Colossians 2:16-23 | Andrew Murch | Is Christ enough? Is what Jesus did for us on the cross when He bore our sins in His body enough? When He shed His blood, when He died and was buried, was it enough? And when He rose again from the dead, was it enough? Was all that Jesus accomplished enough for us to stand before a Holy God, forgiven, cleansed, and washed from our sins? Paul’s response is a resounding YES!

Colossians 2:6-15 | Mike Clarensau | Paul stresses to the Colossians they have found something authentic and very valuable in Christ but are being lured away from that treasure as their faith is being tested and challenged by tradition and persuasive intellectual arguments. He wants them to be established firmly in their faith, to know what is authentic compared to what is counterfeit. The Lord desired for them as well as us to be experts in our field, knowing what is true and genuinely from Him, contrasted to what is an imitation or a fake reproduction of Christianity. Paul then reminds the Colossians of the powerful work of Jesus on the cross, just how final and comprehensive it is. This is what Paul is calling them to put their hope in, the only gospel with the power to save and bring to life what was once dead.

Colossians 1:24-2:5 | Andrew Murch | We are called to make disciples of all peoples because God loves them. He made them. He wants to return them to community with himself. How will we do this? Truth and love. Righteousness and compassion. Paul writes that “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Not only is life in Christ but life to the fullest. These treasures and riches cannot be swallowed by the grave, destroyed by moths, or reduced to rubble. We become connected to Christ to spread his love. We are changed so that we cannot help but support our brothers and sisters, both those who are with us or will join us by God’s grace.

Colossians 1:21-23 | Ryan MacDonald | You have been saved by Christ so that you can be presented “holy,” “blameless,” and “above reproach.” This is incredible news for you who were once far off and sinning against God! The Christian life is not constant striving to clean yourself up before God. The Christian life is a day-in, day-out response to the work of Jesus Christ who has saved you in order to heal you, transform you, and bring you into deeper and deeper relationship with himself.

Colossians 1:15-20 | Andrew Murch | Through Paul’s letter to the believers in Colossae, God gives us poignant insight into the nature of Jesus. We learn that Jesus is sovereign and powerful, and our beautiful earth and heavens were created through him.

Colossians 1:9-14 | Andrew Murch | Paul did not establish and probably never visited the church at Colossae. He was imprisoned in Rome when he wrote this letter. Regardless of his circumstances and the absence of a historical or physical connection, Paul knew that he had a relationship with these believers – they had the same Father. He, along with Timothy, prayed for them. Paul was thankful for their dedication to Jesus and their love for other believers. He reminded them of the truth of Jesus Christ that they had put their faith in and affirmed the Gospel was bearing fruit in their lives and throughout the world.

Colossians 1:1-8 | Andrew Murch | A special relationship existed between Paul, Timothy, and the Christians in and around Colossae. Considering Colossian, you are faced with the beauty of a local church established in the gospel and growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus. In the opening of the letter, we see the power of the grace of God in the lives of his people.

Psalm 133:1-3 | Andrew Murch | "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" Unity, harmony, and community are all universally understood to be good things, but we often see our world marked more clearly by division, strife, and isolation. King David pens this psalm to reveal God's will for life to be lived in brotherly unity. Here, we see that where the Lord rules, unity reigns.

Psalm 145:1-21 | Jake Gamble | "I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever." King David declares God's goodness and righteousness and the Lord's worthiness of our worship. David then announces his response to such a great God, and we see that we are to follow suit in how we praise the Lord.

Psalm 116:1-19 | Gavin Hesse | "I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy." How far gone is too far? What extreme need or danger is too much for God to handle? The truth is that there is no distance, no threat of death, no enemy, and no affliction that is too much for God to handle. In Psalm 116, we see that the Lord hears the prayers of his people and he rescues them.

Psalm 82:1-8  | Ben Potloff | "Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!" We often downplay or altogether ignore God's role as judge. However, for God's people, his judgment promises deliverance and an end to wickedness. In Psalm 82, we see a picture of the hope and security that we have in the Lord.

Psalm 23:1-6 | Andrew Murch | "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures." What does confidence and trust in the Lord sound like? It sounds like King David's words in Psalm 23. Here, we see the hope that people of God have in the one who leads, comforts, protects, and saves.

Psalm 121:1-8 | Chris Lewis | "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?" This psalm comes not in the form of a prayer but as a testimony and declaration of who God is and what he does. Be encouraged! The God who created the universe, who doesn't even need sleep, will keep you!

Psalm 33:1-22 | Nathan Noorlun | "Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you." God is the creator and ruler of all things and all people. There is nothing outside of his control or his awareness. In Psalm 33, we see that God is truly worthy of the worship of his people.

Psalm 3:1-8 | Andrew Murch | "Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people!" For King David—and all of God's people—enemies and opposition abound. But, there is great hope for those who look to the Lord in their trouble. Here, we see that in the Lord there is security, sustenance, and salvation. 

Psalm 113:1-9 | Sam Cassese | "Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord!" God is good and is worthy of all praise! Here, we hear the call to praise and glorify the Lord for his goodwill and good works.

Psalm 77:1-20 | Chris Rich | "In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted." Where would you be if you couldn't remember anything? Day-to-day life would be difficult, and hard seasons would be unbearable. Here, we see the comfort, hope, and security offered to God's people as they remember him, his works, and his promises.

Acts 20:17-38 | Andrew Murch | The time has come for Paul to leave Ephesus; his heartfelt words reflect the difficulty of such a departure. Paul exhorts and comforts the Ephesian elders with truths from his own missionary experience and the hope that they all have. The mission of God will continue to move forward to transform the world around them!

Acts 20:1-16 | Andrew Murch | Continuing from last week, the uproar in Ephesus has come to nothing. The mob does not take Paul to court, so it gives him time to plan his next move. He sends Titus to Corinth, which is where he longs to go next, but it has not been smooth sailing with that church. He has had a contentious relationship with them since his first letter and subsequent visit. He now sends Titus to test the waters to see where things are there. The report he receives from Titus is positive and so, while Paul is in Macedonia he writes the Corinthians a second time. Paul then journeys to Corinth where he stays for three months.

Acts 19:21-41 | Nathan Noorlun | Paul’s ministry in Ephesus is booming, but you know what’s not booming because of this, the sale of idols of Artemis or the worship of her in her temple in the city. A silversmith named Demetrius is none too happy about this. You see, all these people turning to “The Way” is hurting his bottom line. Since everyone is turning to Jesus, they are no longer turning to the little silver god on the dashboard of their chariots. One thing leads to another, and Paul and his companions are dragged through the streets amid a full-scale riot. How will the gospel fair against such deep-rooted and violent opposition?

Acts 19:11-20 | Andrew Murch | Power is attractive. We see it all over our world today that those who have power attract a group of followers and groupies. Who doesn’t want to be able to walk into the hottest restaurant in town without a reservation and say, “Oh, I’m here with...” Paul’s ministry in Ephesus is on fire. People are being healed left and right! In fact, Paul doesn’t even have to be there, if something like a napkin or apron has touched Paul, they are enough to heal people that then touch these items. It’s a million Christmas miracles and it’s not even Christmas! There is no one in the area who is not aware of Paul and the power that he wields in the name of Jesus.

Acts 19:1-10 | Andrew Murch | Paul has finished his second missionary journey, yet he’s not done spreading the good news of Jesus by any means. He embarks on his third missionary journey in the city of Ephesus, a place he’d been to briefly a year before. He’d been asked to stay but felt called by God to move on, but he promised to return to them, “...if God wills.” And God has willed. Paul’s ministry in Ephesus continues for two years. As was his custom he starts in the synagogue during the first three months of his stay. Sadly, as happened in many of the places that Paul visited, many of the Jews reject his teaching and stubbornly refuse to believe. Therefore, Paul spends the rest of his time in Ephesus preaching in the hall of Tyrannus and through it all of Asia hears the Gospel message, both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 18:1-28 | Andrew Murch | After reading story after story of Paul’s boldness and tenacity in sharing the gospel, it’s almost shocking to hear God’s calm, quiet reassurance to “not be afraid . . . go on speaking . . . for I am with you.” We don’t know exactly what Paul was going through that warranted encouragement directly from heaven. But we do know that God spoke, reminding Paul of His faithfulness, and Paul listened and remained faithful.

