In this message, we will look at the story of Jesus' interaction with a man who was controlled by something he couldn't defeat. Every aspect of his life was dictated by this issue - he didn't go a day without the pain of being held captive. No matter what he tried, he couldn't break free. But when Jesus arrived, everything changed! You will learn that Jesus can bring you that same freedom!

In this message, as we continue One-On-One with Jesus, we’ll look at a fascinating story of grace and forgiveness. Lessons from this story will teach you about the restoration and forgiveness God extends to you. 

The disciple Matthew is viewed as a strong leader in the early church. He faithfully followed Jesus, assisted in ministry, and wrote a book of the Bible. For many people, Matthew is a biblical hero. But when Jesus called Matthew to follow Him, it was shocking. To the people who knew Matthew, his past should have disqualified him from following Jesus.

In this message, we will look at Jesus' interaction with Matthew and His simple call to "follow." You will see no matter who you are, what you have done, or how far you have run from God, you are the perfect candidate for Jesus. Just like with Matthew, Jesus is calling you to "follow." 

Have you ever doubted God? Maybe a tragedy in life or a season of difficulty caused you to question your faith. If you are facing doubt right now, you may have so many questions that you aren't sure how you could ever believe in Him again. How can you believe in God and still deal with doubt? 

In this message, we will learn from the most famous doubter of all time - Thomas. Jesus' interaction with Thomas highlights how easy it is to doubt God and teaches key lessons we can all apply in seasons of doubt. Whether you are currently in that season or not, this is a great opportunity to learn how to deal with doubt! 

Have you ever known someone who had a shameful, sinful, public past? You look at those people and eliminate their chances of ever finding Jesus - you think they've done too much or gone too far. Maybe that's how you look at yourself. You remember past mistakes and allow them to disqualify you from God's love. 
 
In this message, we will look at Jesus' interaction with a woman who everyone counted out. She knew what people thought of her past but didn't allow anything to keep her from Jesus. Instead of responding with shame and condemnation, Jesus welcomed the woman and extended undeserved grace.

In this message, we will look at another encounter Jesus had with an unlikely individual. During the busyness of His ministry, Jesus went out of His way to change the life of an outcast. The story of this rejected and helpless woman will cause you to find hope in your desperate situation and realize you can never outrun God's love! It will be a powerful weekend.

With this message, we start a new series, "One on One with Jesus." During Jesus' time on Earth, He captivated and inspired people from all walks of life. Jesus performed miracles and taught large crowds of desperate listeners, but he was never too busy for one person in need. We will learn powerful lessons from His interactions with unlikely individuals. We’ll start with one of the most amazing miracle stories! You will be encouraged to believe for your miracle!

Who is your master? What has control of you? For many, the answer would be drugs, technology, toxic relationships, or excessive spending. Unhealthy and dangerous habits can quickly trap you in the chains of toxicity and sin. So how do you escape?

As we finish our series looking at passages in the Bible that challenge our usual way of living, we discover a key lesson from Paul. Paul knew the captivating power of sin. He recognized the danger of being controlled by the wrong master. By learning from his words to the Romans, you will discover that making Jesus your master leads to true freedom!

If you were offered a large sum of money, chances are you would take it. No matter how much you have or don't have, more money always seems like the best option. Money attracts people, drives people, and pushes people over the edge. More money seems nice, but what does Jesus say? 

As we continue to look at principles in the Bible that go against the traditional way of thinking, we come across a challenging lesson from Jesus. Jesus knows money has the power to control you and cause you to worry. He sees the stress and anxiety that your finances create. In a world that pushes you to have and make more, Jesus releases you from that pressure in an unexpected way. 

When you think about the word, "enemy", who comes to mind? No matter who they are or how you know them, at some point in life, they hurt you deeply. Just picturing that person causes your blood pressure to go up, your fists to clench, and your mind to dream of revenge. If you could delete anyone from your life, this person would be your first choice.

As we continue our series, "Upside Down", you will discover another passage from the Bible that will help you stand out and point others to Jesus. In a world where revenge is common - and often approved - Jesus offers a countercultural command. Instead of targeting your enemy, He calls you to love them. This "upside down" statement is another key to being a life-long follower!

Some people make following Jesus sound easy. They claim being a Christian will result in an easy life, low stress, and big barrels of money. All of that sounds great - everyone would sign up for that deal. But is it true? 

As we continue our series, "Upside Down", we will take a look at another unconventional statement in the Bible. In a moment where Jesus was teaching His disciples, we discover the true price of being a "life-long follower." Jesus' death on the cross puts following into perspective. 

In today's world, winning matters. More than that, winning is the only thing that matters. On the sports team, your child needs to be the best. In school, your grades need to be the highest. At work, your production needs to outshine the competition. People push and pressure each other to be first. 

As we continue our series, "Upside Down", we will continue looking at unconventional passages in the Bible. In this message, you will learn a principle from Jesus that flies in the face of today's "must win" culture. According to Jesus, true success is achieved when you intentionally place yourself last. In order to be first, put others before you.

One of my favorite thinking exercises is to approach a problem from a completely different perspective. I take my assumption or knowledge, turn it upside down and force myself to find a new, creative solution. I call it "upside-down thinking." 

