Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Love & Serve: A Year of God's Favor - Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

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Summary of Pastor Bryan Hudson's Sermon:
“Love & Serve: A Year of God's Favor”
 
Pastor Bryan Hudson emphasizes that 2024 has been a year for highlighting the enduring nature of God’s promises and the importance of embracing His favor both spiritual and natural. The sermon focuses on the New Covenant Church mission of Loving God, Loving People, Serving the Word, which is foundational to the Christian walk. Dr. Hudson calls on believers to express their faith through acts of service, motivated by God’s love for humanity and our love for one another.Key Themes:1. God’s Favor:◦ • God's favor manifests in both natural and supernatural ways.◦ • Favor involves God's provision, protection, and influence over circumstances and people.◦ • Believers are encouraged to align with God's work rather than waiting passively.2. Foundations of Faith:◦ • The foundation of a believer's life is God’s love for us and our reciprocal love for others.◦ • Living out this love requires simplicity and focus.3. Freedom in Christ:◦ • Using Christian liberty to serve others, not for selfish gain, reflects God’s love.◦ • Service includes helping those in need, visiting homes, and sharing blessings selflessly.4. Godly Motivation:◦ • True motivation stems from love—God's love for us and our love for others.◦ • Other motivations (e.g., external rewards, self-image, or control) often fall short and can lead to selfishness or harm.5. The Mission of Christ: ◦• Jesus came to proclaim freedom for captives, give sight to the blind, and declare God’s favor.
◦ • His mission inspires believers to bring hope and practical aid to those in need.6. Love and Service:◦God's love is universal, sacrificial, and giving, unlike the world's love, which is often narrow and self-serving.◦ The church’s mission—"Loving God, Loving People, Serving the World"— encourages believers to reflect Christ’s example in their daily lives.
Practical Application:• Loving God: Through prayer, worship, study, and quiet reflection.• Loving People: By sharing the gospel, making disciples, and meeting people where they are.• Serving the World: Demonstrating love through actions, often without words, to reflect Christ’s character.Closing Reflections:Dr. Hudson concludes by acknowledging the legacy of love passed down from previous generations and encouraging believers to follow their example. He challenges the congregation to embody God’s love and favor as they approach a new year, ensuring their lives reflect the vision of love and service.
 
The message closes with a prayer of thanksgiving, celebrating the work of God
throughout the year and looking forward to continued blessings and opportunities for
service

"Love & Serve" - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #148 for December 11, 2024

"Love & Serve"  -  Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #148 for December 11, 2024
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me  to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favoand the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all who mourn,3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—o bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

"Have You Made a Peace Offering?" - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #147 for December 4, 2024

Listen to My Message From Sunday, December 1, 2024
Giving Thanks: Not Only a Day - A Foundation 
 
1 Thessalonians 5:18, In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for youLeviticus 7:11 ‘This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which he shall (or “may offer”) offer to the Lord: 12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer, with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, or cakes of blended flour mixed with oil.

Giving Thanks: Not Only a Day - A Foundation – by Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

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Sermon Summary: 
“Giving Thanks—Not Only a Day, A Foundation”
Dr. Bryan Hudson emphasizes that Thanksgiving should be more than a holiday—it’s a foundational lifestyle of gratitude. Drawing from scripture, he explores how giving thanks transcends circumstances, reflecting a heart rooted in peace and faith.
Key Scriptures: Colossians 1:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Leviticus 7:11-15
1. Thanksgiving as a Foundation:
•  Thanksgiving is not tied to obligation but arises spontaneously from a grateful heart.
•  True praise and offerings—whether financial, time, or acts of kindness—should be willing and joyful, not out of duty or legalism.
2. Peace Offerings and Sacrificial Praise:
•  Peace offerings, as distinct from many other types of offerings, express worship unconnected to sin or obligation.
•  In the New Testament, Jesus becomes our peace offering, bridging divisions and enabling us to live in grace and freedom.
3. Practical Application:
•  Cultivate gratitude: Acknowledge blessings—both asked for and unexpected—and express thanks through words, actions, and offerings.
•  Develop a lifestyle of praise and worship, independent of external circumstances.
•  Avoid callousness and indifference by maintaining a spirit of thankfulness toward God and others.
4. Key Takeaways:
•  Thanksgiving fosters peace, and peace inspires thanksgiving, creating a positive spiritual cycle.
•  Gratitude keeps believers in God’s presence (Coram Deo), fostering perpetual joy and strength beyond circumstances.
Dr. Hudson concludes with encouragement to embrace thanksgiving as a daily, spontaneous expression of worship and gratitude, rooted in God’s peace and goodness.
 

"The Power of Your Presence" - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #146 for November 27, 2024

Listen to My Message From Sunday, November 24, 2024
"The Power of Today" Part Three: 
"The Ministry of Presence"

"The Ministry of Presence" - Part Three of the Series: "The Power of Today."

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Summary: "The Ministry of Presence" (Summary by OpenAI)Summary: "The Ministry of Presence" (Summary by OpenAI)
Pastor Bryan Hudson's message, "The Ministry of Presence" from part three of the series "The Power of Today," focuses on the importance of simply being present with others in their times of need. Drawing from scriptures like Colossians 3:15 and Proverbs 17:17, the sermon explores how the peace of God and the act of presence bring comfort, connection, and healing.
 
Key takeaways include:
Definition of the Ministry of Presence: It involves offering support through physical, emotional, and spiritual presence, rather than relying solely on words or actions.
Attributes of Presence: Active listening, nonverbal support, empathy, availability, and avoiding cliches or platitudes are essential for effective presence.
The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the "master of the ministry of presence," guiding believers in being present with others and sharing God's peace.
Job's Friends as an Example: Initially practicing the ministry of presence by sitting silently with Job, his friends later faltered due to fragility and discomfort, showing the importance of being prepared to support others.
Overcoming Comfort Zones: Leaving comfort zones enables growth, service, and alignment with God's purpose, exemplified by figures like Abraham and Jesus, who stepped out of comfort for a greater mission.
Adversity and Presence: True friends provide presence and support during adversity, as illustrated by a story where a friend jumps into a hole to guide another out.
The sermon concludes with an exhortation to embrace the ministry of presence, trust God's guidance, and develop the capacity to support others, reflecting Christ's love in action.

"Be the Light Others Need" - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #145 for November 20, 2024

Isaiah 9:2  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

"Two Kinds of Peace" - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #144 for November 15, 2024

Listen to My Message From Sunday, November 10, 2024
"The Power of Today" Part Two: 
"Peace That Governs Your Heart"
 
 
Philippians 4:7, And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1. Peace is a state where one is in right relationship with God.
2. Peace is a mental/emotional state where there is an absence of conflict and freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts. We call this “peace of mind.”
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful
“Let peace RULE…”To be an umpireTo decide, determine, arbitrate

"Peace T'hat Governs Your Heart" Part Two of Series: "The Power of Today"

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Colossians 3:15, And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
“Let peace rule…”
To be an umpire; To decide, determine, arbitrate
Place peace in a position to determine how to handle every situation 
Don’t decide based on the problem. Decide based on creating or sustaining peace
John 14:25-28, These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Psalm 37:1, Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.
Two Kinds of Peace
Peace is a state where one is in right relationship with God.
Peace is a mental/emotional state where there is an absence of conflict and freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts. We call this “peace of mind.”
Philippians 4:7, And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Peace is beyond your comprehension
Peace will guard your hearts and minds, like sentinel

"Heart Not Troubled" - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #143 for November 6, 2024

John 14:25-28, These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.