In this fourth week of the "Skeptic" series, Pastor Nathan Gagne reads from John 6 revealing that some of those following Jesus were doing it for what they could gain & not that they necessarily believed in him. After the miracle of the loaves & fish, Jesus found He had a large following, He made it clearly apparent to them what it meant to truly follow Him & many left. Peter, one of the 12 disciples spoke for them saying, 'to whom would we go? Only You bring the words of eternal life'. Although wrestling with skepticism is something most will encounter throughout their lifetime, as Peter states, there is no other way to eternal life but through Jesus.
Skeptic: Week 3
In the third week of the "Skeptic" series, Pastor Nathan Gagne reads from the book of James underscoring how even Jesus' closest family members were skeptical of His teachings throughout much of His time on earth. Eventually, Jesus' brothers began to believe in Him, however, Jesus had love them even when they didn't believe in Him & to help them walk through a season of skepticism. In Pastor Nate's own experience, a close aunt came to Easter service & received Christ one year to remain skeptical & investigative throughout the remainder of her life. Skepticism is not something to be hushed up but to be explored; keep asking questions & keep an open mind to the testimonies of others.
Skeptic:Week 2
In the second week of the "Skeptic" series, Pastor Andrew Zemianek shares of his time as an atheist in his early teen years & how the love of his mother & the persistence of her faith in spite of their differing world views eventually brought him back to a life of faith. He expounds on the human longing to understand how & why we were created. Conventional science seeks an exclusionary definition in regard to faith whereas, in Pastor Andrew's perspective, he has been able to find an inclusive definition.
Skeptic: Week 1
In the first week of the "Skeptic" series, Alycia Wood of Ravi Zacaharias International Ministries, relates Christianity to other religions; specifically exemplifying the forgiving, just, personal, self-sacrificing nature of God as Christians believe Him to be. Whereas other religions believe in many different gods or less personal relationships with God, Christians believe in a God who cared enough to come to earth to die on a cross to avert their punishment. Alycia intertwines pieces of her personal experience with scholarly writings and examinations of what she calls 'the human condition'.
Keep Moving Forward Toward Legacy
Pastor Nathan Gagne revisits some of Restoration Church's core values, keep moving forward & legacy, in this stand alone message as the new Plymouth location is officially incorporated. As he celebrates 6 years as Lead Pastor, he speaks of the floor set for this generation at the ceiling of the last. It is our prerogative to keep moving forward toward leaving a legacy for the next generation to build on as well. The incorporation of a new location & talk of launching a 3rd are the foundation of that mission, encompassing the vision of Restoration Church; just one more.
Does God Damn? Week 4
Following a few words from Mike Chase, missionary to Taiwan, and a big announcement concerning the future of Restoration Church, Pastor Nathan Gagne wraps up the "Does God Damn?" series. In the 4th & final chapter of the book of Jonah, God causes a shade plant to grow above Jonah's camp on the outskirts of Ninevah just to cause it to wither. God then uses Jonah's own disgruntlement over the withering of the plant (the dissolving of his comfort) as an illustration for his selfishness in being unwilling to take up God's call to reach the 120,000 people of Ninevah who are destined for hell without intervention. Although we aren't all called to be missionaries or prophets, at some point we will all have to leave our comfort zone to accomplish God's will. Are you willing?
Does God Damn? Week 3
In this third installment of the series, "Does God Damn?" in which we are exploring the life of Jonah & the path he initially takes away from God's will, Pastor Nathan Gagne walks us through how Jonah eventually ended up at rock bottom in the belly of a fish after being thrown of a boat. At any point, Jonah could have repented (Turned back to God) & the storm would have calmed meaning he never would have had to endure three days in the fish's belly. But, as Pastor Nate stated last week, "Running from God never brings you anywhere you want to go" which was followed up by this statement this week, "pride keeps us in places outside of God's will". Jonah was too proud to bring the Good News to the sinning people of Ninevah; are you too proud to follow God where He's leading you?
Does God Damn? Week 2
In the second week of the, "Does God Damn?" series, Pastor Nathan Gagne reads from the book of Jonah; focusing on the reason why Jonah ran from God's call on his life. Jonah ran not because he was afraid to speak publicly about God, but because he believed the Ninevites were too corrupt to be saved. One's willingness to share God's redemptive power should not hinge upon their opinions of others but on their knowledge of what God rescued them from. "If you think that God could only rescue you & nobody else, then you think too highly of yourself & too little of the cross."
