Catch The Fire Church Raleigh Catch The Fire Church - Raleigh

This week, Jess concluded the last moments of Jesus’ time on earth before his ascension to heaven. Reading from John 21, we see Jesus standing on the shore, calling out to Peter and the six other disciples to come and have breakfast with Him. It’s a powerful story of Jesus seeking out Peter who has returned to what he’s always known and restoring him back into fellowship, forgiving him, and calling out purpose and destiny in Peter. God uses the lowest moments of our lives to reveal His greatest love for us. Despite the letdowns and shame that we carry, God wants to call us back into fellowship with Him and remind us that there is destiny after the disappointment.

This week, Aaron Ninaber, our Lead Pastor, delivered a powerful sermon journeying through the post-resurrection encounters of Jesus found in John 20. Jesus meets us in our moments of weakness, doubt, and disillusionment, breaking through our self-imposed barriers with a message of peace and assurance. Our struggles and questions don’t disqualify us from being used by God, but instead, Jesus has a way of turning our weakest moments into moments of commissioning. Be encouraged to invite Jesus into your locked rooms and watch Him bring you a message of Peace and lift up your head to the world around you.

Pastor Jess Ninaber preaches from Luke 24:13-35 leading us through the story of The Road To Emmaus. After Jesus’ resurrection, two disciples are left disillusioned and disappointed by Jesus' death. Despite walking alongside Jesus, they fail to recognize him, blinded by their own preconceived notions of who Jesus should be and how he should fulfill his role as the Messiah. When Jesus broke the bread at the table with them, their eyes were opened to who he truly was. We can often be on similar journeys where we need to set aside our own expectations of how we thought our situations should be and embrace the paradoxical nature of Jesus' kingdom, where strength is found in weakness and victory in sacrifice, then our eyes will be opened to who he really is.

On Easter Sunday, we were blessed with an inspiring message from our Senior Leader, Duncan Smith, titled "Victory in the Resurrection." This sermon beautifully underscores how Jesus supplanted our human endeavors with His unparalleled sacrifice. True Christianity revolves around God's selfless act of sacrifice on our behalf. Through Jesus' resurrection, we are intricately united with Him, embarking on a transformative journey. Easter epitomizes God's boundless love, exemplified by His incarnation to offer us salvation. Embracing Jesus enables us to transcend our former selves, discovering newfound joy and righteousness in Him. It's time to rejoice in our renewed life with Jesus and shift our gaze from past shortcomings to spiritual rejuvenation.

In his sermon titled "Jesus, Our Passover Lamb," Pastor Aaron Ninaber guides us through Jesus' journey from his triumphant entry to the somber events of Good Friday. Drawing from Luke's account, Pastor Aaron examines Jesus' ministry, emphasizing his humility, passion, and sacrifice. He connects Jesus' actions with the significance of the Passover and Old Testament prophecies, highlighting Jesus as the fulfillment of God's plan. Pastor Aaron also addresses our universal need for salvation and the transformative love of Christ. As we listen, we're encouraged to reflect on our own lives, welcome Jesus, and participate in communion as a reminder of his profound sacrifice for our redemption.

This week we had the incredible honor to hear from our Community Pastor, Justin Rife, on the importance of truly knowing Jesus. He had a seat at the table for all, from zealots to tax collectors, from the poor and needy to the high and mighty. If you’re hungry for more of Him, you need to be following Him and feasting at His table. Our call is to follow Him and reorient our lives around His will, to serve His body, for His glory! Take some time today and ask yourself, do I really know Jesus or do I just know about Him? The invitation to His table is open and there’s a spot just for you!