Isaiah 40:28-31 | Bishop Kyle Searcy | 1.4.26

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
²⁹ He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
³¹ But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

Watch Night Service | Pastor Chris Searcy | 12.31.25

Leave It All Behind 

Philippians 3:4–14

Leave it all behind

Philippians 3:4-64 ……. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

2) Leave the scorecard behind

Philippians 3:7-87 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

Achievements that inflate pride

Failures that produce shame

Pride says: “I don’t need Him like that.”

Shame says: “He won’t take me like this.”

Proverbs 24:16

16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

3) Replace everything with one pursuit: knowing Christ

Philippians 3:10-1110 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Greek verb γνῶναι (gnōnai)

Paul’s life goal is: “to truly know Christ, even if it means suffering.”

Matthew 6:33

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Colossians 3:2-10

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

4) Leave it all behind and PRESS ON!

Phillipians 3:13-14

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Release it: lay down pride, shame, bitterness, distraction

Receive Him: be found in Christ by faith, not performance

Run again: step into the new year pressing toward Jesus

“I’m leaving it all behind, not because it didn’t matter, but because Jesus matters more.”

What a friend we have in Jesus | Pastor Chris Searcy | 10am

 What a friend we have in Jesus

Part 1: He conquered where others couldn’t

Part 2: He already transformed humanity

Part 3: He’s a conquering King.

Revelation 22:1-3

1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the

throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side

of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves

of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed,

but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.

7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of

this book.”

10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is

near.

12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he

has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.  Amen.

Farewell Discourse (John ch 13-17)

John 15:1-17

I Am the True Vine

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear

fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more

fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and

I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you,

unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in

him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not

abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered,

thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever

you wish, and it will be done for you. 

8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 

10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's

commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be

in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love

has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 

14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 

15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is

doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made

known to you. 

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit

and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it

to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

How to be his friend:

1. Remain His friend by abiding in Him

John 15:4–5 (ESV)

4 Abide in me, and I in you…

5 …Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit…

2. Remain His friend by keeping His commandments

John 15:10 (ESV)

10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love…

3. Remain His friend by loving others

John 15:12 (ESV)

12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

4. Remain His friend by bearing fruit

John 15:16 (ESV)

16 …I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit

should abide…

The Kingdom to Come | Pastor Chris Searcy | 12.21.26

Part 3. 

The Kingdom to come 

Matthew 28:16-20 

The Great Commission 

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

Revelation 1:1-18 

Christ exalted 

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. This age of grace and mercy before the end: But the end is coming / who is worthy to start the end? Rev 5 John weeps bitterly: no one was able to open the scroll or to look into it: But Jesus was: 

Revelation 5:9-10 

9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 

Revelation 9:6-10 

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 

Revelation 20:11-15

 Judgment Before the Great White Throne 

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of f ire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. 

Revelation 21:1-8 , 22-27 

The New Heaven and the New Earth 

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” 

22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day— and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. 

Revelation 22:1-3 

1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

"The Men Who Tried To Rule The World" Pt2 | Pastor Chris Searcy | 12.14.25

1. HUMAN DIGNITY & EQUALITY

Christianity introduced the foundational belief that every human is made in the image

of God (Genesis 1:27).

This led to:

Universal human value - the strong do what they can, the weak suffer what they must”

Thucydides (Athenian historian and general)

Imago Dei (Image of God): The radical claim that all humans, not just elites, are made in

God's image

Moral worth not based on class, race, sex, or power. Galatians 3:28

This single belief is the foundation of Western morality.

Without this, ancient cultures believed:

Women were property

Children had no rights

Slavery was normal

The poor deserved their fate

The powerful were “more valuable”

Christianity overturned that.

2. THE VALUE OF WOMEN

Christianity elevated women dramatically:

Before Christs teachings changed the world women had a very different

existence:

Women were legally treated as minors

Under Greek and Roman law, women required a male guardian to sign contracts, own

property, or appear in court.

