Archive for the ‘Pentecost’ Category
“How to Hear and Receive Father God’s Word! Pt 1”
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Part 1A:
Part 1B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Acts 2: 42
Summary:
This week’s message from Pastor Timothy Brassell offers a deeply clarifying and convicting call to return to the foundation of all true Christian life and preaching — Jesus Christ Himself. The sermon, drawn from Acts 2:42, explores what it really means to hear and receive God’s Word as Jesus intends, not as a set of “how-to” instructions, but as a living participation in His ongoing relationship with the Father through the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Tim reminded listeners that worship is never something we perform or generate: “When we gather, we are not just getting our praise on; we are participating in Jesus’ own worship of the Father.” True discipleship, then, begins not with our doing, but with our being. Being joined to Christ, who is the living Word of God.
As Karl Barth declared in The Barmen Theological Declaration (1934):
“Jesus Christ, as he is attested for us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God which we have to hear, and which we have to trust and obey in life and in death.”
This powerful truth framed the entire message: the Church’s greatest need is not more information, activity, or innovation. It is devotion to the one Word of God: Jesus Christ.
Pastor Tim emphasized that every sermon, every act of worship, and every reading of Scripture must be centered on Christ, interpreted through Christ, and lived out in participation with Christ. Without Him as the content and foundation, even the most well-intended message becomes hollow.
From Acts 2:42, he identified the early Church’s threefold devotion, a model for the Church today:
- Devotion to Jesus Himself
- Devotion to the Proclamation of Jesus
- Devotion to the Apostolic Teaching of Scripture
Through these, believers move from hearing about God to hearing from God.
Key Themes and Reflection Questions:
- Jesus Is the Foundation
- Theme: Every true word of God flows from the person of Jesus Christ. Without Him as the foundation, the Christian message collapses into moralism or self-help. Discipleship Question: Is Jesus the foundation of your daily thoughts, choices, and actions, or have you built on something else?
- Hearing the Word in Christ
- Theme: Hearing God’s Word means joining in Christ’s own conversation with the Father. Scripture becomes alive when we listen through Him. Discipleship Question: How are you intentionally listening for Christ’s voice through Scripture this week?
- Devotion to Apostolic Teaching
- Theme: The early Church grew because it was devoted to the apostles’ teaching. Scripture that proclaimed Jesus as the Living Word. Discipleship Question: How can you grow in devotion to the apostles’ teaching, so your faith remains rooted in Christ and not in culture?
- Guarding the Gospel
- Theme: There is only one Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Any message that sidelines Him for other topics loses the life-giving power of grace. Discipleship Question: Are you discerning what you hear and read through the lens of Jesus as the true Gospel?
- Participation, Not Performance
- Theme: The Christian life is not about doing things for God, but joining Christ in what He is already doing through you. Discipleship Question: In what ways can you shift from performing for God to participating with Him this week?
Reflective Moment:
“Lord Jesus, quiet my heart, open my ears, to hear You. Let every word I read, every song I sing, and every prayer I pray draw me deeper into Your life and love. Tune my heart to listen, not for information, but for transformation. May my worship, reading, and serving be rooted in You, the one Word of God whom I must hear, trust, and obey in life and in death. Draw me into Your divine conversation with the Father, and help me to live as a true participant in Your ongoing life and mission. Amen.”
“Some Specific Areas of Repentance for Jesus’ Church!” Pt 1
Filed under: Bible, By Tim Brassell, By Timothy Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Discipleship, Evangelism, Faith, GCI Windsor Mill, Maryland, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, Liturgy, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life Fellowship Of Windsor Mill, MD., On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Pentecost, Perichoresis, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Resurrection, Scripture Paraphrases, Sermons, Song, The Church, The Dance and Dream of the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, union, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Acts, Acts 2, Acts 2: 36-41, Acts 2: 37-47, Adoption, Basic Christian Doctrine, Being In God's Family, Christ Over Culture, Christian Faith, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Devoted To Doctrine, Faith, GCI Baltimore, God's Faith, God's Grace, God's love, Gospel, Grace Communion International, Growth In Grace, Having The Peace Of God, How God Reveals Himself, Humanity Revealed, Humanity Revealed In Jesus, Jesus, Knowing The Father's Love, Life's meaning and Significance, Lifestyle Of Repentance, Love, New Life Fellowship Baltimore MD, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, Preach The True Gospel, Relationships, Repent and Return, Revealing Your Life's Purpose, Sharing God More Accurately, Sharing In God's JOy, Sharing In God's Laughter, Sharing In The Divine Nature, The Basic Christian Belief, The God Who Is Love, the reason for your existence, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Trinitarian Theology, Trinity, Understanding God, Understanding Human Beings, Understanding Life's Calling, Who Is God?, Who Is Jesus?
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Part 1A:
Part 1B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Acts 2: 37-47
Introduction:
In an age when culture often redefines Christianity, this Gospel message of Acts 2 comes as both a clarion call and a corrective lens. This sermon urgently challenges believers to repent, recenter, and realign our faith with the life and teaching of Jesus Christ as preached by the Apostles and preserved in Scripture.
Pastor Timothy Brassell begins by stating what many of us need to hear: our view of repentance is often too vague, and our Gospel too shallow. But in the light of Acts 2, we are called to respond, not with fear, but with clarity and joyful surrender.
Summary:
This powerful gospel filled sermon opens by reminding us that Pentecost wasn’t just a moment, it was a movement of the Holy Spirit that continues today. In Acts 2:36–41, Peter preaches boldly, calling his hearers to recognize Jesus as both Lord and Messiah. Their response is not passive: they are pierced to the heart, and thousands repent, are baptized, and begin a new life of devotion.