Acts 17:16-34 | Andrew Murch | You can almost picture the formidable witness for the Gospel, Paul the Apostle as he arrives in the Areopagus on the top of the Hill of Aries, known in Latin as Mar’s Hill. We don’t often encounter explicit sermons from Paul in the Scriptures, but when we do, they are a treat. Facing the esteemed minds of the day, Paul seasoned his preaching with respect while at the same time boldly preaching nothing other than Christ and his resurrection. This text shows us the triune response to the gospel when it is preached, acceptance, curiosity, and denial, as well as the necessity of a pure preaching of the resurrection, no matter the cost. We ought to take a similar approach as Paul in our preaching of the Gospel. “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30–31).

Acts 17:1-15 | Andrew Murch | Paul was no stranger to adversity. In fact, as you follow Paul’s journey, you will likely conclude that Paul has made obstacles, setbacks, and persecution his friend. In this section of text, we will see this same theme running its course as Paul shares the message of the Gospel, not knowing whether the seed will sprout into salvation, suffering, or both. May God use his Word this week to strengthen you with a humbled resolve to trust our God is working in every circumstance. When all seems thwarted, God is often doing his most significant work. As believers, our calling to the mission of sharing the Gospel to a broken and desperate world is as potent as it was for the Apostle Paul. Whether it be to our families, our neighbors, coworkers, or perfect strangers – it is the distinct honor of the saved to partner with the Holy Spirit in proclaiming the good news of salvation through Jesus’ work on the cross.

1 Samuel 31:1-13 | Jake Gamble  | It’s not how you start the race, but how you finish it that matters. Tragically, Saul did not finish the race well. This week’s passage recounts the death of Saul. His story seemed to start so strong: he was the people’s choice for king, taller and more handsome than any in Israel. Yet he continually rebelled against God, turning from his ways and spiraling downward in pride, fear, and paranoia. Now, in this passage, the once mighty king meets his ignominious end.

1 Samuel 29:1-30:31 | Andrew Murch | In this week’s text, David arguably hits his darkest moment. While his years of exile are coming to a close, he does not know that yet. Here, even his enemies cast him out; his village is burned, his family taken captive, and possessions taken; even his own people are ready to stone him. He is tempted to despair. But here, at his lowest, David does what God's people always ought to do; he turns to God.

1 Samuel 27:1-28:25 | Andrew Murch | In 1 Samuel 27 and 28, we see David, once again and in a twist of irony, fleeing Saul and going to the land of the Philistines. Meanwhile, King Saul turns to the occult. He feels like God has let him down and is not answering him the way he wants. So he seeks dark and forbidden spiritual powers to rescue him. He consults the medium of Endor to raise the ghost of Samuel in an attempt to save his own skin.

1 Samuel 26:1-25 | Andrew Murch | Amid the dramatic back and forth between King Saul and David, Saul says, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” We're left wondering, what circumstances could possibly lead to this declaration from Saul? David refused to take vengeance upon the Lord’s anointed. David’s trust in God comes at great cost to himself, sending him further into exile in the land of his enemies, the Philistines.

Psalm 16:1-11 | Andrew Murch | "For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption." Looking back on Jesus' glorious resurrection, the Apostles remembered words originally penned by King David a thousand years before. God, faithful to his promises, delivered his Anointed One from the power of sin and death.

1 Samuel 25:1-44 | Cody Cannon | Running for his life, David could hardly have imagined this would be his reality when Samuel anointed him to be the next king of Israel. Yet, this “man after God’s own heart” seems unchanged by his present circumstances, humbly keeping God’s command not to kill Saul, even when the opportunity to do so is literally at his fingertips. However, in this text, David’s humanity rears its ugly head as he reaches a tipping point that nearly destroys his reputation on this life-or-death journey to the throne. The text opens with the sad news of Samuel’s death (an important detail for a later story); and with that, the era of the judges has officially concluded.

1 Samuel 24:1-22 | Gavin Hesse | This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. Our protagonist David has been on the run, fighting for his life against Saul, and finally David is in the position to pounce. As readers, this is what we want. We desire to see the good guy, the one who has been chased, turn the tables on the bad guys and take them down. Justice! David’s men say as much to him. Everyone, from David’s forces to the reader, is biting at the bit to see David take justice into his own hands and secure not only his own life, but the kingdom as well.

1 Samuel 23:1-29 | Andrew Murch | Movies, novels, and even documentaries have been obsessed with this same storyline: an innocent person, convicted of murder or a crime and on the run for their lives. It plays on the fear of what happens when “innocent until proven guilty” falters, and the innocent must prove themselves despite a wrongful conviction. This is the thread of David’s story that begins here and dominates many years. Saul is calling for the head of David and will not cease until his blood is spilled. David is innocent, what is his only crime? Being successful in his victories because the Lord is with him. Some believe him and surround him. There are others on Sauls side. Every day David opens his eyes to a new day wondering if today will be his last day. Like any good action flick, there’s a back-and-forth, a push-and-pull, a “will he catch him this time” unknown as we work our way through this narrative.

1 Samuel 21:1-22:23 | Andrew Murch | The frequent connection between expectations and disappointment manages to find us in every season of life. And, this next section of 1 Samuel is no different. Here, we see that there’s no preventing disappointments and times of unrealized expectations, but for David and for us, it’s our response in those moments that may prove to equip us for the future God has ahead of us.

1 Samuel 20:1-42 | Andrew Murch | It could be said that life is all about relationships. We are shaped by our primary and formational relationships whether for good or harm. We carry significant memories, insecurities, and motivations from key relationships in our lives. We often make decisions in light of certain relationships and grieve for one reason or another when relationships come to an end. Humans who have tried to live in isolation have found greater anxiety, depression, and aimlessness. Relationships are so important and how sweet it is that the Scriptures are not devoid to depict these relationships. This is perhaps most evident in the events and descriptions of David’s life. We have seen his role as a youngest sibling in relation to his brothers. We have seen David as a servant to the king. And we have seen David as a best friend to Saul’s son Jonathan. It is this very relationship that will come to a premature end though not as a result of their own hands.

1 Samuel 19:1-24 | Andrew Murch | A hardened heart harkens hellward. Murder is set in Saul’s mind, and he is dedicated to sending David to Sheol on the tip of a spear. King Saul repeatedly commands his soldiers, even his own family, to deliver the son of Jesse to death’s door. In God’s mercy, Saul receives multiple opportunities to change. In God’s faithfulness, David is delivered again and again by the royal family as if shaking the reigns of power and steering the kingdom away from the cliffs of madness and chaos.

1 Samuel 18:1-30 | Andrew Murch | The great juxtaposition between Saul and David serves as a moment of reflection for us. Will we boast in might, power, and wealth and ultimately become slaves to jealousy, envy, and rage? Or as humble servants, come before the Lord with hearts and hands open with thankfulness for whatever he has put before us today?

1 Samuel 17:1-58 | Andrew Murch | The lesson we learn from the narrative of David and Goliath is that we need a Savior. And what David realizes more than his own people is that the Lord God is his Savior. Our Lord does not save with sword or spear, man or military, wit or white-knuckle strength, grit or grime. This is where the gospel shines through most clearly. The Lord is going to save his people. Oftentimes, He does this through measures that both the world and human wisdom think are folly. God opposes the proud, and gives grace to the humble. This is something that Saul cannot grasp, and many of the Kings to come in the narrative of the Old Testament miss as well. God is sovereign over all and he alone will save his people from their despair. It is Him who we put our trust in, and not man. We don’t muster up the strength to “fight our Goliath” but we submit in trust to the one who is never defeated.

1 Samuel 16:1-23 | Josh Lane | Our culture is addicted to perception over substance. Our social media environment pressures us to present an artificial reality that can look better than it is beneath the surface. People stop at surface perception, but God looks deeper to the substance beneath.

1 Samuel 15:1-35 | Josh Butler | God wants our full obedience, not just our partial obedience. In 1 Samuel 15, we see that we’re invited to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, giving all of who we are to all of who He is.

1 Samuel 14:1-52 | Andrew Murch | As in many great tales of old, in moments of despair and desperation, a hero emerges. In chapter 13, Saul’s impatient attempt to gain the blessing of God in a battle against the Philistines ended in shocking consequences: the monarchy of Israel would be handed to someone else, stripped from Saul and his descendants forever. Saul’s army is dwindling as his troops scatter in fear. The Philistine army is as massive as ever, ready to strike at any moment. To top it off, we find out that the Israelite troops still willing to fight don’t even have any weapons!