Women were excluded from public leadership

Women were barred from voting, holding office, or speaking in assemblies in virtually all

ancient societies.

Women were considered intellectually inferior

Philosophers like Aristotle taught that women were “defective men” and naturally unfit

for rational or civic life.

Women’s testimony was not trusted

In Jewish and Roman courts, a woman’s testimony was often inadmissible or

considered unreliable by default.

Female infanticide was common and accepted

Baby girls were disproportionately abandoned or killed in the Roman world because

they were considered less valuable.

Domestic abuse was legally permitted

Roman law allowed husbands to discipline wives physically, and a woman had little

legal recourse against mistreatment.

Women were excluded from formal education

Most ancient societies educated only boys, viewing literacy and philosophy as

unsuitable for women.

Women were socially invisible

Ancient literature, political life, and historical records almost never mention women

except as extensions of male status.

After Christ changed the world:

(Christ said ima make sure women are mentioned) A woman was the first witnesses of

the resurrection

Husbands commanded to love their wives sacrificially

Women gained rights to own property in Christian societies

Movements for women’s education were led by Christians

3. THE VALUE OF CHILDREN

In the Roman world:

Unwanted infants were left to die

Children could be sold

Abuse was expected

Christians:

Rescued abandoned babies

Created the first orphanages

Opposed infanticide

Taught that children are a blessing

Jesus saying:

“Let the little children come to me”

was culturally revolutionary.

4. THE END OF SLAVERY

Christians were the leading force in ending the slave trade:

William Wilberforce in Britain

Quakers in America

Evangelicals across Europe

They argued from Scripture:

All people bear God’s image

Slave traders are condemned in the NT

True Christian brotherhood is incompatible with ownership of another’s life

MAJOR CHRISTIAN ABOLITIONISTS (BRITAIN)

These are the leaders who actually ended the British slave trade.

William Wilberforce – Devout evangelical Christian; led the movement that abolished

the slave trade in 1807 and slavery in 1833.

Thomas Clarkson – Anglican; foundational researcher and activist.

Granville Sharp – Christian humanitarian; key legal victories.

Zachary Macaulay – Christian; worked to end slavery across the empire.

Hannah More – Evangelical writer; used literature to shape public morality.

John Newton – Former slave trader turned Christian pastor; wrote Amazing Grace.

The Clapham Sect – Evangelical Christian reform movement that powered abolition.

MAJOR CHRISTIAN ABOLITIONISTS (UNITED STATES)

Frederick Douglass – He condemned hypocritical churches, he professed a deep

Christian faith and used Scripture constantly in his speeches.

Harriet Tubman – Devout Christian; relied on Scripture and visions; called “Moses” of

her people.

Sojourner Truth – Christian preacher; her abolition speeches were essentially sermons.

Harriet Beecher Stowe – Christian; author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which shook the

nation.

William Lloyd Garrison – Christian radical who called slavery a sin.

Theodore Weld – One of the most influential abolition lecturers; Christian.

Elijah Lovejoy – Christian pastor and abolition martyr.

Charles Finney – Revivalist who refused communion to slaveholders.

John Brown – Fiercely religious; believed he was executing divine justice.

The Quakers – The first large religious group to condemn slavery entirely.

What they used:

Genesis 1:27 — All people made in God’s image

Galatians 3:28 — All one in Christ

Exodus — God delivers the oppressed

Philemon — Brotherhood over ownership

The law of Christ — “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39)

Every major abolitionist quoted Scripture to argue that slavery is

fundamentally incompatible with the gospel.

Slavery existed worldwide for thousands of years —

Christ destroyed it.

5. CHARITY, HOSPITALS, AND CARE

FOR THE POOR

Before Christianity:

Caring for the poor was rare

There were no hospitals

Compassion was not a civic virtue

Christians invented:

Public Hospitals

Orphanages - (4th Century) institutions, like the  Orphanotropheion  in Byzantium

Institutionalized Charity organizations

Hospice

This sprang directly from Jesus’ teachings:

“Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for Me.”

