Following Jesus begins when God brings us into the desert to reveal our thirst and bring us to brokenness. Worship pastor Daniel Hoover shares the message of John the Baptist: a message of repentance and renewal.

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• Follower part 1 sermon notes & Digging Deeper

Jesus reveals His identity as the Son of God through His baptism in the Jordan and His battle in the desert.

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• Follower part 2 sermon notes & Digging Deeper

As John the Baptist goes to prison, Jesus proclaims that the time has come and the kingdom of God is near. Senior pastor Mike Linch shares what it means to accept #HisInvitation to become a part of the kingdom of God.

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• Follower part 3 sermon notes & Digging Deeper

In Mark the people are amazed that Jesus teaches like one with authority. Mike Linch explains why they were amazed at Jesus' teaching and how important it is to our lives today.

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• Follower part 4 sermon notes & Digging Deeper

Jesus took time early in the morning to get alone with His Father in prayer. That's the "secret of His success" and it's also one reason why we need that time of solitude with God as well.

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• Follower part 5 sermon notes & Digging Deeper

Without faith it's impossible for us to please God. Community pastor Marlon Longacre reveals the four ways in which God tests our faith and makes us into Real Followers.

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• Real Follower sermon notes & Digging Deeper

Mike Linch shares why baptism is so important and how it symbolizes new life in Christ.

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• The Name part 1 sermon notes & Digging Deeper

After wear the name of Christ through baptism, we are called to carry His name to those around us. Senior pastor Mike Linch looks at what keeps us from sharing His name.

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• The Name part 2 sermon notes & Digging Deeper

Spiritual growth pastor Steve Roach shares a grace-filled message about how we grow spiritually.

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• The Name part 3 sermon notes & Digging Deeper

How do we navigate the bumpy roads on the road trip of life? High school pastor Brad Parkhurst shares lessons from Paul and Barnabas on what to do during the up times and the down times.

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• Road Trip part 1 sermon notes & Digging Deeper

As we continue our Road Trip with Paul in the book of Acts, Mike Linch shows how to follow the road signs as we seek God's map for our lives.

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• Road Trip part 2 sermon notes & Digging Deeper

Mike Linch shares how you can influence your family along the Road Trip of life so that they hopefully will take the Road Home.

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• Road Trip part 3 sermon notes & Digging Deeper

As we close out the Road Trip series, Mike Linch shares tips on how to share the good news of the Gospel with the people we meet along the road trip of life.

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• Road Trip part 4 sermon notes and Digging Deeper

Mike Linch takes a look at Colossians 3:5-10 and explains why Jesus moves into our lives and what happens when He does.

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• Everyday Jesus part 1 sermon notes & Digging Deepe

When Jesus comes into our lives, He affects the everyday relationships we have with others. Mike Linch shares how Jesus impacts the way we interact with people.

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• Everyday Jesus part 2 sermon notes & Digging Deepe

What if the people we call the church really stepped up to be the church? Mike Linch shows how we can best represent Christ to the world.

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• Everyday Jesus part 3 sermon notes & Digging Deepe

Sometimes it's easier to shine the light of Christ in the world or at church than in our own homes. Our family sees who we really are. Mike Linch shows how everyday Jesus changes our home life.

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• Everyday Jesus part 4 sermon notes & Digging Deepe

What happens when Everyday Jesus goes with us into our everyday jobs? Mike Linch shows how Jesus in our hearts impacts our work lives.

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• Everyday Jesus part 5 sermon notes & Digging Deepe

In the final message of the series, community pastor Marlon Longacre show how we take Everyday Jesus into the world.

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• Everyday Jesus part 6 sermon notes & Digging Deepe

How do we keep from being deceived by the myths out there about Christianity? Spiritual growth pastor Steve Roach warns us about three dangerous undercurrents and shows how we can stand firm against them.

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• Suburban Legends part 1 sermon notes/ Digging Deep

Intellectualism is one of the myths about Christianity that Paul dealt with and that we still deal with today. Senior pastor Mike Linch explains how God's Word is all we need.

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• Suburban Legends part 2 sermon notes/ Digging Deep

Legalism is one of those Suburban Legends that people believe about Christianity. Senior pastor Mike Linch uncovers what Paul says about it and shows us the way to freedom.

