In 1 Peter 1, the Apostle Peter makes nine declarative statements about believers in which he leaves no room for interpretation. He essentially says, “If you believe in Jesus, these things are true for you.” They are powerful statements that are meant to encourage Jesus’ followers, and they do…unless you choose not to feel encouraged. […]
One of Jesus’ best known parables is the story of the prodigal son. In Luke 15, we learn of a son who was extravagantly wasteful and the ineffable love of His Father. In this message from our first New Connections Day, Pastor Ben expands on the parable and shares a powerful story of the same […]
The law of sowing and reaping is seen in nature all the time. You plant a seed and you reap a harvest. This principle is not limited to plant life or the sphere of nature, but plays itself out in more abstract facets of our lives. When you sow hurt into a relationship, you may […]
Boldness is a world that is not used much any more, and the connotation is not always positive. But boldness is exactly what the Church needs to be effective in sharing the story of Jesus Christ. In this message from 1 Thessalonians, Pastor Ben encourages us to be bold in word, in deed, and in […]
Cruise control is a great invention. It helps make our driving smoother, but it can be a dangerous thing to when we apply it to our speech. We are responsible for speaking about our circumstances, world, one another, and ourselves in a way that is consistent with the truth of God. In this message from […]
We’ve all heard the saying “shake it off” in our lives at some point. Whoever was saying it was encouraging us to get over past hurts, move beyond circumstances, and let go of any bitterness that might taint the future. But it’s not that easy. In this message, Pastor Ben shows is how He taught […]
Testimony is a powerful tool. First-hand accounts of God’s faithfulness, power, and presence bring Him glory and edify His church. On Lay Witness Sunday, members of our community are given the opportunity to share their stories with the church family to testify to the Lord’s goodness, make known what He has done, and encourage the […]
Our ability to see makes the difference in the quality of our lives. Vision makes it possible for our bodies to focus. The more focus we have, the more clarity we have and benefit from. In this message, Pastor Ben talks about where Maranatha Fellowship has been & casts vision for the future of this […]
Military historians and tacticians will tell you that proper troop position is vital to achieving victory. In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat is facing a war. God tells him to take up his position “and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” Sometimes, faith is about showing up and going to war…not with weapons, […]
The term “high places” is used in the Old Testament 75 times. The high places were dedicated to idol worship, and God repeatedly told the Israelites to get rid of them, but they didn’t. These were small areas, but they had a big impact on the faith of God’s people. In this message from 1 […]