Porn and Lust

Posted by Jake Rasmussen | Posted in Blogging, Epic Church, Jesus, Leadership | Posted on 29-08-2009

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I have been doing a ton of research for tomorrow’s sermon.  In all honesty I was looking forward to Epic Church’s Porn Sunday.  I was thinking it would be fun to talk about something so taboo.  But in all reality porn and lust are destroying, yes DESTROYING, the life Jesus has created for us.  We think we know best.  We think we can “handle” our sin.  You know what – we don’t handle sin, sin handles us.  It is only by the power of Jesus that we are able to flee from sin.  Not because we remove it from our lives but because Jesus takes it away.

Isn’t that the Gospel message?  Not that we did anything, but that because of a deep unfathomable love Jesus has taken all of the crap of our lives and lives everywhere upon himself so that we may experience freedom.

Enough is Enough.  Lust and Porn are so entrenched in our culture.  I can’t even begin to think how or where to start to reverse the tide, but I tell you this – my life will be focused on Jesus and I will fight to the death for my purity.  Purity with Jesus.  Purity in my marriage.  Purity in my relationships.  I must allow Jesus to work within me and though me.

What are you going to do?

OUR FOCUS: Is Jesus. Part 1 of 3

Posted by Jake Rasmussen | Posted in Blogging, Church Planting, Community Transformation, Epic Church, Jesus, Leadership | Posted on 10-08-2009

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The next three posts will focus on what Epic Church, and our lives for that matter, must focus.

Focus 1 – Our Focus Must Be On Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 12)

Epic Church must focus on Jesus Christ.  As I prepare my sermons to the church I love so much I always ask myself this question, “How will this sermon glorify Jesus and allow Him to be the focus of our time together?”  (John 17) This too is the focus of all decisions regarding all things Epic Church and all things Team Rasmussen.  To be honest, sometimes I feel like I fail, just being honest.  Without a doubt, if Jesus is not the focus of our lives and church, we will fail.  And fail BIG TIME.

It sounds kind of silly to write a post or even say out loud that Jesus must be the focus of our church.  I mean it should go without saying.  Right?  Well, one would think so.  It would be like a baseball game without a hot dog, or a church planter without a Mac, chili without beans.  You get the point, just sounds totally ridiculous.

I see all sorts of churches put their focus on something other than Jesus.  At times in my life have been focused on other things rather than Jesus.  Some churches put their focus on doing good things, giving a lot of money, building the best worship service, having the coolest artwork, having the best music and the list can go on and on.  But, we must – let me say it another way; WE MUST have Jesus as our central focus in all we do.  (Matthew 6:33)

This does not negate the need for other things to compliment our focus but they must not be the driving force behind what we do.  It must be Jesus.

The message of the Gospel and person of Jesus will permeate all we do as Epic Church.  Jesus lived a perfect life, died a gruesome death, fulfilled scripture, has given us hope, a future, a purpose, a heaven, and the list could go on and on.  (1Cor 15)  Because of Jesus we have Epic Church.  Because of Jesus we have a story.

What does it look like for a church to be focused on Jesus?  (Acts)
I have been asking this question for months.  What does Epic Church look like when it is focused entirely on Jesus Christ?

For Epic Church when we focus on Jesus we will see radical life-change and authentic community.  (Acts)

Look out for number two tomorrow.

Waiting for @EpicChurch to Start – Video Blog

Posted by Jake Rasmussen | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 09-08-2009

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Just about to play hide and go seek and waiting for Epic Church to start online.  Here is a short video blog post.

You can find more about Epic Church HERE or check us on on:

Facebook

Twitter

Knockdown Drywall – Oklahoma City Day 1

Posted by Jake Rasmussen | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 07-08-2009

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Well, we made it to OKC at about 3:30am this morning.  I woke up and went for a run.  HUMIDITY is of the devil for sure.  47% here today.  Anywho, we are helping my Sister-in-Law (Lyndsay) and Brother-in-Law (Alvin) with housing projects over the next few days.  I have NEVER textured drywall but I am going to give it a shot today.  And if it works out, I have YOUTUBE to thank.  This is were I got all my training: