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  • The Weekly Show - Episode 84: Study Six: Purity & the Heart (Lust)

    The Weekly Show - Episode 84: Study Six: Purity & the Heart (Lust)
    2026/02/12
    Join Tim and John as they study Lust, Adultery and Divorce. Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/ Introduction In the last study, Jesus showed us that true righteousness isn’t just about what we do—it’s about who we are on the inside. He taught that anger and hatred don’t begin with violent actions; they begin in the heart, long before anything happens on the outside. Now Jesus takes that same heart-level teaching and applies it to another deeply important area: purity. Just like with anger: sin doesn’t start with your hands, and it doesn’t even start with your eyes. Sin starts in the heart. Before a person ever acts on temptation… before they send the message… before they take the second look… before the thoughts turn into choices… The battle is already being won or lost inside. Jesus wants His followers to understand that purity is not just about avoiding certain actions—it’s about cultivating a heart that loves what God loves, desires what God desires, and rejects anything that leads toward sin. In a world filled with temptation and constant pressure, Jesus calls His disciples to a different way of living: a life of internal purity that overflows into external faithfulness. This study will help us see: why purity matters to God, how lust begins in the heart, how Jesus calls us to fight it, and how the Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in real, lasting freedom. Purity is a heart issue—and Jesus begins His teaching right where the real battle happens: within us. 1. Honoring Marriage Long before Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, God had already made His expectations for purity clear. One of the Ten Commandments says: “You shall not commit adultery.” — Exodus 20:14 This command wasn’t just for married people—it was for everyone. It teaches that faithfulness matters: before marriage during marriage and throughout your entire life God designed marriage to be a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. It is meant to reflect His faithfulness, His love, and His commitment to His people. Because marriage is so important to God, purity before and after the wedding matters deeply. Jesus Goes Deeper Than the Commandment Just as He did with anger, Jesus goes to the heart of the issue. The Pharisees focused on the action of adultery— “as long as you don’t physically betray your spouse, you’re fine.” But Jesus says that adultery doesn’t begin with a physical act. It begins: with the mind, with the imagination, with the desire, with the look, with the thought, with what the heart wants. Jesus teaches: If you look at someone with lust, you have already committed adultery in your heart. — Matthew 5:28 (paraphrased) He isn’t exaggerating. He’s revealing the truth: purity is a heart issue long before it’s a physical issue. Why Does This Matter? Because God cares not only about what we do, but why we do it and what we desire on the inside. He knows that: lust destroys trust lust corrupts the imagination lust weakens self-control lust can harm future marriages lust objectifies people made in God’s image lust pulls the heart away from God’s design Even if no one else sees what’s happening inside, God sees the heart—and He cares about it. God Calls Us to Faithful Hearts Honoring marriage isn’t just about saying “I do” on a wedding day. It means developing a heart that values purity and faithfulness now, no matter your age or season of life. That means: guarding your eyes guarding your imagination refusing to fantasize about what God forbids choosing purity in your thoughts respecting other people as brothers and sisters—not objects asking God to shape your desires to match His Jesus isn’t trying to shame us with an impossibly high standard. He is rescuing us by showing where sin really begins. Purity protects you. Purity honors others. Purity honors your future spouse. Purity honors God. And purity begins in the heart. 2. Adultery: Adults Only? When people hear the word adultery, they often think, “That’s a sin for married grown-ups. It doesn’t apply to me yet.” But Jesus makes it clear: purity is not just an adult issue. It’s a heart issue—so it matters for everyone, at every age, and in every season of life. Temptation Is Everywhere Today In Jesus’ day, people did not live surrounded by screens, images, videos, and constant advertisements. Our world is filled with temptation in ways that no generation before us has faced. Now more than ever, it is difficult to obey Jesus’ teaching because: impurity is easy to find culture constantly promotes it peer pressure encourages it social media normalizes it curiosity grows quickly “just looking” feels harmless But Jesus wants us to understand something important: Sinful lust always hurts people. Lust is never harmless. It damages: your future ...
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    1 時間 10 分
  • Sermon: Apostle’s Creed Week Five - I Believe in Forgiveness of Sins, Resurrection of the Body and Life Everlasting