1 Samuel 13:1-23  | Andrew Murch | Our opening stories of Saul show us what kind of man and king he is. Is he one with courageous faith in his God or one who cowers in fear? Our answer is clear from this text and will be key as we are introduced to other characters faced with the same odds. From the pages of these stories and the lives of these characters, we will be confronted with the same question: When the battle is bleakest and death marches through the gates, in whom is your trust?

Psalm 145:1-21 | Todd Miles | "I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever." Authored by King David, Psalm 145 stands as an incredible song of praise to God for who he is and the wondrous things he has done. Here, we see that our God is supremely and uniquely worthy of praise because he is both Great and Good, wholly other and tenderly near to his people.

Luke 2:1-20 | Josh Butler | As God the Son, having taken on human flesh, is born in a manger another glorious scene takes place and another pair of Advent witnesses is introduced. Lowly shepherds are met by heavenly angels who point the way to the birthplace of the long-awaited Savior. Luke continues to highlight the wonderful and mysterious happenings that show just how remarkable the coming of Christ is.

Luke 1:57-80 | Andrew Murch | Continuing through Luke's account of the birth of Jesus, we come first to the birth of John—or, as we'll know him, John the Baptist. Elizabeth's pregnancy and John's birth are the glorious fulfillment of God's promises. John will precede the Messiah and call God's people to repentance and renewed faithfulness. Here, Zechariah's tongue is loosed as he praises God for the birth of the final old covenant prophets.

Luke 1:39-56 | Andrew Murch | Now aware that she is pregnant with the long-awaited Messiah and that her relative, Elizabeth, is also pregnant, Mary rushes to Elizabeth. Filled with the Holy Spirit, should-be-barren Elizabeth and not-yet-born John recognize and glorify their Lord, still in the womb of Mary. Here, we see the mercy of God on display as these two women, pregnant with babies of promise, bless the Lord.

Luke 1:5-38 | Andrew Murch | In Luke's Gospel account, the story of the birth of the one, promised Messiah actually begins with the birth of two babies: Jesus Christ and John the Baptist. Both born to women who in ordinary circumstances could not be pregnant, the coming of these extraordinary men is announced in an equally extraordinary way.

Philippians 4:14-23 | Josh Butler | By his grace and according to his own design, God has determined that one of the primary means for the sending, supporting, and sustaining of gospel workers is the Church. In part, ‘to be the Church’ means to support the work of gospel ministry, to partner with gospel laborers, and to be an agent of encouragement for those putting their hands to the plow of evangelism and church planting. God is exceedingly gracious for calling every Christian to plan a part in this most glorious of tasks.

Philippians 4:10-13 | Andrew Murch | Here, Paul discusses the way that the Lord has provided for him in times of need, both through the church in Philippi and through His nearness. In verse 10, readers see Paul discussing how the church’s concern for him has been revived as they had an opportunity to care for him. He continues to discuss throughout the later three verses how the Lord has provided for him by bringing him the contentment that is only found in Jesus! We may not currently find ourselves in a similar situation to Paul (arrested for sharing the gospel) but we all know the trials and temptations that life in our world can bring. Like Paul, let us learn to cast our eyes to Jesus to whom all our joy and contentment can be found.

Philippians 4:2-9 | Andrew Murch | Joy and peace often seem to be a package deal. Like inseparable friends, one is seldom seen without the other. In fact, they even start looking alike after a while. There they are, side by side, in Paul’s list of spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22), and, just as he suggests, they both wave invitingly to us from the lives of those we admire most, as we see in Philippians 4:2-9.

Philippians 3:17-4:1 | Thomas Terry | Multiple times in the New Testament, Paul refers to the Christian’s citizenship in heaven. Those who are citizens of God’s kingdom are welcomed into his family, given grace, and united together with him. Citizens of the Kingdom of God have different, allegiances, live for a different purpose, and live differently than the citizens of the Kingdom of Darkness. Paul describes those in the Kingdom of Darkness as those who live in sin and unrepentance; they are enslaved to their appetites, celebrating shameful sin, and serving the things of the world. Unlike them, citizens of heaven may reside on earth but their allegiance is to God in heaven. This is the God who is sovereign over all things and in whom we eagerly await his return and redemption of our broken souls and bodies. Until that day, Paul encourages us to stand firm in our faith against the influences of the world remembering to whom we belong.

Philippians 3:12-16 | Andrew Murch | Running for the health of it is one thing; running for first place is still another. However, we can look at this passage as one running for their very lives. People facing the fury of a huge storm in a disaster movie don’t go back into their house for the heirloom dining set as the tidal wave approaches their city. They leave all possessions that would weigh them down for the chance at safety. Likewise, soldiers in war do not casually stroll across open spaces hoping that the other side has poor aim. They sprint towards their objective from cover to cover with nerves and senses alert to avoid a fatal shot. Surely, a man chased by wolves in the snowy mountains does not stop to number the jaws barking at his heels. No, he hoofs it with all possible haste towards shelter. The prize is life itself. Giving up the race is to accept death.

Philippians 3:1-11 | Andrew Murch | What do we consider as “surpassing worth” in our lives? According to Paul, following Jesus not only involved giving up our self-earned “righteousness,” but embracing a life of suffering, death, and resurrection. Is it worth it? Paul argues that knowing Jesus is the only thing of “surpassing worth.” Is Jesus worth it to you?

Philippians 2:19-30 | Andrew Murch | Who doesn’t appreciate a good example? Anyone faced with an important or complicated task can see the value in an example. Elementary-age kids are given examples of good handwriting as they learn. Parents show teenagers how to parallel park before turning them loose on the streets of Clark County. In Philippians 2:19-30, the Apostle Paul offers two good examples for us. After reveling in the humility of Christ (Philippians 2:1-11) and the implications of this humility on the Christian life (Philippians 2:12-18), Paul now presents Timothy and Epaphroditus, two of his gospel co-workers, as examples of service and humility that the Philippians ought to emulate.

Philippians 2:12-18 | Andrew Murch | This week, even when it’s uncomfortable, allow God’s word to reveal the places of grumbling and arguing in your heart. Pray that the Lord will give you contentment and love for the life and people that he’s given you.

Philippians 2:1-11 | Andrew Murch | God wants his people to be unified, and now more than ever in our current context it seems like we can find a million petty reasons to be divided even in the church. The opening of Philippians 2 challenges our worldly loves, preferences, and opinions, and it confronts us with the work of the God-man.

Philippians 1:18b-30 | Andrew Murch | Paul’s letter to the Philippians confronts us with this truth as he declares that in life or death there is only one thing that matters: Jesus Christ. If Paul lives, it will be for Christ. If he dies, it will be for Christ whom he will meet face to face. Nothing else is more supreme. We find this tension in our soul as we wish to declare the same but also have many “loves” that are not Christ. However, knowing and loving Christ at this level is the only antidote for suffering and source of eternal joy.

Philippians 1:12-18a | Andrew Murch | When we look at the work of our hands and the days before us, it’s easy to lose sight of these two things; gospel work and the hope of eternity. It is both a discipline and an act of grace to be able to look up from our “today” and see where the Lord is working. May he give us those eyes today and may it fill us with joy to see and know Christ’s work in and through us right now.

Philippians 1:1-11 | Andrew Murch | Paul has reasons to be sad, being separated from the Philippians. But, he has greater reasons to rejoice. Paul could grieve about being removed from brothers and sisters in Christ, but his confidence in Christ Jesus gives him a sure faith that at the very least, he will see these dear friends again on the Day of Jesus Christ. The Day of Jesus Christ is a day that we also look forward to with hope. Not only for the completion of our walk in this life and for the fulfilled righteousness of the Lord, but also for a similar reason as Paul. One day, all those in Christ will stand together before the throne, and generations of faithful men and women will rejoice together forever in Jesus who has saved us. What a day that will be!

Psalm 56:1-13 | Nathan Noorlun | "In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?" Captured by the Philistines, David calls out to God in a prayer saturated with confidence and hope in God. Here, we see that, although oppressed and imprisoned, the hope of God's people is in God himself.

Psalm 91:1-16 | Joshua Ryan Butler | "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." It is a wonderful thing to find oneself under the shadow of God's redemptive refuge and protection. For the author of Psalm 91, it cause him to glorify God and meditate on the reality of life lived in the presence of God.

Psalm 19:1-14 | Andrew Murch | When you are awed by Mt. Hood, moved by the tides on Cannon Beach, or blown away in the Gorge, you are hearing the symphony of God’s creation declaring his glory. When you read his Word, you are learning from the conductor how and why the notes that are played. When you cry out to him and receive redemption, you learn to play the instrument he has assigned to you.