But this repentance is not a moral checklist, it’s a Spirit-led turning toward Christ, in every part of life. As Pastor Tim declares, Jesus Himself is our repentance. He is the one who acts for us, and in Him, we are free to respond, not out of fear, but out of joy.
“Jesus Christ is not only God’s address to man; He is man’s address to God.”
— T.F. Torrance, The Mediation of Christ
This message invites us to rethink repentance, not as a condition to gain God’s favor, but as a response to the grace already given in Christ. Our evangelism, theology, and church life must reflect that truth.
“Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who must lay down his arms… This movement full speed astern is what Christians call repentance.”
— C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
This sermon then highlights Acts 2:42, a verse too often overlooked as the culmination of repentance. The early believers didn’t just make a decision. They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.
“In Jesus, God wills to be true God not only in the height but also in the depth — in the depth of human creatureliness, sinfulness and mortality.”
— Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics IV/1
This is why our repentance must touch real life. Our jobs, families, habits, thoughts, social media, and priorities. If Christ has entered the depth of our humanity, then nothing in us is off-limits to His redeeming work.
This message ends by confronting modern distortions: when we prioritize the American dream over God’s kingdom, treat the Gospel like a contract, or see ministry as someone else’s job, we have drifted. And the call of Acts 2 is to come home.
Key Themes and Reflection Questions:
1. Gospel Accuracy and Bold Proclamation 📣📖
- Theme: Like Peter, we must proclaim a clear, Christ-centered Gospel that does not depend on human effort but celebrates divine grace.
- Reflection Question: Have I clearly understood and accurately shared the Gospel, or have I embraced a cultural version?
- #PreachTheTrueGospel
2. Repentance Is Real and Daily 🔄🕊️
- Theme: Repentance is not abstract sorrow. It’s a daily turning toward Jesus in the details of life.
- Reflection Question: What is one area in my life where Jesus is calling me to lay down my arms and return to Him?
- #LifestyleOfRepentance
3. Devotion to Apostolic Teaching 📚🔥
- Theme: Acts 2:42 shows the early believers were committed to Scripture and truth, not trends or personalities.
- Reflection Question: Has my hunger for the Word of God grown or faded in this season?
- #DevotedToDoctrine
4. Rejecting the American Dream Theology 🇺🇸💭🚫
- Theme: We often place cultural success at the center of our faith. But Jesus must reign alone.
- Reflection Question: Have I expected God to serve my dreams rather than submit to His?
- #ChristOverCulture
5. Growth Is Not Optional 🌱🧠
- Theme: Like Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, every disciple is called to ongoing transformation.
- Reflection Question: How am I actively growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ?
- #GrowInGrace
Reflective Moment: Returning to the Center
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.”— Acts 2:42
This isn’t a call to performance; it’s a call to participation. To repent is not to prove ourselves worthy, but to respond to the One who already stood in our place. In Christ, God has descended into the very depths of our brokenness to lift us into the life of His Spirit. You don’t need to earn this, just receive, respond, and remain.
“God does not deal with us on the basis of a contract. He acts toward us in grace.”
(Torrance, paraphrased truth from sermon)
The Gospel is not a transaction; it’s a transformation. So, let us repent, not because we fear rejection, but because we’ve been irrevocably accepted in Jesus Christ.
“God Is for Us; The Satan Against Us!”
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Part A:
Part B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Acts 2: 36-41 James 4: 7-10
Summary:
This powerful message, based on Acts 2:36–41 and James 4:7–10, highlighted God’s holiness, the reality of spiritual opposition, and the gift of repentance. Pastor Timothy Brassell reminded us that our God is a consuming fire. A God who says “yes” to His Son Jesus and “no” to anything that stands apart from Him. Repentance is not simply about turning away from sin; it is about turning toward Christ in trust and obedience, a continual relational act empowered by the Spirit.
As Karl Barth reminds us: “The preaching of the Gospel is the power of God because it brings about repentance, the radical turning of man away from himself and to God, away from sin and to grace.” (Church Dogmatics II/2, p. 744)
The sermon emphasized that salvation is dynamic, not static. It is not just a past event but an ongoing journey of becoming, walking with Christ daily, saying “yes” to God and “no” to all that opposes Him. In this battle, we are reminded that the adversary is real. Satan seeks to divide, deceive, and discourage, but he is not God’s equal. In Christ, we resist him by submitting to God, drawing near to Him, and relying on the Spirit’s power.
Repentance, Pastor Tim explained, is one of God’s greatest relational powers. It may feel painful, like going against yourself, cutting off something familiar, but it is the way God- Father-Son and Holy Spirit, turns our lives right side up. Just as 3,000 people responded to Peter’s message at Pentecost, we are urged today to respond with faith, repentance, and baptism, receiving the promise of the Spirit.
And as Augustine declared: “The devil is conquered, not by our power, but by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.”(Tractates on the Gospel of John, Tractate 84, §2)
In Christ, we share in His victory over sin, death, and the devil. Salvation, therefore, is not simply about avoiding evil, but about entering deeply into the life of God who is for us, even as the adversary is against us.
Key Points and Highlights
- God Is a Consuming Fire 🔥👑
- Theme: God’s holiness includes both a “yes” to His Son Jesus and a “no” to everything opposed to Him. He accepts us in Christ while rejecting sin and rebellion.
- Discipleship Question: Where in your life do you need to say “no” so that your “yes” to Christ is clear?
- #GodIsAConsumingFire
- Repentance: God’s Relational Power 🔄❤️
- Theme: Repentance is not simply turning from sin but turning toward Christ in trust and obedience. It is one of God’s greatest relational powers, a continual act that often feels painful but turns our lives right side up.
- Discipleship Question: How will you practice repentance as a daily response to God’s love this week?