Does God Damn? Week 1
Anthems: Week 5
In the final installment of the Anthems series, Pastor Nathan Gagne reviews King David's praises to God in the Psalms and contrasts them against Post Malone's praise of himself in the contemporary song, "Congratulations". The message of the contemporary song being that once one has "made it", they should revel in the congratulations of those who did not believe in them from the beginning. However, in the Psalms, David encourages that God be praised in all seasons of life, as He is the One who brings us through all the challenges in life and sets us up for success.
Anthems: Week 3
"If we are in the midst of upheaval, we are in the moment of opportunity." - Pastor Andrew Zemianek. In this 3rd installment of the Anthems series, Pastor Andrew relates Ed Sheeran's song 'Castle on the Hill" to Psalm 27 in which David reminds us that in every dark situation, there is light. Pastor Andrew goes on to share a personal situation in which he thought he would lose his grandmother & his girlfriend in the same weekend. However, the dark situation of his grandmother's hospitalization actually worked to bring him closer to his then girlfriend, now wife. When we choose to see our light, Jesus, in the dark situations as Ed Sheeran chose to remember the castle on the hill, a positive memory from his childhood as opposed to the negatives, we are much more likely to receive the blessings God has for us.
Anthems: Week 2
Continuing the Anthems series in which chart-topping songs are compared to the Psalms, Deacon Mike Younus compares the song, "Believer" by Imagine Dragons with the passage in Psalm 69 which speaks of King David's request for encouragement within his pain. The lead singer of Imagine Dragons sings about his struggles with both emotional & physical pain but how through it, he has become who he is. Similarly, King David states in the Psalm that God admires those who can be thankful even in times of pain & trial. Pain is unavoidable within our lives, however, how you react to it will determine the road it leads you down.
Anthems: Week 1
Pastor Nathan Gagne compares begins the "Anthems" series in which he will compare current chart toppers to Psalms with the song "It Ain't Me" by Selena Gomez & Kygo. The song talks about break ups & how the one person in the relationship will no longer be around for their ex-partner to depend on. Pastor Nate reads from Psalm 23's famous lines, "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me." Pastor Nate reiterates that God will never leave or forsake us like others, even those who are committed to us in some of the strongest bonds humans can make, sometimes do.
Shamrock Sunday
UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock shares his story pre-wrestling & UFC fame. Ken reiterates that although you can come from a difficult background, one in which you've never looked for God, He can find you wherever you are.
Father's Day
Pastor Chris Pike talks about his experience as a dad; relating the three most important factors in a dad to the three parts of God. A good dad is a good father like God the Father, a good husband like Jesus is to the church, and a good provider like the Holy Spirit Who grants us blessings and provides for our needs.
From a Friendly Church to a Church of Friendships
Pastor Nathan Gagne reads from John 4 in which Jesus commands us to love one another. In this stand alone message, he stresses the importance of not merely being a "friendly" church, but of being a church full of friends who love each other. The trick is not simply to be friends, but to always be accepting of more friendship possibilities. As the mighty Redwoods stay aloft due to their interlocking root systems, so should church-goers intertwine to help hold each other up in the faith and in life in general.
I Am: Week 7
In the final installment of the I Am series, Pastor Nathan Gagne revisits John 11 in which Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Jesus proves His power is greater than the religious customs or cultural superstitions of the time by choosing to return long after Lazarus had died; knowing that no one would believe He could perform a miracle so great. Pastor Nate reiterates the importance of persistence in prayer as Jesus' delay is not His decision. He may be attempting to grow your faith in the prayers which seemingly go unanswered just as He was for Lazarus' sisters Mary and Martha in delaying His arrival at their brother's sickbed.
I Am: Week 6
Pastor Nathan Gagne examines the statement Jesus made right before His betrayal & subsequent death, that He is the true vine; meaning that any pruning of areas in our lives will be worth it to bear the fruit of His spirit.
I Am: Week 5
Jesus describes Himself as the way, the truth & the life, reiterating that no one comes to the Father but through Him. In this installment of the "I Am" series, pastor Nathan Gagne illustrates this point by describing the fact that Jesus isn't simply a way to God, a piece of truth or a way of life but that He is the embodiment of all.
I Am: Week 4
Pastor Nathan Gagne reiterates the words of Jesus, in regard to Himself, "I Am the Good Shepherd". The good shepherd knows His flock, cares for His flock during attacks from predators & cares for them when they are sick or injured. Jesus compares the contemporary religious leaders to hired hands who would flee at the first sign of danger as they are only tending the sheep for a pay check & do not truly care about them.