New Day Christian Church - Weston, WI

What are you afraid of?

We all have a history. Some of us come into this discussion of the Holy Spirit with no background at all. Some come from a church background that downplayed the Spirit too much. Some come from a church that put so much excitement in the pursuit of the Holy Spirit they left behind sound theology. Let’s admit the prejudices we bring to the discussion, and seek biblical truth without fear. (Message recorded 02-26-2012) Click here for discussion questions for this message.

I've got Jesus! Why do I need the Spirit?

Jesus told His closest followers that it was better for them if He went away, because then He could send the Holy Spirit. Better without Jesus? That is difficult for us to grasp when we don’t understand the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. (Message recorded February 19, 2012) Click here for this week's discussion questions.

A good partnership

Listen in as Pastor Brad Main from Journey Church in Merrill, WI explains how God rewards our generosity!  (Message recorded February 12, 2012).  For more information on Journey Church, visit http://www.journeychurchwi.org/.

Realigning our relationship with government

How does being a follower of Christ affect the way someone enters into political discussions?  The message in the Bible is clear: Worship God; respect the government. (Message recorded 02-05-2012) Key Texts: Mark 12:17 (NLT) 17 “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them. 1 Peter 2:13-14 (NLT)13 For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state,14 or the officials he has appointed. Going Deeper: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "three possible ways in which the church can act towards the state."* Question the state regarding its actions and their legitimacy. Aid victims of any state action, even if they do not belong to the Christian community. Go beyond bandaging the victims "under the wheel," and "put a spoke in the wheel itself." *Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy; (151-2) Metaxas, Eric; Thomas Nelson Publishing 2010. Questions for Reflection and Discussion If you are a follower of Christ, how does your identity as a Christian affect your involvement in government? Paul instructs Titus, a church leader to: "Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers" (Titus 3:1). How can we as a church follow Paul's advice? Is there a point when believers should stop submitting to the government? How would we know if we got to that point? How will the truth in Scripture regarding your relationship with the government change the way you participate in political discussions?

Realigning our relationship with work and rest

Do you like your job? Do you respect your boss? How would things be different in your workplace if you worked for your boss as though you were working for the Lord?  Listen in to Sunday's podcast to find out more about "Realigning our relationship with work and rest".  (Message recorded 01-29-2012) Big Idea: Work with enthusiasm as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Key texts: Emphesians 6:5-9 and 1Peter 2:18-20 Discussion questions: 1) What is the best job you've ever had?  What made it not so good? 2) What are some reasons people have for not working with enthusiasm? 3) Why is a properly aligned relationship with God a necessary element of having a properly aligned relationship with work? 4) How will this week's message change the way you balance work and rest?

Realigning our relationship with the church

“I consider myself a Christian, but I can’t stand the institutionalized church.” Tough. No matter how bad it gets screwed up, Jesus handed over responsibility for His mission to people like you and me—broken people. The church is Plan A, and there is no Plan B. So instead of throwing it out, let’s realign it. The plan we see in Scripture is accountable leadership (people submitting to each other) and spirit-led ministry (people submitting to God). Ultimately, life is not governed by rules, but by relationships.  (Message recorded 01-22-12)

Realigning our relationship with family

God has given men a huge responsibility in guarding family and marriage relationships.  Why is this plan failing, and what can you do about it? (Message recorded January 15, 2012) Key Text: Ephesians 5:33 (NLT) So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Questions for Discussion: Why is “submission” such a loaded word in our culture? How has America’s “Fatherless Generation” affected people around you? Why is it necessary to have our relationship with God properly aligned in order to have healthy marriage and family relationships? What can you do to be part of realigning family and marriage relationships in this community?

Realigning our relationship with God

Reality is relationships.  To be sure our relationships are properly aligned, you have to first check the alignment of your own relationship with God. (Message recorded January 8, 2012)

Discussion Questions:

Where do you see yourself in the story of the lost son (Luke 15:11-32)?

Are you more likely to treat your Heavenly Father like a pushover (as the younger brother did when he took his inheritance and left), or like a miser (as the older brother did when he complained about never even getting a goat)?  What is the truth about God's character?

What does your life look like when you honor and obey God?

Have you ever felt like God was disciplining and instructing you?  What was that like?

How do you keep your relationship with God a priority?  How would you like to become even more closely aligned with Him in the future?  What is getting in the way of that?

Here is a link to the completed drawing for the message: http://www.newdaychristianchurch.org/newday/images/Drawing-complete.jpg

Four Keys to Contentment

Listen in as special guest Dan Mandigo shares the secrets to being content.  (Message recorded 01-01-2012)

The Wish List

Part IV of the New Day Christmas Series, A Hollywood Christmas.  (Message recorded 12-18-2011)

Key Text:

James 4:3 (NLT) And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

Psalms 37:4 (NLT) Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

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