“Stop being okay with running from God”

Pastor Mike Francisco kicked off our Jonah series and explored what happens when we run from God. Jonah tried to escape God’s call to preach to Nineveh, and his disobedience caused a storm; not just in his life, but for those around him. Even in his rebellion, God’s grace and power were at work, calling him back. It’s a reminder for us to reflect: where are we running from God, or rationalizing sin in our own lives? The good news is that God is ready to meet us, guide us, and restore us when we turn back to Him.

"The Gospel turns off the dark for good."

Mike Francisco talks about hard things because we all experience them. Sometimes it feels like dying, decay and darkness steal our hope, take our joy, and leave us feeling ready to call it quits.... because life is hard at times. So how do we navigate life's hardships while holding tightly to the message of hope and good news that the Gospel is? How do we turn off the dark today as Christ followers?

"The Gospel is more than good news, it's the greatest love story."

We love a good love story. They draw us in, captivate our imaginations, give us hope, and leave us feeling warm and fuzzy inside. The greatest love stories that we can think of have nothing on the story of love found in Scripture and lived out daily.

Pastor Mike Francisco gives us a big picture of the ultimate love story, the story God began before time and continues writing today.

"The ideal Christian is moved by obedience to live out love, hospitality, and service."

Pastor Mike Francisco works through what baseline obedience should look like for a Christ follower. Using the words of Peter to the Jew and Gentile Christians scattered in Asia Minor, Mike lays out why our obedience matters and how it might impact the world around us.

"God's grace births your holiness journey"

Mike works to identify what most people think the "ideal Christian" looks like while acknowledging that we'll fail to meet the standard every time. In fact, no matter how hard we strive, the boxes we check, or the self improvement plan we create... we'll never hit the mark.

Which begs the question, how do I become holy? Or what do I do to be set apart? Maybe even, where do I begin?

"The clearest Gospel is seen before it's heard"

Pastor Mike Francisco recaps Titus chapters 1 & 2 before unpacking the vision Paul has for the Cretan church and it's impact on society. Paul envisions a church where maturing, changed, and transformed Jesus followers stand apart from the culture of the day. They are living out the good news of the life found in Christ and it's attractive to others.

"The grace you've experienced should cause you to live differently"

Pastor Mike Francisco works through Titus chapter 2 while reflecting on the local flooding that has left many people in need. As Paul writes to his friend Titus he tells him that the being different matters because it brings the good news to life. Paul reminds Titus that our experience of God's grace should cause us to live differently, towards good deeds and a servants heart.

"The Church can only be as healthy as her people."

Pastor Mike Francisco begins a three part look at the book of Titus in a series called "Spot The Difference". This short book is a letter from Paul to his friend and co-worker Titus who is living on the island of Crete. Paul tells Titus things need to be reset, the church is unhealthy and has found itself in a place where it's not recognizable any longer. Titus' first task, raise up healthy leaders.

Mike reflects on these words from Paul and compares and contrast the Cretan church to the Church of today.