Relevant teaching on following Jesus in our time.
In this week's podcast, we'll address one of the primary issues that prevents us from choosing goodness and righteousness in our lives: pain. Making changes in our life is hard work, and can often be painful. Instead of embracing the pain of change, we often seek to avoid and cover it up, allowing sin to …
In this week's message you'll learn why the Christian life is one that embraces a life-long journey of regular, on-going 'detoxification' of the whole self — the soul. Through Jesus, we are integrated into a process that continuously renews and restores the heart, mind, body, and spiritual life for God and His Kingdom. Questions for …
This week we look at the story of the "wise men" who traveled a great distance to visit a new born King in Bethlehem. This miraculous event in history demonstrates God's power, but also His relentless mission to make Jesus Christ known as Savior King for everyone, everywhere! Questions for Discussion: What's something new you …
The message of Christmas is the story of God's fulfilled promise to break into the spiritual darkness and depths of human despair to bring permanent light and eternal hope for all. Christmas is the greatest "good news" event in human history that restores hope for the hopeless. Questions for Discussion: In what way might you …
"Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays"? Today, Christmas is far removed from anything it was originally intended for, replaced with alternative stories and meanings. But why do we celebrate Christmas, and what are the implications for a people that God has revealed Himself to? Christmas declares the Kingdom of God is here. Passages referenced in today's …
On this week's podcast, we're considering how we as followers of Jesus can live on mission for the Kingdom over Thanksgiving and the holiday season. Regardless of your plans this weekend, are you more focused on sharing presents or the presence of God with others? Passages referenced in today's podcast: Luke 10:1-9 Questions for Discussion: …
In the final message of our series on Defining Community, we examine the outcome of biblical community life: Growth! Healthy growth comes out of healthy community life that actively lives on mission in the world. We'll also examine the common "threats to community" that undermine that mission and its solution: devoting our lives to Jesus …
Continue reading "A Community that Multiplies // Acts 2:47; Acts 1:8"
A New Testament church is a community of devoted followers of Jesus who pray - together! Not only is prayer a common practice for common life, but it's also a means of powerful transformation and restoration. The Kingdom of God is made real and breaks into darkness when the community of the faithful come together …
Continue reading "A Community of Prayer // James 5:13-18; Acts 2:42-47"
The early church loved to eat together! But their feasts were more than after-service potlucks for the purpose of socializing. For them, table fellowship was a tangible expression of the gospel and the presence of Christ among them, rooted in the historical roots of God's redemptive plan for all people. This week, we're examining the …
Continue reading "A Community that Feasts // Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17"
(Updated with the correct audio.) This week, we continue a closer look at the New Testament church and what it means to be a community devoted "to the fellowship" (Acts 2:42). What is biblical fellowship and what are the theological implications for sharing life with others? And more importantly, how does the gospel intersect with …
Continue reading "A Community as Fellowship // 1 John 1:1-7, Acts 2:42-47"
