New Life Family Fellowship

The Study of Deuteronomy #6 - ”It’s Your Turn - Do Something!”

In our sixth sermon in Deuteronomy, Pastor Anthony shares with us on the difference between the crossing of the Red Sea and the crossing of the Jordan. At the Red Sea, God did everything and the people just watched Him and crossed over on dry ground. At the Jordan, the waters didn't part until the feet of the priests touched it. At the Red Sea, they were escaping an enemy and going from life in bondage to a life in the wilderness where God would provide all of their needs Himself. At the Jordan, the Israelites are crossing over into their "Promised Land" where they will have to fight and forage for themselves. God would be with them and bless them, but they would have to pick up swords and plows and "fend" for themselves. They had to be active in taking the land. We, also, have been called by God to be active in our faith. God is with us, but we have to DO something.

11.12.23

Pastor Anthony

The Study of Deuteronomy #5 - The Greatest Commandment

In the fifth sermon on Deuteronomy, Pastor Anthony starts in the book of Matthew where Jesus is posed the question, "What is the greatest commandment?" In His answer, Jesus goes all the way back to Deuteronomy 6:4-5, a passage that the Pharisees are keenly aware of. Why did Jesus do this? Because knowing something and doing it are two completely different things. Jesus is calling each one of us to not just be "hearers" of the Word, but be "doers" of it. We should all be obedient to His Word, not just be reading, studying and memorizing it. God's Word is meant to change us to be more like Him.

11.05.23

Pastor Anthony 

The Study of Deuteronomy #4 - Teach the Next Generation

In the fourth sermon in the book of Deuteronomy, Pastor Anthony shares with us about "Stones of Remembrance." In it, the children of Israel are passing through the Jordan River in order to cross into the Promised Land. When they reach the other side in Joshua chapter 4, Joshua commands the people to send 12 men back into the middle of the river to gather up 12 stones. The purpose of them was to set up a memorial on the other side of the river. In verse 6-7, Joshua explains the purpose: "that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What mean ye by these stones?' Then ye shall answer them, that the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever." The children of Israel were supposed to pass on the knowledge of God's faithfulness, power and love to His people from generation to generation. And so are we...

10.29.23

Pastor Anthony

The Study of Deuteronomy #3 - Issues of the Heart

In the third sermon of our series on Deuteronomy, Mel brings a sermon based out of Deuteronomy 4:4-8, in which Moses is reminding God's chosen people why they have been chosen, and what God has chosen them to do. They were about to go into a land full of idolatry and all things anti-God. God wanted them to stand out and be an example to the nations around them. An example of God's wisdom and His presence. God wants that for all of His people (i.e. US). We are to be that "light set on a hill." We are to "let our light shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven." The question is, do we truly look different than the world? These changes must emanate from the heart. Our heart must be changed. But the good news is, God has given us everything we need in order to make that happen.

 

10.22.23

Mel Vivas 

The Study of Deuteronomy #1 - ”Don’t Forget”

In the first sermon of our series on the book of Deuteronomy, Pastor Anthony reminds us all of the importance of remembering. As the Church, and as individual believers, we must all remember what the Lord has done in our lives. We must remember his faithfulness and all the things He has taught us. We must also remember to teach them to our children and our grandchildren. In Deuteronomy, Moses is reminding the Israelites before he dies of all that the Lord has done for them, and how they must remain true to the statutes and commandments of the Lord in order for them to be able to successfully take the Land of Canaan. They must also never forget to teach these same things to all succeeding generations. Only by doing that, can the Israelites (and us as His body) be truly successful and accomplish the plans and purposes that He has for us in this world.

 

10.08.23

Pastor Anthony

What is the Purpose of the Church?

In the final sermon on the subject of Christian Community-Pastoral Care, Pastor Anthony goes back to the genesis of purpose. What is the purpose of New Life? What is the purpose of the Church? What is your purpose? How does your purpose fit into the local body of believers? According to Acts 2:42, the Church became known for 4 things: the Apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Are we making those priorities in our lives and in our church body? - It's a lot of questions and no answers today, folks! Answers that only come with spending time with God. We need to be doing that.

 

10.01.23

Pastor Anthony

Christian Community - Pastoral Care

In part 2 of our "Christian Community" series, Pastor Anthony shares from Paul's first letter to the young pastor, Timothy. In this letter, Paul gives encouragement, guidance, wisdom, and warning to his "son in the faith." More than anything else, Paul urges Timothy to stand strong in the faith and doctrine in which he was first established. At this point, only 30 years since Christ's resurrection, there were already other "doctrines" entering the scene and drawing many away from the faith. There were those that were complete falsehoods based on works and other things. But, the most dangerous of all were the ones that didn't come up with a different "truth," but just twisted the actual "truth" of the gospel a little bit. What Paul says to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:20, he says to us all - "...Guard what was committed to your trust."

 

September 17, 2023

Pastor Anthony

SHARING in the Ministry

Martin Luther, the great reformer, said, "There are 3 conversions necessary for the Christian; conversion of the heart, mind, and purse." The Bible talks a lot about finances and what God expects us to do with the blessings that He bestows upon us. As we end our study of Philippians this week, Paul is commending the Philippian church for their generosity towards him. In their giving, they are partners with him in the ministry, and therefore, they also share in the results of God's work through Paul.

 

09.03.23

Pastor Anthony

Family and Marriage series//Real vs. Ideal

Anthony taught from scripture about the reality of old testament families and our current family issues, comparing them with the IDEAL standard that Jesus set for marriage and parenting. Anthony challenges us to compare our reality with the ideal and to be living examples of Christ to our families, being and living from a place that is FULL of grace AND truth. 

What are the rocks in your life?

Anthony challenges us to PRAYERFULLY determine what the important 'rocks' are in our lives, the things that should always come first in our hearts and our calendars. He teaches from scripture to use and manage our time wisely for us, for others, and for the glory of God.