Jesus not only recognized the potential in the Galilean fisherman called Simon, He also extended to him an invitation that when accepted opened the door to a highly significant experience of life.
Jesus not only recognized the potential in the Galilean fisherman called Simon, He also extended to him an invitation that when accepted opened the door to a highly significant experience of life.
Scripture: Mark 3:7-3:19
Having outlined God's revelation concerning the church and after praying that the Ephesians would grasp its significance, Paul exhorted them to implement a lifestyle characterized by the unity to which they had been called. This is our calling, too!
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-4:16
God's people are called to live in a way that is worthy of their calling. Therefore, they must be sure of their calling and committed to behavior that is appropriate. Paul gets specific? The extent to which this is done determines the church's credibility or lack thereof.
Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-4:32
Regular check-ups are a great idea. Most people agree in principle but don’t always get around to having them. Jesus made sure that Peter had regular reality checks.
Scripture: Matthew 14:13-14:36, John 6:25-6:29
As we progress in our spiritual pilgrimage, we discover things about ourselves and aspects of discipleship that are as disconcerting as they are challenging. But rightly responded to, these discoveries lead to the healthy growth of our souls.
Scripture: Mark 8:27-8:38
There is a direct connection between the things people believe and the way they behave. Patterns of behavior are now known as "lifestyles." Christians have very specific beliefs which have a direct bearing on their behavior. The result is a Christian lifestyle.
Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-5:21
Very often, you will find that when there are problems in marriages, people go for counsel, go to seminars, and read books to get practical advice on handling money, communicating better, dealing with sexual problems, improving their parenting… But rarely are they told that the fundamental problem is a spiritual one. For if you've got two people living in the fullness of the Spirit, submitted to the Lord, and submitting to each other, you'll have a fertile piece of property in which a flourishing marriage can be expected.
Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-5:33
Peter, James, and John had a mountaintop experience when they were “eyewitnesses” of Christ’s transfiguration. It affected them deeply, but they still had to meet trouble in the valley. We all have our mountaintops and valleys.
Scripture: Matthew 17:1-17:23
Knowing Peter as He did, Jesus predicted that under pressure he would disown the Lord. Peter insisted he knew better, but when the heat was on he failed miserably. But Peter was forgiven and restored. His failure was not final.
Scripture: John 21:1-21:25
A major part of life is spent in the family and at work. Relationships in these environments are critically important. Societal change has taken place since Ephesians was written but the spiritual principles for societal living outlined are still relevant.
Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-6:9
The angel announcing the birth of Christ explained that he would be known both as “Immanuel – God with us” and also “Jesus—because he will save his people from their sins.” Enjoying Christmas involves grasping what this means and understanding God’s plan for salvation.
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-1:25
Jesus spent the final days of his earthly ministry with Peter and the other apostles instructing them concerning the task of world evangelization and the necessary empowering of the Holy Spirit.
Scripture: Acts 1:1-1:11
Moses asked if he could see God’s glory, but he was told nobody can see God and survive. But God wants to be known, and He came “veiled in flesh” so that we could come to know Him and not be burned up by the experience.
Scripture: John 1:1-1:18
Christians who seek to live lives worthy of their high calling are aware that they are involved in a struggle. They need to be clear about the unique nature of the struggle and the way in which God plans for them to stand firm against the enemy and to win the victory.
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-6:24
Paul’s instructions to the Ephesians “do not get drunk” and to “be filled with the Spirit” are not unrelated. Their juxtaposition is designed to explain the latter in the light of the former. This is important because there is no shortage of confusion on the subject.
Scripture: Ephesians 5:18
In a world of screens and social media, nearness is increasingly uncommon. Yes, we’re more connected than ever before, but comments and video calls haven’t helped our loneliness—doing little to bring us comfort.
So where do we turn when the whole world feels distant?
In this message, Stuart Briscoe draws your attention to God’s precious promises in Psalm 23. As your strong and steady Shepherd, God is intimately present in your life. He is near—always leading to you to pastures of comfort and peace.