6. THE BIRTH OF MODERN SCIENCE

Most early scientists were devout Christians:

Isaac Newton

Johannes Kepler

Galileo

Blaise Pascal

Robert Boyle

They believed:

God created an orderly universe

Therefore nature could be studied

Truth is consistent because God is consistent

The Christian worldview gave birth to the scientific method.

7. EDUCATION, UNIVERSITIES, AND LITERACY

Christian impact:

Monasteries preserved ancient writings

Churches taught reading so people could read Scripture

Christians founded the first universities:

– Oxford

– Cambridge

– Harvard

– Yale

– Princeton

– Notre Dame

Education spread because Christians wanted people to know God’s Word.

8. ART, MUSIC, AND LITERATURE

Some of the greatest art in history exists because of Christ:

Art:

Michelangelo’s David & Sistine Chapel

Da Vinci’s Last Supper

Medieval and Renaissance Christian art

Music:

Bach (“Soli Deo Gloria”)

Handel’s Messiah

Hymns and gospel music traditions

Literature:

Dante’s Divine Comedy

Milton’s Paradise Lost

Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress

Christianity has shaped Western imagination for 2,000 years.

9. MORALITY & LAW

Key Western moral foundations come from Christ:

Love your neighbor

Forgive enemies

Treat others as you want to be treated

Care for the poor

Protect the vulnerable

Seek justice without vengeance

Legal systems influenced by Christianity:

Human rights law

Due process

Equality before the law

Abolition of cruel punishments

Condemnation of corruption

Christianity transformed societies from vengeance-based to justice-based.

10. THE CONCEPT OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Before Jesus:

Leaders were tyrants

Power served the ruler

Jesus introduced:

“Whoever wants to be great must be your servant.”

This changed:

Leadership philosophy

Corporate ethics

Political thought

Pastoral ministry

Human expectations of authority

Even secular leadership books quote Jesus.

11. GLOBAL MISSIONS & HUMANITARIAN WORK

Christian missions brought:

Literacy

Medicine

Hospitals

Agricultural knowledge

Schools

Orphan care

Clean water projects

Across:

Africa

Asia

South America

Pacific Islands

Missionaries were often the first to oppose:

Tribal violence

Infanticide

Caste systems

Cannibalism

Sex trafficking

The modern humanitarian movement is rooted in Christian mission work.

TRANSFORMED TIME

Jesus literally reset world time.

BC = Before Christ

AD = Anno Domini (“Year of Our Lord”)

Even “BCE / CE” is still based on His birth year.

No other figure divides history this way.

BILLIONS OF LIVES TRANSFORMED

Unlike worldly conquerors:

Jesus conquers hearts, not nations

His kingdom grows without armies

His influence touches every corner of the globe

There is no person in history whose teachings have changed more lives.

THE ONLY KING WHO CONQUERED DEATH

Every conqueror:

Lived by the sword

Died by illness, assassination, defeat, age

But Jesus:

Died for His enemies

Rose again

Lives forever

Builds a kingdom not of this world

Matthew 24:

Signs of the End of the Age

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The Proof Is All Around Me | Pastor Chris Searcy | 12.7.25

“The proof is all around me”

Genesis 3 -Knowledge, Promise of a savior, Curse (Adam & Eve)

(Next Chapter Cain Kills Abel)

God was developing his redemption plan

(Noah, Abraham, Moses, Kings (Saul, David, Solomon)

But humans were also coming up with their own plans.

PART 1

“THE MEN WHO TRIED TO RULE THE WORLD”

Every human attempt at global domination — ancient or modern — is built on the same

foundation:

violence, intimidation, fear, deception, nationalism, racial supremacy, political

manipulation, or military conquest, and every one of them eventually fell.

Every empire rises the same way:

– Take land

– Take lives

– Take resources

– Receive glory

But none of them last!

