Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES Romans 8:29, For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Ephesians 2:10, For we are His workmanship [masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. SummaryPastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min. teaches that every believer is designed by God with intention and created for a purposeful destiny, which Scripture calls “good works.” Drawing from Romans 8:29, he explains that God has predestined us—not by pre-programming our choices, but by providing a divine design we must willingly discover and walk in. Destiny is not a single large event; it is the consistent, faithful, everyday actions done in alignment with God’s purpose. Pastor Hudson contrasts manmade design, which produces spiritual deadness and conformity to the world, with God’s design, which brings life, identity, and transformation through His love, grace, and mercy. Believers are God’s “workmanship”—His masterpiece—uniquely created like fingerprints, each with a distinct role that strengthens the collective body of Christ. Emphasizing that identity in Christ is both individual and communal, he reminds the church that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special people. As such, we reject the “pandemic of self-service” and embrace a life of service to God and others. The sermon concludes by calling believers to walk in their God-given design, encourage one another, and live as salt and light in the world.

Download Keynote Slides Colossians 1:12, Always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the  inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.   1 Thessalonians 5:18, In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you In this message, Pastor Bryan Hudson, DMin. teaches that thanksgiving is far more than a holiday—it is a foundational posture for a victorious Christian life. Drawing from Colossians 1:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and other Scriptures, he explains that giving thanks is evidence of the inheritance God has placed within us and a continual practice that renews our minds, stabilizes our emotions, and keeps our hearts clear. Like the peace offerings in Leviticus—voluntary, heartfelt, and spontaneous—true thanksgiving flows from love, not obligation. Using the redwood tree’s shared root system as an illustration, he shows that believers are rooted together in Christ and strengthened through collective gratitude. Pastor Hudson warns that withholding thanks leads to darkened thinking, while a lifestyle of gratitude brings joy, peace, and spiritual resilience even amid trials. Ultimately, giving thanks is a continual offering, the “fruit of our lips,” that keeps us in God’s presence (coram Deo) and grounds our identity as accepted, blessed people who live in the light.

1 Peter 2:9–10 (NKJV)“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

Listen to my Message from Sunday, November 16 Ministry in The Margins: How Small Acts Have Eternal Impact   MESSAGE SUMMARY PDF     Proverbs 4:23, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES DOWNLOAD SERMON SUMMARY   SERMON SUMMARY (by OpenAI) Ministry in the Margins: How Small Acts Have Eternal Impact By Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min. Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’   1. Introduction: Jesus will separate those who served from those who did not. Dr. Hudson opens with Matthew 25, where Jesus describes the Son of Man returning in glory, separating people like a shepherd divides sheep and goats. This passage reveals how God evaluates lives—not by spectacle or prominence, but by compassionate actions taken toward “the least of these.” Jesus lists personal, human-scale acts: Feeding the hungry Giving drink to the thirsty Welcoming the stranger Clothing the naked Visiting the sick Ministering to the imprisoned The righteous are surprised—they don’t remember doing these things for Jesus. But He replies: “Inasmuch as you did it to the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” This text reveals Christ’s heart for people and His identification with the marginalized. 2. Two Levels of Ministry: Macro & Micro Dr. Hudson explains that Jesus operated at two simultaneous levels: A. Macro (Big Picture) The “40,000-foot view” God enthroned in heaven Christ coming in glory with angels The sweeping rule of God over all creation Jesus doing “big things”—miracles, world-changing acts This is the majestic, transcendent dimension of Christ’s ministry. B. Micro (Personal & Individual) Jesus noticing one hungry person One thirsty person One stranger One sick or imprisoned person One woman touching His garment One boy with a small lunch The same King who rules the universe also sees individual people in need. "Jesus sees you right where you are.” Christ never stops seeing the person while seeing the big picture. The Problem With People Who Only See Macro Some people only want big, impressive ministry. They become “legends in their own minds.”But without micro-vision—tenderness, compassion, awareness—you cannot truly minister to people.   3. What God Actually Pays Attention To Dr. Hudson stresses that we live in a culture fascinated by entertainment, showmanship, and spectacle. But: God is not impressed with big platforms or big productions. God does not measure greatness the way people do. God pays attention to people and their conditions, especially those who are suffering. Illustration: Prison Ministry Prison ministry strips away props, technology, and fanfare.You can’t take your laptop, phone, Apple Watch, or screens.You go in with: A Bible A simple watch Glasses A few notes And Jesus in your heart This is micro-level ministry—core, simple, compassionate. God pays attention to that. 4. A Big God Who Sees and Uses Small Things A. God Sees Small Things Luke 12:6–7 – God cares about sparrows and numbers every hair on your head. Jesus regularly highlights small acts of faith, not big personal