Messages on Church
It’s My Life
God has invited us to join Him in the work of this world, but are we allowing Him to join us in the work of our life? Pastor Brent takes a look at Psalm 127, encouraging us to partner with God in all that we do. As we allow ourselves to partner with God, we start focusing less on doing the “right things” and more on being the “right people” that follow Jesus together.
Uniformity or Unity
How can Christians preach a message of unity and reconciliation when the church is so divided? Pastor Brent explores the difference between unity and uniformity in the context of the gospel. Working towards unity in the church context is not easy, but it allows communities to see the image of God in others in greater ways.
Abuse in the Church
How do we reconcile the character Jesus embodied with the broken church we see today? Pastor Amy and Pastor Brent guide a discussion regarding abuse in the church, specifically spiritual abuse, sexual abuse, and abuses of authority. Hope and healing is possible, but it starts with recognizing and owning the flaws embedded in our churches’ cultures and systems. Sermon Manuscript [Introductory video shows headlines of abuse in the church] Amy: How do you feel? Sad, dread? Brent: Angry? Amy: Angry?…
The Church
As we continue exploring the metanarrative of God and humankind as described in Scripture, we come across one of the most beautiful yet polarizing parts of the story yet: the Church. God longs to use the church to meet the needs of His people. How will we respond to this challenging call to seek reconciliation and redemption in Jesus’ Name everywhere we go?
Church Renewal
What comes to mind when you hear the word church? For some, we limit our answers to a specific day of the week or a building in our neighborhood. Yet, as we continue to think about renewal in our lives, how could adjusting our mentality around church help lead to a church renewal? Pastor Brent Clark looks at how the New Testament addresses the church to see how this could impact how we think about the church today.
A Church for the Next 50 Years and Beyond
Ashworth Church celebrates our 50th anniversary as a church by taking a look at our history, hearing from those impacted by the church, and looking ahead to the next 50 years and beyond.
The Tension of Being Called Apart
Pastors Brent and Ryan look at times in the New Testament when the will of God pulled people in different directions and discuss Ryan’s new calling to First Baptist Church of Chariton, Iowa.
The Scattered Church
It’s nice and cozy and all the people look and think just like us. But is this what Jesus envisioned when he established the church? Join Pastors Brent Clark and Ryan Lenerz as they take a look at how the church cannot be all Jesus desires it to be by only gathering together. To really be the church, the church must scatter.
The Gathered Church
There are a variety of reasons why people go to church. And there are just as many reasons why people do NOT go to church. In our COVID world, does church still make sense? Pastors Brent and Ryan take a look at what brought the 1st century Jesus followers together and how that can still be a motivation for us to gather as the people of God today.
Beyond the Church
Sometimes we can become so inwardly focused that we forget that the church exists for those beyond its walls. Pastor Ryan looks at the parable of the Great Banquet and how Jesus wants us to go far and wide and invite people in. Discussion Questions What keeps you from being more willing to talk about Jesus with others? Limited contact with non-christians, fear of what they will think, fear of what to say, something else? Why are you a Christian?…
The New Normal at Ashworth
Pastors Brent, Ryan and Amy discuss the continued changes in the world and how the new normal could impact Ashworth Church
United Together
Pastor Brent wraps up the We Are Ashworth series by looking at how unity is the glue that holds the church together, and how the unity of the church can be a powerful witness to our divided world.