Willow Creek Weekend Podcast

 Overindulging an insatiable appetite. Binging. Gluttony is often a food issue but it isn’t limited to food. Binging entertainment. Binging in spending. Overindulging appetites of all kinds that never seem to be satisfied is a way that we try to fill the voids and cope with pain. But Jesus offers us true and lasting satisfaction and sets us free to receive good things like food and entertainment without looking to them for our ultimate satiation.

Lust is when we satisfy our own desires, rather than loving how God loves. God wants us to move from lust to love and fully embrace His plan for purity. There’s evil in this world, but more often than not, what’s most dangerous are the monsters within. These monsters lead us to become the darkest versions of ourselves, and too many times we feel isolated to fight these battles on our own. But we’re not alone. Even though evil tries to rob us, Jesus has already overcome it. Instead of falling victim to sloth, lust, gluttony, wrath, envy, pride, and greed, let’s call on the name of Jesus and clothe ourselves with diligence, purity, self-control, reconciliation, fulfillment, humility, and generosity. When we allow Jesus in, the monsters have nowhere to hide.

We often think of sloth as being lazy. But the reality is that sloth may actually look very very busy doing lots of the wrong things. Sloth is settling for what is easy instead of fighting for what is good. Sloth takes a look at what God may be asking me to do and then chooses not to step into it because it looks too hard or the cost appears too high. But faith calls us to courage and calls us to lay sloth aside to step into what matters most.

God uses our strengths, but God also shows off in spite of and even through our weaknesses. When we feel insufficient, ill-equipped, incompetent, or outnumbered God is positioned to work mightily in and through us to do great things. Gideon was hiding when God called him a mighty warrior. God looks beyond what appears to be, and calls out something more.

Against all odds, God is still moving in real people’s lives. Sam and Emmanuel Acho share personal stories of the importance of cheering on one another, telling each other difficult truths, and above all, encouraging a deep relationship with God.

When a young shepherd boy came up against an incredible giant, he ran to meet the challenge because of his confidence in his great God. God had been preparing David all of his life to face that giant and to prepare him for what many might describe as an “unlikely victory.”

The New Testament Church was a group of unlikely, ragtag leaders who went on to change the world. Because Jesus was their cornerstone, this group of leaders was able to cross all kinds of societal and cultural lines to create a life-changing, world-shaking community.

God has been working in and through Willow for 46 years—bringing people into eternity-altering relationships with Jesus, mending marriages, healing families, impacting entire communities, and sharing His Good News across the globe. As we step into the future together, Senior Pastor Dave Dummitt and the team are excited to share about the hopes and dreams that God has been stirring in our midst. Be part of praying, worshipping, and hearing what’s next for Willow at our Worship & Vision Night

: How can we deploy people to be the church where we live, work, and play? Hosanna will teach from her new book “How Not To Save the World” which tackles lies we believe that hold us back from sharing the Good News of Jesus with those around us, with a specific focus on believing the lie that our prayers don’t matter. Other lies  people believe: There is no way for my loved ones to know God, no way for that person to come to church, I’m not smart enough, skilled enough…I attend but I’m not a part of building this church. Hosanna will aim to challenge Willow to hold fast to the belief that our greatest witness will be our with-ness--our being with people.

What compels someone to risk everything for something they believe in? This weekend we look at the life of a man named Nicodemus and how he journeyed from hidden faith to public conviction.