Roots
This is a series celebrating our legacy as a church, and also recalibrating as we head into the future together as a church community. We will look back at what God has done in our midst at Eastbrook, while also looking forward to what God is calling us into as a church. With the bookend series on prayer (“Power in Prayer”) and mission (“Hard Places”), this series flows from our celebration of 40 years as a church.
Worship in the Beauty of Holiness
The church exists to worship God “in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 96:9). The early church of Jerusalem gathered daily in the Temple courts for worship and prayer. They took it for granted that the church lives to bring praise to the Living God. The end of all human history reveals heavenly scenes of worship toward which we are moving. The church on earth lives to God’s glory and gathers as a community in worship to lift up the majesty…
Sacrificial Generosity
The New Testament church was sacrificially generous to the point that some sold their property to give to those in need. They were watchful of the needs of others, and it was astounding to all who saw them. They suffered with those who suffered, and were encouraged by those who were full of joy. From our early days, Eastbrook has been a sacrificially generous church in terms of hospitality, service, and giving. We want to continue in these ways. Key…
Growing Disciples
We were made to grow with God. Jesus’ call to discipleship is a calling to enter a new life of perpetual growth and development in the image of Christ. We need a single-minded focus. We need to take up the calling of discipleship. We need to have our minds set on this goal and walk with God daily toward growth. Key Texts: Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 2:1-10; 4:11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 1; Jeremiah 17:5-8; Galatians 2:20-21; Philippians 1:6; 3:10…
Truly Community
This week, we continue in the series “Roots” by exploring what it means to be God’s Community, the Church. Pastor Matt uses Acts 2:42, 46, and 4:32 as an example of how we should format our lives within the body of the church. The early believers, it says, were “one in heart and mind” (Acts 4:32). There was an essential unity within this group of believers, which we refer to with the word ‘community’ today. This theme recurs throughout the…
Activated by the Holy Spirit
This weekend, Pastor Matt kicks off a new series entitled “Roots”, exploring five characteristics of the Church. In today’s message, we look at how the Church is activated by the Holy Spirit by studying Acts 1:11 and 2:1-13. The early church waited upon the Spirit, was filled up by the Spirit, was strengthened in the Spirit, was led by the Spirit, listened to the Spirit, was interrupted by the Spirit, and relied upon the Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, there…