- #DailyRepentance
- Salvation as a Living Journey 🚶♂️⛰️
- Theme: Salvation is dynamic, not static. It is not just a past event but an ongoing walk of faith and obedience. In Christ, we say “yes” daily to God’s transforming work, trusting Him to complete what He has begun.
- Discipleship Question: What step of obedience is God calling you to take right now in your journey?
- #LivingSalvation
- The Adversary and Our Resistance ⚔️🐍
- Theme: Satan is real and seeks to divide, deceive, and discourage, but he is not God’s equal. We resist him by submitting to God, drawing near to Christ, and relying on the Spirit’s power. The devil is conquered not by our strength but by Christ’s blood and our faithful testimony.
- Discipleship Question: How can you actively resist the enemy this week by submitting to God?
- #ResistTheEnemy
- Hope in the Victory of Christ ✝️🏆
- Theme: Christ has already defeated sin, death, and the devil. Repentance, baptism, and life in the Spirit anchor us in His triumph. Our calling is to share in His victory and bear witness to His saving power.
- Discipleship Question: How can remembering Christ’s victory give you courage in the struggles you face?
- #VictoryInChrist
Reflection Moment
Take a pause and ask yourself:
Where is God calling me to turn from self-reliance and cling to Christ more fully?
Remember: Repentance is not condemnation. It may feel costly, but it is God’s gift of love and power to turn you right side up in Christ. Your victory is not found in your strength, but in the blood of the Lamb and in the Spirit who empowers your testimony. It is God’s-Father, Son and Holy Spirit invitation into deeper life with Him. Resist the adversary not by fear, but by fixing your eyes on Jesus, who has already overcome.
“Turn To Jesus And Away From The Demonic!”
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Part A:
Part B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Acts 2: 29-41
Summary:
In this bold, Spirit-filled sermon, Pastor Timothy Brassell offers a clarifying and convicting look at repentance through the lens of Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:29–41, delivered on the Day of Pentecost. Far from a guilt-driven concept, repentance is portrayed as a joyful, relational, Spirit-empowered turning; not just from sin, but toward Jesus Christ, who is the revelation of God’s love and grace.
The message begins by grounding listeners in the Trinitarian mission of God. Pastor Tim emphasizes that God is not a generic being in the sky, but Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, eternally relational and now present in Jesus. When Peter preached to a crowd of thousands in Jerusalem, he called them to repent and be baptized, not as a way to earn forgiveness, but because forgiveness had already been secured in Christ.
The sermon makes clear that repentance isn’t merely turning from sin, it is turning to God in Christ. That distinction is vital. Many try to repent by cleaning themselves up or breaking habits, but biblical repentance starts by looking to Jesus. Only in His presence do we receive the power to turn. To try repentance apart from Christ is to fall into legalism or self-help religion.
🧲 A Powerful Illustration:
Using a set of bent wrenches and magnets, Pastor Tim gives a vivid picture of repentance. Like warped tools, we are bent out of shape by sin and brokenness. But Jesus, as the magnet, draws us to Himself, even while we’re still crooked. As we stay near Him, our lives begin to realign. Repentance is less about straining and more about staying close to Jesus, the only one who can truly reshape us.
✝️ Repentance: What Jesus Has Done for Us:
One of the most powerful and radical truths proclaimed in this message is that Jesus repented for us. Though God is not a man that He should repent in His eternal being, God became man in Jesus Christ, and in our human flesh, He repented perfectly for us, fulfilling all righteousness.
This truth shocks even the religious mind, just as John the Baptist was shocked when Jesus came to be baptized in a baptism of repentance (Matthew 3:11, 13–17). Yet Jesus insisted, saying it was necessary “to fulfill all righteousness.” Why? Because He took on our sinful nature (though He Himself never sinned), and in it, turned fully to the Father, on behalf of all humanity.
Repentance, then, is not about “doing better”, it’s about joining the One who already did everything perfectly, and who now calls us to participate in His life through the Spirit.
🚨 The Stakes Are Real: Turn to Jesus or Be Turned by the World:
Pastor Tim asks a piercing and urgent question:
“Are you becoming more and more a heavenly creature by turning to Christ or more and more a hellish and devilish creature by turning away from Him?”
Repentance is not optional. It is essential. We are all being shaped, either by Christ’s love or by the powers of darkness that seek to scatter, isolate, and destroy. Repentance is the process of becoming whole, of being reconciled, and of being drawn into God’s eternal love. The enemy seeks to separate and divide; Christ unites and restores. We’re not fighting flesh and blood; we’re resisting demonic forces of disconnection.
The message challenges believers not to settle for religious activity or surface-level faith. Instead, we’re called to embrace the life of repentance, a life of intimacy with Jesus, openness to the Spirit, and childlike trust in the Father’s unshakable love.
💖 A Revelation of God’s Heart:
Ultimately, this sermon reveals that Jesus Christ is not just the means of repentance, He is the message. He is the very image of God, showing that God is:
- Good
- Humble
- Creative
- Lowly
- Loving
- And passionately committed to humanity
Jesus is the living proof that mankind is the object of God’s affection, not His anger. God’s justice does not cancel His mercy, it is fulfilled in love through Jesus, who was crucified and raised for our salvation.
Key Points and Highlights:
1. 🔄 Repentance Is Relational, Not Just Behavioral
- Turning to Jesus is the beginning of true change. We’re called not just to turn from sin, but to turn toward God.
- Discipleship Question: What area of your life needs less striving and more surrender to Jesus?
2. 💌 God’s Grace Comes Before Your Repentance
- Repentance doesn’t earn forgiveness; it receives what’s already been given in Christ.
