Illuminate Community Church Podcast

Sermon Recorded July 8th, 2018 in the Series "Who is Jesus"   Last year Jill and I were invited to a small gathering with a celebrity chef. People stood in line to get a free, signed copy of one of his books. That's when it happened. A case of mistaken identity. When Jill approached the table he asked her name. "Jill" she replied. He responded, "Oh you're Jill, I've heard so much about you! It's so great to finally meet you!" Now believe me, I'll be the first to say that my wife is a fantastic cook. But to be known by a famous chef; not quite yet. The best part about it is that Jill just went with it. "It's nice to finally meet you as well." It's kind of an inside joke now between us. Come to our house and if Jill isn't busy creating something delicious, then you might get a chance to meet her too.   Jesus never left a hint of mistaken identity. He could not have made it any clearer. In John 8 Jesus actually claimed the very name of God for himself. This message was not lost on the religious elite.

Sermon Recorded July 1st in the Series "Who is Jesus" In Dependence Day This week Americans will celebrate their independence. It's the day when we declared our freedom. It's been said that no other country values its freedom quite like Americans because against all odds, we gained it over one of the most powerful countries in the world at that time. Ever since then it seems that American's right to rule themselves has been extended to the individual. Not long ago a group of young Americans was asked to pick from a list of virtues the ones they identified with the most. I would have thought virtues like generosity and compassion would be at the top. But instead their top choice was autonomy. Autonomy is defined by freedom of external control or influence. It's the idea that I will decide for myself what to believe. No one will tell me how to live. A little over two years ago an article appeared in the Atlantic and it simply stated that the desire for autonomy is really a desire for power. The author put it th

Sermon Recorded June 24th, 2018 in the Series "Who is Jesus" The phrase, "Not of this world" is perhaps best known for a clothing company. However, these are words spoken by Jesus about His kingdom. I think they sound pretty cool. Like something from a sci-fi movie. In truth, these words carry more practical implications than anything found in Star Wars. You see, Jesus is telling us that in the midst of the cracked, brokenness, and fractures of this planet, our ultimate home is with God. Meanwhile we wait and we hope and we do God's work of bringing a taste of His kingdom to earth. We are not alone in this. Jesus is our light in the darkness and our shade from the heat. There are people around you asking, "Is this all there is?" You say, "No, we were built for something different, for something greater. Outside the confines of this earth there is permanent love, laughter, a kingdom full of life and beauty and nobility. Join us by following Jesus there!"

Sermon Recorded June 17th, 2018 from the Series "Who is Jesus" In Old Testament times, attorneys didn't really exist in Israel. Defending the accused was such a sacred duty that the judge refused to delegate the work to anyone else. The judge himself served as the defender of the accused. The Jewish Encyclopedia gives insight: "attorneys at law are unknown in Jewish law." Their legal code required judges to "lean always to the side of the defendant and give him the advantage of every possible doubt." However, things had changed by the time of Jesus. The Pharisees were in power and they were not just. Instead of using the law appropriately, they manipulated it for their purposes and their primary purpose was to ensnare Jesus. To do this they entrap an adulterous woman and bring her before him. Outwardly Jesus is between a rock and hard place. But in reality this is never the case. Will he side with Moses and declare the death penalty, or will he prove to be the gentle man he says he is? Will he exercise justic

Sermon from June 10th, 2018 from the Series "Who is Jesus" We've all felt the sting of rejection. Jesus knows the pain. In John chapter 5 we see the religious leaders reject him, in chapter 6 most of his disciples leave. In the beginning of chapter 7 we see his family refusing to believe in him. In 7:25-52 we see his own people question his credentials. Through all of the scorn Jesus stays on mission when in the middle of a massive gathering for a Jewish holiday, he raises his voice and shouts, "Come to me! Believe in me! Living water will flow from your heart!" This "living water" is a reference to the Spirit of God. God giving His people His Spirit. This is a radical distinctive of Christianity. Christianity is not just right doctrine or a social vision for the world, it is above all, a relationship. It's a direct experience with the love of God and the power of God found in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Peter explains it this way. 2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to

As we study the story of the woman at the well in John 4 we learn more about who Jesus is. He compares himself to a spring that won't run dry, being in the desert, just as in the Middle East we understand water to be the source of life, thus Jesus is saying he is the Source of Eternal life. Please subscribe to our channel for future sermons and videos of our church! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/illuminatecommunity Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/illuminateco... Visit our home page: http://illuminatecommunity.com   Services are held at 9am and 10:30am on Sundays at: 17800 N Perimeter Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Go in God's peace and grace, and shine your light!