Psalm 6:1-10 | Gavin Hesse | "Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love." As we continue exploring the Psalms this summer, we come to another prayer from King David. Here, we see that evil does are cast off as David cries out for deliverance from the Lord.

Psalm 16:1-11 | Noah Soistmann | "Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge." There is great joy and hope and peace for the people of God. In Psalm 16, King David considers who God is and who we are as his people. Here, we are reminded that life is lived at its fullest when life is lived in God.

Psalm 55:1-23 | Andrew Murch | "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." Written by King David, Psalm 55 is a prayer-song born out of a season of incredible suffering and anguish. Throughout the psalm, David cries to and pleads with God. Here, we see the reality that God's people, even in the midst of hardship, can call on their God.

Psalm 39:1-13 | Daniel Orozco  | "O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!" In this prayer, King David bows before God and contemplates his own life. Here, we see the truth of how a desperate person approaches a perfect God.

Psalm 1:1-6 | Andrew Murch | "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers." The Bible has a lot to say about the way of the wise and the way of the foolish. What separates one way from the other, and how can we know with confidence that our own way is right? In Psalm 1, we see that God knows the way of the righteous, and the wicked fall before him.

Psalm 137:1-9 | Mike Clarensau | "By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion." From the humiliation of exile comes a prayer sung by the ancient Israelites. As they remember the glory and prosperity of their ancestors, God's people call on God to remember their affliction and those afflicting them.

Psalm 73:1-28 | Tim Smith | "But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." Written by Asaph, Psalm 73 details a man of God caught between devotion to the Lord and envy for the prosperity of the wicked. Here, we see that God is the ultimate reward for man.

Acts 16:11-40 | Noah Soistmann | This passage is a beautiful reminder for us to slow down and look for where the Lord is working. Instead of rushing from one thing to the next, constantly distracting ourselves, what would it cost to slow down, to look others in the eyes, and pray for the Lord’s leading? Who could the Lord lead you to this week?

Acts 16:1-10 | Andrew Murch | Have you ever taken a moment to look back through your family line and trace the impact of the gospel? Do you know who was the first person in your family to follow Jesus? For some of us it’s parents, or grandparents, or even great-grandparents who passed on the faith. For many, it’s starting with you right now! You are beginning a culture of passing on the faith to your family. For both we praise God! The Lord is creating His family and He often does it within the context of our individual families.

Acts 15:36-41 Andrew Murch | After being a fly on the wall at a moment of division and clarityfor the church, we now are let into a conversation that seems like another very small debate. Two friends, Paul and Barnabas, co-laborers in the gospel, have a disagreement. This is the Barnabas who was the only one to welcome Paul into the faith. These two men have journeyed in missions together, preached the Good News together, and have faced harsh persecution and near death together. They are bonded in Christ, and yet when it comes to deciding the next step in their ministry, the two men debate. Apparently, it’s also a big enough argument to lead to them going their separate ways as they continue to preach the gospel and baptize new Christians.

Acts 15:1-35 | Jake Gamble | There’s only one reason people enjoy watching reality TV: the drama! With clashing people, opinions, and decisions come conflicts, debates, and arguments. The cliffhanger is always if conflict will tear the people apart, or if they’ll work it out. We’re about to enter a religious reality TV show episode. Acts 15 is a crucial point in the story of the early church where division on correct behavior for a Christian is being debated. The result of this argument will determine the outcome of what’s to come next for all believers. We have seen great unity in the Church up to this point, will this be the dividing factor?

Acts 14:1-28 | Josh Lane | Imagine being worshipped as a God and then chased down for murder all in the same day. Welcome to a day in the life of Paul the missionary. Paul and Barnabas set out on their first missionary journey together after having been driven out of Antioch and Pisidia. By the power of the Holy Spirit, they begin to “speak boldly” for the Lord (Luke 14:3) and a whole number of things happen. There is awe, amazement, and belief from both Jews and Gentiles in response to the word preached and the proof signs that the Lord worked through these men. However, in opposition to this there are Jews who begin to create division and stir up strife amongst those being preached to. On top of that, there are people who misinterpret the signs given by God through Paul and Barnabas, and they then begin to worship these men as gods! This is so shocking, appalling, and not the fruit they are seeking from their ministry. Not only could they not convince the crowds of the truth, more dissenters come and stir up enough hatred in the crowd that Paul is stoned nearly to death. What happened over the course of these days is jarring to the senses and may even strike fear in the hearts of the disciples.

Acts 13:13-52 | Andrew Murch | Anyone who has children or have interacted with children knows the meaning of “selective hearing.” However, it’s not isolated only to kids. We all have a propensity to hear what we want to hear and to ignore what we’re not willing to here. Throughout Jesus’ ministry and here in the book of Acts we have seen two kinds of people, people who will hear and receive the word of the Lord and people who refuse to hear the gospel. The great contrast is that those to whom the message should have been received, the Jews who were promised this messiah, rejected the message. Yet, those who have absolutely no reason to know Yahweh—the God of the universe—receive this message with joy. This pattern is seen again here in Paul’s sermon to the synagogue in Antioch.

Acts 13:1-12 | Andrew Murch | There are several stories in the book of Acts that amaze, make you scratch your head, or simply reveal the wonder of God’s work. This text is one of those. What opens as a seemingly average “role call” already blows the mind (tip: “role calls” in the Bible are never random). Just verses ago we saw the raging of a Herod, and in this list we see a lifelong friend of Herod. Though this friendship is likely with the Herod we see in the early days of Jesus (Luke 3:1), the placement of this story cannot be accidental. It is in alignment with all of Acts where we see people and circumstances that were meant to stop the plan of God being redeemed to propel it! These list of names include a diversity of backgrounds and yet a unity in mission of Christ.

Acts 12:1-25 | Andrew Murch | The camera shifts, the scene changes, and we’re once again back in Jerusalem seeing what is happening to the church and the Apostles there. As we look back at the epicenter of the early church, we also see the heart of the persecution of Christians. Herod is ramping up his ongoing attempts to silence and suppress the Church’s influence. He rounds up Christian leaders, kills James, and imprisons Peter during the celebration of the Passover when the people of Israel commemorate their deliverance from Egypt. Not only is this a significant date in the Jewish calendar, but not many years prior, on this same day, Jesus himself was betrayed by Judas and delivered up to death (Luke 22:1). During these dark days for the early church, believers are reminded of the dark hours of Christ’s death. However, in both instances, death would not be the end of the story.

Acts 11:19-30 | Mike Clarensau | The map keeps stretching farther and farther away from Jerusalem. From Joppa to Cyprus to Antioch the church is expanding over land and water to reach people with the gospel of Jesus. Though Jews fled the persecution in Jerusalem, they couldn’t shut up about Jesus! Wherever they went they would tell people about Jesus and how he is the messiah of the Jews. However, there were those who went even farther. Speaking to more than Jews, they began to speak to those with no Jewish culture. In Antioch there were many Greek-Speaking Gentiles called Hellenists and some of the Greek-speaking Jewish Christians who settled in Antioch began witnessing to them. These disciples likely had no idea what just happened to Peter in Joppa with Cornelius and yet they are aligned with the Spirit’s work to reach over cultural boundaries.

Acts 10:1-11:18 | Andrew Murch | Visions of a heavenly dinner coming from the sky, still “oinking”, “caw-ing”, and slithering. May not be the kind of dinner you’d hope for, and it’s certainly not something you’d expect as instrumental to the spread of the gospel. Yet, this chapter serves as a very significant turning point in the book. As we remember, Jesus called the disciples to be witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). In Peter’s vision, the ‘ends of the earth’ are before him and many animals that were ‘off limits’ to him as a Jew are put back on the menu by God. Sure, this scene may be addressing the Jewish food laws marked out in Leviticus, but something greater is happening here; God is opening up the definition of what it means to be ‘clean’ and therefore who can be a part of His family.

Acts 9:31-43 | Gavin Hesse | For a brief moment the turmoil in the early church has been quieted. God has taken an instrument of persecution, Saul, and has made him an instrument for the gospel. At least for a moment, the church is not being hunted by Saul but is being built up. The church continues forward, following the Lord and seeing the Spirit multiply believers. The gospel has gone forth to Judea and Samaria. Next stop, the ends of the earth.

