Forward City Church Messages

Sunday, October 29th, 2023, we had the privilege of hearing a message from The Bible League's Bob Beasley, and more importantly, father to our very own Colin Beasley.Enjoy this excellent encouragement to our church family. Note: The intro was not recorded due to technical challenges, but the "meat" of entire message is captured in this recording. We pray it blesses you!

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.2 Timothy 6:6-8The Apostle Paul wrote 2 Timothy as a letter during his last days, to prepare Timothy to take over his ministry. The mission of Paul and Timothy is the same mission that unites us believers today. One of the consistent themes throughout this letter, and Paul's life as a Christian is endurance and perseverance, especially in the face of trials. As we dig into this strife-soaked, hope-filled conclusion, let's be honest. Are we living for Christ with the ambition, zealousness, and discipline of an athlete, eager for their prize?Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.Hebrews 12:1For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.2 Timothy 1:7

There is a theory called the 100-hour rule that suggests that to master a topic, someone only needs to dedicate 100 hours within a year (approximately 18 hours per day) to that topic. As we lean into abiding in the love of our Heavenly Father, we believe God is challenging the Forward City family to make a regular practice of spending time with Him for at least 18 minutes per day. We trust Him to form us into Christ's likeness more and more as we abide in His love. 

We're about to take a deep dive into the idea of "abiding", as described in John 15, over the next few months. Our prayer is that our hearts would desire an intimate, maturing relationship with Jesus, and a growing longing for fellowship with the Lord.

We're entering into a long series on maturity; praying that each of us as individuals would let God be our everything, and lead us to maturity as His followers.

God loves everyone, and desires that everyone find true life and abundance in Him. Because He loves everyone, He cannot accept sin. The satisfaction of sin is temporary. It eventually disappoints those it gratifies, and destroys the gracious intent of everything good God has created and designed for mankind. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us [Jesus], and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth...For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. -- John 1:14,16

God desires much more for us than circumstance dependent happiness.I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. -- Philippians 4:12-13

"If God is just, shouldn't life be fair?"The Bible tells us about a good God whose mercies for mankind are new everyday; who sent His Son as a Saviour to pay for our sins with His own blood; who gifts us with talents and opportunities for His own wise purposes, according to His plans (not ours). Our God is very gracious, but that also means that if we're comparing situations from our own human perspectives, life is definitely not  "fair". The question for us as His people is whether we will be faithful with what God has given us, and will we be faithful to Him?

Sometimes we find ourselves in dark and difficult situations as a result of the choices we have make. Sometimes, as truly loved as we are, God simply allow us to enter hardship. To believe otherwise means misunderstanding God when things go wrong, and possibly missing out on the peace of His promises and the sufficiency of His comfort.

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.James 3:7-9

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. -- 1 Timothy 4:12

Unless the Lord builds the house,    those who build it labor in vain.Unless the Lord watches over the city,    the watchman stays awake in vain.It is in vain that you rise up early    and go late to rest,eating the bread of anxious toil;    for he gives to his beloved sleep. --- Psalm 127:1-2God has an answer for our restlessness and anxiety -- Himself. This message from our own Ben Martin encourages us to rest in the truth that God knows us and loves us; that He knows our needs and takes care of us. The kind disposition of our sovereign Father is more than enough to be our peace. 

This message from our own Tyler Dam is a call to faith in God and His  promises, even when waiting on the Lord is long and difficult. When we are disconnected from the reality of God and His desire to continue doing a good work in us, the world's invitation to hope in things that fail us, can seem appealing. May this message put confidence in your soul to seek God, and build your life on His good big picture promises. May it remind you to participate in the exciting and beautiful story of redemption we've been invited into.

But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 6:22-23

But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done.Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. -- Ezekiel 18:21-23There is an end to all wickedness, and we are closer to it now than we were moments ago. The Bible tells us that God's desire is not that anyone would perish, but that all will come to repentance. The Bible also tells us that some people will reject God and salvation, and suffer eternal consequences for their sins. This message is a call to compassion that urges us to pray; not just for our friends, but our enemies. 

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.James 1:2-4We believe God is faithful and works everything for our good. God also tells us that we will face trouble. When difficulties come, it is natural to want God to take it all away, and our prayers often reflect that — which is okay. However, the Bible tells us that God uses our circumstances to accomplish good purposes within us. As we pray, we have the opportunity to be grateful and rejoice in God's faithfulness to us as He takes us through our troubles.

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. James 5:13-15We believe in a God who can do anything. This message is an invitation to act on our faith -- to give our sorrows, weakness, pain, suffering, sickness and brokenness to God, asking that He would comfort, strengthen, free, restore, heal and reconcile. We know God's will for today may not line up with our desires, but we believe He is faithful, and He clearly commands us to pray and ask for even the unthinkable. Let us lean into His love and grace, and trust He will act on behalf of our prayers and faith. 

I look up to the mountains—    does my help come from there?My help comes from the Lord,    who made heaven and earth! -- Psalm 121:1-2The Bible describes the Lord as an "ever-present help in times of trouble" (Psalm 46). This message is a call to pray, and a reminder of God's power and inclination to move on our behalf. He is not just with us through the storm; trusting Him is also our way through. To get the most out of this message, please read 2 Kings 18-19. 

God commands us to come to Him for forgiveness. He also loves us, and has proven His desire to reconcile us to Himself. This message is a call to action — a call to confession and repentance in view of accepting God's mercy, and walking in step with Christ. God is faithful and eager to forgive. 

I look up to the mountains—    does my help come from there?My help comes from the Lord,    who made heaven and earth! -- Psalm 121:1-2The Maker of Heaven and Earth loves us, and COMMANDS US to come to Him for wisdom. This message is an invitation to experience the wonderful grace of humility before God, understanding that as insightful as we may be, the God of the universe is the ultimate authority on what is right and good. He alone has the power to bless and judge perfectly, and grant wisdom to us -- his beloved kids.