What Would Jesus Say To

Creative PastorsLife is filled with ups and downs. Along the journey we experience times of joy, and we face moments of pain. Both, though, are a part of fully living.
Yet, how many times do we allow pain to paralyze us from moving forward? How many times does pain in life overcome our ability to truly live?
In this series, Ed Young and special guests help us discover what it takes to move past the pain. And we learn that God wants us to do more than manage the pain in life; He wants us to discover joy through it.
When You're Struggling
Everyone faces hard times. We all endure difficult circumstances. When we do, one of two things can happen. We can quit, or we can move forward.
In this message, guest speaker Greg Rohlinger shares a deeply personal message. And as he unpacks the pain he faces daily in his own life, he shows us how God can use any difficulty to accomplish His purpose. Because when we're struggling, God hasn't forgotten you; He is right there with us, helping us move on.
The Long Haul
It's no secret that we all struggle with pain. We all face situations that try our patience and test our resolve. But what about those painful situations that aren't just temporary? Is there hope in a circumstance that lasts a lifetime?
In this message, guest speaker Tracy Barnes shares his family's struggle with pain that is greater than most people will ever know. And as he shares his story and opens God's Word, he also reveals the key to experiencing joy in the long haul.
Understanding Pain
There’s no avoiding it, no dodging it. Pain is something every person deals with at some point during their time on earth. Our response to pain, though, varies. Some people work through it with unmatched determination. Others allow it to paralyze them completely. But at some point, everyone asks, “Why is there pain?”
In this message, Pastor Ed Young looks at the reality of pain in our lives. He uncovers some of the ‘why’. And as we gain a biblical perspective, we begin to see that there may actually be purpose behind the pain we face.
Society has its notion of what makes dating, relationships and marriage thrive. But a quick look under the hood reveals a longing to get back on the right track-a longing to do it God's way. Because it is only the octane that God provides that gets us out of the rut and back on the road toward relational success.
In this series, Ed Young shows us how a relationship fueled by God is a relationship that experiences the ultimate thrill ride. Whether your marriages has redlined, your relational tank is running on fumes, or your dating life has hit cruise control, this series promises to reenergize our drive and refuel our passion to follow God's track.
Recall Notice
When it comes to relationships, following the same path, going down the same road, understanding the same guidelines is crucial in order to last. Yet, so many relationships fail today because they fail to understand some very basic principles.
In this message, Ed Young serves up a recall notice and brings us all back to the basics of understanding what God has for us in our relationships. And we see that when we trade in our broken relational habits for God's plans, we'll begin to head down the road of relational success.
Just Down The Road
The journey towards relational success isn't an overnight trip. It takes time. It takes work. And it takes a willingness to follow the right directions. The good news is that the directions are spelled out clearly for us in God's Word.
In this message, Ed Young continues to point out the relational habits we need to let go as well as the ones we need to embrace. And he shows us that when we choose to follow God's directions, relational success is just down the road.
Dashboard Warnings
One of the most important aspects of relationships, just as in driving, is the ability to recognize trouble before it happens. Yet, when the warning signs in relationships appear, too many people continue to cruise along. They ignore the potential hazards, because to heed them is to acknowledge that something needs to be fixed, something needs to change.
In this message, Ed Young takes a look at some potential relational hazards. And he reveals to us the importance of reading and heeding God's relational warning signs in order to continue our drive down's life's highway.
Off-Roading
Sex is a powerful gift - a gift designed to be protected and cared for. Yet, to many people are trashing God's gift of sex. And when we decide to go our own way and have sex outside of the protection and provision of marriage, we are essentially taking a high end sports car off-roading.
In this message, Ed Young unpacks the danger of going off road. And he shows us the promise and potential we can experience when we commit to dating, and using the gift of sex, according to God's plan. Because it is only then that we discover the true freedom of life on the right road
The 4 Wheels of Relationships
Every human relationship, dating or marriage, faces the same potential road blocks. Every successful relationship, though, has people who understand what it takes to overcome those obstacles.
In this message, Ed and Lisa Young share four common factors that every relationship and marriage must have to be successful. And when we understand these four "wheels", we'll discover what it takes to cruise down God's highway of relationship victory.
Worship is something we all do. But the reality is that most of us don't realize it. And we don't understand what it can do.
In this series, Ed Young reveals the reality of worship. He gives us a glimpse of what it looks like in our day-to-day lives. And he shows us how true worship can unpack the full potential of what God has in store for us all.
