On Sunday we talked about how when the accuser threatens us we respond with the blood of the lamb. As we connect our lives to the truths of the gospel we find a profound and unshakeable hope. ...
This church was known for suffering. Smyrna is the Greek word for myrrh, a flagrant perfume used in burial. Many believe that this church represents the martyrs of all the ages and the sweet-smelling fragrance of their faithfulness until death. There was no rebuke for this church and because they were faithful until death, their lampstand has never been removed. Christianity has never completely left this city. It is the only one of the seven cities still in flourishing condition....
What do we know about Ephesus? Paul spent between two to three years teaching in Ephesus (Acts 19:8-10). In his farewell letter to the Ephesian elders, he gives a clear warning to look out for "savage wolves" and men who would speak "perverse things.” Ephesus was once considered the most important Greek city and the most important trading center in the Mediterranean region. There were 14 temples dedicated to idolatrous pagan gods, but none rivaled the Temple of Artemis, the Greek goddess who was heartily worshiped by the Roman Empire during this time. ...
Want to learn more about Revelation? It’s a rich, beautiful, powerful book. Here are a few places to start in your journey in addition to our sermons on Sunday mornings and your study in Community Groups. ...
Why are we meeting off-site for Easter? Because we are one church, singing one song, about one Savior. ...
We understand that the church Jesus was building was a people for Himself. Sin created a chasm between us and a holy God. By God’s grace, that chasm has been closed! We’ve been justified by Christ’s death on the cross and are now part of His church because when God sees us, He sees Jesus’ righteousness. Our identity now becomes one who is a citizen of the Kingdom of God. The way we live must align with what God has called us to. Let’s take a look at how we live as members of Jesus’ church....
The news about Ukraine and Russia has been inescapable. The first war of this scale in decades. Many calls to prayer but…how are we to pray? What are we to pray for? ...
At the end of Ruth Chapter 3, it seems the stars are aligning for Boaz to redeem Ruth. Then Boaz says, “yet there is a redeemer nearer than I” and it seems a new character is going to swoop in and redeem Ruth. Chapter 3 leaves us on the edge of our seats wondering how things will play out for Ruth. Will Ruth be redeemed by this new character? What about Boaz? Today we are going to study how the kindness of God comes through a person, through Ruth’s redeemer. ...
In chapter 2, Ruth meets Boaz and the tides start to turn for Naomi and her view of God’s kindness. Up to this point, we noticed the work ethic displayed by Ruth. Her physical strength was not the only thing that was noticed by others. ...
The kindness of God is the theme that threads throughout the book of Ruth. We find ourselves during the time of the Judges where all did “what was right in their own eyes”. Chapter one introduces us to a family who leaves Bethlehem for Moab in search of food during a famine. Tragically the father and two sons die and we are now focused on two specific characters: Naomi and Ruth. Chapter one displays the kindness of God through an unlikely character, a Moabite woman named Ruth. Despite Naomi’s circumstances, God’s kindness can often be displayed in the mundane and routine places of life. Chapter two introduces a new character whom we can learn a lot from in our lives today. Let’s begin!...
This chapter provides a prelude to the life and ministry of Jesus. In these initial verses, the apostle John gives us a description of Jesus' true identity. In contrast to the opening of the other Gospels, John begins his writing by fixing the attention of his readers to the eternal Christ. ...
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Keep Reading This chapter focuses on the ministry of John the Baptist. In particular, Luke is portraying John the Baptist as "the voice in the desert" who would come and prepare the way for Jesus' ministry, as prophesied by the prophet Isiaiah. John calls the people of Israel to repentance from their sins and to be baptized as a sign of that repentance. ...
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Keep Reading This chapter focuses on the narrative of Jesus’ birth. This joyous chapter includes the famous section of the angels' announcement to the shepherds and proclaiming the good news that Jesus, God incarnate, had been born. Additionally, Luke provides for us two scenes of Jesus’ childhood. ...
Keep Reading The section we'll be focusing on this week describes the foretelling of Jesus' birth. This remarkable little passage, provides for us a glimpse into who Jesus is and what He has come to do in the world. ...
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Everyone has their own experience during this pandemic season, and some may feel this more than others. But to one degree or another, we all feel that this year has become a little less cultivated, a little more inhospitable. And we're all wondering where to find the path through this season. The good news is that there is a well-worn path: the path of the wilderness in Sc...
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Everyone has their own experience during this pandemic season, and some may feel this more than others. But to one degree or another, we all feel that this year has become a little less cultivated, a little more inhospitable. And we're all wondering where to find the path through this season. The good news is that there is a well-worn path: the path of the wilderness in Sc...
Keep Reading
Everyone has their own experience during this pandemic season, and some may feel this more than others. But to one degree or another, we all feel that this year has become a little less cultivated, a little more inhospitable. And we're all wondering where to find the path through this season. The good news is that there is a well-worn path: the path of the wilderness in Sc...
Keep Reading
Everyone has their own experience during this pandemic season, and some may feel this more than others. But to one degree or another, we all feel that this year has become a little less cultivated, a little more inhospitable. And we're all wondering where to find the path through this season. The good news is that there is a well-worn path: the path of the wilderness in Sc...
Keep Reading