11-12-2023: set-up to fail? - 58 mins

There are times when it seems we've been set-up to fail. Well, in today's lesson that's exactly what happened to Joseph. His own family sought evil against him. But, God blessed Joseph in spite of their evil intentions. Although he was set-up to fail, he knew God meant it for good. Try to find the "good" in your set-up because that's most likely where the purpose of your persecution is hiding. 

Continued Blessings, 

Pastor Carthel

Servant/Shepherd & Pastor/Teacher

Ekklesia "META" Church

In today's message, we take a look at what you've packed in your "luggage" for your trip (the journey we call life). As we trek through life, there's a tendency for us to bring along unhealthy experiences and expectations into our relationships, careers, ministries, communities, families, etc. Take time...check your luggage (life) and REMOVE THE UNHEALTHY ITEMS from your luggage (life).  Continued Blessings, 

Pastor Carthel

Servant/Shepherd & Pastor/Teacher

Ekklesia "META" Church

On this journey called life, there are times when it seems as if troubles are an everyday reality. And, as Believers, if we're not careful we'll forget that God (as King of kings - Rev. 17:12-14) has ALL POWER & ALL AUTHORITY!!! So, when things get a little rough (and they will) BE ENCOURAGED and remember "The King Has The Last Move" no matter how bad it looks...  Continued Blessings, 

Pastor Carthel

Servant/Shepherd & Pastor/Teacher

Ekklesia "META" Church

THE VERDICT: GUILTY OR NOT-GUILTY: Tonight we solidified the purpose of the church (with an image): Preparing, Protecting, and Providing all wrapped in Love. As we seek a verdict in our 21-Count Spiritual Indictment (against today's church) you are judge and jury. Do you find today's church Guilty or Not-Guilty?  Feel free to listen to the sermon or browse the flipbook. Continued Blessings, 

Pastor Carthel

Servant/Shepherd & Pastor/Teacher

Ekklesia "META" Church

THE CHARGES REVEALED: This morning the 21-Counts involving the "spiritual indictment" of today's church were revealed. We also presented a cursory overview of the purpose of the church: Preparing, Protecting, Providing, and Praying.  Feel free to listen to the sermon or browse the flipbook. Continued Blessings, 

Pastor Carthel

Servant/Shepherd & Pastor/Teacher

Ekklesia "META" Church

Every 4th Thursday of the month we host what we call our "Casting Call". It gives us a chance to share (cast) the vision and call the members to action  in furtherance of  Ekklesia's mission. Continued Blessings, 

Pastor Carthel

Servant/Shepherd & Pastor/Teacher

Ekklesia "META" Church

During Part 3 we drilled down a tad bit further. However, this time we believe Ephesians 4:11-16 synthesizes the overall purpose of the church where church leaders are called to: [1] EQUIP the Saints, [2] So the Saints can do the work of MINISTRY, [3] EDIFY the body of Christ. Feel free to listen to the sermon or browse the flipbook. Continued Blessings, 

Continued Blessings, 

Pastor Carthel

Servant/Shepherd & Pastor/Teacher

Ekklesia "META" Church

Today, during Part 2 of the series,  we covered the dynamics contained in the purpose of the church with an emphasis on the vital components that feed into answering the question, "Where is the church?" For example, we unpack the overall concept of church, as well as denominations, roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Feel free to listen to the sermon or browse the flipbook. Continued Blessings, 

Continued Blessings, 

Pastor Carthel

Servant/Shepherd & Pastor/Teacher

Ekklesia "META" Church

While some have asked "Is the church dead?", this series presents a similar question but from a different angle: "Where is the church?" It also presents a 21-Count "spiritual" indictment against an absentee organization. As we lay out the charges, you will be the jury deciding its guilt or innocence. Feel free to listen to the sermon or browse the flipbook. Continued Blessings

Continued Blessings, 

Pastor Carthel

Servant/Shepherd & Pastor/Teacher

Ekklesia "META" Church

Tonight eight responses were provided in answering the question, "What's Possible When You Have been Chosen by God?"  We also discussed three things you should do if you've been chosen by God. Feel free to listen to the sermon or browse the flipbook. Continued Blessings, 

Pastor Carthel

Servant/Shepherd & Pastor/Teacher

Ekklesia "META" Church

Today was Part 3 of the series. However, instead of closing out the series today it was expanded. We looked at the fallen, defeated, and cast down nature of Satan/Lucifer/Devil. We discussed how GOD HAS ALL POWER and that it is this power that allows Him to place limits on Satan. We closed by discussing the dynamics of RESPECT, FEAR, and DANGER. Feel free to listen to the sermon or browse the flipbook. Continued Blessings, 

Pastor Carthel

Servant/Shepherd & Pastor Teacher

Ekklesia "META" Church

MORE THAN JUST "DOUBLE FOR HIS TROUBLE." Today, we continued unpacking the Book of Job challenging the limited perspectives, teaching and preaching on the narrative. There is SO MUCH MORE than Job getting "double for his trouble" in this narrative. We discussed several of those realities in tonight's study. Feel free to listen to the sermon or browse the flipbook. Continued Blessings, 

Pastor Carthel

Servant/Shepherd & Pastor/Teacher

Ekklesia "META" Church

Today we embarked upon a new sermon series entitled "What Are The Possibilities When You Have Been Chosen By God: The Study of "A man in the land of Uz". During the series we'll dig much deeper into the Old Testament narrative of Job uncovering new found truths when we've been CHOSEN BY GOD. Continued Blessings, 

Pastor Carthel

Servant/Shepherd & Pastor/Teacher

Ekklesia "META" Church