honorably, free from grumbling.
• Complaining compromises our Christian witness.
• Negativity is contagious.
• Warning against the complaining spirit of the Israelites.
• Our behavior impacts how others see Christ.
• Reflection: What kind of culture are you creating around you?

3. Rejoice In The Sacrifice (Philippians 2:16-18)

• Find joy in sacrifices made for the Kingdom's sake.
• This life is not the end.
• Paul's desire for his labor to be meaningful through their growth.
• Seeing lives changed is the ultimate reward.
• Reflection: What challenging sacrifices are you making and focusing on their purpose?

Final Thought: Following Jesus is hard but worthwhile. Choose to follow Him in all circumstances.

Welcome to the Church on the Rock-Nashville, Arkansas weekly sermon podcast! We're delighted to have you join us as we explore and share the teachings that guide our faith and inspire our community.

At Church on the Rock, our vision is clear: We are committed to seeing the lost saved and the hurt restored. We strive to disciple, train, and empower individuals within our ministry, equipping them to serve and ultimately send them out to plant other ministries, continuing this cycle of faith and growth.

Each episode features insightful sermons that aim to strengthen your faith and provide spiritual nourishment. We hope these messages will not only uplift you but also inspire you to share God's love with others.

Don't forget to follow and subscribe to our podcast to stay updated with our latest episodes. For more information about our church, to give, or to get involved, please visit our website at cotrnashville.com. or you can download our app by simply visiting your app center and searching for COTRN.

Thank you for listening, and we look forward to growing in faith together!

Date: 3/23/2025

Pastor: Nick Birmingham

Church: Church On The Rock Nashville, Arkansas

Scripture Reference: James 1:19-27

Show Notes:

• Introduction:
  • Welcome and God's goodness acknowledged.
  • Introduction to James 1:19-27 as the focus of the sermon.
  • Personal anecdote about heart stickers and a public encounter to illustrate how people are always watching.
  • Theme: Continuing the "City On A Hill" concept, emphasizing hearing, doing, and living God's word.
  • Acknowledgment of the distractions and challenges of modern times.
  • Addressing the common feeling that current struggles are unique, highlighting that scripture shows otherwise.
  • Relating the feeling of teenagers who say “you don’t understand” to the idea that people think the bible is not relevant today.
  • Emphasis on James’ instruction to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
  • Prayer for the message to inspire living faith out loud.
• The Struggle with Listening and Speaking:
  • Personal story about impatience in Little Rock traffic to illustrate the struggle with listening and controlling anger.
  • Transparency about personal struggles to connect with the audience.
  • Highlighting the universal struggle of being quick to speak and slow to listen.
  • James' encouragement to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
  • Context from James 1:2-5 and 12-18:
    • Trials as opportunities for growth.
    • Importance of seeking wisdom from God.
    • Clarification that temptation comes from personal desires, not God.
• James 1:19-27 Breakdown:
  • Point 1: Be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, Slow to Anger (James 1:19-20):
    • "Know this, my beloved brothers" - emphasis on understanding how to act.
    • Importance of intentional listening in a noisy world.
    • Dangers of hasty speech and the harm words can cause.
    • Importance of creating space for God to speak.
    • Anger destroys relationships.
    • Ancient literature quote: “Be quick to hear but deliberate in answering.”
    • Think before you speak.
    • The negative effects of quick responses in texts or social media.
    • The negative real world effects of uncontrolled speech.
    • Proverbs 29:20.
    • Pausing and seeking God's guidance before responding.
  • Point 2: Don't Just Hear, Live It (James 1:22-24):
    • Being doers of the word, not just hearers.
    • Action authenticates faith.
    • Living intentionally in alignment with God's word.
    • Explanation of the mirror analogy: regularly examining oneself.
    • Nominal Christians.
    • NT Wrights explanation of the mirror analogy.
    • Practical application: reflecting on God's word daily.
  • Point 3: Real Religion Produces Life Change (James 1:26-27):
    • Controlling the tongue as a marker of true religion.
    • The destructive power of words.
    • Proverbs 18:21
    • True religion cares for the vulnerable (orphans and widows).
    • Living differently as Christ followers.
• Application/Conclusion:
  • James' invitation to live a radical life of listening and doing.
  • Prayer for the congregation to be marked by deep engagement with God's word and care for others.
  • Invitation to accept Christ.
  • Prayer for those who need a re-ignition of their faith.
  • Prayer for God to help everyone live out the message of the sermon.
• Closing Remarks:
  • Thank you for tuning in.
  • Encouragement to subscribe and support the ministry.
  • Blessing and farewell.

Welcome to the Church on the Rock-Nashville, Arkansas weekly sermon podcast! We're delighted to have you join us as we explore and share the teachings that guide our faith and inspire our community.

At Church on the Rock, our vision is clear: We are committed to seeing the lost saved and the hurt restored. We strive to disciple, train, and empower individuals within our ministry, equipping them to serve and ultimately send them out to plant other ministries, continuing this cycle of faith and growth.

Each episode features insightful sermons that aim to strengthen your faith and provide spiritual nourishment. We hope these messages will not only uplift you but also inspire you to share God's love with others.

We invite you to join us in person at 117 E Clark St, Nashville, AR 71852. Our services are held on Sundays at 11 AM, and we also have Kingdom Kids Wednesdays at 6:00 PM.

Don't forget to follow and subscribe to our podcast to stay updated with our latest episodes. For more information about our church, to give, or to get involved, please visit our website at cotrnashville.com.

Thank you for listening, and we look forward to growing in faith together!

Location: Church On The Rock, Nashville, Arkansas

Pastor: Nick Birmingham

Key Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Main Points:

1. Introduction: Influence Beyond Social Media

   • Everyone has influence, not just social media influencers.
   • People are watching how Christians live.
   • The world needs Christians to be different, to be a light in darkness.
   • We often succumb to peer pressure and cultural norms.
   • Jesus calls us to be countercultural, to be salt and light.

2. Being the Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13)

   • "You are the salt of the earth."
   • Salt signifies:
     • Preservation: Preventing decay and corruption.
     • Enhancing Flavor: Adding goodness to a bland world.
     • Irritation: Truth can sting, but it's necessary.
     • Creating Thirst: Making people desire Jesus.
   • The overall goal of salt is to be useful.
   • We are to be "salty saints."

3. Being the Light of the World (Matthew 5:14-15)

   • "You are the light of the world."
   • Christians are called to be visible and live their faith openly.
   • Examples:
     • Praying before meals.
     • Praying at public events (e.g., ball games).
     • Living your faith out loud will cost you something.
   • We are to be spiritual "light bulbs" shining for God's kingdom.

4. Our Light Points to God (Matthew 5:16)

   • "Let your light shine...that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father."
   • The purpose is to glorify God, not ourselves.
   • Our actions should reflect God's character.
   • We are signposts pointing to Jesus.
   • We want to have an eternal impact.
   • We are to encourage one another to continue to be salt and light.
   • Our job as witnesses is to point people to Jesus.

5. Practical Application:

   • Be Prepared: Cultivate your spiritual life through prayer, scripture study, and fellowship.
   • Be Visible: Don't hide your faith; let it shine in all areas of life.
   • Be Active: Engage in good works, acts of kindness, and service.

6. Call to Action:

   • Invitation to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
   • Invitation to rededicate one's life to being salt and light.
   • Prayer team available for those who need prayer.