In the book of Acts, the focus often lands on the apostles who preached and performed miracles, but what about the regular church members? Their contributions, though less documented, were pivotal in growing the church. Most people in the church today will not receive a vocational calling to ministry or become pastors, yet their role in evangelism remains crucial.

The church often seeks out rare talents for leadership roles, but there's more to ministry than just having a select few on staff. The work of growing the church isn't solely the responsibility of pastors. Everyone in the church has a part to play. This brings us to a critical concept: Come and Become Evangelism.

Evangelism is about inviting others to follow Jesus. "Come and Become Evangelism" involves Christians inviting others to church, forming the primary strategy for growth. This approach has three main benefits:

1. Time to Consider the Cost and Consequences

Inviting someone to church allows them to connect with a community where they can wrestle with questions and grow gradually. Instant decisions are rarely lasting; true discipleship involves a series of encounters with Jesus. Lasting conversions typically take multiple encounters, emphasizing that discipleship is about introducing people to Jesus and supporting them as they grow.

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.'" - Matthew 16:24 (NLT)

2. Instant and Natural Follow-Up

This strategy ensures that new attendees are immediately connected and can start growing within the community. Everyone plays a role in welcoming and integrating newcomers. The goal of evangelism isn't merely to elicit a prayer but to foster ongoing discipleship. Church involvement provides the support necessary for new believers to continue their journey of faith.

"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

3. Accessibility for All Christians

Evangelism becomes a natural part of a Christian's life. How one lives reflects their faith, influencing their ability to evangelize. Everyone is on a mission to grow the church, embodying the invitation to others. Jesus made it clear that there is plenty of room in His Father’s house, encouraging believers to invite others to join the family of faith.

"There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?" - John 14:2 (NLT)

Inviting others into the church means welcoming diverse and sometimes messy lives. The early church dealt with a range of issues, and so will today's church. But this messiness is a sign of life and growth.

"For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” - Matthew 18:20 (NLT)

Jesus' return is imminent, and this urgency compels believers to show others the way to God. If the sole purpose of faith was personal salvation, God would take believers to Heaven immediately upon conversion. Instead, He leave

Richard starts by defining humility, emphasizing that while social media often showcases pride and arrogance, true humility is rarely celebrated. He cites Rick Warren’s quote: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” This perspective shifts the focus from false modesty, where individuals downplay their abilities, to a genuine self-assessment in relation to God and others.

C.S. Lewis adds to this understanding, suggesting that a truly humble person doesn’t think about humility or themselves at all but instead takes a genuine interest in others.

The Bible offers extensive insights into humility, which Richard categorizes into three main aspects:

1. Low Esteem: This form of humility places an individual at the bottom of the societal hierarchy. Romans 12:16 encourages believers to live in harmony and associate with the lowly, while Psalm 95:6 calls for worship and bowing down before God, emphasizing that in His presence, humans are on the ground, acknowledging His greatness.

2. Not Demanding Perks: Richard contrasts worldly desires for perks with Jesus’ example. Despite being entitled to the best of everything, Jesus chose a humble path. Philippians 2:5-8 describes how Jesus gave up divine privileges and lived humbly, even to the point of dying on a cross. Jesus’ life exemplifies not demanding special treatment but serving others, as highlighted in Matthew 8:20, where He states, “Foxes have dens… but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

3. Occupying God-Given Space: True humility involves recognizing and occupying the space God has created for each individual. Romans 12:3 advises believers to measure themselves honestly by the faith God has given. Psalm 149:4 reveals that the Lord delights in His people and crowns the humble with victory, affirming that God honors those who humbly occupy their designated roles.

Richard illustrates Jesus’ humility through the act of washing the disciples’ feet, a task reserved for the lowliest of servants. This powerful gesture, described in John 13:1-17, shows Jesus’ willingness to humble Himself for others, setting a profound example for His followers.

