Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA is launching a new microchurch called Hope in Life, led by Angel Atkinson. This weekly gathering is designed to nurture the whole person—spirit, mind, and body—through faith, conversation, and hands-on learning.
Hope in Life meets every Friday evening from 5–7 p.m. Each week includes a time in the Bible, space for group discussion, and an opportunity to practice a new skill. The focus changes weekly, from cooking and sewing to self-care, cleaning, or even understanding emotions. On the fourth Friday of each month, the group hosts a shared dinner, creating an atmosphere of friendship and community.
Angel’s heart for this ministry is to provide a place where practical tools and spiritual encouragement come together. By offering both, Hope in Life helps participants grow stronger in faith while also equipping them with everyday skills that build confidence and hope.
Why Hope in Life Matters
True wholeness touches every part of life. Struggles with daily routines can often weigh down the heart, just as spiritual burdens can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming. Hope in Life creates a safe place where people can find encouragement, learn together, and discover that God cares about their entire well-being—spirit, mind, and body.
Refer Someone Who You Know
Hope in Life is not just for those who already know what they need. Sometimes the best way to help is simply to extend an invitation. Friends, neighbors, or family members may benefit from a group like this even if they would never ask for it themselves. Referrals are a vital part of this ministry—pointing someone toward a supportive community can open the door to healing, growth, and renewed hope.
Hope in Life meets every Friday from 5–7 p.m. at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, and is led by Angel Atkinson. This microchurch is committed to walking alongside people as they grow stronger spiritually, emotionally, and practically.
You’re invited to a unique fall event at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA! On Saturday, October 11, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, join us for Paint & Praise: Fall Edition, hosted by Engage Prayer.
🎨 What is Paint & Praise?
Paint & Praise is more than just a painting activity—it’s a chance to blend creativity, community, and worship. Together we’ll create a fall-themed painting, enjoy good company, and lift our hearts in praise. You don’t need to be an artist—this event is designed for everyone, no matter your skill level.
🍪 Homemade Treats from Harvest of Faith Microchurch
To make the afternoon even sweeter, Harvest of Faith Microchurch is preparing homemade treats for everyone to enjoy. It’s the perfect way to round out a cozy, faith-filled fall gathering.
🙌 Why Join Us?
Enjoy a fun, fall-themed painting project.
Connect with others in a warm, welcoming environment.
Savor homemade snacks.
Experience how art and worship can refresh your spirit.
📅 Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 11
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Location: Open Arms Community Church, Bradford, PA
We’d love for you to join us this Sunday, October 5th at 7PM for a worship service on campus at the Harriet B. Wick Chapel, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
This special event is being sponsored by the Sunday Dinner Microchurch, a group of young adults who meet every Sunday at 5PM at the Hatcher House (869 West Washington Street) for dinner, connection, and conversation. After gathering around the table, the group is heading over to UPB to host this night of worship — and you’re invited to be part of it!
🙌 What to Expect
Live worship music
A welcoming community of students and friends
An opportunity to pause, reflect, and encounter God on campus
📍 Where: Harriet B. Wick Chapel, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford 🕖 When: Sunday, October 5, 2025 – 7:00 PM
Bring a friend, or come on your own—you’ll find community waiting for you. Whether you join us for dinner beforehand or meet us at Wick Chapel for worship, we can’t wait to see you this Sunday night!
Fasting is one of the most essential and powerful spiritual practices in the life of a disciple—and yet, it may also be the most neglected. In a culture that loves comfort and convenience, the thought of giving up food or other pleasures doesn’t sound appealing. But in Scripture, fasting is not presented as an optional extra. Jesus Himself said, “When you fast” (Matthew 6:16), not if.
At its heart, fasting is not about dieting, deprivation, or looking “super-spiritual.” Fasting is about creating space for God. It is about trading meals for moments with Him, exchanging temporary comfort for lasting joy.
What Is Fasting?
Fasting is the practice of giving something up—most often food—for a time, in order to draw closer to God in prayer. It’s a way of asking: “Lord, what do you want me to set aside so I can seek You more deeply?”