Everyone Worships
The ball crosses the end zone and the crowd goes wild. The band takes the stage and the audience rises to its feet. The three pointer ties the game and arms around the arena are raised in triumph. These are nothing more than our energetic and emotional response to something we love. It's something we all do. But in reality what, and more importantly who we respond to varies. And the truth is that the object of our reaction is the very thing that determines the outcome of our lives. In this message, Ed Young unpacks the reality of our response. And we discover the fact that when we respond the one true God, everything in life takes on a new and more powerful meaning.
Worship Is…
Everyone worships. We may not realize it, but it's true. The trouble is that our definition of worship is often out of whack. In the message, Ed Young breaks down the biblical definition of worship. He helps us realize that everything we do and say is an act of worship. And we see that when God becomes our primary passion, life takes on a completely new meaning.
Don’t Miss the View
We all worship something or someone. Yet, too many people miss the power of worship. They focus on the wrong things, and end up experiencing a lack of purpose and direction.
In this message, Pace Hartfield helps us hone in on the reality of true worship. He challenges us to make God the focus of our worship. And he encourages us that when we get our worship right, we get our lives right.
The Finest Hour
Worship is something we all do. But the reality is that we aren't always fully prepared for the implications and influence it should have in our lives.
In this message, Ed Young reminds us of the true definition of worship. And he shows us what it takes to reach out and grasp the life God has for every one of us, beginning with the finest hour of every week.
Cubby Holes
Family. Recreation. Friendships. Career. So often, we try to separate the area of our lives. And worship is just another cubby hole we attempt to maintain.
In this message, though, guest speaker Derek Donley (Pace Hartfield, Chris King, Tracy Barnes, Landon Pickering) shows us how this kind of fragmented life keeps us from discovering all that God has for us. Instead, when we allow worship to transcend everything we do, say, touch and feel, we discover how to get the most of the entirety of our lives.
Gay Marriage. Vulgarity. Bullying.
These aren't just topics in today's newspaper headlines; they are subjects that God has talked about throughout the pages of Scripture.
Throughout this series, Ed Young will open up the pages of the Bible and look at what God says about some of culture's most pressing subjects. We'll discover just how we should approach them and how God's truth can help us avoid drinking culture's cool-aid!
Truth and Love
Gay marriage is one of the most hotly discussed topics in the world today. We've heard everyone share their opinion on it, from Hollywood to Washington. In this message, Ed Young opens up the pages of Scripture and points to something much more powerful and concrete than opinion - God's truth. God is the one who sets the standard for our world. And when we understand His standard, we understand how to approach every topic in life with truth and love.
The Regularity of Vulgarity
The term 'society' assumes a certain level of decorum. To be civilized requires a platform of respect, a mentality of manners. Yet, in today's world, vulgarity is everywhere we turn. In this message, Ed Young reminds us of the power our words have. He shows us how God's plan for language and behavior is far from what we see in the media or hear on the street. And we learn what it takes to use our words to build life into others, rather than using them to destroy or demean.
Open Up a CAN
Bullying has been around as long as the world is old. Everyone faces it. Some people cower from it; others rage against it. But what is the right way to respond? In this message, Ed Young opens up the pages of Scripture to see what God has to say about bullies. He opens up a story from his childhood. And he helps us discover just how we can open up a can on the bullies in our lives.
Homeboy
It's a popular thought - "Jesus is my homeboy." We like to think of him that way, because it's comfortable and casual. In this message, though, Ed Young gives us a powerful reminder of the dangers of casualiazing our holy God. And we discover that when we elevate God to the level he truly deserves in our lives, we discover they key to getting the most out of life.
At 1:00 minute this video clip was originally created to open Ed Young's "Light (Christmas '05)" message. The Light message artwork appears while being accompanied by the instrumental of the song "Star of Wonder." You can use this video to open your own "Light Christmas" message.
Originally created for the Christmas series: The Divine, these pieces are powerful. The profound birth of Jesus is told as the narrator stands outside, under the stars. The deep voice of the narrator, accompanied by music and dynamic filming, create a cinematic experience destined to leave an impression. Averaging 1:13 minutes in length and totaling 6:05 minutes, these five clips can be used together or separately during your services.
While these videos can be used in conjunction with this series, they are not specific to the series and can be used in any setting.
This piece is a powerful reading, the words scrolling up as they are audibly read. The reading starts from the perspective of a person who is clearly a non-believer full of doubt telling of his "reality" of Christmas. It seems to come to an end there. But then Jesus turns it all upside down. The very same reading is read once again from bottom to top proclaiming the glory of the birth of the Christ. It is integrated with background music. At 02:18 minutes in length, this powerful piece can be used directly in your service or as a conversation starter in a classroom or small group setting.
