A Closer Walk with Jesus: Introducing Jesus’ Power

On Sunday, February 19, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series “A Closer Walk with Jesus.” Today, we learn about Jesus’ first miracle in Luke’s gospel. This miracle introduces Jesus’ power through his message, his person, and his purpose. We are encouraged to rely on and receive Jesus’ power to bring freedom from the devil’s influence and align us with Jesus’ purpose to bring salvation, healing, and renewal.

Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.

In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are —the Holy One of God!”

“Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
Luke 4:31-37 (NIV)

A Closer Walk with Jesus: Rejecting Jesus

On Sunday, February 12, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series “A Closer Walk with Jesus.” Today, we are encouraged to see Jesus, the Savior, in our midst, laying aside our spiritual pride, and instead exercising our faith to go where Jesus is leading.

Pastor Stuart ended his message with a song – Jesus Have It All, by Jeremy Riddle

• Song: https://youtu.be/anz_4BZ1-2s

• Songs with lyrics: https://youtu.be/uOEFhAjfX4o

All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”

“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.

All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.
Luke 4:22-24, 28-30 (NIV)

A Closer Walk with Jesus: Acceptance and Dependance, Part 2

On Sunday, February 5, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series about walking with Jesus by following Jesus’ example of transitioning after being tempted and using it as a springboard for ministry by relying on the Holy Spirit’s power to guide him into ministry situations and understanding the needs of others after having his own needs exposed in the wilderness.

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:13-19 (NIV)

A Closer Walk with Jesus: Acceptance and Dependance

On Sunday, January 29, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series about walking with Jesus by exploring the temptations of Jesus who is our example of how to stand strong in the face of temptation by flipping the script that the evil one uses, learning dependence on the Holy Spirit, and trusting that God’s resources are available to us.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
Luke 4:1-4 (NIV)

A Deeper Walk with Jesus: The Testing

On Sunday, January 22, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series, “A Deeper Walk with Jesus,” exploring the temptations of Jesus and inviting us to examine our environment. Is it conducive to faith in the midst of temptation? We are also reminded that the devil strives to undermine our faith and lead us to a place of idolatry where our focus drifts away from the Lord. Lastly, the devil likes to use questions to challenge our faith. The fact that we experience questioning is not an indication of our faith but an invitation to engage with Jesus concerning our situation.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
Luke 4:1-4 (NIV)

Preparing the Way for a Deeper Walk with Jesus: The Pattern

On Sunday, January 15, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series, “Preparing the Way for a Deeper Walk with Jesus,” reminding us that our identity is in Christ and God is pleased that we are his children. As God’s children, we are filled with the Holy Spirit who leads us to walk in dependence on God’s presence and provision.

1. Stay secure in your identity in Christ:

2. Practice developing awareness of the Holy Spirit:

3. Keep learning dependence:

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
Luke 3:21-22, 4:1-3 (NIV)

Preparing the Way for a Deeper Walk with Jesus

On Sunday, January 8, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message encouraging us to develop a holy expectation by allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to us and make our hearts more sensitive toward repentance as a way to prepare us for a deeper walk with the Lord.

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.
Luke 3:15-18 (NIV)

Making the Most of 2023

On Sunday, January 1, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message encouraging us to make the most of the new year by focusing on our relationship with Christ, asking for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and renewing our faith commitments. Pastor Stuart shared with us these journal prompts to help us with our faith commitments in the new year.

1. What's one thing you can do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What's an impossible prayer you can pray?

3. What's the most important thing you could do to improve your family life?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year?

5. What's the single biggest time-waster in your life, and how can you redeem the time?

6. What's the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What's the most important way, by God's grace, you will try to make this year different from last?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing can you plan to do this year that will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NLT)

The Give and Take

On Sunday, December 18, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Gio Serrato shared a message about the cost of discipleship, explaining that there is a give and take in every relationship, including with the Lord. When we embrace this reality within our relationships, we can experience peace.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Matthew 13:45-46 (NIV)

Preparing Our Hearts for Jesus, Part 2: Renewing Anticipation

On Sunday, December 11, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message with a challenge to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus this Christmas season by setting our anticipation to see in a new light, to allow God to restore hope, and to embrace the language of anticipation.