    Sermon: Apostle’s Creed Week Five - I Believe in Forgiveness of Sins, Resurrection of the Body and Life Everlasting
    2026/02/09
    Sermon Date: 02/08/2026 Bible Verses: Various Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new Introduction: Belief That Carries Us All the Way The Apostles’ Creed ends the way it does on purpose. It does not finish with the Church. It does not finish with duty. It does not finish with effort. It finishes with hope. Scripture reminds us why: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) The Creed walks us from who God is, to what Christ has done, to where history is going—and then it says one final word: Amen. Which means: This is true. This is sure. This is what we stand on. Point One: I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins This is where belief gets honest. Scripture does not deny sin—it exposes it: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Christianity is the only faith that does not pretend we are fine. It begins with a confession: we are sinners. But it does not leave us there. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.” (Ephesians 1:7) “He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree.” (1 Peter 2:24) To say “I believe in the forgiveness of sins” is to confess two things at once: I am guilty.God is merciful. Forgiveness is not denial. It is not minimizing sin. It is not pretending the past didn’t happen. Forgiveness is sin taken seriously—and dealt with completely. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) Jesus did not forgive sins by ignoring them. He forgave them by bearing them. The cross tells us this: Sin matters.Justice matters.Grace is costly. And forgiveness is not partial. It is not temporary. It is not probationary. In Christ: Sin is canceled, not covered.Guilt is removed, not managed.Shame is broken, not recycled. To believe in forgiveness is to stop trying to outrun your past—and to stop letting it define your future. “As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12) ✦ Forgiveness is not earned by remorse—it is received by faith. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” (1 John 1:9) ✦ The gospel does not say “do better.” It says “it is finished.” Point Two: I Believe in the Resurrection of the Body The Creed now lifts our eyes beyond forgiveness into restoration. Notice what it does not say: Not “the survival of the soul”Not “a spiritual continuation”But “the resurrection of the body” Christian hope is not escape from creation—it is the renewal of creation. “The dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:52) Jesus Himself promises: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25) Jesus did not rise as a ghost. He rose in a body. Scarred, recognizable, glorified. This resurrection is bodily, not symbolic: “He will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body.” (Philippians 3:21) And Scripture insists that what happened to Him will happen to us. Creation itself is waiting for this moment: “The creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption.” (Romans 8:21) Resurrection means: Death is not the end.Bodies matter.Creation will be healed, not discarded. This corrects two lies: That our bodies are meaningless shellsThat death is a natural or final answer Death is an intruder. Resurrection is God’s answer. ✦ What Christ redeemed, He will raise. Christian belief does not say, “This life is all there is.” It says, “This life is not all there is—and it matters forever.” What Christ redeemed, He will raise. “Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:19) Point Three: I Believe in the Life Everlasting The Creed now reaches its horizon. Not just survival. Not just continuation. Life everlasting. This is not endless time. This is endless life with God. Life everlasting is not boredom in the clouds. It is not floating existence. It is not abstraction. Jesus defines eternal life this way: “This is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3) It is: God with His peopleSin finally goneDeath finally defeatedJoy finally unhindered Eternal life is not earned. It is given. And it begins now—not later. Scripture promises its certainty: “Whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life.” (John 5:24) And its joy: “In Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11) It is not fragile or temporary: “An inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.” (1 Peter 1:4) And it is secure: “They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28) Those who belong to Christ already possess eternal life in promise, and one day will possess it in ...
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    30 分
  • The Weekly Show - Episode 83: Study Five: Holding Your Temper & Your Tongue

