Faith - Liferoads Church

Following Jesus – Week 8

Rich Fodey — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 21:11:24 +0000

When John the Baptist was in prison, he sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus if he truly was the Messiah (⁠Matt 11:1-11⁠). Jesus honored John — then He pointed to the signs that were prophesied in Isaiah. Jesus has grace for those who wrestle with doubt. He knows that there will be a day where faith becomes sight, hope is fulfilled, and love is eternal (⁠1 Cor 13:12-13⁠). Then, there will be no doubt. But, while we are here on earth, we need to be active in faith as to not drift or become discouraged. Jesus warns, don’t become complacent (⁠Matt 11:16-24⁠). He knows it is a hard task to be human, and He welcomes the weary, offering rest for your souls (⁠Matt 11:25-30⁠).

The post Following Jesus – Week 8 first appeared on Liferoads Church.

Following Jesus – Week 6

Rich Fodey — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:58:46 +0000

What comes to your mind when you think of authority? Today, in our reading from the Gospel of⁠ Matthew, chapter 9⁠, we are introduced to a level of authority that only God possesses. Jesus is clear: He has the authority to forgive sin. But He also has the authority to heal and to transform your identity to be a child of God. Allow Jesus to be your good shepherd; He has the authority to do that too. He calls you, “Follow me.”

The post Following Jesus – Week 6 first appeared on Liferoads Church.

Following Jesus – Week 5

Rich Fodey — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 02:03:36 +0000

This message challenges us to honestly evaluate the substance of our faith: Are we Jesus flavored or Jesus filled? Drawing from ⁠Matthew 7⁠, we look at three essential tests Jesus gives: the Fruit Test, the Obedience Test, and the Foundation Test. Popularity, appearances, and good intentions aren’t enough — what matters is a life rooted in knowing Jesus, doing God’s will, and building on the unshakable foundation of His Word. In a world filled with spiritual shortcuts and diluted faith, Jesus calls us to the narrow road that leads to life.

The post Following Jesus – Week 5 first appeared on Liferoads Church.

Following Jesus – Week 4

Rich Fodey — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 22:33:29 +0000

In ⁠Matthew 6:1-15⁠, Jesus makes it clear that spiritual practices are not for show. What we aim for in our spiritual lives, we receive. Don’t pray to impress or with formulaic expectations, as if God does not already know and He needs to be woken up or informed. Spiritual practices of generosity, worship and prayer are about a personal relationship with God. The Lord’s Prayer is a model or a map of prayer. Like many other books of prayer, it structures the ideas and guides us. Slow down and take your time through prayer. The first line alone is a shocking idea: God, the awesome creator, is our father. And what do you mean when you pray for God’s Kingdom? We need to live spiritually one day at a time – trust God for our manna (our daily bread). Just as Matthew wrote later in the chapter (⁠6:25-34⁠), “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.”

The post Following Jesus – Week 4 first appeared on Liferoads Church.

Following Jesus – Week 1

Rich Fodey — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 01:14:38 +0000

Isaiah chapters 40-55 are called the ‘comfort poems.’ They are a backdrop to the Gospel of Matthew. They tell of the Messiah’s return and hope of the promised Kingdom of God (⁠Isaiah 52:1-10⁠⁠). Matthew is diligent to make clear that fulfillment of the entire story of the Hebrew Bible is found in Jesus. He begins the Gospel with the genealogy from the promise to Abraham (⁠Matthew 1:1-17⁠). Immerse ourselves in the story because we still have a part to play in the story. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise. The ‘New Creation’ has begun (⁠Matthew 28:16-20⁠⁠). We live this out as followers of Jesus to be like him, Humble and Obedient to the Father. In the Lord’s Prayer (⁠Matthew 6:9-13⁠⁠) we are invited into this long history of relationship with God. Let the story influence you. Over the summer weeks of this series, immerse yourself in reading Matthew’s Gospel. Read it out loud and with others. And try incorporating the Lord’s Prayer into your day. Form the habits of how we love through these practices.

The post Following Jesus – Week 1 first appeared on Liferoads Church.

Stirred Up – Week 1

Rich Fodey — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 23:40:42 +0000

The⁠ first chapter of Peter’s second epistle⁠ challenges believers to actively pursue spiritual growth, remain rooted in God’s provision, and live lives that reflect His abundant grace. Today’s lesson focuses on three key themes.

The Foundation of Faith: Peter emphasizes that believers have received a faith as precious as the apostles’, rooted in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This faith provides everything needed for life and godliness, equipping us to face life’s challenges through the knowledge of Christ.

The Pursuit of Spiritual Growth: Spiritual growth is a grace-fueled effort, requiring intentional actions to add virtues like self-control, steadfastness, and love to our faith. The sermon uses vivid analogies—such as a raft, rowboat, and sailboat—to illustrate how God’s grace empowers our pursuit of spiritual maturity.

The Power of Remembrance: Peter urges believers to remember God’s promises and cultivate habits of spiritual reflection. Forgetting leads to spiritual nearsightedness, while consistent remembrance strengthens faith, ensuring effectiveness and fruitfulness in our lives.

The post Stirred Up – Week 1 first appeared on Liferoads Church.