Risen Church Nc

After the resurrection of Jesus, Peter returned to his old lifestyle, assuming the "Jesus Movement" was all but over. However, Jesus came looking for Peter and reminded him that His ministry was only beginning. Peter confessed to Jesus that he wasn't sure he was willing to be as devoted as He was asking and expecting him to be. Jesus informed Peter that in due time, he would come to see the value and necessity to surrender all to God... Years later, Peter sat down and wrote to the churches scattered throughout Rome and called every believer to step into their new identity in Christ. He called them (and us), "a chosen generation", "a royal priesthood", and "a holy nation". He compelled us all to taste and see that there is so much more to life than what this world offers to us. Listen as we hear Peter's invitation and learn what is fully offered to us from our new birth in Christ.

Acts 10 represents a watershed moment in not only Church history, but world history. The Church faced a crossroads early on in its establishment - How would it handle growth and expansion? To whom would it carry the Gospel? How wide-open were its doors? The Apostle Peter is confronted with a divine appointment, wherein he refuses to stand in God's way and takes the church into its next phase. On the other side of the story is a man named Cornelius, who had many reasons to doubt that there would ever be a place for him in the story of Faith and Redemption. Listen as we dive into this incredible story and hear how the meeting of these two men changed the world.

Mark 1:1-14 underscores Jesus as the one and only Savior, emphasizing that He came to save by way of serving, submission, and substitution. Listen as we go verse-by-verse through Mark's prologue to see how he introduces us to Jesus and several core principles of our faith.

1 Peter refers to Christians as both "elect" and "exiles" - two words that you wouldn't think go together. While we welcome being called elect or chosen by God, the thought of being an "exile" isn't the most encouraging notion. Yet, our true purpose and true power from God lies in our accepting and embracing this role. Listen as we discuss how Peter's message would've encouraged his original audience and why it offers both uplifting and challenging truths to modern ears.

In this message, we reflect on the past year and consider what remains unfinished. Perhaps many of our goals, aspirations, and plans didn't come together. Does this mean they are now abandoned or will be forever incomplete? Listen as we remember the story of Joshua and think on some of the challenges, delays, and setbacks that his generation faced. As he resolved to keep pursuing the Lord into the next chapter of his life, so must we as one year transitions to another.

Listen as we take a look at an ancient Messianic prayer that was answered through the birth of Christ. From there, we unpack 3 promises that Christmas brings to all who believe and 3 challenges that it presents to us.

Because of Jesus, joy is obtainable and sustainable. Having been born disconnected from God, we know all too well the struggle to find and keep joy. We battle the enemy day in and day out, as he attempts to suppress and steal our joy. Listen as we discuss our shared quest for joy and how Christmas makes it a reality.

RESET: Ground Zero - Ezra 3 by Risen Church NC

RESET: Realignment Assignment - Ezra 7 by Risen Church NC

A message on Job's gratitude and peace in spite of his devastating circumstances. Discover the secret to maintaining a thankful heart at all times.

In this message, we look at a story that doesn't have the happy ending we assume its featured character deserved. Instead, tragedy and injustice strikes a man who played a key role in preparing the way for Jesus and introducing Him to the world. While there isn't an easy way to make sense of the story, we hear Jesus invite us to trust Him and have hope in spite misfortune.

A Comprehensive look at many of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah and their fulfillment as detailed in the New Testament.

In this message, we discover how presence is always key to having peace. From the presence of family to friends, there is nothing more vital and valuable than having someone by our side with persistence and purpose. This longing for presence is ultimately the thumbprint of God on our souls, pointing us to our greatest desire: His Presence. Listen as we discover why God's presence is the greatest present of them all and see how peace is uniquely tied to our relationship with Him.

Zacchaeus' pursuit of Jesus represents the longing in every heart for more than anyone or anything of this world can provide. From Luke 19 to Acts 17, this message shows us that we can find everything we need in a personal relationship with Jesus.

The story of Ezra represents a reset for the people of Israel and shows all of us how we too can find a fresh start through repentance and sensitivity to God.

Genesis 25 shows how God made the specific choice of Israel over all the rest of Abraham's children. Also, this text underscores the fulfillment found in a life devoted to God and the certainty of an afterlife.

The next step in the story of God's promise to bless Abraham's family turns out to preview an even greater story -- How God sent His Son into the world to find His Bride and bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

Most of us are superstitious about any number of things, even regarding what could affect our standing with God. Often we obsess or fixate on issues that condemn others, so as to elevate our own egos. All the while, what actually condemns us is our own self-centered, sinful hearts. Listen as we discuss our tendency to deflect our own sin by focusing on others'. Galatians 5 confronts the duplicity within every heart- the struggle between our flesh and God's Spirit - and calls us to surrender to the work that God can do within each one of us.

In this message, we consider how the widow of Luke 18 represents a believer whose hope is totally resting in Jesus, compared to those who hedge their bets and lean on this world for peace and confidence.

History may seem to be a series of disconnected events which have an equal chance to produce something good or bad. However, according to the Apostle Paul, history is actually a series of Providential events which God has orchestrated to further His Redemption Plan. Listen as Galatians 4 details how the advent of Jesus was preceded by specific actions that perfectly set the stage for His saving work and movement.