Thursday, September 3 | You Can Win and Still Lose

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20 (NLT)
Pastor: Rev. Leo Lozano

Sunday Sermon Series: Plain, Old Christianity: The Marks of a Jesus Follower

What does it really look like to follow Jesus? In a world filled with competing ideas about faith and what it means to be a Christian, Scripture gives us a clear picture of the life God calls us to live. In the series we’ll explore five marks that should be growing in every follower of Jesus: faith, love, holiness, good works, and unity. These marks aren’t about putting on a religious appearance—they’re about becoming more like Jesus from the inside out. Join us as we discover what it means to live out our faith in simple, genuine, Christlike ways. It’s just plain, old Christianity!

Sunday, September 6

The Marks of a Jesus Follower: Romans 12:9-21, ESV

The Word of God describes the life we’re called to live as followers of the Risen Christ. These “marks” point to the Christ likeness that should be growing in each of us. In this message series, we’ll connect with five of these marks. So, come on, Jesus followers, let’s get these marks on!

Sunday, September 13

The Mark of Faith: Hebrews 11:1-6, NIV

Our faith in God and God’s promises as revealed in God’s Word and the person of Jesus Christ, is a mark of a true Christian. It’s the first mark we’ll consider in this message series. Perhaps the mark of faith supersedes the others since our relationship with God — and the marks of love, unity, holiness, and good works—begin with our faith. Ephesians 2:8 says, “by grace, you have been saved, through faith”. Hebrews 11:1 gives us an idea of what that faith is: “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”. What in your life do you hope for and what are you certain of? Faith is at the core of who we are as followers of Jesus Christ. It’s just plain, old Christianity. See you on Sunday!

 Sunday, September 20

The Mark of Love: John 13:33-35, NLT

The Word of God focuses on love more than any other mark of a Jesus follower. To get a clear understanding of genuine Christian love, go to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. You’ve heard this passage if you’ve ever been to a wedding. While these are certainly good words for a new bride and groom, the Scripture describes what love should be like between Christian sisters and brothers as well as the love we extend to others. Jesus gets very serious about Christian love too — check out John 13:34-35 and John 15:12-13. That’s the kind of love Jesus wants us to have for each other and for our neighbor. It’s just plain, old Christianity.

Sunday, September 27

The Mark of Holiness: 1 Peter 1:13-16, NLT

As followers of Jesus Christ, we’re called to be holy just as God is holy (1 Peter 1:13-16). God’s Word says that without holiness, no one will see God (Hebrews 12:14). That’s just plain, old Christianity. When you were reborn into a saving relationship with Jesus through God’s justifying grace, you entered a new life focused on growing to become more like Jesus day-by-day (that’s God’s sanctifying grace at work in you). We were set apart from everything that’s of this world, no longer trying to blend in with its ways and beliefs. Sounds good but is it possible? Can we become holy like God? Answer to that question this Sunday.

Sunday, October 4

The Mark of Good Works: James 2:14-17, NIV

We are saved by faith alone — our faith in Jesus Christ as the Risen Christ and our Savior and Lord. But God’s Word says that faith without good works is a dead and useless faith (James 2:17). Good works are evidence of our love for God and our neighbor. Jesus emphasizes the importance of serving others at the end of a sermon He preached before His arrest (Matthew 25:31-46). Jesus blessed His followers who devoted themselves to serving the downtrodden and He cursed the “followers” who did not. God the Son then described this stark reality: those who steadfastly serve others out of their love for God will receive eternal life. Those who do not, He says, “will go away into eternal punishment.” True Jesus followers must exemplify the mark of good works — it’s just plain, old Christianity. See you on Sunday!

Sunday, October 11

The Mark of Unity: Ephesians 4:1-6, NIV

Not long before Jesus went to the cross, He prayed for unity among His followers (John 17:11, 23). Unity is a mark of the true Jesus follower. Disunity has no place in the church since it can be devasting to both the body of Christ and the individual believer. What does unity in Christ look like and what should we do when conflicts arise that hinder harmony in the church? Come hear the answers so that the mark of unity can be strong in you! It’s just plain, old Christianity we’re taking about!