Westside Family Fellowship

Why does God give us commands? pt. 2

Many people think that the bible is just a list of do's and don'ts. And though it is much more than that, there are many commands that God gives us through his word! However, all of his commands are for (1) our good, (2) preventing harm, and (3) establishing trust. These aren't just commands for the sake of commands—God has his relationship with us in mind.

 

"What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?"

— Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Why does God give us commands? pt. 1

Many people think that the bible is just a list of do's and don'ts. And though it is much more than that, there are many commands that God gives us through his word! However, all of his commands are for (1) our good, (2) preventing harm, and (3) establishing trust. These aren't just commands for the sake of commands—God has his relationship with us in mind.

 

"What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?"

— Deuteronomy 10:12-13

THIS IS THE WAY — pt. 2

This Sunday, Pastor Jonathan continued his series on the way of Jesus—the way that sets us apart from others in love, mercy and doing good. The ancient model that Jesus made for us has profound wisdom for the modern world and an immense bearing on our calling in life, so let's learn about what a life in the Way looks like!

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

THIS IS THE WAY — pt. 1

It's family Sunday at Westside! Pastor Jonathan began a new series on the way of Jesus—the way that sets us apart from others in love, mercy and doing good. The ancient model that Jesus made for us has profound wisdom for the modern world and an immense bearing on our calling in life, so let's learn about what a life in the Way looks like!

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

Fighting with your teammates?

It should be incredibly out of place despite its commonality—in sporting events, relationships, and working environments, fighting over dissimilarities is all too often heard of. Couple that with group identity in society, and it makes a recipe for disaster that has seeped into the church. But in the noise of confusion and chaos, God has spoken clearly—despite our diversity, we are called into unity. Jesus says,

"May they be one, just as I and the Father are one." (John 17:21)

How can we be one despite our differences?

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

Show me the Bread! — The Tabernacle + The Temple [4]

The Table of Showbread in the Tabernacle and Temple has stark connections to Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Jesus even told his disciples,

"I am the bread of life." (John 6:35)

What does this mean? How can we understand Jesus better through the Table of Showbread? Let's find out together.

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

Anointing = Power

"The anointing enables us to do what we can’t on our own."

We cannot do what God has called to without a special gifting from him! Without a gifting, accomplishment yields emptiness and brokenness. How can we recognize God's gifts to us? And how can we utilize them for his glory?

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

The Water Before the Relationship — The Tabernacle + The Temple [3]

In the third week of Pastor Jonathan's series on the Tabernacle and the Temple, he goes over the symbolism and function of the Bronze Laver. This was positioned just before the entrance into the tabernacle, and was crucial for the cleansing rituals of priests.

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

The Bronze Serpent 🐍

Poisonous snakes, a bronze statue made by Moses, and a man from Israel-Palestine 1500 years later... What does all this have to do with us? Today we're looking at a strange story from the Old Testament involving a plague of poisonous snakes and how it points forward to Jesus and the calling of salvation! Get ready, and let's dive in.

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

Revival now!

Revival is kind of a buzz word... bringing up images of massive gatherings with Spirit-inspired worship, powerful messages, and massive church growth. But what we forget is that revival is personal too! We sometimes find ourselves in ruts, caught up in the death that plagues the world around us. 

God wants to revive us.

How can we open ourselves back up to the power of God and allow personal revival? Let's find out together!

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

The Tabernacle + The Temple [1]

The first week of our new Wednesday teaching series: the Tabernacle + the Temple. Pastor Jonathan shares an overview of the two tabernacles and two temples, what their purpose was, and how they impact our daily lives as Christians. We hope you enjoy ☺️

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

being real.

We can't truly have sibling-love for each other if we don't even know each other. When we put on a show, we're actually putting up a wall between ourselves and everyone else. So let's be real.

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

⛰🌲 the land 🌲⛰

Opportunity surrounds us on the earth. From the beginning of creation, God has purposed the land to produce food, provide shelter, and cultivate societies. How can we use the blessing that God has given us to love him and our neighbors?

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

Everyday Priests

If we lived in Bible times, priests would be a small group of people that wear certain clothes and have specific jobs in the temple. But in the Kingdom of God... everyday people like you and me are considered priests. So. How exactly does that work? On this podcast episode, Pastor Jonathan talks about how normal people like us can function as priests in the world.

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

S e p a r a t e

Hey Westside!

The Bible calls us to live in the world, but separate ourselves from sinful values, actions, and attitudes. Jesus says in John 15:19, "You are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it". How can we live in the world, but be separate from the broken, unfruitful aspects of it? Let's find out together.

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

🌊 BAPTIZED 🌊

Hey Westside!

This Sunday we had baptisms!! Congratulations if you were one of those that got baptized ☺️ Pastor Jonathan shared some short thoughts on Matthew 28:19. We hope you enjoy!

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays! For hangouts, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

Are we walking on thin ice?

Sin is serious. So often inside and outside of church, the terrible evils that we do are simply swept under the rug. But the regular, habitual, abominations that we commit swiftly lead us away from relationship with God and toward the ultimate separation. So... are we walking on thin ice? And how can we be brought back to safety?

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

For Freedom You Set Us Free!

Sometimes we think of freedom as zero restrictions... but... that's not really the kind of freedom that Jesus gives us. It's actually way better. This Fourth of July, Pastor LaRonna Rhodes teaches and encourages us to be free from sin in Jesus! The best kind of freedom!

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

How have you been hindered?

The Bible shows us that humanity has a big problem: sin. It's that giant three letter word that nobody likes talking about. But it also creates the largest hinderances in our lives and our relationship with God. This week, Pastor Jonathan Rhodes brings out three nuances of sin–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Join us to discover how you can overcome the hinderances in your walk with God!

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

The Father’s Gifts

How do the Father's gifts differ from the Spirit's? Well, we might have talents, special abilities, certain tasks that our minds complete naturally. These we can recognize as gifts that the Father has given to all people regardless of their devotion to him. However, we must take the responsibility on our shoulders to develop them and use them for his glory.

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

The Donkey and the Triumphant Entry

The donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday is often overlooked. Understandably so... I mean... his rider was JESUS after all. But this Sunday we look at the donkey as an indicator of the responsibility we have as believers, the attitude Jesus had in his triumphant entry, and the peace that Jesus foreshadowed he would bring. All this just from the lowly donkey.

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

POWER Gifts

This week, Pastor Jonathan wrapped up his teaching on the Gifts of the Spirit. These gifts fall under three categories: Revelation, Interpretation and Power. This week we talked about the gifts of Power.

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

Your Name in All the Earth.

Hey Westside Family!

We're currently going through the book of Psalms during our Wednesday evening services. This week we will be going over Psalm 8: God's Glory in Creation.

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays, and a weekly devotional that is posted Friday morning in time for your morning time with Jesus!

Vocal Gifts

This week, Pastor Jonathan continued his teaching on the Gifts of the Spirit. These gifts fall under three categories: Revelation, Interpretation and Power. This week we talked about the gifts of Interpretation: Vocal Gifts.

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church

Stand on what you KNOW.

Think back over your life as a Christian. We've definitely failed some. And honestly, it can seem like we are a bit of a roller coaster ride at points. But let's recognize that God isn't like us. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. This Wednesday, Pastor Cris McPhetridge is encouraging us to stand firm on who he is so that we can remain strong through the difficult seasons of life.

If you're looking for more sermons and devotions check out our other episodes on PodBean! We have weekly services that are posted on Mondays and Thursdays. For more services, how to get plugged in, giving and more, visit our website at www.westsidefamilyfellowship.church