Archive for the ‘Daily Repentance’ Tag

“God Is for Us; The Satan Against Us!”

Posted September 30, 2025
Filed under: 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, 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, Sermons, Spiritual Warfare, 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: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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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

  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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.

“Take It Personal And Be Relational With Father!”Pt3

Posted September 2, 2025
Filed under: Bible, By Pastor Timothy, By Tim Brassell, By Timothy Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Discipleship, Easter, Faith, GCI Windsor Mill, Maryland, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Good News Celebration, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, 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, 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: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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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.