Sun, Jan 08, 2023
Duration: 43 mins 12 secs
Jesus left the earthly stage, but his show goes on. We serve in his absence. We serve by his Spirit. Everyone in Christ is a participant in his great redemption story. As great as this news sounds, we must constantly resist the contamination story we inherited from Adam. In this message, learn about the Tale of Two Adams, contamination scripts, and how spiritual disciplines help you overcome sin.
Sun, Dec 18, 2022
Duration: 40 mins 17 secs
Christmas is a story of giving and receiving. All kinds of giving surface, from Herod's hateful orders to the Magi's magnificent gifts. However, the most remarkable gifts come from Mary and Joseph, who give sacrificially. They give themselves to God's call on their lives. Through their story, God's grace accumulates. May the same be said for our lives, since God is with us.
Sun, Dec 11, 2022
Zechariah saw into the future. In his final two oracles (9-11; 12-14), he envisions God's victory over the nations, judgment of bad leaders, elimination of idols, and restoration of Jerusalem where God's people and the nations would worship. Central to these visions were glimpses of a messianic figure: priestly, humble, pastoral, and pierced. This figure came later, not sooner, in the first coming of Jesus Christ. Zechariah's words provided a script for his life. As his followers, we wait for his second coming. Indeed, we live for later.
Sun, Oct 30, 2022
Duration: 39 mins 52 secs
Zephaniah looks forward. Way forward. He describes God's coming kingdom on some far-off day. It will be a fearless future: no more lies, pride, shame, or false worship. It will be a festive future: God's joyful presence will be palpable. The imagery is inviting and inspired. It should give us hope for our fearless and festive future.
Sun, Sep 25, 2022
Duration: 35 mins 45 secs
Church is a community. It's not a time. It's not a place. It's not a religious content delivery system. When the people of God gather, love for the Lord and one another should increase. The church is a love generator. We need the church to push us past our busyness, fear, or selfishness to love others. We need "super spurer" to model love for us.
Sun, Sep 18, 2022
Duration: 44 mins 58 secs
Echo chambers tell you what you want to hear (want to hear, want to hear). They reinforce your political leanings, personal convictions, and core beliefs without encouraging critical reflection. The church is not an echo chamber. It is a faith incubator. It gathers people to form them into Christlikeness. Jesus is our focus, model, and great high priest. The author of Hebrews expounds on this theme, calling his readers to a life of faith, love, and hope. Today we talk about faith formation.
Sun, Sep 04, 2022
Duration: 37 mins 18 secs
Paul was in prison. Alone. It wasn't his first time but was bound to be his last time. He had fought his fight and run his race. In his final correspondence with his beloved protege, Timothy, he requests his presence. In the meantime, the Lord stood by him and strengthened him. Even in our loneliest moments, the Lord stands by us. He gives us insight. He empowers us.
Sun, Aug 28, 2022
Duration: 36 mins 30 secs
The woman at the well is iconic. She comes alone in the heat of the day. She has bad blood and a questionable past. And yet, Jesus shows her warmth. He engages in a spiritual conversation that exposes her misplaced wants and misguided worship. He offers her living water. She takes the offer and tells her whole town about it. Her story starts a revival. Actually, Jesus started the revival by showing the kind of warmth he continues to show us today.
Sun, Jul 31, 2022
Duration: 38 mins 43 secs
Testimony is what we say when we see God working. The Spirit does it. Jesus's first followers did it. We do it too. Part of the beauty of testimony is that it requires no special training, degree, or certification. You see; you speak. Of course, to talk about what you see God doing, first you have to pay attention. So, are you watching?
Sun, Jul 24, 2022
Duration: 39 mins 38 secs
Work can be grueling, laborious, and vain. We feed the machine. We follow routine. Day after day, we complete our tasks, only to do them again the next day. Work, though, is not worthless. God gives it to us for sustenance and significance. We work for him. Day after day, we undertake our tasks with the hope of the resurrection undergirding us.