The story of Christmas begins with the son of God in a manger. For many, the manger has become part of the nativity scene they got on sale with the Christmas tree, ornaments and lights. This film illustrates that Christmas isn't about traditions, marketing and expectations but about God's love given to us so we can give it away to others.
This film is also included in the Step Into Christmas Media Kit.
Being single in today's world can be a springboard toward fulfilling, lifelong relationships and rewarding commitments, or it can be a downward spiral into the most destructive time of a person's life. So much in life comes down to our crossroad choices as a single.
In this surprisingly candid book, Ed teaches on these four critical dating issues:
It's a reality in any relationship. Who you really are will be revealed at some point over the course of time. This is especially true in marriage.
God designed marriage as a mirror. It's what intimacy is all about: seeing a reflection of yourself in your spouse. But it doesn't end with seeing your own reflection. Each time you look at your marriage, you should see God's reflection shining back. Because as you do, you'll discover more than a great marriage; you'll discover the ways God wants to use you and where he can take you.
In this book, Ed and Lisa Young share with the reader just what marriage is, what it can do and who it is designed for. And as they reveal God's truth about the most important earthly relationship, you'll discover just how your marriage mirror can help you see clearer and grow closer not only with your spouse, but also with God.
No matter how you ask the question, the answer is the same. Yes you can! You can incorporate innovative strategies into your church ministry - strategies that will affect not only the way you do church but that will dramatically impact the lives of current church members and help you in reaching out to your community.
In this refreshingly practical book, Andy Stanley and Ed Young -- two of America's most innovative and effective church leaders -- deliver twenty-four creative ministy tools that you can adapt and use to help your own church be all God intends it to be.
The predominant message in our culture is that it's okay to have sex whenever, wherever, and however we want. Sex has become just sex. But while society has taken sex too far, the church hasn't taken it far enough. God wants couples to make love in marriage-with passion, with purpose, and with pleasure. Marriages aren't experiencing all the benefits that come from a healthy sex life. Couples are facing a barrage of influences that keep them from connecting with each other regularlythe kids, the career, the house, the errands, etc.
SEXPERIMENT shows people that sex in marriage is more than just sex, and it's more than a chore. The Youngs believe it's time to get back to understanding the context of sex in marriage and it's time for couples to break down the barriers keeping them from a healthy sexual relationship. Couples ought to experience the benefits of having sex regularly, intentionally, and creatively. SEXPERIMENT will allow couples to discover that the intersection of God and sex can lead to a life punctuated with exclamation marks!
Find out more at TheSexperiment.com!
Most people have heard of the disciples. Many of us are familiar with stories of Moses, David and certainly Jesus. But what about those people in the background of Scripture?
In this study, Ed Young looks at some seemingly insignificant characters and shows us their significance. He brings them from the background of the Bible to the foreground of our minds. Because although they don't receive a lot of ink in the Bible, these unknown personalities have a lot to teach us about the way God wants us to live.
We know them when we see them, and they're everywhere. We spot them across the room at family gatherings. We sense them walking down the street in our neighborhood. And we go to great lengths to dodge them at the office. Why? Because we're convinced they've taken the crazy pill.
In this study, Ed Young peels back the label on the bottle of crazy pills in our world. And as he looks into what drives us crazy, what keeps us there and how to deal with the crazy people in our lives, he shows us that being crazy isn't always bad if we're crazy for the right things.
Sleep is an interesting state. When we're asleep, we don't even know it. It's only when we wake up that we realize we had been asleep in the first place. It's true physically; it's also true spiritually.
In these 6 video-based sessions, Ed Young looks at several characters throughout the Bible who found themselves asleep to what God had in store for them. And as we get an inside track into their lives, we discover that in our own lives, God doesn't want us to be lulled to sleep spiritually. Because life takes on so much more meaning, direction and purpose when we finally wake up!
Week One: Sleeping in Church
Week Two: Sleeping in Church Part 2
Week Three: Another Level
Week Four: Unlimited Potential
Week Five: Unlimited Potential Part 2
Week Six: Opportunity of a Lifetime
Happiness is something that everyone wants. And we are willing to spend endless years, countless dollars and boundless energy looking for it. We think if we can just catch up to it, we will have it made. But does God's desire for us have anything to do with an endless search for a feeling? Or is there more to it?
In these 7 video-based sessions, Ed Young takes a hard look at what happiness is and our endless pursuit of it. And as we uncover what God really wants for our lives—joy—we see that when we move past the superficial and onto the supernatural, the search ends and a life of outrageous, contagious joy begins.