1. Alexander the Great (356–323 BC)

Former King of Macedonia

Goal: Total world domination

Methods:

– Lightning-fast warfare (phalanx formations, heavy cavalry)

– Cultural assimilation (Hellenization)

– Destroying resisting cities

A. The Macedonian Phalanx

His father (King Philip II) redesigned the phalanx formation.

Alexander perfected it.

– Soldiers carried 18–21 ft. spears (sarissas)

– Multiple rows of spear points created an impenetrable “wall”

– Enemy armies using shorter spears or swords couldn’t get close

– This formation held the line while cavalry flanked

Terror When Resisted

Mercy When Obedient

Result:

Died at 32 likely from sickness; empire instantly fractured.

His generals carved it into pieces.

Today no one follows him

2. Julius Caesar / The Roman Emperors (49 BC–476 AD)

General and former Roman Dictator

Goal: Universal empire

Methods:

– Brutal military expansion, Highly trained Army, Superior weapons,

– Crucifixion as a state terror tactic

– Heavy taxation

– Absolute emperor worship

Rome’s message:

“If you submit, we reward you. (Hearts and minds)

If you rebel, we erase you.”

1. Cultural assimilation

2. Economic control

3. Fear & violence

4. Propaganda

Result:

Empire collapsed from corruption, decadence, and internal rot.

Julius Caesar stabbed 23 times by Roman senators 44bc

3. Genghis Khan & the Mongol Empire (1206–1368)

Founder and first khan of the Mongol Empire

"I am the punishment of God. If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a

punishment like me upon you,” - Genghis Kahn

Goal: Conquer the entire known world

Methods:

– Shock-and-awe warfare

– Mass slaughter of resisting cities

– Psychological terror

– Forced submission under Mongol rule

Conquered the largest land mass in history

How?

Straight violence

If you resisted... death

Deserted... death

Failed.... death

Result:

Largest land empire in history

but broke into pieces after his death (4 sons)

Today no one follows him

4. Napoleon Bonaparte (1799–1815)

General and former Emperor of the French

Goal: Create a unified European Empire

Methods:

– Highly organized conscription armies

– Rapid military campaigns (Napoleonic tactics)

– Political manipulation

Napoleon marched his armies faster than anyone in Europe - Strike before enemies were ready

Manipulated politics across Europe - Making secret treaties, Isolating individual enemies

Result:

Defeated; his empire crumbled.

Died in isolation and disgrace after losing at Waterloo. (1815 battle in Belgium)

Today no one follows him

But there was a man named Jesus!

Goal: World Redemption

Matthew 5:3-11, 44-45

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of

heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you

44 Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of

your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 20:25-28

25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over

them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But

whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first

among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,

and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

And they looked at him crazy!!!!! No one had ever heard anything like this before!!!!

He told them I’m God and like Julius Caesar his own killed him for it!

He died like all the rest of them....

THE PROOF IS ALL AROUND ME!

Many have tried all have failed but one!

