Illuminate Community Church

"The Love God Hates" 1 John 2:12-17

Pastor Jason Fritz speaks on the power focusing on God over your circumstances and not loving the world.

"Knowing That We Know God" - 1 John 2:3-11

Continuing from last week's study in the book of 1st John, we look into the difference between knowing about God... and knowing God. The differences might seem trivial, but when played out in the course of a believer's life, the act of actually knowing God through fellowship and obedience to Him, we can see that the difference is actually very stark. This difference is actually the heart of Christianity, and gives us insight into what God actually requires and desires of us, as opposed to what religion requires. Listen as Pastor Jason Fritz discusses in this series

"Complete Joy" 1 John 1:1-4

The Apostle John combating false doctrine spread by the Gnostics wrote the Gospel of John. As bad theology was splitting the church John writes 1John to remind us the importance of showing Christ's love to each other. Jason Fritz breaks down the first 4 verses of the book.

"Walking in the Light" 1 John 1:5-7

"Communing with God" Fellowship with others is critical to live the life God has planned for us. Pastor Jason Fritz explains the history of why John wrote this passage and how it applies to our life today. 1 John 1:5-7 "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

"Lose Your Religion" - Matthew 7:13-29

This week we wrap up the Sermon on the Mount. In a form true to His nature, Jesus continues to call out the religious elite for their role in leading people away from the true Godhead. Jesus is the Way, and the only way.

Judge Not - Matthew 7:1-6

It is often quoted "Judge not, that you be not judged." What did Jesus mean when he said that? Pastor Jason Fritz explains the difference between condemning and observing, the importance of living a holy life in this regard, and the importance of living in community. Matthew 7:1-6 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. 6 "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

"How to Fast and Pray" - Matthew 6:5-18

Prayer and fasting is one of the most essential Christian disciplines. Through it, one comes to grips with the magnitude and omnipotence of the Lord we serve. Those who pray find doors that are opened in their lives, ones that are inexplainable in any other sense and can only be credited as a God-ordained event. But how are we supposed to pray? Well, in a sense... the same way Jesus prayed. Fortunately for us, Jesus gives us a step by step guideline on how one should both pray and fast, and be effective in doing so. This keeps a direct line open with God. This line is, in fact, our lifeline as Christians. Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz shares the richness of this passage on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

"You Can't Take It With You, But You Can Send It Ahead" - Matthew 6:1-4; 19-24

As we continue in this passage on the greatest sermon ever preached - the Sermon on the Mount - we find Jesus talking about generosity and about how we view our treasures. How does God want us to give, in what manner, and how does He want us to view our possessions on earth? Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz draws a clearer picture on this topic

Going the Extra Mile - Matthew 5:38-48

This week, we continue into Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, as He talks about the power of loving others in action above and beyond what anyone else would do. By loving those who hurt you you are showing God's love to them. Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz elaborates on these verses.

"The Power of Words" - Matthew 5:33-37

This week, we continue into Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, as He talks about the power of our words. The book of Proverbs has a number of things to say about the benefits and blessings that our words are capable of giving, as well as the destruction it can leave in its path. Jesus warns us that everybody will be held accountable for every careless and idle word we speak. But aside from merely speaking the truth, which in itself takes courage, Jesus also calls us to speak truth to each other... in love. Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz elaborates on these verses.