- Discipleship Question: Are you resting in God’s grace or trying to clean yourself up before receiving it?
3. 🧲 God Reshapes You, Even When You’re Still Bent
- Like broken tools drawn to a magnet, our lives realign only as we stay near Jesus.
- Discipleship Question: Where are you seeing God slowly but faithfully reshaping you right now?
4. ⚔️ Spiritual Opposition Is Real, But So Is Victory
- Behind much of our resistance to repentance is demonic separation. The battle is spiritual.
- Discipleship Question: Are you recognizing the enemy’s tactics in your life or calling them something else?
5. ✝️ Jesus Repented For You. Now Walk With Him
- Jesus, in His humanity, turned fully to the Father on your behalf. Repentance is now participation in His life.
- Discipleship Question: How can you respond to Jesus’ repentance with trust instead of trying harder?
📌 Final Reflection:
“Jesus didn’t come to condemn you, but to turn you back to the Father.”
In repentance, you’re not running from failure, you’re running into grace.
Impossible Love, Made Possible in Christ
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Are you struggling to love those who hurt you? Christ makes the impossible possible.
We’ve all heard the sayings: “Love your neighbor as yourself” and “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Simple words, easy to quote but far harder to live. Loving those who love us back feels natural. But what about those who wound us, oppose us, or repay kindness with cruelty? On our own, it feels impossible to extend grace in those moments. And that’s the truth: left to ourselves, it is impossible!
If I’m being real, I’ve struggled greatly with showing grace in the face of so much hurt in this world. Forgiveness is hard because I’m realizing I don’t have it to give on my own. My patience runs out. Your patience runs out. Our compassion falters, doesn’t it? But, fortunately for us, in Jesus Christ there is a greater love that never fails. Through His Spirit He supplies what we lack and makes possible what is impossible for us apart from Him!
“God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”— Romans 5:5, CSB
I believe that C.S. Lewis captured this reality so well when he wrote:
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
— C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
This is the hope of the Gospel: kindness and forgiveness are not virtues we manufacture by willpower; they are gifts of grace that Christ forms in us through His love.
T. F. Torrance reminds us of Jesus’ significant place in all of this love and forgiveness business:
“Jesus Christ is both God’s Word to man and man’s answer to God; in Him God’s love for man and man’s love for God meet in perfect at-one-ment.”
— The Mediation of Christ
Jesus is our Mediator. He stands in for us, offering His perfect love to the Father on our behalf, and making that same love available to flow through us toward others. It is only through His mediating life that we can forgive the unforgivable and love the unlovable.
Jesus Himself said it plainly:
“Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.”— John 15:4, CSB
Apart from Him, we cannot bear fruit. But in Him, kindness, forgiveness, and love become possible. Not because of our effort, but because His life is flowing through us.
Christlike kindness also doesn’t mean ignoring evil or allowing ourselves to be endlessly mistreated. Love is not blind tolerance. It is holy, discerning, and often courageous. The Spirit equips us to build “healthy connections while also maintaining healthy boundaries“. Sometimes love looks like patient presence. Sometimes it looks like gentle correction. And sometimes it means stepping back, while continuing to pray for the other person.
As Karl Barth wrote, God’s “No” to sin is always spoken within His greater “Yes” to humanity in Christ. In the same way, our boundaries can actually be an act of love, protecting what is good while still affirming the worth of the person before us.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.”
— Colossians 3:12–13, CSB
The world tells us that outrage is power, that payback is justice, and that hatred has the last word. But the Gospel reveals a deeper truth: “Love never ends” (1 Corinthians 13:8, CSB).
“Hate has an end. Love has already won in Christ”. In His human life, on the cross, and in His Resurrection, Jesus showed that forgiveness is stronger than vengeance, hope is greater than despair, and mercy is mightier than condemnation.
When we walk with our Savior, the impossible task of loving others becomes possible. We are not doing it alone. We are participating in His life, His patience, and His victory. Quite literally, through the Holy Spirit and His Oneness with Jesus, we actually get to share in Jesus’ own life before the Father!
“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”— Ephesians 4:32, CSB
This week, ask yourself:
- Who in my life needs to see Christ’s kindness through me?
- What is one way I can show love, even a small gesture, to someone who may not return it?
- Where might I need the Spirit’s discernment to set healthy boundaries while still remaining Christlike?
As we surrender our hurts to Jesus at the foot of the cross, our lives become transformed, and we become living testimonies that in Jesus Christ, love always has the final word.
“Hate has an end. Love has already won in Christ.”
Lord Jesus,
You loved us when we were unlovable, and You forgave us when we had nothing to offer. I confess that on my own I don’t have the patience, the grace, or the strength to love others well, let alone forgive them fully. But You do. Fill me with Your Spirit so that Your kindness and forgiveness flows through me. Teach me when to stay present, when to speak truth, and when to set healthy boundaries in love. Give me wisdom, compassion, and courage. And let every act of grace point back to You, the ONE who has already conquered hate with love. Amen.
“Here Is The Good News For Everyone!”
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Part A:
Part B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Ephesians 1: 3-6
Summary:
This sermon was a powerful reminder of the simplicity and depth of the gospel message. Pastor Tim began by grounding us again in the basic story of Jesus, not because it is shallow, but because it is the foundation we must always return to.
The gospel is not merely information or religious teaching; the gospel is God Himself, revealed in Jesus Christ. From eternity, God the Father has loved the Son in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and His mission has always been to draw humanity into that loving relationship.
Jesus came to live as one of us, fully God and fully human so that we could hear God’s Word, receive His grace, and be restored into fellowship with Him. The cross is not simply a tragic event; it is the victory of God over sin and death. The resurrection is not merely a happy ending; it is the beginning of new creation where humanity is lifted up and made whole in Christ.
