This summer at Coastline, we’re talking about being formed in our relationship with Jesus. Part of that formation involves fasting. Most of us would prefer to talk about anything but fasting. Fasting reminds us of our vulnerability. Fasting reminds us of our relationship with food. When we stand before God hungry, we suddenly know who we are. We are ones who are poor that are called to be rich in ways we don’t understand in this world. We are the ones who are broken who have been mended by the grace of Jesus. We are the ones who are empty that are longing to be filled not with the perishable but with the imperishable food of God. Listen in as Neal Benson shares how fasting continually sets our minds back on the Lord.

This week in our Formed sermon series, we'll see that the Holy Spirit is the key to all transformation. Regardless of the means God uses or the spiritual discipline involved, it is the work of the Holy Spirit that brings about formation. We however, must do our part and allow the Holy Spirit to do his part. Listen in as teaching pastor, Doug Meye, explains that gospel authenticity invites the work of the Holy Spirit.

Our community is a very powerful tool in our spiritual formation. It will inevitably make us more or less like Jesus. Listen in as Community Life Pastor, Teller Emmer, talks about how we become the average of the people we spend the most time with. Is our community making us more like Jesus, spurring us on to love and good deeds? Or do we become a different person when we are with them, acting one way on Sunday and another with our friends or at work? 

When you talk about worship in a church the first thing that most people think about is worship through music.  But when we look at the entirety of Scripture, we read that worship is more than singing. In Psalm 96 we are instructed to sing a new song to the Lord; however, Psalm 96 is about more than singing. It shows us that worship includes singing, sharing the good news of Jesus, and giving. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches us that worship is not about what we feel, but who we know.

Listen in as Blaze McEntee preaches on the spiritual discipline of prayer. In his message, he answers three questions regarding prayer: Who are we praying to? Is there a right or wrong way to pray? and When should we pray? Throughout the message we see God’s heart for His people to come to Him in truth and authenticity. Be encouraged as you hear about God’s desire for us to continually draw near to him through prayer.

Who are you becoming? The life that Jesus invites us into isn't saying yes to Jesus for heaven, then no to Jesus for the rest of our lives. Instead, it's a life of constantly growing, being filled, maturing, and becoming like Jesus. Transformation is possible, promised, and even expected, but not inevitable. It takes effort and practice. In this week's Formed series, guest speaker, Bert Alcorn, dives into the spiritual discipline of practice. Listen in and learn how being conformed into the image of Jesus takes participation and intentionality on our part.

Moses’ childhood was convoluted by today’s therapy standards. He was born into a Hebrew family in Egypt during a time when it was dangerous for Hebrew families to have children due to a law that stated all baby boys were to be put to death at birth. Despite this, Moses survived, was raised in the palace in Egypt and groomed for leadership. He lived between two worlds but neither was truly his home or where he belonged. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on Exodus 2-3 about how Moses’ life was shaped in solitude. 

We are all being formed into something. We are all pointing our lives in a direction. As we consider growing spiritually, we need to slow down and think of what that direction might be. In Ephesians 4, Paul teaches the early church about leaving their life of sin to be formed in Christ. Paul planted the Ephesian church about five years prior and knows they are not continuing in their spiritual formation. Without using the word “sanctification,” he teaches about the process of how sinful humans are made holy by God. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson encourages us to make a continual commitment to be like Jesus. 

For the past eight weeks we’ve studied various scenes in the life of Joseph. We first met him in Genesis 37 living in his father’s home. Then in Genesis 39 we saw a snapshot of his life in Potiphar’s home. Next, we found Joseph in a jail cell. The last part of his life was spent living in Egypt as second in command of the entire nation. Through Joseph's story, we learn that even when life doesn't go our way, God is still at work. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on Genesis 50 and the importance of a life shaped by a relationship with God.

Genesis 47 starts out with the joy of a family reunion but quickly turns to the pain of a famine. The Egyptian people have no choice but to go to Joseph for help throughout the famine to stay alive. As Joseph handles this crisis, he models a life of character and integrity. What stands out in Genesis 47 is that the Egyptian people offer servitude to Pharaoh in return for food. Although Joseph is not an active schemer in the plan they present, he does play a passive role in complying with their suggestions. In the midst of hardship, we see God provide for Egypt through Joseph. Joseph comes up with a creative plan to keep the people alive and helps them spread out into new land! Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on Genesis 47 and how to live a life of integrity.