    The Weekly Show - Episode 83: Study Five: Holding Your Temper & Your Tongue
    2026/02/05
    Join Tim and John as they study Anger and Murder. Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/ Introduction Jesus has just finished teaching about true righteousness— a righteousness that works from the inside out. Now He begins to show what that looks like in real life. And He starts with something we all struggle with: our temper and our tongue. In Matthew 5:21–26, Jesus addresses anger—not the “I stubbed my toe” kind of anger, but the sinful anger that poisons relationships, damages hearts, and dishonors God. The Pharisees focused on avoiding the outward act of murder. Jesus goes straight for the root: the anger, bitterness, and hateful words that grow inside our hearts long before murder ever enters the picture. Jesus wants His followers to understand that: Sinful anger is serious. Angry words matter. Broken relationships cannot be ignored. God cares deeply about how we treat people. Why? Because sinful anger ruins peace, destroys friendships, and pushes us away from God’s heart. But here’s the good news: Jesus can change an angry heart. He can heal relationships, transform attitudes, and teach us how to respond with love instead of rage. In this study, you will learn why controlling your temper and your tongue is essential to pleasing God—and how the Holy Spirit helps us grow into people who build others up instead of tearing them down. This is where Jesus begins His deeper teaching on righteousness, and He starts with a truth we cannot afford to ignore: Your words reveal your heart. Your anger affects your relationships. And God wants both to reflect the love of Christ. Let’s dig in. 1. Sinful Anger Jesus begins His teaching on true righteousness by addressing one of the most common—and most dangerous—problems in the human heart: sinful anger. In Matthew 5:21–22, He reminds His listeners that the Law forbids murder, but then He takes it much deeper. He shows that sin doesn’t begin with the hands— it begins in the heart. Sinful anger is a big deal because it reveals something broken inside of us. Sinful Anger Damages Relationships Anger rarely stays hidden. It spills out: in harsh words in cold attitudes in bitterness in yelling in silent treatment in cutting someone down Sinful anger pushes people away and makes real friendship impossible. Wherever anger grows, relationships die. Sinful Anger Is Selfish Sinful anger usually says: “I didn’t get my way.” “You hurt my pride.” “You didn’t treat me how I think I deserve.” It puts self at the center and demands that others bow to our feelings. This kind of anger does not come from love—it comes from pride. We Must Admit Our Anger Is Wrong Jesus calls us to be honest: You can’t overcome sinful anger if you excuse it. You can’t fix it if you blame it on everyone else. You can’t heal it if you refuse to admit it’s sinful. A disciple of Jesus must say: “My anger is wrong. I need forgiveness.” This is where healing begins. God Can Change an Angry Heart The best news in this whole section is this: God does not leave angry people stuck in their anger. The Holy Spirit can: soften a hard heart replace bitterness with compassion calm a quick temper teach patience and self-control change how we respond to others heal the wounds that fuel our anger Where sinful anger once controlled us, God can produce gentleness, mercy, and peace. Sinful anger may be powerful, but Jesus is more powerful still. 2. The Heart of Murder Jesus does something shocking in Matthew 5:21–22: He connects anger to murder. Why? Because Jesus sees the heart-level truth we usually ignore: Murder doesn’t begin with a weapon—it begins with anger. Anger Is the Root That Feeds the Fruit Jesus says: “You have heard that it was said… ‘You shall not murder.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” — Matthew 5:21–22 He isn’t saying all anger is murder, but He is saying all murder comes from anger. Just like: a seed becomes a tree a spark becomes a fire a thought becomes an action Anger, left unchecked, grows. When Jesus talks about “the heart of murder,” He’s showing us that: Sin doesn’t start big—it starts small. Not All Anger Leads to Murder—but All Murder Springs From Anger Some anger is righteous (like anger at injustice). But sinful anger is different: It dwells on hurt. It feeds bitterness. It fantasizes about payback. It speaks cruelly. It wishes harm on someone. No, most people will never commit literal murder— but Jesus wants to tear up murder at the root. He says that the same heart that commits murder is the heart that: hates insults curses demeans belittles holds grudges According to Jesus, these are heart-sins that must be taken seriously. Jesus Wants to Stop Murder Before It Starts The Pharisees said, “As long as you don’t...
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    57 分
  • Sermon: Apostle’s Creed Week Four - I Believe in the Holy Catholic Church and the Communion of Saints