Drawing from the book "Good to Great," Richard introduces the concept of the "window and the mirror." Great leaders attribute success to their team (the window) and take personal responsibility for failures (the mirror). Jesus embodied this leadership style, sending out His disciples to perform miracles and promising they would do even greater things (John 14:12). Ultimately, He took humanity’s failures upon Himself on the cross, offering redemption.

Humility is vital because it aligns believers with God’s will, allowing Him to work through them. David’s story from 1 Samuel 24 exemplifies this, where despite being anointed as the next king, David refrains from killing Saul, respecting God’

The success of a community is deeply rooted in the strength and presence of its fathers. Communities with strong, involved fathers thrive, while those with weak or absent fathers often struggle with rebellious children and immature adults. Fathers play an essential role in shaping the future of their families and, by extension, their communities.

Fathers Lead

Christian fathers are called to lead their families toward a relationship with God and away from sinful desires. The impact of a father on his family is profound, and this influence can be for better or worse. The concept of "monitored freedom" is vital in this leadership role. Granting children freedom before they are wise enough to handle it is irresponsible. Instead, fathers should gradually allow their children more freedom as they demonstrate responsibility, stepping in to restrict that freedom when necessary.

One father's personal experience illustrates this principle well. As a child, he was excited when his parents told him he no longer had a bedtime, only to quickly lose that privilege after staying up too late playing video games. This early lesson in responsibility paved the way for more significant freedoms later on. By the time he turned 16, his parents told him he was no longer accountable to them but to God, whose discipline is more severe (Hebrews 12:6). This transition was crucial, providing a framework for managing freedom responsibly by the time he reached college.

The Gift of Freedom

Freedom is a precious yet dangerous gift from God. It requires careful management and accountability. God's discipline, while severe, is an act of love (Hebrews 12:6). This divine model of parenting is a guide for earthly fathers, who should also discipline their children out of love. This discipline helps children learn to manage their freedom and grow into mature, responsible adults.

Many young people today struggle with this concept, often rebelling without understanding the true value and responsibility of freedom. Loving fathers monitor their children's freedom, guiding them to maturity. This mirrors the way God disciplines and guides His children.

Taking Responsibility

Fathers must take responsibility for their children's actions. This responsibility reflects the sacrificial love of Jesus, who took on the sins of humanity. Fathers should lead their homes with the same selfless dedication. When children face consequences for their actions, fathers should be involved, whether by making their children accountable or, at times, stepping in to help bear the burden themselves.

The empathy that fathers feel when their children are hurting is a God-given trait designed to motivate them to help. However, fathers often need a reminder to stay engaged and not turn their backs on their children, as it is easier for them to distance themselves than it is for mothers.

The Importance of Fathers

The statistics are clear: fatherless homes significantly impact society. One in four children is raised without a father, compared to one in forty without a mother. Absent fathers weaken communities. God designed the family unit with both a mother and father to lead children into a mature relationship with Him. This partnership is crucial, and when fathers fail to fulfill their role, the entire community suffers.

The Transition in Marriage

A significant shift occurs when children marry. According to Matthew 19:5, "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." This transition marks the beginning of a new family unit, inde

Lindsay Lundvall, a dedicated school counselor at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School, shares her journey and insights into becoming a Proverbs 31 woman. Married to Shay and mother to two children, Skyin and Breen, Lindsay grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota, in a strong Christian home. Attending church every Sunday was the norm, and Christian morals and values were deeply instilled in her from a young age.

Lindsay's story highlights her lifelong struggle with people-pleasing. As the youngest of three children and the only granddaughter, she developed a desire to be liked by everyone around her. This need for approval grew over time, especially during her high school and college years. Despite avoiding the typical party scene, she found herself deeply involved in Christian organizations like Campus Crusades for Christ and Oasis, a church outreach program for college students.

Lindsay’s faith began to solidify during her college years, and she became acutely aware of the Proverbs 31 woman—a model of a virtuous and capable wife. However, she found the chapter both intimidating and unachievable. Like many young Christian women, she viewed Proverbs 31 as a daunting to-do list, feeling immense pressure to live up to its high standards.

