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, Aug 21, 2022
Duration: 42 mins 21 secs
We all have things about ourselves we hide. Ghosts from our pasts. Wound we want no one to know. Failures we fear define us and will leave us destitute if they come to light. A word that captures these feelings is shame. It's real, painful, and crippling. The bad news is we have a spiritual accuser (Satan), who bullies us with shame. The good news is that God can remove our shame. His grace and forgiveness is a beautiful replacement. Zechariah saw this acted out in a vision with the high priest Joshua.
Sun, Oct 20, 2019
Duration: 52 mins 48 secs
After Joshua died a leadership vacuum opened. Worse yet, Israel intermarried with the Canaanites and failed to clear their land of idols. Thus begins the book of Judges, which chronicles God's people descent into false worship and civil warfare. This message will orient us to the book of Judges -- its structure, key players, and major themes -- and the timeless threat of idolatry. God's prohibition of idols (and jealousy) betrayed his desire for his people to live full and free lives. For those interested in a life of delight, they must uproot idols.
Sun, Oct 13, 2019
Duration: 51 mins 11 secs
For those who have made an initial commitment to Jesus, we may remember the moment with vivid details. For other followers, we can remember a retreat, camp, short-term trip, or moment where God broke through for us. Sadly, those moments can be few and far between. And until God breaks through again, we drift through life, overwhelmed by the everyday choices of what to eat, wear, watch, do, and whom to do with! The final words of Joshua are a summons from drifting to rededication. Every day is a chance to say, "God I give my life to you."
Sun, Sep 29, 2019
Duration: 49 mins 24 secs
Long before JFK wrote Profiles of Courage, biblical authors recounted stories of faithful men and women: Moses, Joshua, Rahab, and Ruth. They describe a courage rooted in God's character, contrasting with today's self-discovered, reckless, stand-alone courage. In fact, Joshua begins his new role as Israel's leader responding to the fivefold refrain: Be strong and courageous. God and others speak courage into him. And because of our ongoing fears today, we need God and others to speak courage into us.