It’s Really Okay to Be Who You Are | Pastor Tre Townsley | 11.30

 It’s Really Okay to Be Who You Are

REVIEW

• Do you not know?
• In Christ we must function from who we are
• We are new creations 2 Corinthians 5:16-17
• We are accepted Ephesians 1:5-6
• We are (already) delivered from the power of darkness Colossians 1:13
• We have overcome 1 John 4:4
• We have everything we need Ephesians 1:3
• When you don’t know who you are, you are unlikely to fulfill your potential.
• When you ask the average person “Are you saved?” What is the likely response?
• Ask the average person “Have you been rescued?” What is the likely response?
• Luke 19:1-10 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. ² Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. ³ And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. ⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” ⁶ So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. ⁷ But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” ⁸ Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”⁹ And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; ¹⁰ for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
• Salvation: G4991 (so-tay-ree’-ah) n. rescue/safety, deliverance. Deliverance not just from the debt, but from that which causes us to be debtors.
• This opportunity to be rescued is available to everyone 
• Titus 2:11 ¹¹ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men
• However, it will only be received by a select few 
• Mark 2:15-17 ¹⁵ Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. ¹⁶ And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹⁷ When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
• When we were rescued from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13), we were identified as Christ’s own (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
• Notice that when identity was being changed, there was opposition present
• This opposition is seen clearly in Luke 15:1-3 and 11-24
• Luke 15 ¹Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. ² And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” ³ So He spoke this parable to them, saying:..          …¹¹ Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. ¹² And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. ¹³ And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. ¹⁴ But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. ¹⁵ Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶ And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. ¹⁷ “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, ¹⁹ and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’²⁰ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² “But the father said to his servants,  ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. ²³ And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ²⁴ for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
• Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…
• Who is the enemy? The weapons we are given in battle are determined by the enemy we fight. 
• 2 Corinthians 10:4 ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments [imaginations] and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ    (bold text added from KJV) 
• Strong holds: arguments used to fortify an opinion
• Imaginations: reasonings, computations
• Knowledge: the knowing in the intellect
• Thought: perception in the mind
• Each of these exist in the mind
• How do we walk in this?
• 1) Homologeo: to voice the same conclusion; to agree; to speak the same thing.
• Romans 10:9-10 ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 
• 1 John 1:9 ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
• 2) Heart Belief: connect your heart (meditation) with your words 
• Romans 10:9-10 ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 
• James 1:14-15 ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
• Psalm 1:1-6 ¹Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. ³ He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. ⁴ The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. ⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. ⁶ For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
• 3) Activation: Neural pathways are like a pioneer trekking through uncharted territory. The first pass is supremely difficult. However, the more passes she makes, the easier it is. Not only that, the path becomes more pronounced. Eventually, it becomes the path of least resistance (automatic behavior) 
• Galatians 5:16, 25 ¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh…   ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
• Luke 4:3-4 ³ And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” ⁴ But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”

It’s Really Okay to Be Who You Are | Pastor Tre Townsley | 11.30.25

 It’s Really Okay to Be Who You Are

REVIEW

 Do you not know?

 In Christ we must function from who we are

o We are new creations 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

o We are accepted Ephesians 1:5-6

o We are (already) delivered from the power of darkness

Colossians 1:13

o We have overcome 1 John 4:4

o We have everything we need Ephesians 1:3

 When you don’t know who you are, you are unlikely to fulfill

your potential.

 When you ask the average person “Are you saved?” What is

the likely response?

 Ask the average person “Have you been rescued?” What is

the likely response?

 Luke 19:1-10 Then Jesus entered and passed

through Jericho.  2  Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus

who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  3  And he sought to see

who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of

short stature.  4  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree

to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  5  And when Jesus

came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to

him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay

at your house.”  6  So he made haste and came down, and received

Him joyfully.  7  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He

has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” 8  Then

Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my

goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false

accusation, I restore fourfold.” 9  And Jesus said to him, “Today

salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of

Abraham;  10  for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that

which was lost.”

 Salvation: G4991 (so-tay-ree’-ah) n. rescue/safety,

deliverance. Deliverance not just from the debt, but from that

which causes us to be debtors.

 This opportunity to be rescued is available to everyone

 Titus 2:11 11  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared

to all men

 However, it will only be received by a select few

 Mark 2:15-17 15  Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house,

that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and

His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.  16  And

when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax

collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He

eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” 17  When Jesus

heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a

physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to

call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

 When we were rescued from the power of darkness

(Colossians 1:13), we were identified as Christ’s own (John

1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

 Notice that when identity was being changed, there was

opposition present

 This opposition is seen clearly in Luke 15:1-3 and 11-24

 Luke 15 1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to

Him to hear Him.  2  And the Pharisees and scribes complained,

saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”  3  So He

spoke this parable to them, saying:.. … 11  Then He said: “A

certain man had two sons.  12  And the younger of them said

to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So

he divided to them his livelihood.  13  And not many days after, the

younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and

there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.  14  But when he had

spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to

be in want.  15  Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that

country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.  16  And he would

gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and

no one gave him anything. 17  “But when he came to himself, he said,

‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to

spare, and I perish with hunger!  18  I will arise and go to my father, and

will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before

you,  19  and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like

one of your hired servants.”’ 20  “And he arose and came to his father.

