New Life Community Church, Atwater, CA

Close Encounters #12 Learning to Trust God’s Timing John 7:1-13

A Close Encounter with Jesus (is what you were made for &) will change your life! The Gospel of John opens with a series of stories of those who encountered Jesus. As we look at these encounters, we’ll discover insights for our relationship with Jesus that will unlock and

empower this life we live for Him. For those who were around Jesus and for us as well, one of our struggles is to understand God’s timing. We wrestle with timing, wanting it to conform to our wants, but Jesus says, “not so fast”.

Close Encounters #11 Let Him in the Boat! John 6:16-21

A Close Encounter with Jesus (is what you were made for &) will change your life! The Gospel of John opens with a series of stories of those who  encountered Jesus. As we look at these encounters, we’ll discover insights for our relationship with Jesus that will unlock and empower this life we live for Him. When Jesus walked on water, the disciples were terrified. Fear can drive us, but fear can also paralyze us. What are we afraid of, and how can we learn to “let Him in the boat”?

Close Encounters #10 Impossible! John 6:1-13

A Close Encounter with Jesus (is what you were made for &) will change your life! The Gospel of John opens with a series of stories of those who encountered Jesus. As we look at these encounters, we’ll discover insights for our relationship with Jesus that will unlock and empower this life we live for Him. Jesus posed a question to his disciples as they confronted what seemed to be a difficult situation. Phillip said “it’s impossible”. Why are we so quick to seek control and so slow to trust?

“The Well of Living Water: Refocusing on What Matters” John 4:1-26

In a world filled with distractions, we often lose sight of what truly matters– Christ Himself. In this week’s message, we’ll explore Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well and how He redirects her focus from division, tradition, and worldly concerns to the only thing that truly satisfies: Himself. Too often, like the woman at the well, we major in the minors– arguing about worship styles, theological non-essentials, and religious traditions– while missing the presence of the Savior right in front of us.

Join us as we examine how Jesus calls us away from empty wells that cannot satisfy and offers us the living water of eternal life. Through this passage, we will see the gospel woven like a crimson cord, reminding us that true worship is not about a place, but a Person– Jesus Christ.

Close Encounters #8 Keep Walking! John 5:1-15

A Close Encounter with Jesus (is what you were made for &) will change your life! The Gospel of John opens with a series of stories of those who encountered Jesus. As we look at these encounters, we’ll discover insights for our relationship with Jesus that will unlock and empower this life we live for Him. Today we’ll stick with the man who was healed by the pool, and delve deeper into his second encounter/warning with Jesus later that day.

“Do You Love Me?” Matthew 22:34-40

A faith promise is a commitment to give money to a church's missionary program. It's a spiritual agreement between a person and God. 

How it works:

• The person promises to give a certain amount of money to the church 
• The person trusts God to provide the money 
• The person gives the money in addition to their regular tithes and offerings 

Why it's done

• It's a way to partner with God and his missionaries 
• It's a way to give generously, joyfully, and sacrificially 
• It's a way to make Jesus known for the joy of all peoples 
• It's a way to show reliance on God for divine provision 

How to make a faith promise 

• Prayerfully consider how much to give
• Trust God to provide the money
• Give the money in addition to regular tithes and offerings

Biblical basis

The faith promise model is based on 2 Corinthians 10:15–16. 

New Series: Close Encounters #7 What’s holding you back? John 5:1-15

A Close Encounter with Jesus (is what you were made for &) will change your life! The Gospel of John opens with a series of stories of those who encountered Jesus. As we look at these encounters, we’ll discover insights for our relationship with Jesus that will unlock and empower this life we live for Him. Today we’ll consider the invalid who encountered Jesus beside the pool. Trapped in a broken body, isolated, a slave to superstition, and resigned to the comfort of the familiar, he had a lot of obstacles to overcome. It is a brilliant example of the truth that “God loves each of us as we are, but too much to leave us as we are”. Can you believe it?

New Series: Close Encounters #6 Under the Cover of Darkness John 3:1-16

A Close Encounter with Jesus (is what you were made for &) will change your life! The Gospel of John opens with a series of stories of those who encountered Jesus. As we look at these encounters, we’ll discover insights for our relationship with Jesus that will unlock and empower this life we live for Him. Today we look at Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus, setting him free from a religious trap.

New Series: Close Encounters #5 “Forever Changed” John 2:1-12

A Close Encounter with Jesus (is what you were made for &) will change your life! The Gospel of John opens with a series of stories of those who encountered Jesus. As we look at these encounters, we’ll discover insights for our relationship with Jesus that will unlock and empower this life we live for Him. Today we look at the Wedding at Cana, and consider how the serving crew is forever changed by the encounter with Jesus and his first “sign”.

Close Encounters (part 4) Overcoming Ourselves (pride & prejudice) John 1:43-51

A Close Encounter with Jesus (is what you were made for &) will change your life! The Gospel of John opens with a series of stories of those who encountered Jesus. As we look at these encounters, we’ll discover insights for our relationship with Jesus that will unlock and

empower this life we live for Him. Today we examine his encounter with Nathaniel, whose pride was the first barrier that needed to be overcome.