Acts 9:1-30 | Andrew Murch | On the stage of our narrative, a lurking dark shadow approaches the foreground this week and will himself be blinded by the light. It’s a character who so far has been seen very little but will become one of the greatest influences of the early church and today. You’ve heard his name; you’ve heard him “breathing murderous threats” against Christians; you’ve heard his applause at Stephen’s execution; and this week, we will hear his conversation with the risen Christ.

Isaiah 53:1-9 | Andrew Murch | The gospel is a message about the servant who came to suffer, the king who stepped off his throne, the savior who had to die. All across the pages of Scripture, the work of Christ is proclaimed. On Good Friday, we remember the price that Christ paid to make a way for sinners to be reconciled to God.

Acts 8:26-40 | Andrew Murch | On the heels of his account of the Church's mixed experience of suffering and faithful gospel proclamation, Luke shares a very interesting story. An Ethiopian eunuch is riding along in a chariot on his return trip from Jerusalem when Philip is prompted by the Holy Spirit to meet him. In this remarkable scene, Philip shares the message of Christ with the Ethiopian from the pages—or, more likely, from the scroll—of Isaiah. Here, we see the only message that leads to salvation and the only right response to salvation.

Acts 8:4-25 | Noah Soistmann | It is in the shadow of the stoning of Stephen that we resume our journey through the book of the Acts of the Apostles. As Stephen is buried and the Church is ruthlessly oppressed, one naturally wonders how these Christians will move forward. And to make matters worse, Acts 8 fully introduces us to a new character: Saul, the ravager of the Church. Here, we see that God is not done working in and through his Church, and he has only begun working in and through Saul.

1 Samuel 12:1-25 | Andrew Murch | A crotchety old man stands in front of all of Israel, reminds them of their past, and warns them of their future. Have we read this before? The way this book is going, we may see it again. Now, what is it about this message that seems similar? God is good and mighty to save? Check. The people have the promise of a blessing if they obey the Lord’s laws and commands? Check. There is a forecasting of future disobedience and curses because of it? Check. All we are missing is a mountain and a golden calf...how about king? Ah, there is human nature! Instead of a splendid cow, the people of God had dethroned the Immortal God in exchange for a fallen man of flesh and blood.

1 Samuel 10:17-11:15 | Will Anderson | Where the farmer king fights his transformation, the Lord of All remains sovereign. The bleating of His sheep Israel when Ammonite wolves threaten them stirs the Father to raise a savior for his people. The Lord would not suffer disgrace upon Himself or His people. Saul cannot help but listen to the Spirit and unite the people as a king should. The Lord does this, He is the savior of his people.

1 Samuel 9:1-10:16 | Andrew Murch | Imagine scouring the county for your missing dog only to be told by a smelly, scraggly fortune teller that you’ll one day be President. “You’re going to rule the nation. Don’t worry about your doggy; he’s a good boy. Have a leg of lamb. Mazel tov!” That scenario is similar to what Saul thought happened up until he realized he was talking to the prophet of the Living God. Instead of paying a fee to learn about missing livestock, Saul was receiving a down payment on discovering Israel’s deliverance. Instead of reading the future, the son of Kish was availing himself to the One who writes the future. What happens next to Saul is supernatural and changes his very self into something grander than his donkey-keeping would suggest. Saul may have looked the part of what the people were hoping for in a king: he was a tall man from a rich family in a fierce tribe. These were not enough on their own. The Lord still had to shape this Benjaminite into a leader. In the Lord’s mercy, Samuel played into Saul’s simple desire for fortune telling and tells him the future as a sign. When these come to pass, Saul is anointed with the Spirit and prophesizes amongst the prophets. From these initial moments, the evidence seems to be there. It looks like Saul may have a heart for the Lord and treasure the word of the Lord. Only time will tell what really lies in the center of Saul’s heart.

1 Samuel 8:1-22 | Andrew Murch | Do you have a pivotal moment in your life? What season or event in your life do you look back on and say, “now that changed everything!” First Samuel 8 is a pivotal moment in the life of Israel. This is a moment that generations would look back on in the life of Israel and recognize when things changed. Life was never the same. Israel was never the same. History was never the same.

1 Samuel 7:1-17 | Andrew Murch | Though the Ark of the Covenant has returned from enemy lines and is back in the hands of the Israelites, a couple of decades pass with no progress. The people of Israel are still living in fear of their Philistine neighbors and seem to have no interest in serving Yahweh. Behind the scenes, in these decades since Samuel had been called by the Lord, Samuel is growing into a true prophet and priest. His first message is what all prophets of the Lord say, he calls Israel to repent and turn from the false gods that keep stealing their attention and worship. For a moment, instead of a flashback to Judges, this feels like a flashback to Joshua 24 where Joshua implores the people of Israel in the same way. Joshua called the people of Israel to turn from their idols and cling to Yahweh. At that time the people renewed their covenant before the Lord, and once again they seem to be doing the same thing here. They confess their sins, they put aside their false gods (and false hopes), and follow Samuel’s lead in worship and reverence of the Lord. THIS is what the Lord wanted from Israel all along and while the aroma of the sacrifice was still in the air and the prayers still on the lips of the people, the Lord defended them against their powerful enemy. What we have already seen from God is proven again, no man can shape or thwart God’s plan, he is sovereign over his people. The Lord judges the corrupt and honors the humble whose hearts are submitted to him. In this story the proverb is in action, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Jam. 5:6, 1 Pet. 5:5, Prov. 3:4). God’s people never were able to and never will be victorious because of their own might and strength. To God alone is the might, power, strength, and victory and God’s people submit their hearts to him in faithful humility.

1 Samuel 5:1-6:21 | Andrew Murch | Israel has already experienced that they cannot use God like their personal genie in a box and the Philistines are about to experience the same as well. At first, the Philistines are feeling pretty good. You see, these battles were not about the strength of one army versus another, but rather, was a show-down of the ‘gods’. The nation with the stronger god would win in battle. Duh! So obviously Dagon is greater than Yahweh, right? Don’t forget that the Lord allowed the Ark to be captured, and like a scene out of a comedy he shows that Dagon is nothing but a silly statue broken into pieces. These people who thought they could take Yahweh as a prisoner of war discover that they are under his terrible judgment. Like the Egyptians under Pharaoh they are plagued by God’s wrath. However, the Philistines get wise and say, “We know what happened to Egypt, let’s not be like them! Send it back!” So in tow of a few cows, away the Ark goes.

1 Samuel 4:1-22 | Josh Lane | This passage is a humbling reminder to all who read it of the weight of God’s holiness. As we walk through the story of the Old Testament we have a few flashbacks to the book of Judges as this specific story in 1 Samuel seems to go from bad to worse quickly. This passage shows us how seriously God views sin, how separate He is from sin, and how much we need a savior from our sin. When the Lord calls to Samuel in his sleep, we hear God promise judgment on the house of Eli for their continued sinfulness and blasphemy (1 Samuel 3:11-14). Today’s passage is the fulfillment of that promised judgment. God always delivers on his word.

1 Samuel 3:1-21 | Andrew Murch | 1 Samuel continues to put the reader’s head on a swivel. We look to Eli’s family and see that their end is coming, then turn and look at Samuel. This young boy is learning to hear the voice of the Lord. Something that Eli’s family had seemed to forget. We’ve seen this theme continually in Scripture, that when darkness seems to be winning, and all hope seems lost; God is finding a way – that somewhere, light is breaking forth and hope is flickering back to life. The characters in 1 Samuel will show us more than once that when someone fails to hold fast to God’s best for them, he can find another, and often a less likely candidate whom God commissions for His glory. With that, our text will more formally welcome a young Samuel to the scene, our newest flicker of hope, onto the stage of redemptive history in contrast to a family of corrupt priests and derelict fathers.

