We are essentially living in a society that was monotheistic into a society that worships whatever they want to be their god. This could be money, sex, alcohol, or anything else that takes the place of God in our lives. We have distorted the beauty of God’s creation. There are only 2 genders, not however many society tells us there are today. God created male and female in the garden of Eden.

When God brought the plagues to Egypt, He essentially attacked all the different gods that the Egyptians had. Each one of the plagues insulted one of their gods.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness,who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! – Isaiah 5:20

For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” – 1 Corinthians 3:19

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 1But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:4-15

“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place ( let the reader understand),then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.1et the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house,18and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.19And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other – Matthew 24:15-31

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 2 Timothy 2:15-16

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 2 Peter 3:9-10

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him 2 Peter 3: 14-15

The post Are We There Yet? appeared first on Freedom Fellowship - Church in Jackson, WI.

Are you sharing the Good News? Last Sunday, Easter Sunday, we celebrated the victory we have in Christ. How did you do in walking in that victory this week?

Are you running?

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20:19

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, – Romans 5:1

We need to start changing our lifestyle. To live out our faith, we need to actively be displaying these behaviors.

• We should be rejoicing in the Lord always (Phil. 4:9) Every single day is a day that God has made and we need to “rejoice and be glad in it”. Every day is an opportunity to rejoice and be thankful. Find out what people are interested in, and be interested in it too. Be interested in them and their lives.
• We need to be gentle to all. We can’t win people over by thumping them over the head with the Bible. Be gentle and loving with people. Give time for them to get to know you and care about them and their lives. (Eph.5:20-23) Men are also to be gentle to and lead their wives gently. Gentleness will win people over, not a heavy hand. We will get much further with using gentleness than by using a heavy hand.
• We need to not be anxious, but pray about the things that are worrying us. (Phil. 4:6-7). It’s funny how when we let God handle things, we see over and over how He has already worked on our behalf. Worry, fear, and resentment are not from God, they are from the enemy. Give your worries to God. When you look back on your life, do you see the way that God has worked on your behalf? Men, are you acting in fear, anxiety, and resentment toward your wife? Or are you leading her in gentleness like you are called to?

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

The post Living Out Your Faith appeared first on Freedom Fellowship - Church in Jackson, WI.

This past week we got one of those heavy, wet spring snows. The kind that weighs down branches and even causes some trees to fall over from the weight of the snow.

Have you been feeling weighted down in life lately? There’ s so much going on in the world today that it can be easy to feel weighted down by life. Just like trees are weighted down by heavy snow. Some of them have broken branches or even have fallen over from the weight. Have you reached a breaking point in life because of the heaviness of life? Are we living under God’s grace or under the heaviness of the world.

If we’re living under God’s grace, there’s nothing we can do to make God love us more. There’s also nothing we’ve done that can make God love us less.

What weights you down in this world?

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:1-3

• Being concerned by what other people think. So often we are consumed by what others think of us when we have no idea if that’s even true.
• Being angry with someone. Holding onto someone’s wrong-doing. Re-hashing situations in our mind.
• Letting fear and doubt control our lives instead of trusting God with the outcome of things.
• Lust: other’s possessions, lifestyle, positions, and of course, sexually
• Bitterness: letting bitterness against someone else take control of you.
• Feeling disrespcted by our spouse, children, or others in our lives.
• Feeling unloved – everyone needs to feel loved. We tend to ignore, give the silent treatment, and be unkind to others when we don’t feel loved.

When we are struggling with any of these things, we are unkind, demanding, and hurtful to others. We certainly aren’t producing the fruit of the Spirit when we are living under these types of burdens.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift of God. Salvation is not a rewards for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9

Many people right now are realizing their lives are “bent over” just like the trees that are weighted down by a heavy, wet spring snow. Many are recognizing that once they repent from their sins, their weight will melt off and they will be able to stand up tall and point to the heavens.

And He gives grace generously. As the scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. James 4:6-8

Marriage and raising a family really shows us where we are selfish and prideful. We have to learn how to think more about someone else than ourselves. It’s really daily training in dying to self. We are called to live in peace with others, including our spouse and children. How can we love others well if we can’t even love our families well?

If you’re dealing with a strained relationship, you’re more than likely feeling the weight of that. If you keep going like that, you will come to the point where you will break. God wants to take that heavy burden from you, but you must be willing to repent.

We need to be considerate for one another and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Men often wield the submission card to their wives, but they are also commanded to submit to Christ and to their wives as well. We are commanded to submit to each other out of reverence for Christ. We need to repent and surrender to Jesus over our sins and let Him take the burden we’ve been carrying. Ask for God to help you have a grateful heart and thank him for the people he’s put in your life. As that He will help you to love them well. Ask Him to help you deal with your sin and selfishness. Ask God to help you be a peacemaker.

The post Carrying the Weight of the World appeared first on Freedom Fellowship - Church in Jackson, WI.

So often we just show up not expecting to be fed. Many of us are missing out on the feast God has to offer. Jesus spoke about food a lot in the Bible. He used these examples because they are something we can relate to as humans.

