First Church Charlotte

Dec 29 2019 | Pastor Nathan Elms 1st Church CLT Prophets were known for wearing mantles as a sign of their calling from God (1 Kings 19:13). The prophet Samuel wore a mantle (1 Samuel 15:27). The prophet Elijah “threw his cloak around [Elisha]” as a symbol of Elijah’s ministry being passed on to Elisha. The prophet’s mantle was an indication of his authority and responsibility as God’s chosen spokesman (2 Kings 2:8). Elisha was not confused as to what Elijah was doing; the putting on of his mantle made his election clear. There is a spiritual depth to this story… 1) GILGAL: From a root which means “the beginning point of commitment” 2 Kings 2:1-7 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+2%3A1-7&version=NKJV We all must have a spiritual genesis…  2) BETHEL: In the Hebrew, it means “the house of God” This is where Jacob had his vision of the angelic ladder... Gen 28:10-15 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen+28%3A10-15&version=NKJV We all of us must become aware of the dwelling of G

Dec 22, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms Like Mary, we believe the great promises of God's Word. We believe that God is going to do great things… but through me? Luke’s gospel brings the conversation Mary has with Gabriel to a close. What seems like an impossible reality in Mary’s eyes is not impossible when God is working. After Mary understands what is to be done, and her role in this divine plan, she humbly identifies herself as a bondservant of the Lord. She commits her life to fulfill his plan exactly as the Lord has called her to fulfill. As Mary comes to this conclusion and obeys the command of God, Gabriel departs from her. Nine months from this moment Mary will give birth to her Messiah and Savior. How often do we sit around waiting for God to show up? As believers, we need to consider the times God did show up, but we either failed to see because it was not a dramatic revelation, or we failed to obey because it appeared to us as an impossibility. God’s will is not always discovered in the dramatic invi

Dec 18, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms Although salvation is a gift of God and we cannot earn it or do anything to overcome our fallen state, becoming whole is usually a journey or even a mountain to climb and overcome instead of a gift that we have no input with. All good and perfect gifts come from God, including the mountains that we must overcome to become whole and the difficulties which produce in us the character that glorifies the Lord with our testimonies.

Dec 11, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms A story will engage people. No one can tell your story the way that you can. Glory God and what He has done for you, and tell your story Go out of your way to identify with other people's story Go out of your way to share your story Go out of your way to reveal God’s story

Dec 8, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms We all know that God’s ways are above our ways... How man digs a ditch. Shovel to excavator… How God digs a ditch. Trickle to the Grand Canyon… It is 277 miles long, it’s widest point is 18 miles, while its narrowest point is 4 miles. Even though the Grand Canyon is 6,093 feet deep, the deepest canyon in the world is the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon in Tibet, which is 17,567 feet deep.  I want you to be deeply convinced that God is working in your life… God will use the good and the bad… God will use the pain and the joy…

Dec 4, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms Matthew could have not included some of the lineages of Jesus Christ, who wasn't complimentary to the Lord, but by including the "stains," in His lineage, showed the true heart of a Savior

Dec 1, 2019, | Bishop David Elms The Lord Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price so that we could have the best gift we could ever receive. The Gift of the Holy Spirit, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory. The power to overcome.

Nov 24, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms https://firstchurchclt.com/notes

Nov 20, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms 1st Church CLT Nov. 20, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms John 15:11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A11&version=NKJV The final testimony is the life we live. Not simply our religious strictness, nor theological stances, but our lives. The people who know you see more than you will admit. They know about how miserable we are. About how fearful we are. About how content we are. Seriously, they know. We can’t be miserable people and then say to the world, “Oh, by the way, Jesus loves you.” I did a google search and this is the searches most often asked: “Why are Christians so...” ...angry? ...hypocritical? ...judgmental? ...un-Christian? …negative? “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” ― Mahatma Gandhi How To Live a Miserable Life 1. Try to earn salvation 2. Neglect spiritual disciplines 4. Live selfishly 5. Go it alone. 6. Compare yourself to others. 7. Believe that happiness is a destination in yo

Nov. 17, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms Deuteronomy 5:12-15 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+5%3A12-15&version=NKJV Most of us live busy lives that often feel crazy. But our lives are the only thing we have much control over. So how are you doing? “Every time we turn to Christ in faith it is like a moment of Sabbath, a little foretaste of eternal rest and glory. The gift of that moment lies not in what we do but what we receive. It is the holy time set aside to receive the greatest gift of God ever has to give, which is himself, in his own beloved Son.”  ― Phillip Cary, Good News for Anxious Christians: Ten Practical Things You Don't Have to Do Our values are revealed every day. How? Your money and your time.  The way we use our time tells us where our real priorities lie.  Time is not given to each of us in limitless supply. We only have a certain amount of time in each day. Our spent time cannot be brought back, and we understand that.  This command, this passage in front of us, is