Instead of seeing Proverbs 31 as a checklist, Lindsay learned to view it as a guideline for living out her faith. The chapter can be broken down into five key themes: integrity, hard work, productivity, faith, and beauty.

1. Integrity

Proverbs 31:10-12 says, "Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." Integrity is about moral excellence and being uncommon in a world that often values conformity. The entire book of Proverbs aims to teach wisdom, discipline, and the ability to make right decisions, even when they are unpopular.

2. Hard Work

Proverbs 31:13-15 highlights the hard work of the virtuous woman: "She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls." While the specifics may not be relatable today, the essence is clear: sacrificial giving for one’s family. Whether working inside or outside the home, God calls us to give our best in every endeavor.

3. Productivity

Proverbs 31:16 says, "She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard." This verse, along with Proverbs 31:21, which states, "She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes," calls for using time wisely, planning for the future, and being productive with the resources God has given. This productivity extends beyond the home, impacting workplaces and friendships.

4. Faith

Proverbs 31:25 proclaims, "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." This verse challenges women to be so grounded in God's word that they can face life's challenges with confidence and trust. Leading in faith is not solely the husband’s role; women too are called to actively participate in spiritual leadership within their famili

Have you ever wondered how to follow God’s direction? How do you know what God wants you to do? Today, I want to help you figure out how to discern God’s direction, how to be led by the Spirit; not necessarily to be led by your spirit, but by God's Spirit.

Say this with me: Relationship > Religion.

Technically, based on the current definition of religion, Christianity is a religion, but in practice, it's much more than that. Christianity offers us a relationship with the God of the universe.

In religion, God says:

• Religion = You should. You don’t? You’re toast.

But this isn't how God works. In a relationship, God says:

• Relationship = You can't. I can. Let's toast.

Today, we're talking about being led by the Spirit, and outside of an intimate relationship with God, that's hard to describe. A relationship with God is powerful, largely because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. He's not just a power we leverage; He is a person we know. There are a few authors that have been impactful in my life, but their impact is limited. Why? They’re not here. I forget what they wrote or I hear something that contradicts them and doubt them.

When it comes to living the Christian life, the Bible is our map. Have you ever gone to a hotel, and when you check in they give you a map of the city? I love those things. They've got the cartoon landmarks on them, but when you're in a new city, they're hard to read. So what does the concierge do? They use their pen to point you to things on the map. They’re a guide. For us, the Holy Spirit is our guide.

I like a concierge who tells me the best restaurants and landmarks I need to see, and that's a small picture of what the Holy Spirit does for us. He guides us to the good life and keeps us from danger. Because we are created in the image of God, we intuitively know what is right and what is wrong. Now, sometimes we convince ourselves of lies, but without the influence of lies, we know right and wrong.

There’s a passage in Romans where Paul is talking about his battle with sin. The great apostle Paul had not removed all the sin from his life, and he says:

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25, NIV)

To which religion says, “Try harder. Be a better person.” It gives a list of rules: “delete your Netflix account, smash your cell phone, stop drinking alcohol, turn control of the bank account over to your wife.” And maybe you need to do something like that, but the answer Paul is looking for isn’t a rule. It’s not a what. It’s a who: Jesus Christ our Lord.

I need someone, not something. How does God deliver me? With a map, through a guide. The Holy Spirit does more than tell me what sin is. There’s something beyond what's morally right. Most of us don’t usually wrestle with questions about what is sin. We wrestle with “what is best? What is wise?”