This sermon reminded us that grace is not just “God overlooking mistakes,” but grace is a Person, Jesus Christ Himself, who receives from the Father on our behalf, lives faithfully where we cannot, and shares His victory with us as a gift. This is why salvation is always by grace, not by works. Our identity is not something we achieve but something we receive: we are God’s beloved children, adopted through Christ into His eternal family.
Through repentance and faith, turning toward Christ and trusting Him, we step into this reality. Repentance is not primarily about moral effort but about relationship: reorienting our hearts to Jesus and allowing Him to transform us one step at a time. And in the meantime, the Holy Spirit has been poured into our hearts, filling us with God’s love and empowering us to live in hope until the kingdom comes in full.
Theological Insight :
The sermon reminded us that grace is not simply an idea, a substance, or a moment of pardon. Grace is God Himself revealed in Jesus Christ. This truth is echoed by theologians across time.
Karl Rahner wrote:
“Incarnation and grace appear as technical terms to describe the central message of the Gospel: God has communicated Himself. The event of Jesus Christ is … the center-point of the self-communication of God. … grace is not something other than God … but God Himself.”
“Grace is not a thing. Grace is not stuff that God gives us apart from himself. He doesn’t run out of it. God gives us himself when we don’t deserve it; that is grace.”
— The Gospel Coalition
Together, these voices remind us that the heart of the gospel is relational — God giving Himself to us in love, in Jesus Christ, by the Spirit.
Key Themes and Reflection Questions:
- The Gospel is God Himself ✝️🔥
- Theme: The good news is not just information, but God Himself revealed in Jesus Christ. God came as man so that we could truly know Him, receive Him, and live in relationship with Him.
- Discipleship Question: How does remembering that the gospel is not a concept but a person (Jesus) change the way you approach your faith?
- #GodIsTheGospel
- Grace is a Person: Jesus Christ 🙌💖
- Theme: Grace is not simply God overlooking our sins, it is Jesus Himself, reconciling us to the Father through His life, death, resurrection, and ongoing intercession.
- Discipleship Question: In what ways can you shift your understanding of grace from an abstract gift to a living relationship with Jesus this week?
- #GraceInChrist
- Adopted Into God’s Family 👨👩👧👦✨
- Theme: From before creation, God’s plan was to adopt us as His beloved children through Christ. Our worth and belonging rest in His choice, not our works.
- Discipleship Question: What would it look like for you to live more confidently as God’s adopted son or daughter today?
- #ChildOfGod
- The Cross and Resurrection Bring True Life 🌅✝️
- Theme: Jesus’ perfect obedience and sacrifice destroyed sin and death, while His resurrection restores humanity to life with God.
- Discipleship Question: How can you embrace resurrection hope when you face discouragement or brokenness this week?
- #ResurrectionHope
- Repentance as Relationship 🔄❤️
- Theme: Repentance is not just about behavior change but about turning toward Jesus, entering into deeper trust, and allowing Him to transform us step by step.
- Discipleship Question: What is one practical way you can turn your heart more fully toward Jesus in relationship today?
- #TurnToJesus
- Life in the Spirit 🕊️🔥
- Theme: The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with God’s love, enabling us to live with hope, faith, and love while awaiting the fullness of God’s kingdom.
- Discipleship Question: Where in your daily life do you need to rely more fully on the Spirit’s presence and power?
- #SpiritLedLiving
Reflective Moment:
This sermon was a powerful reminder to us that our faith is not about striving harder but about resting deeper in Christ. The Father has already chosen us, Jesus has already lived and died for us, and the Spirit has already been poured into our hearts. Our only response is to receive, to trust, and to walk in relationship with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Take a moment this week to pause and simply say: “Thank You, Lord, that I am already loved, already adopted, already included in Your family through Christ.” From that place of assurance, let every action, whether at work, home, or church flow out of gratitude and joy.
“Take It Personal And Be Relational With Father!”Pt3
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Part 3A:
Part 3B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Acts: 2: 29-41
Summary:
In this powerful and deeply personal message, Pastor Timothy Brassell invites us to reimagine what it truly means to walk with God not just as Lord, but as Father. Drawing from Acts 2:29–41 and the foundational truths of the gospel, he challenges us to stop keeping our faith at arm’s length and instead, take it personally.
Pastor Tim reminds us that the good news of Jesus Christ is not just an idea or a doctrine, it’s a relationship. Jesus didn’t come to earth only to forgive sins or model righteousness. He came to show us the Father, and to bring us into the same relational communion He enjoys with Him. Jesus, even in His divinity, continually looked to the Father for every word, every move, every moment. That’s the model for us. Not religious striving, but relational surrender.
Repentance, Pastor Tim explains, is more than a one-time act for sinners. It’s a continual lifestyle for every believer, a daily turning away from self-reliance and back toward the loving gaze of the Father. Many of us think of repentance as something tied to guilt or shame, but biblically, it is an invitation into freedom. It is how we stay connected and soft-hearted, participating in the life that Christ has already made possible.
The Holy Spirit, then, becomes our vital connection point, the one who empowers us to repent, believe, and live in the reality of our identity in Christ. Even Jesus, the Son of God, received the Holy Spirit to fulfill His mission. How much more do we, in our weakness, need the Spirit’s power to live, love, and serve well?
Another core truth echoed throughout the sermon is that our identity is found in Christ, not in our performance. Jesus didn’t just die for us; He took on our entire human nature, redeeming it from within. This means we don’t relate to God based on how well we behave, but on how deeply we trust in who He says we are: beloved, included, and renewed.