1 Samuel 2:12-36 | Andrew Murch | Last week, our narrative opened with the backstory of Samuel and his miraculous birth. As Samuel is dedicated to service in the temple, we turn to the priesthood and to Eli and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas. In our passage this week, the focus shifts from the faith of Hannah to the folly of Eli’s son and the failing of Eli to properly address and correct his sons as priest and father. The text isn’t shy in describing these sons. It’s short and straight to the point, “the sons of Eli were worthless men” (2:12). These young men were using their position and power amongst the people of God for selfish gain. They used food (sacrifices) and women however they pleased, and God is clearly not pleased. These narratives bounce back and forth from the wickedness of the sons to the development of Samuel before the Lord. The text turns the head of the reader from one to the other and is clearly setting up for the rise of Samuel in the place of the corrupt priesthood. Samuel’s origin story is still in development but this is a critical moment for Israel. Will the priesthood spiral into essentially paganism as it did in the time of the Judges, or will God use this young man to redeem the priesthood? Reports of Eli’s sons’ mishandling of the sacrifices and their appalling behavior with the women at the temple eventually reach Eli. In response, Eli’s less-than-authoritative response to his sons’ behavior stands in stark contrast to his positions of priest and father given to him by God. Eli should have literally stripped them from their priestly garments. Yet with a slap on the hand they continue with business as usual. The reaction from these young men reminds us of the heart of Pharaoh. As they chose to not listen, just as Pharaoh chose to harden his heart, the Lord continues them on that trajectory and their consequence is queued up for the right moment. Turn the head and once again we look at Samuel who continues to grow in “stature and in the favor of God” (2:26) and of men. Samuel’s path stands in sharp contrast to the path chosen by Hophni and Phinehas, and God responds to Eli and his family in a way that affirms in our hearts and minds that we must honor God before men.

1 Samuel 1:1-2:11 | Andrew Murch | As we crack open the book of 1 Samuel, none other than the namesake of the book will appear in these first chapters. However, much like the iconic stories of the Scriptures, we begin with a barren woman. Here we see that in seasons of barrenness and in seasons of plenty, the Lord’s plan is never thwarted and he is always good.

John 4:27-42 | Mike Clarensau | Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well is well known. Less well-known is the scene that follows between Jesus and his disciples. The Samaritan woman's actions are contrasted with the disciples' confusion. Here, we see that we must see what Jesus sees if we will do what He would have us do.

Philippians 1:6 | Todd Miles | "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." In a verse so seemingly straightforward, there is a message of great hope and promise. Here, we see that God intends to fulfill his work in his people.

Isaiah 35:1-10 | Andrew Murch | "They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God." As we continue in our journey in Isaiah, we come to a passage saturated with hope. The Lord has promised that Israel's impending exile will come to an end. Only after exile would Israel be called back to the Lord. God himself reveals through the prophet Isaiah a glorious promise of restoration and redemption for his people.

Isaiah 42:1-12 | Noah Soistmann | "I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations." Who will the promised Savior be? What will he do as he establishes his kingdom? We turn this week to the first half of Isaiah 42, and we see that long before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, his advent was promised as Israel looked forward to the coming of the Lord's servant.

Isaiah 12:1-6 | Andrew Murch | “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” This week, we look back as the ancient Israelites are looking forward. God is the one who promised to provide salvation for his people. This salvation is realized in a special way in the birth of Christ, the God-man, who would bring ultimate deliverance to God's people.

Isaiah 9:1-7 | Tim Smith | "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given." This popular Advent passage is one that gets directly to the center of our hope as Christians. God promised, long before the first century that a savior was coming. Who will this savior be? What will he be like? As we turn back to this prophecy, we encounter a glimpse of the one who would come to save God's people.

Acts 8:1-4 | Andrew Murch | This section of Acts comes to a close with a person who is going to play an important role throughout the rest of the book. In the shadow of Stephen's execution, we are introduced to Saul, who "approved of [Stephen's] execution" (Acts 8:1 ESV). By the hand of Saul, the Church enters a brutal season of persecution. However, God has not finished his work of establishing his Church.

Acts 6:8-7:60 | Andrew Murch | In this moment, the Christian movement receives its first martyr in history, and it launches an all-out “witch hunt” for anyone who would believe the same way as Stephen. We are introduced to Saul who is the primary mover in this persecution, and the church is launched into a new era of being hunted. This pivotal moment in the story of Acts continues two of the themes already established. The first is that the only proper response to the preaching of Christ is belief and repentance, which the religious leaders refused. The second is that as the church is persecuted it will only grow all the more. These two things are still true for the global church today as the message is shared in numerous languages and cultures.

Acts 6:1-7 | Gavin Hesse | As the gospel spread throughout the Jewish world, many Hellenists responded to the good news. The Hellenists were Jews who spoke Greek (instead of Hebrew), so the obvious language barrier in the church was likely the cause of this oversight. But as we see in this week’s text, a need in the church is an opportunity for the church to respond. While the word “deacon” is never used in this text as a noun, in verse 2, we see the verb “to deacon” (or “to serve”). This passage in the foundation for the office of deacon in the church, a group of leading servants who help carry out the practical needs of the church. These needs range from children’s ministry to media oversight, from caring for the facility to making sure widows have the food and help that they need.

Acts 5:12-42 | Andrew Murch | The ongoing mission of the Spirit-filled church simply cannot be stopped. In this passage we see that following and obeying God is always worth it, no matter the consequences we will face. The high priest and the Sadducees are corrupt leaders who are now jealous of a genuine move of God. These spiritual leaders would have worked their whole lives only to gain a false authority and power and watch their influence slip right out of their hands as they oppose God and his Spirit. As the pressure increases against the apostles and the believers they never falter from the mission they have been sent on. As a result, they are once again sent to prison and they are once again delivered from it. This text reminds all Christians that following Jesus will lead us to tough decisions, difficult situations, and even persecution. In a world full of gray areas and compromises, the church stands firm on truth no matter what. When we do face trials of various kids, may we have the courage and boldness to say it is a privilege to be counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus.

Acts 4:32-5:11 | Andrew Murch | The story of the Apostles and the early Church continues... We are reminded this week that we, as Christians, must always value and pursue truth and be known as people of truth. We also cannot ever elevate anything (or any person) above the holiness of God—no possession, no status, no position, nothing. God is a loving, caring, merciful, gracious, and jealous God!

Acts 4:23-31 | Andrew Murch | In these early days of the church, we learn that the church is both a supernatural and ordinary thing. It is supernatural in that it cannot exist without the Spirit uniting and saving believers in Christ. The Spirit brings together people and puts them on mission together. In a world of broken people, it takes a supernatural work of the Spirit to fill and change hearts for people to be united. However, it is also very ordinary in that the church still has very practical needs and those united in the church work to help one another out. The church described here, as elsewhere in the New Testament, is like a haven in a storm. As the nations and the culture rages around, the church, the people of God, is the place where the Spirit dwells. Where heaven meets earth. The Church is where the people of God find refuge, care, love, encouragement, and boldness to serve on the mission of God. These apostles did not complete their mission without the church and neither can any Christian.

Acts 4:1-22 | Shai Linne | The truth is that the gospel could not be thwarted even with this opposition, but rather, “many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of men came to about five thousand.” Wherever the gospel has faced opposition, growth of the gospel movement has inevitably followed.

Acts 3:1-4:4 | Andrew Murch | In these early chapters of Acts, we are given a picture of the life of the early church in Jerusalem, and the popular support for it that continued to increase despite the simultaneously growing opposition to it on the part of the Jewish officials. As we turn to chapter three, we see a mighty work and the mighty word. Peter and John perform a healing which prompts preaching. Both of which lead to the preachers being brought before Jewish authorities. In general, Luke goes back and forth between relating, on the one hand, the public life and controversies of the early Christians with outsiders and, on the other, telling of the interior life and difficulties within the community itself. The healing of the lame man at the temple received much publicity and triggered a series of events involving serious opposition to the gospel.

Acts 2:42-47 | Andrew Murch | Thus far, the first two chapters of the book of Acts have been quite the adventure. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, then he floated up into the clouds (who saw that one coming?!). Then there’s the whole scene on the day of Pentecost. And then the last thing we read is that God added more than 3,000 souls to the church. Much of this book has read more like a thriller than biblical narrative. But then we come to this week’s text. Six verses that, at face value, may seem like the most “normal” part of the story so far. But is it? As we dig in, we will find something quite extraordinary in the midst of the ordinary. More than that, we’ll find a blueprint for following Jesus in community together. While some might look at this text as an idealistic way of life that would never work in today’s day and age, it’s here that we find many core principles of the faith.

Acts 2:1-41 | Andrew Murch | There are moments in history that forever shape the course of time. In your own lifetime, you can probably think of a few examples of events that happened and everything changed after that. The biblical narrative is full of those moments. The most significant of course is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of sinners! However, after that moment comes the moment we are reading about today: Pentecost. The second chapter of Acts tells of an event that had been prophesied for hundreds of years. The prophets spoke of a time when the Spirit would be given to all people and when the Spirit would no longer dwell in a temple built by human hands but would dwell in the hearts of people and amidst the people of God. Pentecost is the fulfillment of those prophecies. The Apostles were told that the Spirit would come to empower them in their mission to witness about Christ and that they were to await the Spirit’s arrival. After many days, the Spirit comes to them, and it results in their ability to share about Jesus in numerous languages and cultures. The birth of the global church had begun right there in Jerusalem! The Apostles were given everything they needed to share the gospel in every city.