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• Suburban Legends part 3 sermon notes/ Digging Deep

In Paul's day, as in ours, false teachers were seeking mystical experiences and putting them in the place of Jesus. Hear what senior pastor Mike Linch has to say about the Suburban Legend of "Mysticism."

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• Suburban Legends part 4 sermon notes/ Digging Deep

In Paul's day, false teachers promoted rigorous self-denial in an attempt to attain righteousness. Today the lesson is the same: Don't ignore the condition of your heart.

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• Suburban Legends part 5 sermon notes/ Digging Deep

At its core, Christianity is about Jesus--the real, vintage Jesus. Guest speaker Dave Edwards tells us why Jesus is so important in this foundational message.

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• Vintage Jesus part 1 sermon notes/ Digging Deeper

What does the real, vintage Jesus really do? Senior pastor Mike Linch shows us what Jesus wants to do in our lives.

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• Vintage Jesus part 2 sermon notes/ Digging Deeper

How does the real, vintage Jesus make us more like Him? Senior pastor Mike Linch shows how Jesus works to transform our lives into His image.

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• Vintage Jesus part 3 sermon notes/ Digging Deeper

Let's accelerate our faith and our church's mission by praying more than ever before. Senior pastor Mike Linch shows how we can go higher in prayer this year.

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• Accelerate part 1 sermon notes/ prayer guide

Accelerating our mission this year will require a greater investment in our faith. Mike Linch lays out a faith investment plan for 2010.

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• Accelerate part 1 sermon notes/ Digging Deeper

As we seek to accelerate our mission we need to go further in sharing the message about Jesus. Senior pastor Mike Linch shows how the message of Christ is spread through you and me.

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• Accelerate part 3 sermon notes & Digging Deeper

The same star that guided the magi guides us as well. Choose your destination wisely and find Someone you can give your life to.

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• The Journey part 1 -- Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

Just as the magi worshipped the Lord by bringing Him gifts of gold, frankencinse, and myrrh, so we can worship Him right where we are in our current location.

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• The Journey part 2 -- sermon notes/ Digging Deeper

In a dream God warned the magi to go home using an alternate route. When we face important decisions or think we're getting an impression from God, how can we know if it's really Him?

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• The Journey part 3 sermon notes/ Digging Deeper

When I give faithfully to the Lord from the financial resources He lets me manage for a short time here on this earth, God promises rewards in the life to come.

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• FlashForward Part 1 Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

God promises rewards to the dedicated worker who realizes that it's not really about WHAT he does, but WHO he does it for.

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• FlashForward Part 2 Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

Prayer is something you learn by doing. Join us as we walk through the steps of prayer using the A.C.T.S. acronym: Adore, Confess, Thanks, Share.

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• FlashForward Part 3 Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

When we help those who cannot pay us back, we send a powerful message to the world. God promises blessings and rewards to those who selflessly serve the needy.

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• FlashForward Part 4 Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

God's promise to the courageous witness is that they will be rewarded in the world to come. But the key to influencing others for Christ is simply to build bridges of friendship.

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• FlashForward Part 5 Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

God has a purpose for the family and a promise to the faithful parent.

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• FlashForward Part 6 Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

Mike Linch begins our Honeymoon series talking about what has to happen first in a marriage befpre it can grow. How do we deal with the baggage that we bring into the relationship?

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• Honeymoon - Part 1 Sermon Notes/Digging Deeper

Many couples stop cultivating their marriage after the honeymoon ends. They don't realize that if they withdraw more than they invest, their marriage will end in default. Mike Linch brings out a special guest to share how learning your spouse's love language can help you become more of an investor than a consumer in your marriage.

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• Sermon Notes/Digging Deeper

One of the biggest struggles couples must overcome in marriage is unfulfilled expectations. Before the wedding, we have "desires" for our marriage. But, many of these desires never actually happen, which leads to disappointment. Today, Mike Linch shares how we can overcome our disappointments and allow God to restore us and our marriages.