As one writer puts it: “Fasting is literally praying with your body.” By denying the flesh, you open yourself more fully to the Spirit. By setting aside physical cravings, you make room for a deeper hunger for God.
Fasting is also a form of voluntary suffering. It trains us to be joyful even when we don’t get what we want. Just as parents teach their children that they can’t have everything they desire, God teaches us that true joy comes not from indulging our cravings, but from delighting in Him.
The Example of Jesus
Jesus Himself fasted:
Matthew 4:1–2 (NIV)
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
But there were also times He didn’t fast, and even told others not to:
Mark 2:18–20 (NIV)
“Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, ‘How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?’
Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.’”
Jesus shows us there is a time to fast, and a time to feast. Both are important in the rhythm of a spiritually healthy life.
When Should I Fast?
Fasting is not about religious performance or fad diets. It’s not intermittent fasting or Keto with a prayer added on top. Fasting is Spirit-led. It’s not about shedding pounds—it’s about drawing near to God.
There are also times when fasting isn’t appropriate—holidays, birthdays, celebrations. God calls us to feast as well as fast.
But when He does lead us to fast, Scripture tells us how to do it:
Matthew 6:1, 16–18 (NIV)
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
The point is clear: fasting is between you and God. Keep it private. Don’t fast for attention or sympathy.
Why Fast?
The main purpose of fasting is simple: seeking God.
Throughout the Bible, God’s people fasted for:
Breakthrough – Esther, Daniel
Mission – Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13)
Repentance and mercy – Joel 2
Jesus also taught that certain things only happen through prayer and fasting:
Mark 9:28–29 (NKJV)
“And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’
So He said to them, ‘This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.’”
Fasting doesn’t guarantee answers, but it does amplify our prayers—like putting a megaphone on them. It increases both our capacity to hear God and to be heard by Him.
What Should I Fast?
Traditionally, fasting means abstaining from food and drink (except water) for a set time. But fasting can also include setting aside other things that consume time and attention—social media, entertainment, even good things like workouts or marital intimacy (see 1 Corinthians 7).
Here’s an important distinction: if it’s something sinful, giving it up isn’t fasting—that’s obedience. Fasting is about surrendering something good for the sake of pursuing something better: God Himself.
Feeding on God’s Word
Fasting teaches us to live on a different kind of nourishment.
John 4:31–34 (NLT)
“Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’
But Jesus replied, ‘I have a kind of food you know nothing about.’
‘Did someone bring him food while we were gone?’ the disciples asked each other.
Then Jesus explained: ‘My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.’”
When we fast, every craving for food becomes a reminder to crave God more deeply. It is a time to savor His Word instead of food.
How to Fast Well
If you sense God calling you to fast, here are a few simple steps:
Pray – Begin by asking the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Read – Spend time in Scripture; fill your soul with truth.
Journal – Write down what God is showing you.
SAVOR – Use this journaling practice to stay present with God:
S – Stillness: pause and breathe.
A – Acceptance: face reality honestly.
V – Verify: find a verse that speaks to it.
O – Observe: notice what’s stirring in your heart.
R – Return: repent and realign with God.
And finally—share. Fasting itself is private, but what God reveals to you can build up others.
An Invitation
Ann Voskamp writes: “Prayer (and fasting) aren’t about getting what you desperately want, but about getting more of the One who desperately wants you.”
This is the heart of fasting. Not striving to get more from God, but making space to receive more of God Himself.
So here’s the invitation: Ask the Lord what He wants you to fast from, and what He wants you to fast for. Trade your cravings for communion. Let fasting become a doorway to deeper intimacy, breakthrough, and joy.
Come Experience This With Us
We’d love for you to experience God’s presence, His Word, and His people in person. If you’re in the Bradford, PA area, join us this Sunday at Open Arms Community Church.
🕘 Service Times
Sundays at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
✨ You don’t have to have it all together—just come as you are. We’ll save you a seat, and we can’t wait to welcome you.
Many of us wonder, Am I praying right? Do I have to say the exact words? Does God really hear me? Family Pastor Annette Dennison answers these questions with Scripture, a personal healing testimony, and a simple framework for a life of prayer you can actually live. Prayer is not performance—it’s relationship.