Acts 1:1-26 | Andrew Murch | As Acts unfolds before us each week, we will have front-row seats to the work of the Spirit through the lives of Peter, Paul, and the church. But far be it for us to remain seated comfortably in our front-row seats as observers! The task Jesus gives to his apostles as the original “sent ones”—and to us as his followers today—is not a passive task but an active one as the Spirit leads. The reach of the gospel message must extend beyond the microcosm of Jerusalem. The Good News must spread both geographically and ethnically. The church—God’s people—is the vehicle by which this Good News will go forth.

Proverbs 9:1-18 | Josh Lane | "Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” In life, there is the way of Wisdom and the way of Folly. Both of these ways offer answers and blessings, but only one intends to actually fulfill its promises. Friend, choose the way of Wisdom!

Proverbs 8:1-36 | Jake Gamble | "Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?" A life of wisdom, according to Scripture, is a life well lived. Wisdom leads us in our journey that finds its ultimate end in God himself. Pursue wisdom!

Proverbs 6:20-7:27 | Noah Soistmann | "Bind [your father's commandments] on your heart always; tie them around your neck." Once again, King Solomon's proverbs take on the form of a wise father counseling his son. Here, we see the tragedy of adultery and the great delight in conforming to a biblical sexual ethic.

Proverbs 6:1-19 | Andrew Murch | "There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him." God’s Law frames our world, as the principles he has designed create immutable truisms. Our sin leads us to fall short, as we experience the pain of debt, the temptation toward idleness, and the lure of deceit. God’s wisdom meets us here, calling us to the truth and providing us with grace. In Proverbs 6:1-19, we see that today’s decisions produce tomorrow’s results.

Proverbs 5:1-23 | Andrew Murch | "My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding..." In our hypersexualized culture, we need to distinguish truth from error and wisdom from foolishness. Scripture warns against sexual sin and offers a different way to live in our fallen world. Here, we see that sexual sin is the road to ruin.

Proverbs 4:1-27 | Andrew Murch | "Hear, O sons, a father's instruction..." Throughout Proverbs, teachings take the form of counsel given to a son from a father. This picture is seen clearly in Provers 4 as the father calls the son to seek wisdom and guard his heart. Here, we see that God’s Word brings life.

Proverbs 3:13-35 | Gavin Hesse | "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding..." According to God's word, wisdom is not an inconsequential concept or an optional add-on to life; it is a precious necessity for one to live as God intends. This passage of Proverbs shows the value of finding wisdom and the danger of losing it.

Proverbs 3:1-12 | Luke Hendrix | "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." So far in Proverbs, it has become clear that wisdom, real wisdom, comes from the Lord. God's people enter dangerous territory when they look within themselves for counsel that only God, by his Spirit, through his word, can offer.

Proverbs 2:1-22 | Andrew Murch | "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding..." Wisdom, importantly, is not just what to do, it is also what not to do. God graciously offers wisdom to his people as he enables and empowers them to live in alignment with his character and will for all people.

Proverbs 1:1-33 | Andrew Murch | "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." Wisdom is an interesting topic in our world; everyone wants it, many claim it, and few actually have it. Scripture teaches wisdom as knowing God's word and living according to it. God's people stand out as those who embrace true wisdom in an age of true folly.

2 Peter 3:11-18 | Andrew Murch | We’ve reached the end of the Apostle Peter’s final writing before his death. In these pages, we’ve been met with warnings against false teachers, immoral teachers, and distorted theology. We’ve seen Peter’s reminder to follow the truth of Christ and to commit to godly, Christ-like living. To put the finishing touches on his final letter, Peter calls his readers to be diligent, to be without spot or blemish, and to be at peace. He again highlights God’s patience, using the Apostle Paul’s letters as a witness to this.It’s interesting that even in his closing statements, Peter is still telling of false teachers, and warning his readers to not get “carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability” (v. 17). As we finish this study, may we, as the last verse of 2 Peter says, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” “To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (v. 18).

2 Peter 3:1-10 | Andrew Murch | In this week’s text, Peter says there are people, he calls them scoffers, who believe that the Lord is treating creation much like the kids treated their house. These scoffers say, “nothing has changed since creation. God is clearly absent.” (2 Peter 3:4). They think God has not intervened and will not intervene. Unlike the conclusion of your parent that the unkempt house meant nothing had been done, the Lord is actually at work in the world. Peter says that the Lord is not absent, he is not delaying, but rather he is patient. The Lord will bring judgment on all the broken and wicked things in this world but he is patient because of his desire that all people would be saved.

2 Peter 2:17-22 | Jake Gamble | Last week, Peter warned against false teachers, and in this week’s passage, he’s still ringing the bell to guard against those who would lead people astray. He calls these teachers a “waterless spring” (v. 17). Using God as their platform, they promise people refreshment but have none to offer. They come along, telling people that following their lustful passions isn’t that big of a deal (v. 18). Peter tells us that these teachers are slaves to sin themselves (v. 19), and they only lead people down the same path. Peter goes so far as to say that it would’ve been better had they never claimed Christ and his righteousness in the first place (vv. 20-21). We all know people who have been led astray by false teaching that minimizes sin in the name of grace; teaching that promotes the leaders’ platform and desires while downplaying righteousness. As we study this week, may we long to have ears to hear teaching that lines up with the truth of Scripture, and may we have the wisdom to discern when teaching would lead one astray.

2 Peter 2:1-16 | Andrew Murch | Peter just finished giving his eyewitness account of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and now he turns his attention to false teachers who manipulate the gospel for the sake of their own carnal pleasures and selfish gain. After outlining the playbook of these false teachers, Peter encourages his readers that condemnation and destruction is coming for these false teachers (verse 3), using multiple Old Testament and Jewish literature examples of divine justice to make his point. Remember, this is the last thing the Apostle Peter writes before his death. As you study this week, think about why he would’ve thought this message important enough for his final letter. As a Christian in 2022, this warning is as necessary as ever. In a world where false teachers abound, how can Christians identify and guard against instruction that is counter to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

2 Peter 1:16-21 | Cody Cannon | As accurate as they were, in declaring the truth, God did not merely depend on the oral, eyewitness accounts of the apostles. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit, He superintended the recording of those experiences in the inspired revelation of Scripture. In other words, if any would question the validity of Peter’s eyewitness experience, he appealed to an even better source “the prophetic word more fully confirmed” (2 Peter 1:19). As reliable and helpful as Peter’s experience was, “the prophetic word” of Scripture is “more fully confirmed”. As we follow the story of God’s redemptive plan throughout the Bible it is God Himself who repeatedly emphasizes that His inspired word is inerrant, infallible, and the all-sufficient source of truth, which does not require human confirmation. Peter is giving us an iron-clad way to stand against the errors of false teachers...know and use your Bible.

2 Peter 1:12-15 | Andrew Murch | Little yellow sticky notes often fill our work and living spaces with REMINDERS! Take the car in for an oil change, schedule an appointment, cancel that subscription, and on it goes. How come we always forget about that one? Like these sticky notes, Peter is delivering his final reminders in this letter, but here in verses 12-15 we get a glimpse into his heart behind his final instructions. Peter reminds the church of the Christlike qualities he listed in the previous verses and says he will continually remind them of these. Perhaps it’s because Peter’s recipients, much like us, need constant reminders in our lives. It is easy for us to slip into old patterns of sin or to become blind to the reality of our new life in Christ. These words are for them and for us that we would remember what Christ has done and live in light of that. We also see that Peter appears to know these may be his final words and reminders. He shares he will soon be killed for his faith and chooses his reminders carefully. Though Peter would indeed be martyred, the Church for thousands of years later would hear these words of the Holy Spirit through Peter you’re reading today.

2 Peter 1:3-11 | Andrew Murch | Peter is aware that these may be the last words he speaks to his spiritual children and he wants them not to forget all that he’s taught them. Peter has preached, discipled, trained, written, and made it his mission to share the gospel of Christ. As he wraps up his life work he tells his children, “you have everything you need to succeed in living for Christ!” They don’t have to be afraid or worry as time moves on and the apostles depart, they have been given the grace of Christ and the Spirit to empower them. It’s with this tone that Peter starts his letter with confidence that the believers are fully equipped, and reminds them to commit to Christ and become more like him day by day. This encouragement is also our today.