Pastor Tim is also careful to remind us that salvation is not a transaction but a relationship, an ongoing journey of knowing and being known. It is possible to “believe” in theory while remaining distant in practice. The call of this sermon is to close that gap. To not just know about God but to be with God. To participate in His love, His mission, and His joy.
In harmony with this message, theologian Dan Mohler beautifully articulates the same heart of relational intimacy with God:
“We’ve been called into intimacy in relationship with God. We’re not just called to live a life of faith. We’re not just called to serve the Lord — a doctrine. We’re called into intimacy in the fellowship of His Son. The greatest ability you possess in the grace of God is to be with Him, not heal the sick. What surpasses everything you’ll ever do in the Christian life is the ability to be with Him — the ability to be one with Him, to have your face unveiled, to know Him and to be known by Him. It’s the greatest blessing of your life. [It] isn’t to serve the Lord, it’s to know the Lord.”
— Dan Mohler
This quote echoes Pastor Tim’s emphasis that God is not looking for performance, He’s longing for participation. He’s not impressed by how “useful” we are for the kingdom but rather how near we are to His heart.
Toward the end of the message, Pastor Brassell quotes C.S. Lewis to emphasize the seriousness of our spiritual decisions. Lewis writes:
“Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before… you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature.”
This quote reminds us that our choices, even the subtle ones, carry eternal weight. We are always in formation, becoming more like Christ or more detached from Him. The beauty of grace is that we are never too far to return, but return we must.
1. Relating to the Father Personally 🙏👨👧👦
- Theme: Jesus invites us to relate to God not only as Lord but as Father, personally, intimately, and dependently. This mirrors Jesus’ own ongoing relationship with the Father as a human.
- Discipleship Question: How are you cultivating personal intimacy with God as your Father this week?
- #RelateToTheFather
2. Repentance Is a Lifestyle 🔄🧎♀️
- Theme: Repentance isn’t just for new believers. It’s a daily turning from self to Christ, a humble, Spirit-led reorientation to God’s truth and love.
- Discipleship Question: What is one area where God is calling you to return to Him today?
- #DailyRepentance
3. The Power of the Holy Spirit 🕊️⚡
- Theme: Even Jesus received the Holy Spirit to fulfill His mission. We, too, must rely on the Spirit for faith, repentance, and holy living. No true relationship with God is possible without Him.
- Discipleship Question: Are you surrendering daily to the Spirit’s guidance and power?
- #SpiritLedLife
4. Your Identity Is in Christ 👑🧬
- Theme: Jesus took on human nature, not just one person’s story, but all humanity’s. Our truest identity is found in who He is, not in what we do.
- Discipleship Question: What would change if you truly believed your identity was rooted in Christ alone?
- #IdentityInChrist
5. Faith Is Participation, Not Performance 🤝🛐
- Theme: We don’t earn God’s love. Instead, we’re invited to participate in the faith of Jesus. Salvation is not just belief, it’s communion and shared life with Christ.
- Discipleship Question: Are you approaching God as a performer or as a participant in His grace?
- #FaithNotPerformance
6. Salvation as Ongoing Relationship 💞🔁
- Theme: Salvation isn’t a one-time event, it’s a lifelong relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Repentance, worship, and communion are part of an ongoing journey.
- Discipleship Question: Is your salvation more like a memory or a daily relationship with God?
- #OngoingSalvation
7. The Urgency of Eternal Choices ⏳🔥
- Theme: Every decision shapes us into a being of light or darkness, peace or rebellion. As C.S. Lewis said, every choice moves us closer to heaven or hell.
- Discipleship Question: What choices are you making today that are shaping your eternal direction?
- #ChooseEternityWell
🌿 Reflective Moment:
Pause for a moment and consider this:
Are you relating to God today as a person — a Father — or merely as an idea?
Are you performing your faith, or participating in Christ’s love?
Are you coasting in belief, or continually turning your heart toward Him?
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any distance in your relationship with the Father, not to condemn, but to draw you closer.
Jesus has already made the way. The invitation is open. Will you take it personally?
🕊️ “You belong to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit not because of what you’ve done, but because of who He is.”
Make space this week to be with Him. Speak. Listen. Rest. Repent.
Let your faith be relational not just informational.
“A Son Builds The Temple!”
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Part A:
Part B:
Full Message:
Scripture: 1 Kings 8: 10-61
Summary:
In this sermon, Pastor Richard Andrews reflects on the high point of Solomon’s reign: the construction of the Lord’s temple (1 Kings 6–8). The temple was more than a building, it was the visible fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Abraham and David, a sign of His faithfulness, and a testimony that “the Lord is God.” God vowed to dwell among His people, making Jerusalem the center of worship while pointing forward to Christ as the true temple.
Solomon’s reign of peace and prosperity enabled him to complete this crowning achievement, establishing not only Israel’s defenses and economy but also a permanent dwelling place for God’s glory. At its dedication, God’s presence filled the temple in a cloud so overwhelming that the priests could not continue ministering (1 Kings 8). This affirmed God’s covenant faithfulness, His nearness, and His mission to make His name known among the nations.
Yet the temple ultimately pointed beyond itself. Jesus identified Himself as God’s temple, embodying His presence, fulfilling His promises, and extending His mission to the world. Through His life, death, and resurrection, believers are now the temple of the Holy Spirit, living testimonies of God’s dwelling on earth. Just as Solomon’s temple declared God’s faithfulness, so today the church exists as His living temple, called to reflect His presence in word and deed so that the nations may know He is Lord.
“The place of God’s glorious dwelling is not to be found in an ornate temple of marble, gold, and precious stones, but rather in Jesus. The place of God’s glorious dwelling is the flesh of his Son!”— Sam Storms
Key Points and Highlights
- The Temple: God’s Presence With His People 🏛️✨
- Theme: The temple visibly displayed God’s glory and affirmed His desire to dwell with His people.