“Prayer doesn’t change things; God changes things… It’s the God to whom we pray who has all power.” – Pastor Annette Dennison
What Is Prayer, Really?
Prayer is an honest conversation with God—real emotions, real requests, and a real relationship. It’s how we cultivate friendship with Him and grow in joy.
“Prayer is our primary portal to joy… The more you pray, the more you think to pray.” – Pastor Annette Dennison
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer (Matthew 6:5–15)
Jesus warns against praying to be seen and invites us into secret, sincere communion with the Father:
Matthew 6:5–8 (NIV): “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites… But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen… And when you pray, do not keep on babbling… for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Then He offers a pattern we can follow:
Matthew 6:9–13 — The Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
And He adds:
Matthew 6:14–15: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Key takeaway: The Lord’s Prayer is a pattern, not a performance. It reorients our hearts to God’s name, God’s will, God’s provision, God’s mercy, and God’s leadership.
Does Prayer “Work”? Faith and God’s Power
Mark 11:24: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Faith isn’t magic words—it’s trust in the God who answers.
Annette shared how, after the church prayed over her, doctors who previously saw four pituitary tumors found none on the follow-up scan. Her response?
“My God took them away.” – Pastor Annette Dennison
James 5:16: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Why Solitude Matters—Jesus Shows the Way
Jesus practiced secret prayer—often, and for long stretches.
Luke 6:12: “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”
Mark 1:35–38: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up… to a solitary place, where he prayed…”
Solitude clears the noise so you can give God your undivided attention and learn spiritual discipline.
Psalm 100: “Worship the Lord with gladness… Enter his gates with thanksgiving…”
Gratitude is the doorway to deeper love.
Why Pray Together? The Power of Corporate Prayer
2 Chronicles 7:14–15: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray… then I will hear from heaven… I will forgive… and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.”
When God’s people humble themselves, repent, and seek His face together, communities change.
Four Practical Levels of Prayer
Annette outlined a simple path you can start today:
Talking to God – Pray Scripture (Psalms), historic prayers, or sing.
Talking with God – Share details of your life with gratitude; ask for help (petition) and stand in the gap for others (intercession).
Listening to God – Make quiet space to hear His “still, small voice.”
Being with God – Rest in His presence: “To look at Him, looking at us in love.”
Try This Today
Find a quiet moment. Pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly.
Add your own words: Name a need, confess a sin, thank God for one gift, ask for guidance.
Sit in silence for one minute and listen.
Text a friend: “How can I pray for you today?”
Before bed, whisper: “Father, I trust You with this.”
Looking for a Church in Bradford, PA?
If you’re spiritually curious or hurting and wondering how to pray, we’d love to walk with you.
Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA is a place to find hope, healing, and purpose in Jesus—together in microchurches and on Sundays.
Addiction is a heavy burden. It leaves people feeling isolated, ashamed, and unsure where to turn. For Robert Erickson, that struggle was very real. He battled alcohol and opiates, tried to push through life on his own, and even reached the point of checking himself into a psych ward. Nothing seemed to work.
But then, God called him home.
Robert describes that moment as a “slap on the head” from God—when he realized Jesus had been waiting for him all along. Out of that turning point, Homecoming Recovery was born.
Why “Homecoming”?
The name carries deep meaning. Robert says, “I was doing things my way. On my own terms. But when I was broken and had nothing left, God said, ‘Are you ready to come home to me? I’ve been waiting.’”
For him, recovery wasn’t just about getting clean—it was about coming home to Jesus, the One who restores and makes all things new.
What Is Homecoming Recovery?
Homecoming Recovery is a faith-based microchurch at Open Arms Community Church for anyone walking through addiction or recovery. Whether you’re just starting the journey, have been sober for years, or are still struggling, you’ll find encouragement, hope, and practical support here.
Unlike traditional NA or AA meetings, this group is rooted in God’s Word. Each week, the group walks through the 12 steps of recovery using the Life Recovery Bible, opening the floor for honest discussion, sharing, and prayer.
The focus isn’t on rules or requirements—it’s simple: come as you are.
Who Is It For?
