Episodes
Monday Feb 12, 2024
2/11/24 - The Call To Commitment - Romans 12:1-2 - Pastor Jason Fritz
Monday Feb 12, 2024
Monday Feb 12, 2024
Monday Feb 05, 2024
2/4/24 - Israel Then, Now, and Future - Romans 11 - Pastor Jason Fritz
Monday Feb 05, 2024
Monday Feb 05, 2024
Monday Jan 29, 2024
1/28/24 - Human Responsibility - Romans 10 - Pastor Jason Fritz
Monday Jan 29, 2024
Monday Jan 29, 2024
There is a recurring argument that Paul confronts in the book of Romans and it goes like this…If the nation of Israel, with all of its tremendous spiritual privileges has not followed God’s plan of redemption through Jesus but still clings to a works oriented view of salvation - does that mean God has failed? Afterall, God chose Israel to be his people and yet they have turned their backs on his offer of salvation through Christ. This might lead some to think God did not accomplish what he set out to do and therefore God has failed.
Paul’s answer is that throughout Israel's history God has been supernaturally directing events. He operates according to his sovereign choosing. For example, even though Ishmael was born first, God chose Isaac to carry on his promises. Later, God would select Jacob over Esau. Paul says God raised up Pharoah to show his power. These are just a few events in history that reveal the foundation for God’s sovereign election.
Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out Paul ends the chapter saying everyone is personally responsible for responding to God in faith.
Notice carefully how Pauyl says, “...they did not pursue it by faith." He presents the other side of the coin. Everyone is accountable for accepting or rejecting Jesus. The fact is, the Bible teaches God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. It doesn't show us exactly how these two things blend together. It does not resolve the paradox. I used to struggle with this. My tiny analytical mind was troubled. Until I realized my inability to understand all that God does is a good thing. This is something a supernatural being would create and that actually gives me peace. If everything God does makes sense to me then there would be no transcendence. Nothing here contradicts reason, but it does go beyond it. God is bigger than we can conceive!
Monday Jan 22, 2024
1/21/24 - Q+A with Peter Williams - Pastor Jason Fritz
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Monday Jan 22, 2024
In this very special service, Dr. Peter Williams from The University of Cambridge joins us to speak about the trustworthiness of the Gospels. Dr. Williams is an Affiliated Lecturer in the Faculty of Divinity in the University of Cambridge, Chair of the International Greek New Testament Project and a member of the Translation Oversight Committee of the English Standard Version of the Bible. He assisted Dr. Dirk Jongkind in Tyndale House’s production of a major edition of the Greek New Testament and his book "Can We Trust the Gospels?" has been translated into 13 languages. His latest book, "The Surprising Genius of Jesus: What the Gospels Reveal about the Greatest Teacher", was published in October 2023.
Monday Jan 15, 2024
1/14/24 - Happy Birthday Illuminate! - Pastor Jason Fritz
Monday Jan 15, 2024
Monday Jan 15, 2024
Happy 8th Birthday Illuminate!
Wow, how time goes by! What began as a dream eight years ago has become a movement of God’s people who call Illuminate their home. We couldn’t have imagined all that God would do, but we are not surprised because we believe God is big and he wants to do much more than we could ask or think...
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
So as we talk about past victories, celebrate changed lives and brag on God’s faithfulness, we also look forward to the next chapters believing the best is yet to come! I’ll be sharing the vision for 2024 and where we believe God is guiding us into the future. There are some unique opportunities on the horizon for us as well.
I am so grateful for your participation in the Gospel. The best part for me is that we get to do this together and experience more, “Only God” stories!
Monday Jan 08, 2024
1/7/24 - God Is Working His Plan - Romans 9 - Pastor Jason Fritz
Monday Jan 08, 2024
Monday Jan 08, 2024
In this message, we will be reading from Romans chapter nine. It’s a stark contrast to the end of chapter eight where Paul ends on a high note. He gives a mountain top experience but when you arrive at the summit and look ahead you see storm clouds approaching. After turning the page, you find distress in what Paul writes next. Consider the change in tone... For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 This is the crescendo moment as Paul speaks of the overwhelming love of God. However, it is quickly followed by anguish in chapter 9 verses 1-2… I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. What happened? Well, Paul’s mind turns toward those who have not accepted God’s love in Christ. Specifically, his Jewish brothers and sisters. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. Romans 9:3-5 These are intense emotions spoken out of love for those who have had every advantage and yet, they have rejected the good things God has blessed them with. Paul goes so far as to say that he is willing to give up his seat on the bus to heaven so that his kinsman can take it. Many of us have gathered with friends and family for the holidays. Some of them don’t yet know Jesus and while we laugh and enjoy each other’s company, we have a deep sadness and underlying pain because they are far from God. Luther said it well, “Love is not only pure joy, and delight, but also great and deep heaviness of heart and sorrow.” Like Paul, our hearts break for those who are lost. One more thing to note about Romans chapter nine. It contains one of the more challenging and hard to follow issues in the entire Bible. Paul speaks of God’s sovereign and unconditional election. I hope to show this gives the believer great peace in knowing God has a plan and has been working that plan from eternity past. When God works, nothing will stop Him!
Sunday Dec 31, 2023
12/31/23 - God Is For Us - Romans 8:28-39 - Pastor Jason Fritz
Sunday Dec 31, 2023
Sunday Dec 31, 2023
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Sunday Dec 31, 2023
12/24/23 - Christmas Eve at Illuminate - Luke 1-2 - Pastor Jason Fritz
Sunday Dec 31, 2023
Sunday Dec 31, 2023
Monday Dec 18, 2023
12/17/23 - Advent: Peace - Luke 2:14 - Pastor Jason Fritz
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Monday Dec 18, 2023
As Jesus prepares to leave his disciples, he says this, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27
Monday Dec 11, 2023
12/10/23 - Advent: Joy - Luke 2:1-14 - Pastor Jason Fritz
Monday Dec 11, 2023
Monday Dec 11, 2023
Christian joy is not dependent upon circumstances, it is dependent upon a person.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:8-14
God comes to those who are attentive no matter what society thinks of them.
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. 1 Corinthians 15:41
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Luke 2:1-2
And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. Luke 2:3-5
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2
And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5
Christians have the ability to look beyond the suffering and look to a sovereign God who uses suffering to refine our character because He loves us.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:9-11
Jesus says if you want joy that transcends your circumstances then do two things: obey His word and remain in His love.