Built to Last by Russell Siemer

Join guest speaker Russell Siemer, formerly the Worship and Outreach Pastor at Transformation Church, as he returns to share a deeply personal and powerful message entitled "Built to Last." Russell begins by highlighting the profound impact of a father's words and love in shaping a child's identity, urging all parents to verbalize their pride and affection, breaking generational cycles of unspoken love. Drawing from his own experiences as a church planter navigating both the urgency of reaching the unchurched and the patience to trust God's timing, Russell sets the stage for a profound dive into Ephesians chapter 3. He reveals the secret to living a life "built to last": understanding and internalizing God's boundless love. Russell unpacks Paul's message to the Ephesians, a church situated at the epicenter of both human knowledge and diverse worship. Paul reminds them—and us—that through Christ Jesus, the gospel is now inclusive, granting both Jews and Gentiles equal access to God's presence and an equal share in the riches inherited by His children. This "mysterious plan," hidden for ages, was always God's intention: a meta-narrative of restoration for all. A poignant segment of the message addresses the counterintuitive truth that where the church faces the greatest persecution, the gospel spreads like wildfire. Russell offers a stirring challenge to American believers, reminding them that an increasingly unpopular Christian faith is, in fact, a sign of an opportune time for a great spiritual awakening. The heart of the sermon lies in Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19: that we would be "empowered with inner strength through His Spirit" and that "Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him." This leads to the core truth: God loves you. Russell tackles common misconceptions about this foundational truth, debunking the myths that God's love is a license for complacency or an excuse to remain unchanged. Instead, he asserts, God's love accepts us as we are but loves us too much to leave us there, providing the "guardrails" for a life of purpose and wholeness. He transparently shares common barriers to receiving God's love, including past hurts from earthly relationships, the struggles and hardships of life that tempt us to question God's care, and a low view of ourselves that hinders self-forgiveness. Russell beautifully illustrates God's lavish and seemingly "reckless" love through the parable of the Prodigal Son, demonstrating the Father's relentless pursuit and extravagant grace for the undeserving. This message is an urgent invitation to step into God's transforming love—whether for the very first time in salvation, for healing from deep wounds inflicted by earthly fathers, or for overcoming the struggle to love and forgive oneself. Russell Siemer provides practical encouragement and a powerful reminder that "nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Tune in to discover how embracing this truth can build a life that truly lasts. +++++++ Join us for church this Sunday. For service times and meeting location please visit https://transformtlh.com/