    Sermon: Apostle’s Creed Week Four - I Believe in the Holy Catholic Church and the Communion of Saints
    2026/02/01

    Sermon Date: 02/01/2026

    Bible Verses:

    • Various

    Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley

    Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new

    Introduction: Belief Is Never Private

    Modern faith loves the phrase “It’s just between me and God.” The Apostles’ Creed politely—and firmly—disagrees.

    The moment the Creed moves past “I believe in the Holy Spirit,” it moves straight into community.

    Because the Spirit never creates isolated Christians.

    Christian belief is personal—but it is never private.

    Point One: I Believe in the Holy Catholic Church (The Universal Church)

    That word “catholic” often trips people up, so let’s be clear from the start.

    “Catholic” does not mean Roman Catholic. It means universal—the whole Church, across time, cultures, nations, and denominations.

    Jesus Himself declared the Church’s origin:

    “I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

    Notice who builds the Church. Not pastors. Not programs. Not institutions.

    Christ builds the Church.

    And His mission is global:

    “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19–20)

    The Church is not a building. It is not a brand. It is not a weekly event.

    Paul defines it this way:

    “You are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens… members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19–22)

    Peter goes even further:

    “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” (1 Peter 2:9)

    The Church is:

    • Holy — set apart by God
    • Universal — spanning the globe and the centuries
    • Alive — built on Christ Himself

    And Christ is not just associated with the Church—He is its authority:

    “He is the head of the body, the church.” (Colossians 1:18)

    To believe in Christ is to believe in His Church—not as an optional accessory, but as His chosen instrument in the world.

    ✦ You cannot love the Head and despise the Body.

    Point Two: The Communion of Saints (Fellowship)

    The Creed now deepens the idea of the Church—not just as an institution, but as a family.

    “The communion of saints.”

    This does not mean we pray to saints. It means we belong with saints.

    The Church is not just the living—it includes all who belong to Christ, past and present.

    Hebrews reminds us:

    “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” (Hebrews 12:1–2)

    We are not alone in our faith. We are joined to believers who have endured, suffered, obeyed, and finished the race.

    “Remember your leaders… imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7)

    The communion of saints is both vertical and horizontal:

    • Unity with believers who have gone before
    • Fellowship with believers walking beside us now

    Jesus prayed for this unity Himself:

    “That they may all be one… so that the world may believe.” (John 17:20–21)

    Christian fellowship is not optional. It is part of our witness.

    When we gather, Christ is present:

    “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I.” (Matthew 18:20)

    And because we belong to God, we belong to one another:

    “See what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God.” (1 John 3:1)

    That shared identity creates shared responsibility:

    “Encourage one another and build one another up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

    The communion of saints means:

    • We carry each other’s burdens
    • We speak truth in love
    • We worship together
    • We suffer together
    • We persevere together

    ✦ Christian faith grows best in community, not isolation.

    Conclusion: Belief That Belongs

    To say “I believe in the holy catholic Church” is to confess that Christ has a people.

    To say “I believe in the communion of saints” is to confess that we are part of them.

    Belief joins us:

    • To Christ our Head
    • To the Church His Body
    • To the saints our family

    Faith is not a solo journey. It is a shared pilgrimage.

