6. The Greatest News of All
The good news is not just that God forgives us and transforms us. It's that God has given us himself. He has invited us into relationship, so that we might experience the infinite love of the Trinity.
This message was given by Michael Bouterse, director of Thrive Harbor.
Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include John 1:18; 13:1, 23; 14:4-21; 16:7; 17:20-26
5. Jesus Defeats the Darkness
The Bible teaches that this world is not all there is. There is a spiritual realm populated by personal spiritual forces, both good and evil. But through his death and resurrection, Jesus defeated the devil so that we can have victory over the forces of darkness.
This message was given by Cedric van Duyn, pastor of Anthem Church.
4. Jesus Makes You New
Imagine if God forgave us but didn't transform us. Imagine if God canceled our past sins but left us trapped in our present sins. That wouldn't be good news! But the amazing truth of the gospel is that Jesus forgives us and transforms us. In this message, Michael Bouterse, director of Thrive Harbor teaches on how Jesus makes us into a new person, giving us new power over sin.
Scripture passages cited in this message include Romans 1:25; 5:18-6:7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; James 5:16; Ezekiel 36:26-27; and 2 Corinthians 3:18.
3. Jesus Takes Your Shame
At the heart of the gospel is a God who loves and forgives His enemies—and that forgiveness is gigantic good news. It means Jesus has taken our sin and set us free from shame. This message was given by David Shohradov, a member of Thrive Harbor.
Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Luke 15:11-32 and 2 Samuel 9.
2. We Are Lost
Before the gospel can be good news, we have to understand the bad news. And the bad news is that without Jesus, we are lost—in sin, in rebellion against God, and ultimately deserving of judgment and death. But because of God's love for us, instead of leaving us lost he came down and sought us.
This message was given by Jake Chambers, pastor of Local Church.
1. God Is Holy
The gospel is the good news about what God has done to save us. But who is God and why do we need his salvation? The answer is found in the fact that God is holy. We can't live without him—but we also can't live with him, because sin and holiness don't mix. But because of Jesus, there's a solution.
This message was given by Michael Bouterse, director of Thrive Harbor.
Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Isaiah 6:1-7; 64:6; Exodus 3:6; Joshua 5:13-15; Ezekiel 1; 2:15; Daniel 10:8; Genesis 1:31; Ephesians 2:8; 5:8; Romans 3:13; 5:10; 8:7; Psalm 7:11; 10:4; 98:8-9; Matthew 6:24; James 4:4; John 5:42; 7:7; Leviticus 10; and Proverbs 28:13.