But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had

compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.  21  And the

son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your

sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22  “But the

father said to his servants,  ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him,

and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.  23  And bring the

fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;  24  for this my

son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they

began to be merry.

 Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my

enemies…

 Who is the enemy? The weapons we are given in battle are

determined by the enemy we fight.

 2 Corinthians 10:4 4  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal

but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,  5  casting down

arguments [imaginations] and every high thing that exalts itself

against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to

the obedience of Christ (bold text added from KJV)

 Strong holds: arguments used to fortify an opinion

 Imaginations: reasonings, computations

 Knowledge: the knowing in the intellect

 Thought: perception in the mind

 Each of these exist in the mind

 How do we walk in this?

o 1) Homologeo: to voice the same conclusion; to agree;

to speak the same thing.

o Romans 10:9-10 9  that if you confess with your mouth the

Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him

from the dead, you will be saved.  10  For with the heart one

believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is

made unto salvation. 

o 1 John 1:9 9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to

forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

o 2) Heart Belief: connect your heart (meditation) with

your words

o Romans 10:9-10 9  that if you confess with your mouth the

Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him

from the dead, you will be saved.  10  For with the heart one

believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is

made unto salvation. 

o James 1:14-15 14  But each one is tempted when he is drawn

away by his own desires and enticed.  15  Then, when desire

has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-

grown, brings forth death.

o Psalm 1:1-6 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the

counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor

sits in the seat of the scornful; 2  But his delight is in the law of

the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3  He shall

be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its

fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and

whatever he does shall prosper. 4  The ungodly are not so,

but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5  Therefore

the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the

congregation of the righteous. 6  For the LORD knows the way of

the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

o 3) Activation: Neural pathways are like a pioneer

trekking through uncharted territory. The first pass is

supremely difficult. However, the more passes she

makes, the easier it is. Not only that, the path becomes

more pronounced. Eventually, it becomes the path of

least resistance (automatic behavior)

o Galatians 5:16, 25 16  I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you

shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh… 25  If we live in the Spirit, let

us also walk in the Spirit

o Luke 4:3-4 3  And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of

God, command this stone to become bread.” 4  But Jesus

answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by

bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”

IT’S OK TO BE WHO YOU ARE? | Bishop Kyle Searcy | 11.23.25

 IT’S OK TO BE WHO YOU ARE?

I. REVIEW

We often struggle with an identity problem

Paul and Others Had to deal with this…

1 Corinthians 3:16

 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you

 

Issue: They were dividing into factions and boasting in human leaders instead of honoring God’s presence.

 

1 Corinthians 6:2

“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?”

Issue: Believers were suing each other in secular courts instead of resolving disputes internally.

 

1 Corinthians 6:3

“Do you not know that we shall judge angels?”

Issue: Same issue — they were acting spiritually immature by taking small matters to unbelieving judges.

 

1 Corinthians 6:9

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom…?”

Issue: Some were excusing sinful lifestyles, acting as if salvation permitted moral compromise.

 

1 Corinthians 6:15

“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?”

Issue: Some believers were engaging with prostitutes, misunderstanding holiness and union with Christ.

 

1 Corinthians 6:16

“Do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body…?”

Issue: Same issue — sexual immorality and a failure to grasp the spiritual consequences of joining oneself to sin.

 

Romans 6:3

“3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life

Issue: Some believers were using grace as an excuse to continue sinning, 

 

James 4:4

“Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?”

Issue: Believers were adopting worldly attitudes — pride, quarrels, coveting — becoming spiritually “double-minded.”