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
Luke 1:5-7 (NIV)

Preparing Our Hearts for Jesus

On Sunday, December 4, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message with a challenge to prepare our hearts with open eyes, open arms, and open ears to receive Jesus this Christmas season.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1:9-12 (NIV)

The Bridge from Thanksgiving to Christmas: The Acts of Generosity

On Sunday, November 27, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice shared an encouraging message about the effects of generosity on our spiritual lives by being the pivot between gratitude and action, which leads to maturity.

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:18-19 (NIV)

The Miracles of Thankfulness

On Sunday, November 20, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice shared an encouraging message about gratitude, reminding us that thankfulness opens our eyes to Kingdom living, ushers in God’s resources, and restores, renews, and transforms us.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Entering the Mission of God: Renewing Our Pattern of Prayer, Part 4: Matthew 6:9-13

On Sunday, November 13, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice continued leading us in exploring the pattern of prayer Jesus gave us when he taught his disciples to pray. The statements, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” is an invitation to partner with God in the mission to see God’s kingdom expand by being light and love in the world, bringing a glimpse of heaven down to earth.

1) Submission:
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
2) Petition:
Give us today our daily bread.
3) Relational Alignment:
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
4) Battle:
And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one.’
5) Rest:
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.’”
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

Entering the Holiness of God: Renewing Our Pattern of Prayer, Part 3: Matthew 6:9-13

On Sunday, November 6, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice continued leading us in exploring the pattern of prayer Jesus gave us when he taught his disciples to pray. The statement, “hallowed by your name,” is an invitation to worship God who is holy above all others, yet calls us to an intimate relationship that also desires us to be holy as the Lord is holy.

1) Submission:
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
2) Petition:
Give us today our daily bread.
3) Relational Alignment:
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
4) Battle:
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
5) Rest:
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.’”
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

Renewing Our Pattern of Prayer, Part 2: Matthew 6:9-13

On Sunday, October 30, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice led us in exploring the pattern of prayer Jesus gave us when he taught his disciples to pray, starting with submission as a relational posture before God and a prerequisite to life-changing prayer.

1) Submission:
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
2) Petition:
Give us today our daily bread.
3) Relational Alignment:
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
4) Battle:
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
5) Rest:
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.’”
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
(Numbered themes added as an outline to the message.)

Renewing Our Pattern of Prayer: Matthew 6:9-13

On Sunday, October 23, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice led us in exploring the pattern of petition in the Lord’s Prayer, highlighting that this pattern reestablishes our priorities and our passions when we rest upon the promises found in this prayer.

“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.’”
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

The Main Hindrances to a Vital Life of Prayer

On Sunday, October 16, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice encouraged us to examine the things that hinder us from developing our prayer life. Three hindrances he shared with us are:

1. Thinking you can go it alone.

2. Misunderstanding the character of Father God.

3. Not relying on the gift of the Holy Spirit.

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
He said to them, “When you pray, say:
‘Father,…’”
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:1-2, 11-13 (NIV)

Developing a Passion to Pray

On Sunday, October 9, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice encouraged us to develop our passion for prayer by becoming a person of shameless audacity, approaching the Lord who is our source, and understanding that the Lord responds affirmatively when God’s people ask, seek, and knock.

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 11:5-10 (NIV)

The Prayers Father God Always Answers: Part 1

On Sunday, October 2, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice shared the first part of a series about prayer. When approaching prayer, we are encouraged to have a posture of humility where we ask the Lord to use us, make us like Jesus, and restore us as we put our trust in the Lord.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Luke 11:9-10 (NIV)