Anyone struggling with addiction
Those in recovery who want ongoing support
Family members and friends who want to better understand the journey
People wrestling with faith but open to discovering what Jesus can do
Robert puts it plainly: “Jesus will meet you where you are and when you are ready. He isn’t the one who left—we are. But when you turn back, He’s right there to welcome you home.”
When & Where
📅 Fridays at 6:00 PM 📍 Microchurch Room at Open Arms Community Church (71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA)
Why Come?
Because you don’t have to fight this battle alone. Because healing happens in community. Because Jesus offers freedom, hope, and a new beginning.
At Homecoming Recovery, you’ll be welcomed, wanted, and reminded that there is a way forward—and the way is Jesus.
Pumpkinfest is one of the highlights of fall here in Bradford, PA—a time for families and friends to gather downtown, enjoy the festivities, and celebrate the season together. This year, the fun doesn’t have to end when Pumpkinfest wraps up.
Open Arms Community Church invites you to keep the celebration going with our Fall Movie Night on Saturday, September 27, from 6:30–8:30 PM.
A Cozy Fall Evening for the Whole Family
Our Community Fun Night will feature a seasonal classic movie. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the timeless story, laughter, and lessons that come with this fall favorite.
And what’s a movie night without treats? We’ll have:
Freshly popped popcorn
Sweet candy snacks
A warm, family-friendly atmosphere
Free and Open to Everyone
This event is completely free and open to the community. Whether you’re part of Open Arms or just looking for something fun to do after Pumpkinfest in Bradford, PA, you’re welcome to join us. Bring your family, bring your friends, and enjoy an evening that’s both fun and meaningful.
Want to Lend a Hand?
We’re also looking for volunteers to help make the night special. Opportunities include:
Helping set up before the event
Handing out candy
Making and serving popcorn
Cleaning up after the movie
If you’d like to volunteer, just connect with Angel or Dan at Open Arms.
Join Us After Pumpkinfest!
Don’t head straight home after Pumpkinfest—come on over to Open Arms Community Church at 71 Congress Street in Bradford, PA, for Family Fun Night. It’s the perfect way to wind down the day with a cozy movie, tasty snacks, and great company.
Search intent this post serves:Why am I so tired? Does God really want me to rest? What is the Sabbath? How do I practice Sabbath today? What happens if I never slow down?
At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, we’re walking through Do As I Do—a series about apprenticing under Jesus. In Part 2, Pastor Rich Dennison asks a surprising, very practical question: What if the “key” you forgot in your life is rest?
Jesus said, “I am the way.” He didn’t hand us a self-help checklist—He lived God’s original design and invited us to follow it. And God’s way starts with something most of us neglect: Sabbath.
Why Am I So Tired—And Does God Really Want Me to Rest?
Most of us are chronically exhausted—overbusy, underslept, and running on fumes. Tiredness is part of life, but many of us live at a dangerous level of tired, so worn down that we struggle to sense God’s presence or hear His voice.
From page one of the Bible, God’s rhythm is clear: the day begins with rest (sundown), and the week begins with Sabbath (rest). Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s essential to apprenticeship under Jesus.
What Is the Sabbath—And Why Did God Command It?
Exodus 20:8–11 (NIV)
8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
Why we need it (in plain language):
To counterbalance the other six days of work
To restore mind, body, and spirit
To worship and fellowship—real connection with God and people
To declare freedom from a culture that says your worth = your productivity
To remember creation and the Creator—the day He blessed and made holy
Did Jesus Break the Sabbath—or Redefine It?
Some accused Jesus of “breaking” Sabbath when His disciples plucked grain because they were hungry. Jesus corrected man-made restrictions and restored God’s heart for Sabbath.
Mark 2:23–28 (NIV)
23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Key truths:
Jesus was sinless—He didn’t violate God’s law. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
He fulfilled and restored Sabbath, prioritizing mercy, compassion, and human need over rigid rule-keeping.
Sabbath is a gift meant to draw us closer to God—a blessing, not a burden.
What Happens If I Don’t Slow Down?
When we never rest, we’re not trusting God. We start living as if everything depends on our hustle and nothing depends on His provision. Scripture warns that unbelief hardens hearts and keeps us from God’s rest.