    And the same Christ who saves us individually binds us together corporately—so that the world might see not just what we believe, but who we belong to.
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    30 分
  • The Weekly Show - Episode 82: Study Four: Salt and Light

    The Weekly Show - Episode 82: Study Four: Salt and Light
    2026/01/29
    Join Tim and John as they study Salt and Light. Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/ Introduction Right after describing the blessed life of His followers, Jesus uses two simple, everyday pictures that everyone understood: salt and light. “You are the salt of the earth…” “You are the light of the world…” — Matthew 5:13–16 These aren’t suggestions. They aren’t goals for “extra-spiritual” people. Jesus says: “You are.” If you belong to Him, you already are salt and light. What Does That Mean? In Jesus’ day: Salt preserved food, purified it, and added flavor. Light revealed truth, guided travelers, and pushed back darkness. Jesus chose these images because they describe what His followers are meant to be in the world: People who help slow the moral and spiritual decay around them People who show God’s truth and goodness People whose lives bring grace, compassion, and hope People whose actions help others see God clearly Jesus is saying: “You represent Me in this world. Your life makes My kingdom visible.” Why Here, Why Now? Jesus puts this teaching right after the Beatitudes on purpose. The Beatitudes show what kind of people His followers are becoming. Salt and Light show how those people influence the world. The world needs: humility mercy purity courage peace The world doesn’t need more darkness. It needs more light. Jesus and the Law Right after calling His followers salt and light, Jesus explains His relationship to the Old Testament: “I didn’t come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them.” “The Law and the Prophets” was the Jewish way of saying “the Bible”—what we call the Old Testament. Jesus didn’t come to throw it away. He came to complete it, show its true meaning, and live it out perfectly. Then He adds something surprising: “Unless your righteousness goes beyond the Pharisees, you won’t enter the kingdom.” The Pharisees were known for strict outward obedience. But Jesus wants something deeper—a righteousness that comes from a changed heart, not just external rule-keeping. The Purpose Jesus finishes by explaining why we shine as salt and light: “…so that people may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Not to make ourselves look good, but to lead others to see how good God is. The Salt of the Earth Immediately after describing the character of His kingdom people, Jesus uses a simple household image to explain their influence: “You are the salt of the earth.” — Matthew 5:13 Everyone in Jesus’ day knew exactly how valuable salt was. It wasn’t a seasoning you sprinkled casually—it was essential for survival. When Jesus called His disciples “salt,” He was giving them a profound and world-shaping identity. 1. Salt Preserves In the ancient world, refrigeration didn’t exist. Salt was the most common way to preserve meat and keep it from rotting. Jesus is saying: “My followers slow the decay of the world.” How? by living holy lives in an unholy culture by standing for righteousness when others compromise by protecting the vulnerable by seeking justice and doing good by living in such a way that pushes back corruption Where believers live out the Beatitudes, society is preserved from moral and spiritual decay. 2. Salt Adds Flavor Salt makes food taste like what it was created to taste like. Christians bring: joy to despairing places grace to hardened hearts compassion to the ignored truth to confusion hope to hopelessness the “flavor” of God’s goodness into everyday life A Christian who reflects Christ makes the world more livable, more beautiful, and more meaningful. You don’t have to preach a sermon— your life carries the flavor of the kingdom. 3. Salt Purifies Salt was also used as a cleansing agent. Christians purify the world by: confessing sin honestly living with integrity refusing corruption speaking truth in love living in holiness pointing people to Christ, the true purifier Where Christians live the gospel, purity spreads. 4. A Follower of Jesus Who Blends In Is a Contradiction Salt is only useful when it’s distinctly salty. Jesus warns that salt can lose its taste— not chemically, but practically, when it becomes mixed with dirt or impurities. Likewise: A believer who hides their faith is not salty. A believer who blends into the world’s darkness is not salty. A believer who compromises biblical convictions becomes spiritually ineffective. This is not about perfection—it’s about distinction. If your life looks no different from the world, you’re not seasoning anything. The world desperately needs the flavor, purity, and preserving power of Christians who live boldly and humbly for Christ. 5. “Of the Earth” — A Global Mission Jesus didn’t say: “You are the salt of your neighborhood.” “You are the salt of...
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    1 時間 10 分
  • Message: trusting God When You Don’t Understand

    Message: trusting God When You Don’t Understand
    2026/01/25

    Sermon Date: 01/25/2026

    Bible Verses:

    • Various

    Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley

    Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new

    Introduction: We Want Control, God Wants Trust

    We live in an age of planning, predicting, and protecting ourselves.

