"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?" (Romans 8:35) Join pastor Brian Pursley as he shares this encouraging message: as long as we put our faith in Jesus, we have the power of the Holy Spirit and the assurance of a wonderful destiny. "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)
Read MoreThe mind that is focused on earthly things perishes, but the mind that is focused on God enjoys new life! Join pastor Brian Pursley as he encourages us, the adopted children of the living and sovereign God. Though we are called sons and daughters of our heavenly Father, we acknowledge there is a spiritual battle every day. That battle is fought for the mind. So, on what shall we focus ours? On death, or life?
Read MoreHave you ever known the right choice to make, and yet struggled to make it? Join pastor Brian Pursley as he reflects on the spiritual warfare described in Romans 7. There is an eternal tension between the flesh and spirit, because we are convicted by God's power, and yet we remain sinful people. But we praise the Lord for the Gospel, that anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation!
Read MoreSo the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. (Romans 7:12) Join pastor Brian Pursley for the first half of Romans chapter 7. We recognize that keeping the law of God doesn't save souls, because nobody is perfect. But how marvelous it is to know Jesus Christ came as the fulfillment of the law and perfect sacrifice!
Read MoreRejoice, Church, because the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus! Join pastor Brian Pursley for the second half of Romans chapter 6. He reminds us that, although sin may make a great sales pitch, it has no true power over the believer that is dead to sin but alive to God. Temptation will come, but God has called us to be instruments of righteousness.
Read MoreWe have been called out of the death of sin and into new life in Christ! Join pastor Micaiah Sipes as he reflects on the importance of faith in God as it is taught in Romans 6. Being a follower of Christ means commitment through action. May it never be said of the Church that we are believers in word only. As we put our faith in the sovereignty of God, and the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, we rejoice in His mercy and grace.
Read MoreHe is risen! Join pastor Brian Pursley for a celebration of Christ's resurrection, as we study Romans 5:6-21. None of us could deserve the free gift of salvation, but God has offered it to us. Because of His grace and mercy, we have the opportunity to live again! God bless you and happy Easter!
Read MoreHow wonderful it is that we have personal access to the Creator of the universe! Join pastor Brian Pursley as he encourages us to celebrate the work of Jesus Christ - the very work that allows us direct access to God Almighty. Because of Jesus' saving sacrifice, and none of our own merits, we can rejoice even in suffering, holding on to the hope that is the glorious return of our Savior.
Read MoreThe Lord saw Abraham's faith and counted it for righteousness. Do we, also, have faith the Lord will see? Join pastor Brian Pursley as he reflects on Abraham's faith in God's promises. Of course, there is no perfect work we can do to deserve salvation. Instead, our faith depends on Christ's perfection, and He was able to both pay the penalty for sin as the perfect Sacrifice, and to overcome death and the grave by His resurrection!
Read MoreIs it possible to earn salvation? Join pastor Jacob Bauder as he shares the perspective of Scripture in Romans 4. The answer is, "no." It is not possible to be good enough to get to Heaven. But there is good news! Although God's justice and righteousness require a punishment for sin, Jesus willingly gave His life so we can be restored to good standing with the Father, only by faith in God's grace and mercy.
Read MoreHow can we boast about good works, when it is only the blood of Jesus that can save us? Join pastor Brian Pursley as he reminds us of this core Gospel truth: we need Jesus. Though God may never be impressed with how good we can be, He loves us and made a plan for our redemption despite our unworthiness. As Scripture says, "...we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." (Romans 3:28)
Read MoreDo you struggle with the concept of God's wrath? Join pastor Brian Pursley as he examines Romans chapter 3 and its commentary on righteousness. Though we may struggle to understand how a loving God can also be wrathful, we recognize that, in order for God to show His righteousness, sin must have consequences. If God has no wrath, and does not judge, there is ultimately no penalty for even the worst crimes. Since God's righteous judgment shows no partiality, how blessed are we who count on Jesus' sacrifice for our redemption!
Read MoreKnowledge of the law will not save you! Join Pastor Brian Pursley as he shares from Romans 2:12-29 on the difference between knowing the law, doing the law, and trusting in God! Everyone innately knows the law of God, but the only hope for salvation is through a relationship with Jesus!
Read MoreMay we never presume that, judging others, we will avoid judgment ourselves! Join pastor Brian Pursley as he shares both the sobering and encouraging truth of God's impartiality. Romans 2:9 says, "There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil," but verses 10 and 11 say, "but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good... For God shows no partiality." What a blessing it is to be counted among those who are righteous, and it is all thanks to the mercy and grace of God!
Read MoreAll creation declares the glory of God! Join pastor Brian Pursley as he contrasts the foolishness of those who deny the existence of the Creator with those who worship the God who made all that we can see. Romans 1:8 says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." This is a harsh reality, but we serve a righteous God. And how wonderful it is that He provides a way for us to be called righteous, through the perfect life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ!
Read MoreThe life, death, and resurrection of Jesus changed everything. In an instant eternity was altered and hope was delivered to all who would accept his sacrifice. Why is our salvation necessary? What does it accomplish? How was it made possible? How does it impact us? How should it shape us? How will it change not only us, but the world? Join us as we investigate the book of Romans and explore a foundation for our beliefs and convictions, rooted in the completed work of Christ.
Read MoreAt Lakeside Community Church, our mission is to help people move one step closer to Jesus and reach those far from Him. Join pastor Micaiah Sipes as he recounts the eight previous elements of the Mission series, as well as shares the ninth: the power of prayer. Jesus told His disciples, whatever they asked in God's name would be given to them. So we are eager to align our will to God's, that we might glorify Him with our trust, and affirm His sovereignty with our faith.
Read MoreThe hosts of Heaven joyfully celebrate the salvation of each and every lost soul! Join pastor Brian Pursley as he reads the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin. Jesus was known for His unbiased love towards the lost, even those who were societal outcasts. The religious elite were condescending in their view, asking, "Why does Jesus associate with these undesirable people?" But God's capacity for love allows Him to care for each and every person in the human race. What a merciful and loving God we serve!
Read MoreMay everything we do as a church, the community times, the music and singing, and the exposition of Scripture, be for the glory of God! Join pastor Brian Pursley as he continues to explain the purpose behind our order of service at Lakeside Community Church. Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
As a new year begins, we continue striving after this vision: helping people move one step closer to Jesus and reaching those far from Him. Happy new year from Lakeside Community Church!
Read MoreO God, let us be a generation that seeks Your face! Join pastor Jacob Bauder as he encourages us to invest in the spiritual well-being of young people as they come up. At Lakeside Community Church, we believe in passing on our faith by making new disciples and instructing the next generation in spiritual truth. As we emphasize Next Gen ministries this week, we consider the importance of meeting young people where they are in life. Though each generation may have new needs, Jesus' command to disciple them will never change.
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