What has gone wrong with the world and what is God doing to fix it? Have you ever wondered how the world around us got to be so messed up? Why there is so much pain, disappointment, injustice and evil? Have you ever wondered why God has allowed things to get so out of control… Continue Reading
Why read the Pentateuch? As some of you may recall, last January we did an eight-week reading campaign through the whole New Testament called Immerse: Messiah. In doing so, we used study bibles offered by our denomination, met each week in our Home Groups to discuss the readings together, and the messages on Sunday followed… Continue Reading
What will the “not yet” of our salvation in Christ be like? This Sunday as we conclude our Advent series, “Out of Darkness”, we will explore the second half of the interpretive dynamic I introduced last week called the “already/not yet” of our salvation experience in Jesus Christ. Last week we saw how the… Continue Reading
How do you maintain joy in the midst of a dark and dangerous world? We are in a new Advent series called “Out of Darkness” in which we are learning how the birth of Christ (Christmas!) offers us genuine hope, faith, peace and joy in the midst of the dark trials in life. Last week… Continue Reading
What is the “light” that Jesus brings to our world? Last week we kicked off our new Advent series called “Out of Darkness”. The purpose of this series is for us as a church to better understand how the birth of Christ (Christmas!) offers us genuine hope, faith, peace and joy in the midst of… Continue Reading
It’s always fascinating to drive around town in late November or early December and see who has already put up their Christmas lights and decorations, or to ask the prying question of co-workers and friends, “When will you put up your Christmas tree?” Many are poised to decorate and prepare for Christmas as soon as… Continue Reading
Jesus never leaves! This week we wrap up our study in the book of Hebrews. As we do, we are going to celebrate one of the most comforting and encouraging aspects of the gospel – Jesus doesn’t leave us to our own devices to figure life out! Often times we are tempted to believe the… Continue Reading
What does pursuing Jesus mean practically speaking? Last week in our study of the book of Hebrews we learned how God uses trials, temptations and tribulation to discipline us for our good. God’s discipline in our lives is never punitive but always redemptive. Therefore, the writer encourages us to keep our eyes firmly fixed on… Continue Reading
God’s Key to Spiritual Growth: Discipline! Do you long for more spiritual fruit in your life? Do you desire more peace, joy, goodness, self-control and holiness? Would you like to experience the reality of Christ more in your character, habits, attitudes? My hope is that you would all respond to these questions with a resounding… Continue Reading
Jesus is the reward for persevering in our faith! In our study of the book of Hebrews, I have argued that the central message the writer wants to convey to us is simply this: Jesus is worth it! In other words, having Jesus in our lives is worth every effort, sacrifice, struggle and hardship. Jesus… Continue Reading