    We track. We insure. We analyze. We worry.

    And when life still goes sideways, we ask the same question in different forms: “Why didn’t this work?” “What did I miss?” “How do I fix this?”

    Scripture doesn’t shame those questions—but it does redirect them.

    God does not promise us full explanations. He promises His faithfulness.

    And the call of Scripture is not: figure everything out— It is: trust Me.

    Point One: Trust the Lord — Not Yourself

    Proverbs 3:5–6

    “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

    This passage does not say understanding is bad. It says understanding is limited.

    The problem isn’t that we think—it’s that we lean.

    To lean is to put your weight on something. To depend on it to hold you up.

    And Scripture is blunt: Your understanding cannot carry the weight of your life.

    God does not ask for partial trust. Not 80%. Not trust-until-it-hurts. Not trust-until-it-costs.

    “Trust in the LORD with all your heart.”

    That includes:

    • The unanswered prayer
    • The confusing diagnosis
    • The broken relationship
    • The closed door you were sure God would open

    And notice the promise:

    “He will make straight your paths.”

    Not easy paths. Not pain-free paths. But directed paths.

    Trust does not eliminate uncertainty. It anchors you inside it.

    ✦ Faith is not knowing where God is taking you—it’s knowing who is taking you.

    Point Two: Perfect Peace Comes From a Fixed Mind

    Isaiah 26:3

    “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

    Perfect peace does not come from perfect circumstances.

    It comes from a focused mind.

    The Hebrew phrase here is literally “peace, peace”—complete, settled, guarded peace.

    But notice the condition:

    “Whose mind is stayed on You.”

    Stayed means:

    • Anchored
    • Held
    • Fixed
    • Refusing to wander

    An anxious mind rehearses fear. A trusting mind rehearses truth.

    Peace is not pretending things aren’t hard. Peace is choosing where your thoughts live.

    This verse does not say:

    • God keeps everyone in peace
    • God keeps the distracted in peace
    • God keeps the panicked in peace

    It says He keeps the trusting in peace.

    ✦ Peace is not the absence of trouble—it is the presence of trust.

    Point Three: Cast Your Cares — Don’t Carry What God Invites You to Release

    1 Peter 5:7

    “Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”

    This verse assumes something important:

    You have anxieties.

    God is not surprised by them. He is not disappointed by them. He invites you to throw them on Him.

    Casting is not gently setting down. It’s not managing stress. It’s not spiritual stoicism.

    Casting is forceful release.

    Why?

    Because you were never meant to carry what only God can handle.

    And here’s the reason—simple, profound, and deeply personal:

    “Because He cares for you.”

    Not vaguely. Not theoretically. Not generally.

    You.

    Your worries matter because you matter to God.

    ✦ God does not ask you to trust Him blindly—He asks you to trust Him relationally.

    Putting It All Together

    Proverbs tells us where to place our trust. Isaiah tells us what trust produces. Peter tells us how trust is practiced.

    • Trust the Lord fully
    • Fix your mind on Him continually
    • Cast your cares on Him honestly

    This is not a one-time decision. It is a daily posture.

    Sometimes hourly. Sometimes moment by moment.

    Trust is not passive—it is practiced.

    Conclusion: Let God Carry What You Cannot

    You don’t have to understand everything. You don’t have to control everything. You don’t have to carry everything.

    God is not asking you to figure life out. He is asking you to trust Him with it.