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• Honeymoon - Part 3 - Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

To close the Honeymoon series, HLN's Mike Galanos moderates a special panel to answer your marriage questions. Senior pastor Mike Linch, marriage & family therapist Diane Pearce, and special guest Clarence Jett answer your questions on how to make your marriage thrive.

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• Honeymoon part 4 sermon notes/ Digging Deeper

In the end, Jesus had you on his mind. As he made his way from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed to his father that He be glorified through those who would come to know him. Mike Linch explains today that we should do exactly as Christ did - point others to the greatness of the Father!

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• United - Part One - Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

Before his earthly death, Jesus prayed passionately for God's power for us, His protection over us, and that his followers would not be derailed by what the world offers. Mike Linch explains what Jesus meant by "the world," and why we desperately need God's power and protection each and every day!

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• United - Part Two - Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

God has a plan for each of us. And, while each of us is equipped with different gifts and talents, we are all united in our primary purpose: pointing people towards Him. Today, Mike Linch shares how each of us can play a pivotal role in leading people to God.

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• United - Part Three - Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

The final week of our series addresses some keys to becoming unified with other belivers, and as a church body. In order to do this, we have to look at what is keeping us from being united, and understanding that what united us the love we have for our Father, and the love He has for us.

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• United - Part Four - Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

Today, we begin an 8-week journey through the Book of James called Bring It. James (Jesus' brother) was in your face, and he didn't pull any punches when it came to explaining how we can exercise our faith muscles. We've all heard the phrase, "No Pain, No Gain," and it couldn't me more true when faced with trials.

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• Bring It - Part One - Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

Like a long-distance runner needs water in preparation for - and during - the race, we all need to re-hydrate regularly in our spiritual journey. Jesus himself told us that he is living water that we can drink from, and the most effective way for us to re-hydrate is to read the Word - the Bible. Today, Mike explains three ways we can get the most out of God's Word, and how it will provide the necessary hydration we need daily.

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• Bring It - Part Two - Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

James wants us to understand that we cannot make it on our own. We need to surround ourselves with others to help us on the journey. In order to do that, we need to learn how to treat others right, and how to avoid using the magnifying glass to judge them. Ken Williams of West Cobb Church explains why mercy always triumphs over judgment.

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• Bring It - Part Three - Sermon Notes/ Digging Deep

James wanted to make it clear to us that talking the talk is not enough. It's one thing to believe in God; it's something altogether different to demonstrate your faith through your actions. Today, Mike Linch shares what we need to know about REAL faith, and avoid having a dead one.

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• Bring It - Part Four - Sermon Notes/ Digging Deepe

Probably the most deadly weapon in our arsenal is our tongue. We can use it to strengthen others, or we can use it to destroy them. And, wounds that our mouths create take much longer to heal. Today, Mike Linch shares three reasons we need to watch what we say in Part Five of our Bring It series.

There;s almost always a tension at work in our lives. Each of us has personal desires, which causes us to be att odds with others much of the time. Essentially, we are all somewhat selfish, and we don't want the same things other people want. According to James, this is what leads to fights and quarrels. So, how do we resolve the conflict within us? Brad Parkhurst explains in Part Six of our Bring It series.

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• Bring It - Part Six - Sermon Notes/ Digging Deeper

Our Bring It series continues as we look at what James had to say about money. As always, James had some strong opinions about how we can exercise our faith with our finances. Mike Linch explains four ways we can give to God and to others, and still have "plenty" for ourselves.

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• Bring It - Part Seven - Sermon Notes/ Digging Deep

Worship Pastor Daniel Hoover concludes our summer Bring It series by taking a look at what James had to say about prayer. By examining these verses, we can answer three key questions: When should I pray? How can I pray effectivey? What kind of person can pray?

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• Bring It - Part Eight - Sermon Notes/ Digging Deep

We learn a number of lessons from the life of the Virtuous Woman in Proverbs 31. Man or woman, she possessed qualities all of us would hope to carry with us. Today, Mike Linch explains how each of us can learn from this woman, and how God can use these lessons to enable us to build Godly homes for our families.

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• Honor - Part One - Sermon Notes

In Part Two of our Honor series, we recognize and celebrate high school and college graduates. While it is an end of one chapter in their lives, in the grand scheme of things, it is only the beginning. And though it is important to get off to a promising start, finishing well is even more vital. Today, Mike Linch explains four secrets to having a strong finish.