As we begin our new series, "Upside Down", you will discover some upside-down statements in the Bible and learn how to apply them to your life. In this message, you will learn to embrace your weakness so God's strength can be made perfect. 

Pastor Parker, Pastor Randy, and Missionary JT Espejo were trapped in Sudan. For 13 days we prayed and believed the Lord would miraculously deliver them to safety. God did exactly that! 

Pastor Rod learned numerous lessons from the journey during and after the team's time trapped in a warzone. This journey taught him about parenting, what truly matters, and his relationship with the Lord. In this message, he will share his lessons so you can be prepared before your crisis. 

Everyone lives with expectations. You have expectations for your children, future, and career. Your plans and dreams are based on those expectations. But what happens when your expectations aren't met? What do you do when reality disappoints you? 

In this message, you'll discover how David's emotions in a disappointing season led to an unrealistic reaction. His extreme disappointment exposed his misplaced trust. When you trust the Lord, you don't have to be disappointed when reality doesn't meet your expectations!

Everyone dreams of what their life and family will be like. How many kids will you have? What position will you accept? When will you retire? You often dream about the future and God's plan for your life. But what happens when your world falls apart and your dreams die? 

In this message, we will continue to learn from the life of David. Looking at a moment in David's life where his greatest dreams seemed to be slipping away, you will see how easy it is to forget God's faithfulness in the middle of difficulty. But David's reaction to his dying dreams will teach you common mistakes to avoid. When all hope seems to be lost, God still has a plan for your life! 

Everyone loves to win. Celebrating an accomplishment or experiencing a victory seems to make every minor inconvenience in life disappear. But experiencing a great loss or walking through a painful season emphasizes the struggles you already face. What do you do when you lose? 

In this message, we will look at a story where David suffered a tragic loss. Instead of rejoicing in the victory of battle, David found himself discouraged because of his unimaginable circumstances. But in spite of the tragedy that surrounded him, David prioritized his relationship with the Lord. You will learn what to do in the face of life-changing loss.

As Pastor Parker and Pastor Randy have told the story of our team's escape from Sudan, God's divine intervention has been on full display. Miracle after miracle prove that their safe return is one only God could have orchestrated. If you missed either of the first two messages, we encourage you to watch them.

In this message, Missionary JT Espejo will finish the story with his unique perspective on their time in Sudan. You will celebrate the goodness of God!

In this message, Pastor Randy will pick up the story when our team had two major obstacles between them and safety - the desert and the Red Sea. Their faith was strong because they believed what God had done once, He could do again! You will be moved by the story of supernatural favor and divine protection.

We prayed, we cried, and we believed. Now we get to hear the miraculous story of Pastor Parker, Pastor Randy, and JT's escape from Sudan. You will be inspired and reminded of God's faithfulness in spite of difficult and uncertain circumstances. The moments of unexplainable rescue and protection will cause you to say, "Only God."

When someone does you wrong, revenge can be very tempting. You aren’t alone in that temptation. In the story we look at in this message, David was consumed by the thought of revenge. We will learn the consequences of revenge and how to overcome the desire for it.

Decisions can be difficult. Deciding where to eat and what to wear may seem challenging, but it pales in comparison to major life decisions. When the question is who you should marry, which position you should accept, or where you should move, you look for a sign from God. Major decisions cause you to search for God's will. 

In this message, we will look at a story where David was faced with an incredibly difficult decision. He was on the run when an opportunity arose that could have set up the future he had dreamed of. But instead of acting off of his emotions, David aligned his decisions with God's vision and plan. You will discover how David's story can help with your next major life decision. 

At some point in life, we all face discouragement. Whether it's a heartbreaking doctor's report or an unexpected family crisis, life includes discouraging challenges. No matter how hard you try, at some point, you will be discouraged.

In this message, we continue our series, "Running on Empty". We will look at a story where David was trapped in a cave and fighting for his life - nothing was going according to plan. As he awaited his uncertain future, we see his response to God's faithfulness in spite of his despair. No matter your situation or circumstance, you will be reminded the Lord is faithful!

Have you ever been in a desperate situation? Maybe you are in one right now. You feel stuck, overwhelmed, and helpless. When you find yourself in a desperate situation, you make decisions you never thought you would. 

In this message, we begin our new series, "Running on Empty". We will learn lessons from the life of one of the most famous people in the Bible - David. Throughout his life, David experienced some amazing victories. But he also faced many difficulties. We begin with David in a place of desperation and learn the destructive pattern of desperate people. 

Have you ever been betrayed? Have hateful words or actions changed your life? Maybe you've learned the people closest to you can hurt you the most. Facing the attack of a once-trusted friend and learning to move on is painful.

In this message, we will rewind to Jesus' final moments before His crucifixion and the Easter story. Understanding the pain Jesus experienced at the hands of His closest followers makes His decision to die on the cross extraordinarily powerful. You will be comforted and challenged by Jesus' actions.

Do you feel like things in your life are finished? Does it seem like you have no hope? In the case of Jesus, what looked like the biggest possible loss was really a win.  The end was really only the beginning. In this message, we look at the one day that changed the world forever!