- Discipleship Question: How can you live more aware of God’s nearness in daily life?
- #GodWithUs
- God’s Covenant Faithfulness 📜✅
- Theme: The temple fulfilled God’s promises to Abraham and David, proving that His word never fails.
- Discipleship Question: Which promise of God do you need to hold onto more tightly this week?
- #FaithfulGod
- Jesus, the True Temple ✝️🔥
- Theme: Jesus embodied God’s presence and fulfilled the temple’s purpose, becoming the true center of worship.
- Discipleship Question: How can you keep Christ, not self or tradition, at the center of your worship?
- #JesusIsTheTemple
- Believers as God’s Living Temple 🙌🕊️
- Theme: Through the Spirit, God dwells in His people, making our lives sacred spaces that reflect His glory.
- Discipleship Question: How can you honor God’s presence in your body, words, and actions this week?
- #TempleOfTheHolySpirit
- The Mission: Making God Known 🌍📢
- Theme: Just as the temple testified that the Lord is God, the church now carries that mission through word and deed.
- Discipleship Question: Who in your life needs to see and hear through you that Jesus is Lord?
- #MakeGodKnown
“One cannot pass without interruption from Christ to the Church. The Cross stands between. In being the Body of Christ, the Church meets her Lord; she does not prolong Him, but she expresses Him here and now. She does not replace Him, but makes Him visible, demonstrates Him without being confounded with Him.”— Thomas F. Torrance
Reflective Moment:
As Solomon’s temple declared God’s presence and faithfulness, our lives as the temple of the Holy Spirit are meant to do the same today. The world is not looking for perfection but for evidence of God’s presence at work within us. Reflect: in your words, actions, and relationships, what story are you telling about God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit? May we live as temples of His Spirit, carrying His presence into our homes, workplaces, and communities so that others may see and know the Lord is God.
“What The Father Wants Most From You/Us!”
Filed under: Ascension, Ascension of Jesus, Bible, By Pastor Timothy, By Tim Brassell, By Timothy Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Discipleship, Faith, GCI Windsor Mill, Maryland, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, Liturgy, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life Fellowship Of Windsor Mill, MD., On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Pentecost, Perichoresis, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Resurrection, Scripture Paraphrases, Sermons, The Church, The Dance and Dream of the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, union, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Acts 2, Acts 2:22-36, Basic Christian Doctrine, Being In God's Family, Bible, By Pastor Timothy, By Tim Brassell, By Timothy Brassell, Christian Faith, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Evangelism, Faith, GCI Baltimore, GCI Windsor Mill, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's Faith, God's Grace, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, grace First, Having The Peace Of God, How God Reveals Himself, Humanity Revealed, Humanity Revealed In Jesus, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus In My place, Kingdom First, Knowing The Father's Love, Life's meaning and Significance, Love, Maryland, MD., Ministry, New Life Fellowship Baltimore MD, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life Fellowship Of Windsor Mill, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Relational faith, relationship with God, Relationships, Revealing Your Life's Purpose, Sermons, Sharing God More Accurately, Sharing In God's JOy, Sharing In God's Laughter, Sharing In The Divine Nature, Son and Holy Spirit, The Basic Christian Belief, The Church, The Dance and Dream of the Trinity, The Father, The Father Loves and Like You Fest, The God Who Is Love, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, the reason for your existence, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Trinitarian Theology, Trinity, Uncategorized, Understanding God, Understanding Human Beings, Understanding Life's Calling, Union with Christ, Who Is God?, Who Is Jesus?, Worship, Worshipping Jesus Adoption
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Part A:
Part B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Acts 2: 22-36
Summary:
In this continuation of the Acts 2 series “Take It Personal and Be Relational With Father!”, Pastor Timothy Brassell unpacks the vital truth that what God the Father most desires from humanity is His Son, Jesus Christ standing in for us, substituting for us in every part of our human life, and sharing His perfect relationship with the Father in the Spirit. Drawing from Acts 2:22–36, Pastor Tim shows that God’s desire is not for our independent efforts, moral achievements, or political victories, but for us to live in Christ’s union with Him.
The sermon confronts the false hopes we often place in politics, national identity, or even human unity apart from Christ, warning that these can become idols when they replace God’s kingdom purposes. Pastor Tim emphasizes that true peace, justice, and reconciliation flow only from participation in Jesus’ relationship with the Father, not from human effort or ideology.
He highlights the deeply relational nature of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and the call for believers to reject isolation and individualism, choosing instead to live in loving connection with God and others. The message calls listeners to see repentance, baptism, ministry, and obedience not as self-generated acts, but as participation in what Christ has already done perfectly on our behalf.
Ultimately, the sermon urges believers to shift from asking, “What can I give God?” to receiving the reality of what God has already given in Jesus. This is the foundation for Christian living, mission, and worship: abiding in Christ, trusting His work, and letting every good deed flow from His life in us.
Key Themes and Reflection Questions:
1) Union With Christ Above All 🤝✝️
- Theme: God’s greatest desire is for us to share in His Son’s relationship with Him through the Spirit. Everything else flows from that union.
- Discipleship Question: How can you shift your focus this week from “what can I give God” to “how can I receive and live in Christ’s life”?
- #UnionWithChrist
2) Resisting Cultural Idols 🛡️🌍
- Theme: Political power, national identity, and even human unity apart from Christ cannot satisfy God’s desire for us. These can become distractions from His kingdom.
- Discipleship Question: Which cultural values or movements do you need to evaluate in light of Jesus’ reign and relationship with the Father?