Nov. 13, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms Giving thanks is God's will for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5%3A18&version=NKJV) If we are only grateful during good times, our response hinges on God's gifts to us, and our gratitude becomes conditional and weak. The Israelites expressed this conditional gratitude to God many times throughout the Old Testament. They were thankful when the Lord delivered them, but they were often grumbling when things didn't go their way. If we're honest, it's easier to be thankful when things are great in our lives, not when they are hard. The danger comes when our warmth towards God becomes dependent on the tangible good things he provides us rather than the good God he has proven to be. James 1:2-4 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A2-4&version=NKJV) God desires that we desire Him, the Giver, and not the gifts alone. Psalm 107:15, ESV (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+107%3A15&version=

Nov. 10, 2019 | Evangelist Lance Stockman Joshua 3:11-17 • The first generation that was delivered in Israel instead of being a breakthrough as God wanted them to be, but instead had a breakdown due to their lack of faith in the promise of God. • God wants you to be a winner. • We need grit in our spirits to win. • There is something that we have to go through to receive our promise. We overcome with our faith in Jesus the Christ. There is no testimony without a test. • If God said you can have it, believe that you will have it. • We need enough faith and determination to see it happen. • We each have a Jordan to cross over in our lives. • True faith stands up to all of the obstacles. • It's time to move from I hope so, into I know so. • Only faith in the Word of God can bring you through anything that comes against you.

Nov 6, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms

Nov 3, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms We live in an era of intense political, social, and ethnic division… Hate begets hate… Shame begets shame… Anger begets anger… We have more in common than we do apart… “Drawing identity from any area other than the source of life is a spiritual death sentence, and worse, it's contagious, because it gives birth to tribalism. However, when we return to our central identity of image-bearers designed to receive love from and reflect love to others, we are naturally invited to shed all of the unloving, fear-based tribal behaviors that come from loyalty to the label.” ― Benjamin L. Corey, Unafraid: Moving Beyond Fear-Based Faith In the face of diversity, some find a reason for fear and insecurity and even hostility. Diversity has led to division: political, racial, gender, cultural and economic division. There has always been some of this, but now it seems to be more prevalent. Does God have anything to say about this? The church is what God has to say. The Church is c

Oct 27, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms -Most of us understand that God holds tomorrow. He sees what we do not. -All of us are intrigued by the idea of having God give us direction… whenever we have big decisions to make… whenever we face real fear about the unknown… -Faced with uncertainty, with fear, we ask for God to “give us a sign” -That isn’t really what I’m preaching about. Much of that is using God as a consultant. God offered something better than guidance; he promised to be their Guide. What is better than God's guidance? God's Presence "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest" (Ex. 33:14). -Rest is a testimony of trust. MY WAY OFTEN FEELS INSIGNIFICANT No matter what you do, someone will be better. When we compare ourselves one to another it becomes a trap. -The thrust of this text is that because of the accompanying presence of God, we are significant among others. -We aren't significant because we are weird, queer, or odd. We are significant because God's presence accompanies us

Oct 23, 2019, | Pastor Ed Hodge

Oct 20, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms At the heart of Christianity is giving-- "For God so loved the world, he gave . . ." (John 3:16). We are never more like God than when we give. Jesus said, "I did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life" (Matt. 20:28). The world's thought is to get all you can. But to be like Jesus, we must give. "The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come away with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest'" (Mark 6:30-31). This event took place as the disciples were returning from a short-term mission trip. Jesus had sent them out two-by-two to heal the sick, cast out demons, and proclaim the Good News of the kingdom. Apparently, it had been a successful and exhausting trip. In fact, it had been so successful that the people kept coming; they wanted more. Jesus knew how tired and hungry his disciples were

Oct 16, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733717102/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_YxDQDbQX7TK6M

Oct 13, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms Greece, the land of philosophies, said, "Be wise, know yourself." Rome, an empire of war, said, "Be strong, discipline yourself." Epicureanism says, "Be sensuous, enjoy yourself." Psychology says, "Be confident, assert yourself." Materialism says, "Be satisfied, please yourself." Pride says, "Be superior, promote yourself." Humanism says, "Be capable, believe in yourself." But Christianity says, "Be a steward, give of yourself." At the heart of Christianity is giving-- "For God so loved the world, he gave . . ." (John 3:16). We are never more like God than when we give. Jesus said, "I did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life" (Matt. 20:28). The world's thought is get all you can. But to be like Jesus, we must give.

Oct 9, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms 1st Church CLT