Hebrews 3:7–19 (NIV, excerpt)
7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion…” 11 “They shall never enter my rest.” 12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God… 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
How Do I Practice Sabbath in Real Life?
Think race-car pit stop: after a hard run, everything must be cleaned, inspected, and tuned so it can finish the race. Sabbath is your weekly restoration bay.
Five simple steps to start:
Prepare (day before): finish shopping, cleaning, errands so they won’t hijack your Sabbath.
Set boundaries: decide what you’re not doing—work, email, social scroll, etc.
Embrace life-giving activities: special meals • time with family/friends • hobbies • reading/nap • walk in nature • journaling/prayer • worship with your church community
Reflect & debrief: What renewed you? What did God highlight? Share it with someone.
Integrate the rhythm: Make Sabbath a regular, life-giving habit that brings joy, peace, and calm.
God attaches promises to obedience:
Isaiah 58:10–14 (NIV, excerpt)
10 …your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden… 12 …Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. 13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath… 14 then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph…”
Is Sabbath Still About Rules—or About Relationship?
Jesus shows Sabbath is about relationship and restoration. He’s Lord of the Sabbath, and He invites you to trust His rhythm so your soul can breathe.
Bottom line:Six is enough. On the seventh, rest in Him.
A Word on Communion: How Do I Come to the Table Worthily?
As we rest and remember, we also come to Jesus’ table with humility—not trusting our own righteousness but His mercy.
1 Corinthians 11:26–29 (NIV)
26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
Simple prayer posture: confession, cleansing, communion—receive what Jesus has already done.
Ready to Try a Real Sabbath This Week?
Start small: pick a start time and end time (e.g., Saturday 6pm–Sunday 6pm).
Make one no-work rule and one life-giving plan (meal, walk, worship).
Ask God to meet you in the quiet.
➡️ Watch the full message on our YouTube channel and walk this out with us. 🙌 Or join us Sunday mornings at 71 Congress Street in Bradford, PA.
Every year, churches around the nation set aside a special day called Back to Church Sunday. It’s more than just an event — it’s an invitation. It’s a chance for those who have been away from church, those who have never been, or those who simply need a fresh start to come and discover what faith and community are all about.
This year, Back to Church Sunday happens on September 21, 2025, and here at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, we’re saving a seat just for you at 9AM & 11AM.
Why “Life is Better Together”
Our theme this year is simple: Life is Better Together. We live in a world where it’s easy to feel isolated, overlooked, or even unworthy. Maybe you’ve thought:
“They don’t really want me there.”
“It’s too late for me to go back.”
“I’m afraid I’ll be judged.”
The truth is, you’re not alone in those feelings. Many of us have walked through seasons of doubt, shame, or distance from God. But church isn’t a place for perfect people — it’s a family. And in God’s family, there’s room for your story.
When we worship together, pray together, and walk through life side by side, we discover something powerful: we were never meant to do life alone.
A Fresh Start Awaits You
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to come back to church, this is it. Back to Church Sunday is your opportunity to take that step. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to “clean yourself up” first. You don’t even have to believe everything to belong.
At Open Arms Community Church, you’ll find a warm welcome, a come-as-you-are environment, and people who will walk with you through life’s challenges. Most importantly, you’ll encounter the hope and love of Jesus.
Join Us in Bradford, PA
📅 Sunday, September 21, 2025 🕘 9AM & 11AM Services 📍 Open Arms Community Church, 71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA
Whether it’s your first time or your first time in a long time, we’d love to see you. Bring a friend, bring your family — or just bring yourself. However you come, know this: you belong here.
At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, we recently celebrated 28 new lives in Christ through baptism. Baptism is a powerful step of faith—but it’s also a starting line, not the finish. The real question is: Now what?
That’s where our new series, Do As I Do, begins. Jesus never said, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Instead, He invited us to actually live the way He lived.
What Are You Following Right Now?
Whether we admit it or not, we’re all following something.
Culture and its shifting opinions 📺
Family and friends’ expectations 👪
Money and success 💼
Our own version of the “American dream” 🏡
But can these things really satisfy? Jesus said:
Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
In other words, you can’t follow both. At some point, you’ll have to decide which path you’re really on.
