MEDIA

What's the true root to bearing true fruit? It's not religion. It's not philosophy. It's not politics. It's Jesus. And fruit is the direct result of being connected to Him. You see, when we are faithful to Him, we become fruitful for Him. And that is the truest meaning of being successful. Contrary to what the world thinks, true success cannot occur apart from knowing and doing the will of God. And that's the true root to bearing true fruit.

In this sunset message, Matthew Maher challenges men to stand strong by displaying character, conviction, and compassion.

According to the passage of reference, widely known as the parable of the two builders, Jesus lays out the obvious difference between two foundations: One is made of sand and the other one of stone but both are about to be touched by a storm. However, what separates these “houses” is solely dependent upon whether or not a person hears, heeds, and builds his foundation on Jesus’ teachings. In other words, the person who follows wisdom is the person who builds upon the principles of the right kingdom. And conversely, the person who rejects wisdom becomes king of their own sandcastle. One stands strong and the other falls hard!

"Do you have solid roots? Are you standing on the truth? You see, when your roots grow deep in Christ, your life will stand strong through the storms of life. Jeremiah writes, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose hope is the Lord." He then likens that person to a tree planted by the water that spreads out its roots. And regardless of the heat or drought, such a tree still survives and even thrives. After hearing that--Are you that tree, planted in the water of the Word and rooted in the life of Jesus? Because storms will certainly come, and God allows them to touch us, not to hurt us, but in order to grow us. In this age of lies, we need to be rooted and resilient in the truth."

"Is your faith growing? Is what's inside of you showing? The answer to these questions are actually predicated upon this additional question: what texture is the soil of your heart? In Matthew 13, Jesus invites us to consider the soil of our hearts by telling a parable about the distribution of the Word of God and the different receptions of it. In other words, the seed of God's Word falls upon all of our lives, yet it is only able to take root and grow fruit when the heart is cultivated and ready to receive. With that being said, are you ready to receive?"

Arise and shine for God's glory. God created you to perform a certain task, to shine a certain light, to be a special delight. You may not be as "visible" as other people, but you are still a star in God's eyes. And since their is darkness around you in this evil day, your light can be seen clearly because you walk a certain way. The Bible instructs us to "walk circumspectly," and you are invited out to Coastal to learn how to do this practically.

The believer in Jesus is not merely improved, but radically transformed. They've gone from death to life, from darkness to light, from slavery to authority, and from wretchedness to righteousness. The world should be able to see such a transformation and either meet it with hate and persecution or curiosity and attraction. Either way, the believer in Jesus should be obviously different from the world and its ways.

An effective Christian is like a candle. They desire the flame of Jesus to rise up so that the wax of self may melt down.

In a world that's dark and down, let us LIGHT IT UP with our love and lives. Let us be the outreach of heaven on earth, pointing to the light of Christ in all we say and do (Matthew 5:14-16).

"In a world that is drowning in misery and pain, be the spiritual helium that uplifts and encourages those around you. You see, when we come to Jesus for our healing and filling, we then have the hope to rise above our adversity and the peace to defy our circumstantial gravity."

"As we celebrate America's freedom, let us not be ignortant of the fact that our fouding freedom is under attack."

"The Christian life is not about fitting in on earth, but being separated from the world, sculpted by the Word, and solid in the work that God has called us to do. In other words, consider how you are a "living stone" according to God's workmanship. And when we come to Jesus as our Chief Cornerstone, we become more like Him as He sculpts and builds His character out of our nature. With that being said, we invite you to join us Thursday night to learn more about being a living stone that is made fit for heaven, while living by faith on earth."

"God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain. But He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it."

"Often times God will test our hearts, just as metal is refined through fire. You see, faith that is not tested cannot be trusted. And God desires to trust us appropriately so He can use us effectively. It's a divine privilege to be chosen for refinement and have our faith show forth as gold. In other words, when we find ourselves in the crucible--to the watching world around us--we are still able to be legible, "that the genuineness of [our] faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:7).

"Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth." In other words, you are the influence of this world, but if your influence lacks truth, then it lacks true direction back to God."