There are a million right things that I can do. God never told me I have to marry Darci or I would be sinning. I could have married another girl without sinning. But I didn’t just want to avoid sin. I wanted to do the best thing. Because He is omniscient, He can show us the wisest thing to do. Jesus said:

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads in

We have a special treat for you today. You won't have to hear me preach—congratulations! Instead, we have a guest speaker, Jen Krauss, from Buffalo, who will share her powerful testimony with us. Jen has written a book called Proof God Hears Your Prayers, available on Amazon, and she also hosts a podcast called Godspeed Wyoming. I believe you will be blessed by her testimony today. Please welcome Jen Krauss!

Introduction

Thank you all for allowing me to be here today. I'm from Buffalo, where I attend Summit Wesleyan Church. Our pastor, Pastor William Dunlap, started his faith journey here and had such wonderful things to say about you all. I'm thrilled to be here to talk about two of my favorite things: God and leadership. Today, I want to share my testimony and my journey through leadership—something I never imagined for myself.

Early Beginnings

My leadership journey started when I was five years old, on my first day of kindergarten. I was always a social butterfly, eager to meet new kids. As I got off the bus, I smelled something amazing—blueberry muffins. I had never had one before, so I followed the scent to the cafeteria, only to be told I didn't qualify for breakfast because I had a pink ticket. Two boys mocked me, calling me the "poor girl." I was devastated and went behind the school to cry and pray, asking God why this was happening to me. Despite the hurt, I prayed that one day I would have as many blueberry muffins as I wanted. This early experience shaped my resilience and determination.

A Life-Altering Accident

At 16, my life changed forever due to a severe car accident. I lost control of my car, wasn't wearing a seatbelt, and was ejected during the crash. I was found in a field and flown to a trauma hospital where I fought for my life. I had broken my back, neck, and ribs, puncturing my lungs. Doctors told my parents to stop life support, but I was conscious and prayed desperately for God to save my life. Miraculously, my lungs healed, and I began to breathe on my own. The doctors were amazed, calling it a miracle.

However, I soon learned I was paralyzed from the chest down. The news was devastating. I couldn't imagine life in a wheelchair and fell into a deep depression. I questioned why God saved my life but didn't heal all of me. A compassionate nurse named Jennifer helped me see hope and encouraged me to pursue college, despite my circumstances.

Education and Early Career

With Jennifer's encouragement, I graduated high school and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in social work. I became a medical social worker at St. Mary Corwin Hospital, helping others with disabilities. On my first day of work, I smelled blueberry muffins again, bringing back memories and reinforcing my faith in God's plan. It was a sign that God had heard my prayers from childhood and had a purpose for me.

Leadership Roles and Personal Growth

God began opening leadership doors for me. By 27, I was a director at St. Mary Corwin, and by 30, I became a CEO of a rehabilitation company. Despite my initial doubts, I embraced these roles, trusting in God's guidance. I met my husband, Dustin, and we had a son, Waylon, despite the high risks associated with my spinal cord injury. Waylon is a testament to God's blessings in our lives.

Before diving into today's topic, I want to start with a brief word about politics. I firmly believe that neither political nor military solutions can fully address the deep issues America faces today. While we do need good Christian people engaged in political battles, the core problem is too profound to be solved solely through these means. We need to win hearts first.

In 1973, a major shift occurred in American politics. Previously, Democrats and Republicans primarily contested economic and legal issues. However, once politicians entered the realm of morality, they struggled. Now, choosing between Democrat and Republican often means choosing a set of morals. We must stop trusting politicians to define our morals. There is no political solution to our problem; we need a spiritual solution.

We often speak about the revival sparked by John Wesley, but we seldom discuss its societal impact. The Wesleyan revival, along with George Whitfield's efforts, saved England from a revolution similar to France's. Secular media rarely tells this story.

Consider Tiananmen Square, known for the iconic image of a man standing before a tank. The secular narrative frames it as a victory for democracy, but that oversimplifies the truth. In reality, thousands of Christians were baptized in Tiananmen Square during a Christian revival.

We need a spiritual revival. Amen?

We’re in a series called More Than Animals, exploring what sets humans apart from animals. When someone says, "I’m not an animal," they mean they won't let their emotions control them. Today’s topic is one you might not have heard a sermon on before: Violence.