What do you do when challenging times come? What is your response to the unexpected?

In this message, we look at the faithfulness of God. No matter what challenge has come your way, no matter what difficulty you face, whether expected or unexpected, you can lean on the faithfulness of God. He is always with you!

At First NLR, we believe the Bible is our guidebook for living - the entire Bible. Every section of Scripture holds key lessons and meaningful words that God wants His people to learn. As a biblical Christian, you can't ignore verses, chapters, or books that include difficult truths. 

In this message we continue our series, "One Day that Changed the World." We look at a lesson Jesus gave His disciples right before He was crucified. As it was one of the final things Jesus taught, it's an important part of being a biblical Christian. This is a lesson we all need to hear!

Following Jesus and making it to Heaven often seems difficult and complex. How many prayers must you pray? How much of the Bible must you memorize? Sometimes it seems daunting! But if the path to Heaven was held in a single sentence - only 19 words - would it seem easier to reach?  

In this message, we will continue to learn from the final 24 hours Jesus spent with His disciples before His crucifixion. As the disciples were faced with the fear of Jesus' death, Jesus gave them 19 life changing words. In a single sentence, Jesus provided the answer that our lost world needs today! 

Has there ever been a day that changed your life? In a matter of moments your life was different - things would never go back to the way they were. You look back on that day with pain or happiness. Either way, those life-altering moments tell a monumental part of your story.

This message starts our new series - "One Day that Changed the World." We look at the final 24 hours Jesus spent with His disciples before His crucifixion. His final moments were filled with historic events, extraordinary lessons, and extreme heartbreak. We begin by learning how Jesus displayed true leadership in controversial fashion - it isa challenging lesson for us all. 

In this message, we finish our series by looking at the blessings God makes available to each of us through His Holy Spirit. If you are in a season of difficulty, this message will encourage you to keep going and challenge you to trust the Lord. In spite of your hurt and pain, the Holy Spirit can guide you through. 

In this message, we will learn about the gifts of the Spirit and how God uses His people to accomplish His plan. Many people are confused about what the gifts of the Spirit are and how they work because they approach this topic through the lens of their tradition instead of looking at what the Bible says. we encourage you to watch ready to learn and prepared to be inspired!

In this message, we will take a look at Jesus' final words to his disciples and the events that directly followed. Many people have a variety of opinions about these events, but we look at what the Bible says! We encourage you to watch with an open mind and prepared heart!

This message kicks off our new series: "The Holy Spirit." Over the next four messages, you’ll learn about The Holy Spirit and His role in your life. Depending on your church background, you may have different ideas. We’ll base our study on the Bible! In this message, we start with a look at the practical role The Holy Spirit should play in the life of a biblical Christian. From the words of Jesus, you will discover how The Holy Spirit can strengthen your walk with God.

In this message, we’ll conclude our series on healing by tackling some difficult questions:

Does miraculous healing actually happen?

Why don’t we see more miracles here in America? 

Why are some people healed when others aren’t? 

Why isn’t everyone healed?

What are some things that keep you from a miracle?

Is going to a doctor or taking medication a lack of faith? 

How do you restore your faith after praying so hard for a loved one that died in spite of those prayers? 

The common cold comes and goes - life goes back to normal. But what about the lingering sickness, chronic pain, or uncontrollable anxiety that just won't go away? If you have been battling sickness and pain for far too long, healing is available for you.

In this message, we will take a look at the story of a lady who battled a disease for 12 years with no hope to be healed. When all hope is lost and solutions can't be found, Jesus' healing touch is available for you! 

When you think of healing, you often think of sickness, disease, or chronic pain. But some of the most painful parts of life that cause you to cry for God's healing touch aren't diagnosable or easily seen. Broken hearts and shattered dreams can be life-controlling - your world comes crashing down with no hope in sight. In this message, you will hear a remarkable story of God’s healing power as we continue our series on healing.

Have you ever prayed for healing? If you have, you know how hopeless of a feeling it can be to have little control over your situation. As Americans, we want a plan or formula to fix our sickness and discomfort. But that isn't how healing works - you can't limit God to one miraculous method. 

With this message, we begin a 4-week series on healing.  We will learn what the Bible says about healing and set aside time to pray for a miracle in your life. I encourage you, if you or a loved one needs healing, don't miss a single message! As we look at two miraculous stories of healing from the Bible, you will see we serve a God powerful enough to heal in a multitude of ways!

At FirstNLR, our goal is to be a healthy church. A healthy church is made up of healthy, biblical Christians working together in unity. In this message, we will look at the 12 signs of a healthy church from the first church in the Book of Acts. It’s an important reminder for all of us!

As the New Year approaches, people all over the world take the opportunity to make changes in their life. Often called resolutions, these changes highlight areas of life that need to be different. With the New Year comes a new opportunity to be a new you!

In this message, we will take a look at the life of Moses. Early in Moses' life, he made a mistake that drove him from God and off the right path. But in spite of his sin, God used him in miraculous ways. You will see how past mistakes, pain, and sin cannot stop God's plan. You will be inspired to leave the past behind and embrace the new life God has for you!