Scripture: Psalm 23:1-23:6
When Peter was “clothed with power from on high” he was given the ability to be a witness to Jesus Christ. We can learn from what he said and what happened and apply the lessons to ourselves. For we too, are His witnesses.
Scripture: Acts 2:22-2:41
Just before His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples that they would soon “realize that I am in the Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” (John 14:20). As modern disciples, we must embrace the mystery of the mutual indwelling of which He spoke.
Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-3:21
In the first century, many believers were slaves or slave owners. How they conducted themselves in these capacities was vitally important. Our situation is different, but our work habits and relationships are no less significant; half of our waking hours are spent there!
Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-6:9
After Pentecost Peter might have assumed that he had “arrived” spiritually. But he discovered that the growth of a soul is not complete this side of eternity. Like Peter, we too need to embrace the opportunities for growth that life affords.
Scripture: Acts 10:1-10:48
President Johnson speaking at Howard University in 1965 said: "The family is a cornerstones of our society. More than any other force, it shapes the attitudes, the hopes, the ambitions, and the values of the child. When the family collapses it is the children that are usually damaged. When it happens on a massive scale the community itself is crippled."
Scripture: Proverbs 22:6
The United States Supreme Court handed down the opinion that "Marriage is an institution in whose maintenance and purity the public is deeply interested for it is the foundation of the family and society without which there would be neither civilization nor progress." But times are changing!
Scripture: Proverbs 2
Cicero, the great Roman statesman, said that crucifixion was “a most cruel and disgusting punishment” and that “there is no fitting word that can possibly describe so horrible a deed.” Yet the cross became, and is still, the focus of the Christian message.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-1:18
John Stott says that at Christ’s cross (many) have found their pride broken, their guilt expunged, their love kindled, their hope restored and their character transformed. But many others find the cross offensive. What exactly is the “offense of the cross”?
Scripture: Galatians 5:11, Galatians 6:12
The Lord Jesus asked His disciples to remember Him. He gave them bread and wine—reminders of a broken body and shed blood. This was how He wanted to be remembered.
Scripture: Luke 22:7-22:23
Paul talked about “boasting” or “glorying” in the cross, in marked contrast to those who were undermining both his reputation and his ministry. His apparently extreme statement requires careful examination, for he calls it a rule that all God’s people are to follow.
Scripture: Galatians 6:11-6:18
It is generally agreed that the Western world is in need of spiritual revival. Historically, cultures have been revived when the church has been renewed. But the church is renewed one believer at a time. So let us pursue personal renewal beginning with a renewed focus.
Scripture: Colossians 3:1-3:4
The orientation of much modern spirituality is inward. That of Christian spirituality is upward and outward. Not that the inward is neglected but it requires a focus on "things above" to motivate and empower us to discipline what we find within ourselves.
Scripture: Colossians 3:5-3:8
The cross of Christ is more often seen as a tragedy than a triumph. But Scripture points out that through Christ’s death and resurrection, God won a victory for humankind that they can and should enjoy for all time and eternity.
Scripture: Colossians 2:6-2:15
When Jesus said He was going to die on a cross, the disciples were totally perplexed. But then He told them that they must bear their cross as well. This lesson on discipleship was hard for them to grasp and disciples to this day still wonder what He meant.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-4:18
Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, wrote, "Oh that God the gift would give us, to see ourselves as others see us." This can be helpful—and devastating! But what really matters is that we see ourselves from the divine perspective. This view yields a true self image!
Scripture: Colossians 3:9-3:11
The story of Joseph starts with his betrayal at the tender age of seventeen. His handling of this traumatic situation speaks volumes of the qualities already rooted in his young life.
Scripture: Genesis 37
The Apostle Paul said, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Joseph apparently could have uttered similar sentiments because, despite being sold as a slave, we are told, "The Lord was with (him) and gave him success in whatever he did."
Scripture: Genesis 39
Relationships need nurturing, and that takes time and effort. It’s the same with God. You may have been introduced to Him, and even initiated a relationship with Him, but how well do you really know Him?