The gospel is the message that we are all separated from God because of our sin.  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) The result of sin is alienation from God.  Sin creates bondage and conflict within our own lives and in relationship with others.  A righteous God must carry out justice upon sin and this has the consequences of death.  "For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23) Yet because God loved us, in spite of our rebellion, He sent His own Son to die in our place.  The death of Jesus paid the consequences of our sin and made us acceptable to God.  "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) The gospel is not about what you or I did to please or reach God: we did everything to displease Him.  Rather, the gospel is about how God made peace between Himself and us through Jesus Christ.  Quite simply, Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father.  Jesus Him

"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" - early followers of Jesus on the first Palm Sunday. Jesus is the true King. The King comes in humility. The King comes to liberate you. ------------------------------------------------- Feel free to subscribe to our channel for future sermons and videos of our church! Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/illuminatecommunity/ Visit our home page: http://illuminatecommunity.com Find us at iTunes for audio sermons updated weekly "Illuminate Community" We also have a new app!!  Text "Illuminate" to (206)-859-9405 Services are held at 9am and 10:30am on Sundays at: 17800 N Perimeter Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Go in God's peace and grace, and shine your light!

"Nothing is so suicidal to a man's soul than to turn away from the only remedy which can heal his soul." J.C. Ryle "God"...The greatest Lover "So loved"...The greatest degree "The world"...The greatest number "That He gave"…The greatest act "His only begotten Son"…The greatest gift "That whosoever"…The greatest invitation "Believeth"...The greatest simplicity "In Him"...The greatest Person "Should not perish"…The greatest deliverance "But"...The greatest difference "Have"...The greatest certainty "Everlasting Life"…The greatest possession - Source unkown ----------------------------------------- Feel free to subscribe to our channel for future sermons and videos of our church! Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/illuminatecommunity/ Visit our home page: http://illuminatecommunity.com Find us at iTunes for audio sermons updated weekly "Illuminate Community" We also have a new app!! Text "Illuminate" to (206)-859-9405 Services are held at 9am and 10:30am on Sundays at: 17800 N Perimeter Dr. Scott

"I believe the holier a man becomes, the more he mourns over the unholiness which remains in him." Charles Spurgeon Jesus makes a scene at the temple and here's what we learn: Jesus wanted to keep the old temple holy.   Jesus is the new temple.   The Spirit of God resides in us, therefore we are a temple and Jesus wants to make us holy. 1 Corinthians 3:16

"Churches should feel more like the waiting room for a doctor and less like a waiting room for a job interview.  In a job interview, we all try to look as good and impressive as we can.  Weaknesses are buried and hidden.  But in a doctor's waiting room, we assume everyone there is sick and needs help."  - Tim Keller 1. Why must one be "born again"? 2. "I will remove from you a heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." - Ezekiel 36:26 3. Jesus wants our innermost affections before He wants our external actions. 

It's Jesus' debut miracle. What could it be? Heal a leper, give sight to a blind person, raise a dead man? No. Jesus' first miracle keeps the party going. Jesus' "hour" is not yet come, but it is in focus. Jesus is the giver of joy. Don't settle for cheap wine. -------------------------------------------------- Feel free to subscribe to our channel for future sermons and videos of our church! Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/illuminatecommunity Visit our home page: http://illuminatecommunity.com Find us at iTunes for audio sermons updated weekly "Illuminate Community" Services are held at 9am and 10:30am on Sundays at: 17800 N Perimeter Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Go in God's peace and grace, and shine your light!

"Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried." G. K. Chesterton The call to discipleship - "Come and see." Leaving the old life behind. The opportunity to find your life by losing it.  

"John the baptist is the greatest man ever." - Jesus   John was great because he shined the light on Jesus.   John was great because he was the voice calling people to Jesus.   John was great because the greatness was not in him, but through him.