    ✦ What you release to God is not lost—it is secured.
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    26 分
  • The Weekly Show - Episode 81: Study Three: The Eight Beatitudes (Part Two)

    The Weekly Show - Episode 81: Study Three: The Eight Beatitudes (Part Two)
    2026/01/22
    Join Tim and John as they study the last Four Beatitudes. Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/ Introduction to the Last Four Beatitudes If the first four Beatitudes describe the heart of a disciple, the last four describe the life of a disciple—how a transformed heart expresses itself in a broken world. These final Beatitudes show what happens when the inner work of God overflows into outward relationships, attitudes, and actions. The progression is intentional: A person who knows they need God (poor in spirit), Who grieves their sin (mourning), Who surrenders their pride (meekness), And who longs for God’s righteousness… …will naturally begin to treat others in a radically different way. The last four Beatitudes describe this outward expression: Merciful — We respond to others with compassion. Pure in heart — We pursue integrity and sincerity before God. Peacemakers — We work to heal and reconcile. Persecuted for righteousness — We endure suffering with joy because our hope is in eternity. These final four Beatitudes form the fruit of kingdom character. They show: How kingdom people love the weak How they pursue holiness How they heal relationships How they stand firm when opposition comes While the world honors power, comfort, and success, Jesus honors: Mercy Purity Peacemaking Perseverance These are the unmistakable marks of a disciple who is becoming like Christ. The first four Beatitudes shape who we are. The last four shape how we live. Together, they form the full portrait of the flourishing life in God’s kingdom—a life only Jesus can create in us. 5. Mercy for the Merciful Jesus shifts from the inward transformation of the first four Beatitudes to the outward expression of a changed heart: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” — Matthew 5:7 This Beatitude reveals something essential about kingdom people: Those who have received mercy become people who give mercy. What Is Mercy? Mercy is compassion expressed in action. It is kindness toward those in misery, sin, weakness, or need. Mercy means: Not giving people what they deserve Offering forgiveness instead of revenge Showing patience instead of harshness Helping the weak instead of ignoring them Being moved by compassion rather than judgment Where grace gives us what we don’t deserve, mercy withholds what we do deserve. Why Are Kingdom People Merciful? Because they know firsthand what it feels like to need mercy. When you know that God has: forgiven your offenses, carried your shame, healed your wounds, lifted your burdens, and shown compassion in your failure, it becomes much harder to withhold mercy from others. Mercy is the overflow of a forgiven heart. What Mercy Looks Like in Everyday Life Merciful people: Forgive quickly Assume the best Help the hurting Love the weak Care for the outcast Show patience with annoying people Give generously Pray for those who wrong them Treat others the way God treated them Mercy is not weakness—it is strength governed by compassion. A Word of Warning: The Opposite of Mercy Mercy stands in stark contrast to: a harsh spirit a judgmental attitude an unforgiving heart a desire to see others "get what they deserve" indifference toward suffering Jesus repeatedly warns against becoming a “merciless disciple.” Nothing contradicts the heart of the kingdom more than receiving God’s mercy but refusing to show it. The Promise: “They Shall Receive Mercy.” This promise works in two ways: 1. We Experience God’s Ongoing Mercy Here and Now God continually pours mercy into the lives of those who extend it to others. This doesn’t mean we earn mercy— it means we walk in the stream of mercy that God delights to give. 2. We Will Experience God’s Final Mercy in the Last Day At the judgment, God will show mercy to those whose lives demonstrated mercy. Not because their mercy saved them, but because their mercy proved they were saved. Mercy is evidence of genuine faith. The Christlike Example Jesus is the ultimate picture of mercy. He touched lepers. He wept with the grieving. He forgave sinners. He restored the broken. He prayed for His executioners. He bore our sin on the cross. No one is more merciful than Jesus. So when Jesus calls His followers to mercy, He’s calling them to reflect His heart. The Good News The kingdom belongs to people who know they have been forgiven much and therefore love much. God says to the merciful: “The mercy you give will never outgrow the mercy you receive.” In God’s kingdom, mercy is a two-way street, and no one who walks it will ever walk alone. 6. The Pure in Heart See God Jesus moves deeper into the inner life of His disciples with one of the most breathtaking promises in all of Scripture: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” — Matthew 5:8 This Beatitude reaches ...
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    1 時間 15 分
  • Sermon: Apostle’s Creed Week Three - The Holy Spirit