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• Honor - Part Two - Sermon Notes

On Memorial Day weekend we remember the fallen heroes who have given their lives so that we might have freedom in this country And we honor our Ultimate Hero, Jesus Christ, as we obsere Communion. He gave His live so that we might have life.

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• Honor - Part Three - Digging Deeper

Part of understanding the enemy is knowing his history. Who was Lucifer created to be? How did he fall from grace? Why does he still exist today? These are all questions we ask about the Villain, and the answers can be found in scripture.

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• Villain - Part One - Sermon Notes

Many of us believe that if we're being tempted, or if we are facing spiritual tests, that we must not be in the will of God. But, that is actually far from the truth. A faith that is not tested means very little. It's how we respond to temptation that tells the story. Mike Linch explains what we all need to know about temptation, and reveals the simple, but effective plan, our villain uses to ensnare us.

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• Villain - Part Two - Sermon Notes

We can learn all we want to about the Villain, and we can pray to God for His protection and guidance. But, at the end of the day, it is almost always our attitude that directs our thoughts and actions. We conclude our Villain series, as Mike Linch explains three attitudes we need to employ to overcome the enemy's schemes.

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• Villain - Part Three - Sermon Notes

Over the next eight weeks, we will closely examine Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount, also known as the Beatitudes. Why was this message so important to Jesus' mission during his time on earth? This was his first message to his followers, and like all of his messages, it thinned out the crowd. Jesus talked about the distinguishing charateristics of being one of his disciples. Today, Mike Linch kicks off the series talking about the Mark of Bankruptcy.

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• Marked - Part One - Sermon Notes

Week Two of our Marked series focuses on brokenness. What does it really mean to be broken before God? One of the ways we become broken is by mourning over the sin in our lives. Today, Mike Linch explains three ways we are drawn closer to the Father - and to those who mean the most to us - when we begin to take sin seriously and get right with God.

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• Marked, Part Two - Sermon Notes

There seems to be a misunderstanding about the word meekness. Many believe that demonstrating meekness is the equivalent of showing weakness. It's actually the opposite. Today, Steve Roach explains what meekness really means, and why Jesus said it was such a big deal to his followers.

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• Marked, Part Three - Sermon Notes

We spend a lot of time chasing things that don't satisfy us. The problem for most of us is that we just don't know what it is that we want. But, Jesus tells is that his followers need to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Essentially, we should all strive to be Christ-like. Mike Linch clues us in on three ways we determine if we are craving being right with the Lord.

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• Marked, Part 4 - Sermon Notes

Showing mercy to others involves action. It isn't simply having pity on them. In fact, pity without action is nothing more than hypocrisy. In part five of our series, Mike Linch explains three ways we can extend mercy to others, and avoid being judgmental - and why it was so critical for Jesus to communicate this message to his followers.

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• Marked, Part Five - Sermon Notes

When Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God," what he was really referring to is our motives. Today, Mike Linch asks this question: What does it mean to be pure in heart? The answers may not be as obvious as they seem.

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• Marked, Part Six - Sermon Notes

Another term for pacemaking is reconciliation. It happens when we value other people more than we value being right. Today, Mike Linch discusses why being a peacemaker is so important in becoming like Christ.

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• Marked, Part Seven - Sermon Notes

We wrap up our 8-part series with perhaps the toughest "mark" of all - the mark of persecution. Jesus didn't say "Blessed are you IF people insult you." He said WHEN they insult you. Daniel Hoover asks three important questions about persecution, and how we are to deal with it as followers of Christ.

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• Marked, Part Eight - Sermon Notes

We begin our two-week He Said, She Said sermon series with a message all about the guys. What it is that men so desperately crave in any relationship? Mike Linch explains what that is, and why it's so critical to a thriving marriage.

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• He Said - Sermon Notes

Women, as we all know, are quite different from men. Therefore, their needs in a relationship are very different than a man's needs. What are the most critical things men need to know to give their special lady in a relationship? Mike Linch reveals the message that every woman longs to hear and feel, and three ways men can effectively and genuinely express this to them.

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• She Said - Sermon Notes