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate. Meanwhile the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on. “Your brother has come” he replied, “and your father has killed the fattened calf because he is safe and sound.” The oldest brother became angry an refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.  Luke 15: 24-28

It’s easy for us to judge the world and be angry at the people in it. It’s easy to look at the Grammy’s this past week and feel we’re better than those people because we don’t participate in things like that.

Jesus ate with sinners and met them where they were. He ate with prostitutes and to collectors and was judged for it. He was questioned by the religious leaders and he rebuked them for being like the son who wouldn’t celebrate his brother’s return.

But the pharisees and teachers of the law muttered,”This man welcomes sinners and eats with them”. Luke 15:2

Cleanse your house

”or suppose a woman has ten coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she find it, she called her friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.”

We need to get our own houses in order. We need to have the light of Jesus shining in our own lies and it’s important to get the dirt out of our lives. We need to repent and turn from our sins. Once we clean our houses, we then should share with others.

What are the areas in your life that you need to repent of and give to Jesus?

Cleanse your heart

We need to be careful that we’re not like the older brother. It’s our job to go out into all the world and all the nations. It’s not our responsibility to bring people to Christ, but it is our responsibility to tell others.

We need to be merciful. Merciful: to regard others with sympathy and compassion. Do we look at people as people who need to be loved, or just see them for their outward appearance? We need to purge our ego and self-pride. There is no “us” ad “them”.

There are 3 types of people in the world:

1. People that are saved
2. People that are unsaved
3. People that are going to be saved.

Don’t be okay with the fact that you have salvation. Celebrate and share with your friends. Do we have a heart to make peace? There are no democrats, republicans, etc. we need to stop finding ways to divide ourselves an reach out to those around us.

Don’t be a spectator

One hundred million people are projected to watch the super bowl tonight. Yes, only 92 people will dress for the game tonight. It’s likely that not even al of those will play.

Don’t pat yourself on the back for coming to church, get actively involved in whatever ministry God is calling you to. Go out into the world and look for the lost people in your life. Just like the shepherd left the 99 sheep to find the one that was missing. We need to share the good news about Jesus wherever we have opportunity.

God chose us to go share the gospel when He could have sent angels. God gave each of us a testimony to share and people He’s put in our lives that He wants us to share with. Don’t be just a spectator, watching and criticizing from the sidelines. Get busy looking for the “lost coins” in your life.

Do you welcome people?  Do you love people?

The post Come to the Feast appeared first on Freedom Fellowship - Church in Jackson, WI.

While observing birds outside a window recently, Pastor Brent considered why birds come to the feeder – it’s because that’s where the food is.

When you consider why you attend church, do you ever ask yourself why it is that you’re going?

• Is it to compare yourself with others?
• Is it for the community?
• Is it because of the beautiful building?

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33

We should be coming to church to seek God’s kingdom. What does seeking God’s kingdom look like? Where do we “eat”? Where do we fill our souls?

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. – 2 Tim 3:16

Do you have plans this New Year to get into scripture? There are so many tools now that make it easy to read your Bible on a daily basis. If you’re looking for a plan to follow, or even for a great Bible app for your phone, check out Youversion.

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of scripture, to preaching and teaching. 1 Tim 4:13

We need to read, study, and know the Bible. Read it in public; church, school, library, and at home over our children. Culture is now dictating what the church is teaching rather than the church influencing culture.

Pray without ceasing – Give thanks in all circumstances. 1 These 5:16-18

When you struggle, do you try to figure it out on your own? Or do you take it to God first? God should be both our first and last thought each day. The One we go to when we are struggling.

We should be praying confidently to God about all our concerns. Praise Him and ask Him for what you need, then leave it in His hands. God is not too busy to listen to you. You have been redeemed. God cares about you and every tiny detail in your life.

In the coming year, Freedom Fellowship will be focusing on getting back to the basics, where to find the “food”.

We also need to go out and serve others by letting Jesus shine through us. Do people see Jesus in the way you treat your spouse or talk to your children, or even the way you work?

Be kind one to another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another. Just as God, through Christ, has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

The post What is the purpose of going to church? appeared first on Freedom Fellowship - Church in Jackson, WI.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Do you see Christ in yourself?

When I was in college, some of the best advice I received was to get to know my college professors. By getting to know them, they also got to know me and I became friends with some of them. I cared about them and they cared about me and would sometimes even give me guidance on what to study for.

Do you know God? Can you answer questions about Him or about our faith? See 1 John 3: 14-15.

Are you living out your faith?

There is a growing sector of the middle class that is actually homeless right now because they can’t afford a house. There are growing shortages of food, formula, and other items as well. It is the church’s job to step up and meet needs.

When you see a need, what are you doing to meet it? Life isn’t all about us, we need to be the hands and feet of Jesus and show his love in a practical way to those around us. See Mark 4:3-9 and 15-20. V 19 reminds me of the American church.

but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Are you “fertile ground”?

• Packed soil – hearing, but not receiving
• Rocky soil – spring up quickly, but fall away when troubles come
• Thorny soil – worry and things choke out the seeds
• Fertile soil – manure or rotten, decayed matter (compost) It’s dead things and we must die to ourselves daily

Galations 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

Matthew 28:19, 20

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

The post Examine Yourself appeared first on Freedom Fellowship - Church in Jackson, WI.