    Sermon: Apostle’s Creed Week Three - The Holy Spirit
    2026/01/19
    Sermon Date: 01/18/2026 Bible Verses: Various Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new Introduction: The Most Misunderstood Line in the Creed When we say “I believe in the Holy Spirit,” many people get uncomfortable. Some think of emotional excess. Some think of strange behavior. Some think of vague spiritual feelings. Others quietly think, “I believe in God the Father… I believe in Jesus Christ… but the Spirit feels fuzzy.” But the Holy Spirit is not an optional add-on to Christianity. He is not the background music of faith. He is not a force, a vibe, or a spiritual mood. The Holy Spirit is God present with and within His people. Christianity does not function without the Spirit. Without Him, we have information but no transformation, belief without power, obedience without strength. That’s why the Creed insists we say it out loud: “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” Point One: The Holy Spirit Is God With Us — and In Us Jesus promised the Spirit before the cross: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper… the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:15–17) Jesus calls Him Helper—not a substitute Savior, but God’s own presence continuing Christ’s work in us. The Spirit is not less God than the Father or the Son. He is fully God—personal, active, and intentional. Paul presses this truth home: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit…?” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20) That means God no longer dwells in buildings made by hands. He dwells in His people. Christian belief says: God walked among us in ChristGod now lives within us by the Spirit You are not spiritually alone. You are not abandoned. You are not expected to follow Jesus by sheer willpower. ✦ The Christian life is not lived for God—it is lived with God. Point Two: The Holy Spirit Helps Us When We Are Weak One of the most comforting promises in all of Scripture is this: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness… intercedes for us.” (Romans 8:26) Notice what that assumes: we are weak. The Holy Spirit is not given because we are strong—but because we are not. When we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit prays for us. When we don’t have the words, the Spirit carries our groans to the Father. When faith feels thin, the Spirit sustains it. The Spirit is not disappointed by your weakness. He was sent because of it. ✦ Grace does not eliminate weakness—it meets us inside it. Point Three: The Holy Spirit Empowers the Church for Witness Jesus was clear: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses.” (Acts 1:8) The Spirit does not exist to make Christians strange. He exists to make Christ known. Power in Scripture is not about control or spectacle—it is about faithful witness. The Holy Spirit: Gives courage where there is fearGives clarity where there is confusionGives boldness where there is hesitation The early church did not grow because it was impressive. It grew because the Spirit made ordinary people faithful. ✦ The Spirit’s power is not about drawing attention to us—but to Jesus. Point Four: The Holy Spirit Produces Obedience from Love, Not Fear Jesus said: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) And then immediately promised the Spirit. Why? Because obedience without the Spirit becomes legalism. And love without obedience becomes sentimentality. The Holy Spirit bridges the gap. Paul says: “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 5:5) The Spirit does not just tell us what God wants—He reshapes our desires so we begin to want what God wants. Obedience becomes response, not pressure. Holiness becomes joy, not burden. ✦ The Spirit changes us from the inside out. Point Five: The Holy Spirit Makes Faith Personal and Present Jesus said the world cannot receive the Spirit—but believers can: “He dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17) That means Christianity is not merely historical—it is present tense. The Spirit convictsThe Spirit comfortsThe Spirit teachesThe Spirit remindsThe Spirit sanctifies The Holy Spirit is the reason belief doesn’t stay theoretical. He is the reason the Creed moves from words to life. ✦ What Christ accomplished, the Spirit applies. Conclusion: Belief That Breathes To say “I believe in the Holy Spirit” is to confess that God has not left us to figure this out alone. The Father planned salvation. The Son accomplished salvation. The Spirit applies salvation—daily, personally, powerfully. Belief in the Spirit means: You are not alone in your obedienceYou are not abandoned in your sufferingYou are not powerless in your witness The Christian life is not self-improvement. It is Spirit-dependence.
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    26 分