Let's be honest, we've probably all said something about another person and attempted to disguise this gossip as a prayer request. Sadly, it's pretty easy to do. But this isn't the example Jesus sets for us. Instead of talking about someone, Jesus always stood with people. He knew gossip distances us, while love brings us closer. Instead of talking about someone and saying we should pray for them, let's pray for that person right then and there, resolving to let our words spread love, not gossip.

We're in a series called Dumb Things Christians Say, and our 57th Street Campus Pastor (Brian Rock) gave a great message all about the phrase "Love The Sinner Hate The Sin." 

There's only so much time for a message during the weekend. So we sat down with Brian to chat about what was CUT FOR TIME plus much more!

As people, we use the phrase "love the sinner, hate the sin" as a way to show others we still "love" them even if we disagree with them. But is hating their sin really what Jesus calls us to? Actually, Jesus asks us to love the sinner. Period. What if instead of spending so much time hating the sins of others we put that energy into getting rid of our own sin, loving people for who they are, wherever they are. Love the sinner, hate your own sin.

We're taking a look back on all God did during the Ripple Effect series! Listen in as we recap all 5 weeks of the series and have some laughs along the way. 

Want to listen to the series? Click here!

You've probably heard the phrase, "God won't give you more than you can handle," before. It's comforting, a nice thing to say when people are hurting. But the truth is, God WILL give you more than you can handle. Life happens, things get out of control, the worst-case scenario does occur. Thankfully though, God never gives us more than HE can handle. God shows up, because He has to.

This Easter, we might be tempted to look at the criminals hanging on the cross beside Jesus and think we're one or the other—we either doubt Jesus or we believe him, we're either good or bad. But really, the only difference between the two men is that one of them believed the man in the middle: he believed he fell short, he believed Jesus was perfect, and he believed Jesus could rescue him. What do you believe today? Let that belief draw you closer to the man in the middle.

So often we think of doubt as a bad thing, when really it's about the direction our doubts take us: away from Jesus or towards him. Jesus will always be the man in the middle, the place where we can bring our doubts and questions, and he's not moving. When we bring our doubt to Jesus we find that he cares for us, he loves us, he wants the real us, and ultimately, he will answer us. What doubts are you carrying today? Bring them to the man in the middle.

So often we can turn what we do for a living into our life. Jesus flips that concept upside down, calling the disciples to not simply be fishermen, but to be fishers of men. He does the same with us today. We're no longer just a teacher, accountant, or nurse, instead our purpose is found in the people we interact with, the people we invite to a life greater than any they've ever known.

At some point we each have to decide whether or not we want to follow Jesus with our lives. This looks different for each of us, but we all go through a process of seeking, hearing and ultimately deciding who Jesus will be to us. Where are you at today? If you've already decided to follow Jesus with your life, are you being faithful to that promise?

So often we tend to be consumers rather than contributors, especially when it comes to church. But when we take a look at the early church found in the book of Acts, we're given an example of fellowship where everyone shared, everyone participated, and everyone contributed. What would it look like for church to look a little more like that? What would it look like if we simply saw a need, and filled it?

We all exist inside a big circle with the people who are like us. But Jesus calls us to step outside that circle, to go to the places where everyone is not exactly like us. One of the ways we can go outside our circles is by getting connected to the country of Haiti. Ripple effects begin when we go somewhere new. Don't be afraid to connect, sponsor, give, and go through our partnership in Haiti. Together we're going to create a ripple effect outside our circles!