 

II. IN CHRIST WE MUST FUNCTION FROM WHO WE ARE!

 

It’s OK to be who we are in:

Value –

Supply and Demand – Only one you

Price – The blood of God

Substance – Fearfully and Wonderfully made Temple of Holy Spirit

In Christ we become then we Walk it Out!

1. We are a new creation in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new

​

 

2. We are accepted in the Beloved

Ephesians 1:5-6

having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 

 

3. We are delivered from the Powers of Darkness

Col 1:13

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.  

 

4. We Are Victorious: Greater one lives in us

1 John 4:4

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

 

The early church was being infiltrated by:

• False teachers

• False prophets

• Spirits denying Christ

• Early forms of Gnosticism

• Teachings that Jesus did not truly come in the flesh

 

5. We have everything we need

Eph 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ

We are The blood-bought,
Spirit-filled,
Grace-covered,
Mercy-washed,
Heaven-called,
Truth-rooted,
Destiny-marked Saints of the Most High God

We are redeemed from ruin,
Rescued from darkness,
Ransomed from chains,
Restored from brokenness,
Revived by His breath,
Renewed by His Word.

We are saints He sanctifies,
Temples He inhabits,
Branches He prunes and prospers,
Sheep He guards and guides,
Soldiers He trains for triumph,
Ambassadors He sends with authority.

We are chosen people,
Royal priesthood,
Holy nation,
Set-apart ones,
Carriers of light that cannot be hidden,
Hope that cannot be stolen,
Truth that cannot be silenced.

We are forgiven - Not forsaken.
Cleansed - Not condemned.
Strengthened - Not shaken.
Appointed - Not abandoned.
Anointed - Not rejected.

We are joy of the Father,
Reward of the Son,
Dwelling place of the Spirit,
Loved without limits,
Kept without question,
Held without hesitation.

We are image-bearers,
Reflecting His character.
Glory-carriers,
Hosting His presence.
Promise-walkers,
Standing on what He said.
Miracle-testifiers,
Living proof of His power.
Overcomers,
Born of God and built for victory.

We are salt of the earth,
Planted with purpose.
Light of the world,
Shining with conviction.
City on a hill,
Seen by generations.
Letters of Christ,
Read by a watching world.

We are beloved,
Kept,
Called,
Commissioned,
Sealed,
Strengthened,
Steadfast,
Sent.

We walk in identity,
Stand in authority,
Live in purity,
Grow in maturity,
Speak with clarity,
Shine with eternity

We are His —
Forever chosen,
Forever cherished,
Forever changed,
Forever held,
Forever loved,
Forever Spirit-filled.

With every breath,
Every step,
Every moment,
We boldly declare:

We are who God says we are —
Nothing less.
Nothing else.
Nothing broken.
Nothing stolen.
Nothing missing.

We are His —
Now and forever.

 

III. HOW DO WE WALK IN THIS

1. Homologeo

Romans 10:9-10

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

Mark 11:23-24

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them

 

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

 

James 3:4

Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires

Ex. Tongue sets the course of our whole lives. 

 

 

What we repeatedly say becomes what we repeatedly think.
What we repeatedly think becomes what we repeatedly believe.
What we repeatedly believe becomes what we repeatedly do.
And what we repeatedly do becomes who we become.

 

Neurologically: Your brain believes what your mouth repeats.

The brain has a mechanism called neuroplasticity.
It rewires itself around repeated thoughts and repeated language.

When you speak something often:

• The brain fires the same neural pathways

• Those pathways get stronger

• They become automatic

• They become identity

• They become behavior

Ex. Neurosurgeon – Speech center of brain controls whole nr=nervous system

Ex. We are speaking spirits

2. Heart Belief (Connection)

Romans 10:9-10

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

James 1:14-15

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death

 

Meditation – Leads to conception.

Ex. Cows chew the cud. 

 

Psalm 1:1-6

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6​For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish

3. Activation

We do the deeds until it becomes automated

Eph 4:1-2

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love

 

Gal 5:25

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit

 

Col 3:12-13

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do