What Did Jesus Actually Invite People Into?
In the first century, rabbis (teachers) never pursued students. Students had to beg to follow a rabbi, like applying to an Ivy League school.
But Jesus flipped the script. He went out of His way to call people personally:
Mark 1:16–20 (NIV)
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Mark 2:13–15 (NIV)
13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. 15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.
Notice—He didn’t invite them to “become Christians” (that word came later). He invited them to apprentice under Him—to learn a whole new way of living.
What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus Today?
Pastor Zoe laid out three rhythms for what it really looks like:
Be with Jesus
Become like Jesus
Do what Jesus did
This isn’t a program or a checklist. It’s a way of life. Spend time with Him, let that time transform you, and then live differently because of it.
How Do I Actually Spend Time With God?
Being with Jesus starts with simple, practical steps:
Prayer: Talking and listening.
Abiding (meno in Greek means “stay”): Staying close to Him, like a loyal friend or even a lapdog at your feet.
Contemplation: Fixing your thoughts and emotions on Him. Making Him your true home.
An old peasant once described his prayer this way: “I look at Him, He looks at me, and we are happy.” That kind of relationship is what Jesus invites you into.
How Do I Become More Like Jesus?
Being with Him naturally leads to becoming like Him. That happens through:
Teaching: Reading Scripture, hearing preaching, listening for God’s voice.
Practice: Engaging in rhythms like Sabbath, prayer, fasting, solitude, generosity, and service.
Community: Real transformation happens with others, not in isolation. God Himself exists in community (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
And there’s one clear test: Am I becoming more loving? Ask yourself—and even better, ask the people around you. If love is growing, you’re on the right track.
Why Does Following Jesus Involve Struggle?
Becoming like Jesus is not instant—it takes time, surrender, and yes, even suffering.
Matthew 10:24–25 (NLT)
24 Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. 25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!
Matthew 10:24–25 (MSG)
A student doesn’t get a better desk than her teacher. A laborer doesn’t make more money than his boss. Be content—pleased, even—when you, my students, my harvest hands, get the same treatment I get. If they call me, the Master, ‘Dungface,’ what can the workers expect?
If Jesus suffered, why would we think we get out of it? Hardship is often where real growth happens.
But here’s the encouragement: change doesn’t come from our willpower—it comes from surrender to the Holy Spirit.
What’s More Important: My Resume or My Legacy?
When life is over, people won’t remember us for our accomplishments as much as how we loved them. Are you living for your résumé, or your eulogy?
Funerals remind us of this truth: people share stories not of achievements, but of kindness, love, and presence. That’s what lasts.
What Did Jesus Actually Do?
We don’t just be with Him and become like Him for ourselves—we do it so we can do what He did.
Hospitality: Making people feel welcome.
Preaching the Gospel: Sharing good news with our words.
Demonstrating the Gospel: Showing God’s love through miracles, healing, justice, and compassion.
The end goal? To grow into the kind of person who can say and do the things Jesus said and did.
Am I Ready to Follow Jesus?
Following Jesus isn’t about trying harder—it’s about training with Him as your coach. Like preparing for a 10K, it takes small steps, consistency, and daily commitment.
As St. Augustine said: “Without God, we cannot. Without us, God will not.”
The same Spirit who empowered Jesus is available to empower you today. But discipleship means counting the cost:
Luke 14:25–33 (MSG)
One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple. … Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.”
It sounds harsh, but Jesus is honest: following Him means leaving behind competing loves. Are you ready?
What Do You Really Want?
In John’s gospel, Jesus asked a life-changing question:
John 1:35–39 (NIV)
35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” 39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
Jesus still asks the same today: What do you want?
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’ve been chasing culture, money, or success and still feel empty, Jesus is inviting you into a better way.
➡️ You can watch this full message on our Open Arms YouTube channel. 🙌 Or better yet, join us in person Sunday mornings at 71 Congress Street in Bradford, PA. Find service times and plan your visit here.
At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, you’ll find a community where hope, healing, and purpose are waiting for you.