Scripture: Isaiah 1
Embarking on His public life after thirty years in obscurity, Jesus immediately encountered "the devil" in the desert. What He did in the situation is relevant and instructive.
Scripture: Luke 4:1-4:12
By the time he was in his 20s, Joseph had suffered enough discouragement to last a lifetime. He was mistreated by his brothers, unjustly condemned by his employer, and forgotten by his friend.
But he didn’t abandon his principles or his faith in God. How he coped is enlightening for all who are discouraged.
Scripture: Genesis 40
Luke, the physician, records "the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and… he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people." Any study of what Jesus did must explore his healing and exorcism ministry and its relevance today.
Scripture: Luke 4:14-4:44
Jesus talked a lot about the kingdom of God, and he told stories about it to help us understand its importance. In this message, Jill Briscoe takes us to the parables to explore what Jesus meant when He said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.”
Scripture: Matthew 13:44
We belong to God because He created us. He loves us, and it pains Him when we when we go after other lovers. He longs for us to turn from our worldly ways and run into His arms.
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." Isaiah 43:1
Scripture: Isaiah 5
At the age of 30, after thirteen roller coaster years, Joseph was given great responsibility. Surprisingly, it was his spiritual qualities that led to his promotion in the secular world. Now he had to walk the tightrope of a spiritual man in a secular world.
Scripture: Genesis 41
In the two parables that Jill Briscoe teaches about in this message, Jesus has a specific point… our relationship with God is so valuable and so important that it should be worth more than anything else we possess.
Scripture: Matthew 13:45-13:46
Imagine opening a door to heaven and seeing God on His glorious throne. That’s something the prophet Isaiah was blessed to see, and it changed his understanding of God forever!
In this message, Jill Briscoe highlights God’s life-changing character as revealed in Isaiah’s heavenly vision—encouraging you to answer His call in faith and worship.
Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-6:11
The days in which Joseph lived were so full of challenge that there was a great need for someone to stand up, accept responsiblility, and give direction to troubled people. We live in similar days and God's people are called to live responsibly in them.
Scripture: Genesis 42
In the epistle he wrote shortly before his death, the Apostle Peter strongly emphasized the important things in life they must not forget. We need to remember not to forget them, too.
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-1:11
Having clearly established his identity, demonstrated his authority, and articulated the purposes of his ministry, Jesus began calling people to join him. This he continues to do to this day. We need to understand what constitutes a call and what it means to be a disciple.
Scripture: Luke 5:1-5:11
Jill digs into the parable of two houses being built—one on sand and the other on the rock. What does Jesus’ simple story with a heavenly meaning have to teach us about obeying God’s Word? Find out in this powerful message.
Scripture: Matthew 7:24-7:27
Death and dying are inescapable aspects of the human experience. Jesus confronted them in others and experienced them himself. What he did is instructive to us.
Scripture: Luke 7:11-7:17
In many of the remaining monarchies, the kings and queens are much beloved by their people, but they have very little real power. Sadly, many believers relate to Jesus the same way. They proclaim Jesus to be King of Kings and the Lord of their lives, but they make all the decisions! When we let Christ truly reign, amazing things happen.
Scripture: Isaiah 32
Life had taken some remarkable twists and turns for Joseph and his family, making considerable adjustments necessary. How they handled change is instructive, for we must handle change well if we are to live productively in a continually changing world.
Scripture: Genesis 43
The prodigal son is a well-known story that perfectly illustrates God’s grace and forgiveness. Walk through this familiar parable with Jill as she takes a closer look at how it illustrates receiving forgiveness and extending it to others.
Scripture: Luke 15:11-15:31
In their 5-message series, Powerful and Effective Prayer, Stuart and Jill Briscoe help you discover the power of a life rooted in prayer—and how it can become the place you turn to in every situation.
When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to react first and pray later. But this encouraging series shows you how prayer can bring clarity, peace, and steady confidence in God, no matter what you’re facing!
This special resource, available as a digital download or on USB, is our thanks for your gift to help more people experience the truth of God’s Word.
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