- #KingdomFirst
3) Living Relationally, Not in Isolation 🏠🤗
- Theme: God, as Father-Son-Holy Spirit, is relational by nature and calls us out of self-centered isolation into loving participation with Him and others.
- Discipleship Question: Who can you intentionally connect with this week as an expression of sharing in God’s relational life?
- #RelationalFaith
4) Christ as Our True Representative 👑🙌
- Theme: Jesus, fully God and fully human, stands in our place, resisting sin, fulfilling righteousness, and offering His perfect obedience to the Father on our behalf.
- Discipleship Question: How does knowing Jesus stands in for you change your approach to repentance, service, or worship?
- #JesusInMyPlace
5) Receiving Before Giving 🎁💖
- Theme: God doesn’t want anything from us apart from His Son. He first gives us Christ, and we respond by participating in what He has already done.
- Discipleship Question: In what ways can you practice receiving God’s gifts this week before rushing to give something back?
- #GraceFirst
Context:
This message follows a previous sermon answering, “What Does the Father Want Most for You?” and now addresses “What Does the Father Want Most from You?” Using Acts 2:22–36 as the foundation, Pastor Brassell teaches that the answer is always the same: Jesus Christ, standing in for us, representing us, and sharing His relationship with the Father by the Spirit. The sermon confronts common cultural substitutes for God’s kingdom, affirms the relational nature of Christian life, and calls believers into deeper dependence on Christ as the only way to give God what He truly desires.
Reflective Moment:
The gospel begins with a gift, not a demand. God’s greatest desire is not your best effort but for you to share in the perfect love and obedience of His Son.
“Union with Christ is really the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation not only in its application but also in its once-for-all accomplishment in the finished work of Christ.”
— John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied
Pastor Timothy Brassell: “What the Father most wants from you and from us is His Son, Jesus Christ, standing in for you and substituting for you in every part of your human life.”
This is what Acts 2 reminds us: God’s greatest desire isn’t your performance, but for you to live in the life His Son has already secured for you. When you rest in Christ’s finished work, you are already giving the Father what He most wants from you.
This week, slow down, receive the reality of Christ’s life in you, and let that be the wellspring from which all your actions and relationships flow.
“A Son Requests Wisdom!”
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Full Message:
Scripture: 1 Kings 3:5-28
Summary:
In this insightful and biblically grounded sermon, The Late Pastor Peter unpacks the story of young King Solomon’s extraordinary request for wisdom. Rather than asking for riches, power, or long life, Solomon humbly asks for a discerning heart to lead God’s people well. This request pleases the Lord, who grants him wisdom beyond measure along with blessings he never asked for.
This message challenges believers to reflect deeply on their own prayers and motivations. It draws a clear line between receiving wisdom and living in relationship with God. Solomon’s life, though marked by divine wisdom, ultimately falters because he drifts from that vital relationship.
“Knowledge only does good in company with love. Otherwise, it merely puffs a man into pride.” — St. Augustine
The sermon highlights that true success isn’t found in having all the answers, but in staying close to the One who gives them. Jesus, the greater King, perfectly fulfills what Solomon could not. He walks in constant communion with the Father and embodies wisdom itself.
“Wisdom, among other things, is the ability to see life from God’s point of view and then to know the best course of action to take.” — A.W. Tozer
This message centers on 1 Kings 3, a defining moment early in Solomon’s reign. His request for wisdom becomes a model of spiritual maturity, but also a cautionary tale: spiritual gifts without spiritual intimacy can lead to spiritual decline. Supporting passages such as Isaiah 44, Ecclesiastes, and Isaiah 11 contrast Solomon’s fall with the steadfast, redemptive wisdom of Christ. In Christ, we see a better King, one who not only possesses wisdom, but invites us into a transforming relationship that guides, renews, and secures us eternally.
“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” — St. Augustine
Key Reflection: What are you truly seeking from God? Is it wisdom, success, comfort or is it Him? Let this message remind us that wisdom apart from God is never enough. It is the relationship that roots and sustains every gift.
Key Themes and Reflection Questions:
1. The Heart That Seeks Wisdom
Theme: Solomon didn’t seek power or wealth, he sought discernment to lead with justice.
Discipleship Question: What are you seeking most from God: comfort, success, or the wisdom to serve well?
#SeekWisdomFirst
2. Divine Favor Beyond the Request
Theme: Because Solomon asked rightly, God added riches, honor, and longevity to his gift.
Discipleship Question: What might God add to your life when your heart is aligned with His priorities?
#GodGivesMore
3. Wisdom in Action: A Just King
Theme: Solomon’s famous verdict between two mothers shows godly wisdom in action.
Discipleship Question: How is God calling you to apply wisdom practically and compassionately in your relationships?
#WisdomThatWorks
4. When Wisdom Becomes an Idol
Theme: Like the wood in Isaiah 44, even God’s gifts can become idols if misused.
Discipleship Question: Are you worshiping the Giver, or the gift He gave you?
#Don’tIdolizeWisdom
5. Jesus, the Greater Solomon
Theme: Jesus didn’t just possess wisdom; He is wisdom incarnate and lived in perfect relationship with the Father.
Discipleship Question: How can your relationship with Jesus shape the way you seek and use wisdom?
#WisdomInChrist
Reflective Moment:
Wisdom apart from fellowship with God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is empty; like a lamp that looks right on the outside but has no oil to burn. It cannot shine unless it draws from the Source. Without intimacy with Him, our lives are like unlit lamps, unable to shine with His truth.
Solomon had everything. Divine insight, unmatched power, global fame, yet drifted from the very relationship that made it all meaningful. Let this be your prayer: “Lord, more than wisdom, I want You.”Ask not only for discernment, but for intimacy with the Father, Son, and Spirit. That’s where true wisdom flows.