Watching nature shows about animals killing other animals is unsettling. The world is unimaginably violent, from fish eating fish in the sea to the constant struggles for survival. We must acknowledge that:

The world has a violence problem.

In recent years, both illegal and legal violence (war) have increased significantly. While I am not a pacifist and support fighting for those who cannot defend themselves, Paul’s words resonate deeply:

Romans 12:19-21: "Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, 'I will take revenge; I will pay them back,' says the Lord. Instead, 'If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.' Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good."

Just War

We must consider what constitutes a just war. Here are five criteria based on Scripture:

1. Legitimate Authority: War must be waged by a recognized authority, not by mobs, terrorists, or anarchists. God establishes rulers to govern people.

2. Defensive, Not Offensive: Governments often label wars as defensive, but we must honestly evaluate the true motivations—protecting people or seizing resources.

3. Fight Fighters: Avoid intentionally harming civilians. Target the aggressors, not the innocent.

4. Preserve Life: Use proportional force, ensuring more lives are preserved than taken.

5. Last Resort: War should be a last resort, not a knee-jerk reaction. We must be slow to respond.

The conflict in Israel is fundamentally a war of hearts. As long as the people of Gaza harbor hatred towards Israelis, groups like Hamas will continue to rise. Military action alone cannot change hearts, as we learned in Afghanistan.

This principle applies to our personal

We’re in a series called More Than Animals, where we're exploring the unique aspects of being human. Today’s topic is Monogamy.

Monogamy
In our current culture, everything is sexualized. It’s pervasive on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and various dating apps. They elevate sex to a level it doesn’t deserve. Our vocabulary even reflects this overemphasis on sex. For example, I once used the term "hookup" in a sermon, and everyone gasped.

Sin sexualizes everything it touches.
We teach our kids an illusion of thoughtless freedom with the idea that if we can’t stop them, we should at least teach them safe sex. But we need a higher standard. Parents, it’s crucial to talk to your kids about sex earlier than you think necessary. By fifth grade, they already know about it. I recommend a practical guide:

Sex is dangerous, but it's good.
There's tremendous power in sex, and kids aren't ready for that much power. But this doesn’t mean sex is bad. Only God could have created the pleasures of sex. From an evolutionary perspective, reproduction could be just a mechanical exchange of bodily fluids. But for humans (and maybe dolphins), sex isn’t just an urge. It’s a gift.

God created sex.
Sex is morally good. A sinless life is not a sexless life. Coming out of youth group, I thought sex was evil. It’s not. But God did put parameters on sex. I don’t expect non-Christians to follow these, but here are some Biblical parameters for sex:

1. One Marriage: The ideal is that divorce is never necessary. God wants your marriage to last forever. While we believe in forgiveness, God does hate divorce.
2. Two People: Be creative in the bedroom, but don’t bring others into it. Make a lifelong marriage commitment before having sex.
3. Make Babies: This largely explains why two different genders are necessary in a sexual relationship. If you can't have babies, you can still have sex, but we're talking about God's ideal.

Why did God create sex?

1. To Make Disciples: Sex literally makes disciples. The primary way Christianity grows is by having kids and teaching them to love God. Christians, we’re not doing enough of this. Throughout Scripture, God says:

   Genesis 9:1: "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth."

   On making babies, the Bible is not unbiased. Have lots of babies. Our culture discourages large families and calls them irresponsible, which is absurd. If you can't have babies, adopt.

   Psalm 127:4-5: "Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!"

2. To Strengthen Relationships: Sex builds intimacy between a husband and wife that goes beyond the bedroom. Humans are the only "animals" that have sex face-to-face because it helps build healthy relationships.
3. To Reflect God’s Image: When a man and a woman have sex, they become a new person. This is why the Church is called the bride of Christ. When a man and woman are united, they reflect God’s image.

   Genesis 2:24-25: "A man leaves his father