2 Peter 1:1-2 | Noah Soistmann | As Peter begins his final written words and letter to the churches, he makes sure there is no mistake in who is sending this letter. From the opening, Peter clarifies that he is the Peter who saw Jesus, walked with Jesus, even denied Jesus, but was forgiven and brought back by Jesus. This is the Peter who witnessed Jesus transfigured in front of his eyes, saw him lifted up on the cross, raised from the dead, and lifted up into heaven. Peter was there when Jesus sent the Spirit and was sent out to preach the gospel to all who would hear. Throughout his letter, Peter is going to confront doubters who are saying that Jesus is delaying, he won’t come back, and who scoff at his teaching. Peter is an eyewitness of the ministry of Jesus and tells those reading this letter to not be fooled! Jesus will return and he will have something to say to the righteous and the wicked. Peter speaks to those who in impatience are leaving the way of Jesus and his teachings. With his final words, Peter implores the believers to hold tight to Jesus! In this short intro, Peter identifies Jesus as God, the one who has the final say. He calls Jesus Lord and savior, the one who frees us from sin and to whom our whole lives are to be lived for.

1 Peter 2:4-10 | Gavin Hesse | The New Testament teaches that God is building for himself a people. Peter zeros in on this truth as he writes his first letter. While the world may be unaware of, or even hostile to, God's work, a mighty work is still being done. Here, we see that believers are being built as one to proclaim the Son.

Luke 24:36-53 | Andrew Murch | This is the crescendo of Luke's Gospel. The final revelation, the complete understanding, the grasping of the scope of the gospel prophesied and fulfilled. It’s no wonder that after Jesus’ ascension they returned, worshiping him with great joy!

Luke 24:1-35 | Andrew Murch | After a sabbath full of grief, the women who saw Jesus buried come to anoint Jesus’ body with burial spices. Except, the tomb is empty, save for two majestic beings who declare that Jesus is alive! It seems too wonderful to be true! Some disciples doubt, others like Peter run to the tomb, and two others get a first-hand encounter with the risen Jesus.

Luke 23:26-43 | Andrew Murch | It was the darkest day in history. Jesus would soon be revealed as God’s resurrected Son and “firstborn from the dead,” but now heis nailed to the cross. Though the best part of the story is soon to come, it is important that we not skip over the weight and sadness of Jesus’ sacrifice in this chapter. God was willing to make a way for sinners like us to be reconciled to himself, but it came at a cost. It cost everything.

Luke 23:1-25 | Jake Gamble | It is no exaggeration to say that the entire Christian faith is built upon Jesus’ actions recorded in the next two chapters of Luke, so read and reread these verses closely. In Luke 9, we see Jesus set his face towards Jerusalem to accomplish the work he was sent to complete. Now, we see that work unfolding as Jesus is falsely accused and put on trial. The assembly of the elders of the people accuse Jesus before Pilate, a man who would determine if Jesus was to be crucified or not. Pilate sees no fault in Jesus but the mob persists. “Crucify him!” they shout. Pilate releases the criminal named Barabbas from prison and allows Jesus to be sent to his death.

Luke 22:54-71 | Andrew Murch | In this passage, Luke turns the focus on Peter and shows us the sad failure of a disciple. Peter sits among the group huddled around the courtyard fire. One of the servant girls eyeballs Peter, and says “This man also was with him.” Peter’s retort was, “Woman, I do not know him.” There could hardly be a stronger way to deny Jesus, and it was pretty much all downhill from there.It looks completely hopeless save for one observation that Luke gives that no other Gospel account does: “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.” This is a pathetic fall that landed amid shreds of hope as “he went out and wept bitterly” (v. 62). Luke also wants us to see one other important truth: the word of Jesus is solid. There is an irony in what happens next. Even as the religious leaders treat Him as a phony prophet, in their actions Jesus’ prophecy is being fulfilled. Whether it’s Peter’s denial or the beginning of the mockery of Jesus, he wants us to see how sure and solid Jesus’ word is. Chapter 22 comes to an end as Luke focuses on Jesus’ true identity. Morning comes and the Jewish leadership carts Jesus off to their council chamber (v. 54). Jesus is asked point-blank if he is the Christ, the long-awaited Savior of Israel. Jesus replies, “But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” (v. 70b) They take Jesus’ words as an affirmation, and they move quickly to punish him for what they consider to be blasphemy.

Luke 22:39-54 | Andrew Murch | Jesus’ prayer in the garden reveals much. Although Jesus is fully God, his prayer gives us a very real picture of his humanity. There is perhaps no way for us to understand the intense anguish experienced by Jesus in these moments. Yet God the Father understood, sending an angel to strengthen him. The trial did not cease but Jesus' attention is fixed on the will of the Father. This fixation leads Jesus through his agonizing moments in prayer and, fully in control of the circumstances, into the hands of the men who would put him to death.

Luke 22:24-38 | Josh Lane | This passage contains three major themes. First, Jesus defines greatness. Second, Jesus highlights the coming denial of Peter. Third, Jesus reminds the disciples of the coming struggles. This passage highlights something beautiful. It highlights Jesus’ compassion, his care, and his aching heart for his disciples knowing what is around the corner. As we look at the whole of this passage try not to see these as three independent chunks of narrative. Remove the verses’ numbers, remove the paragraph breaks and headings, and listen to the heart of Jesus. See what he is doing. Hear what he is saying.

Luke 22:1-23 | Andrew Murch | Since Luke 9:51, we have followed along as Jesus has traveled through Israel with his face set “to go to Jerusalem.” Now, we come to the beginning of the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. As the Passover is about to begin Jesus sends some of the disciples to prepare a space for them to eat together. It is during this meal that Jesus reminds the disciples that he will soon be betrayed. And more than just that, he reveals that he’ll be betrayed by one of the very men who is considered a disciple. It is with the shadow of Good Friday beginning to fall that Jesus inaugurates the Lord’s Supper, reminding his followers to participate in this symbolic meal together as they remember his sacrifice and look forward to the work that he will one day fully and finally complete.

Luke 21:5-38 | Andrew Murch | It can be incredibly easy to find ourselves living in fear. We live in fear of natural disasters. We live in fear of economic collapse and financial hardship. We live in fear of the influence of political figures and the power of governments. We can live in fear because we know our struggles and failings, and we fear that our shortcomings will affect us and our loved ones. This passage can, if read shallowly and hastily, lead to fear. In Luke 21:5-38, Jesus speaks of imminent destruction, the persecution of believers, the overthrow of governments, pain and suffering, natural disasters, and even captivity. But he does not present these realities without also presenting a greater hope for those in Christ. So, before we engage with this passage, let’s go to God in prayer. Let’s confess our anxieties and fears. Let’s allow the “God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3) to speak to us through the words of Jesus.

Luke 20:41-21:4 | Andrew Murch | The religious leaders’ questioning of Jesus has come to an end (see Luke 20:40), but Jesus keeps the ball rolling with a question of his own. He asks, “how can they say that the Christ is David’s son?” It’s here that we think back to Luke’s opening words, where he tells us why he has written this Gospel account, “to write an orderly account for you... that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” It’s almost as if, while writing, Luke wants to prove the kingship of Christ, because he then turns and gives us a picture of the upside- down nature of the kingdom of God. Within earshot of his subject, Jesus condemns the scribes, who are hungry for the accolades that come with their position. Instead of affirming what their society would say about this group, he tells the crowd that they will receive greater condemnation. In the next breath (remember, the chapter distinctions were added much later after Luke’s writing), the author tells us the story of the widow’s offering, proving again the upside-down nature of the kingdom of God.

Here we are yet again... the religious leaders are back at it, attempting to trap Jesus by asking an impossible question that seemingly has no satisfactory answer. This time it’s the Sadducees who bring the question, and it’s a question about marriage and the resurrection. The Sadducees came primarily from wealthy priestly families, and history tells us that they mostly looked to the first five books of the Old Testament as their Scripture, likely rejecting or ignoring the rest of the Old Testament. Because of this, they didn’t believe in the resurrection of the dead. So it’s with this in mind that we look at Luke 20:27-40. The religious leaders have come to trap Jesus. If one were to follow Moses’ instruction in Deuteronomy 25 and marry his brother’s widow (and if this were to happen seven times to the unfortunate bride), whose wife would she be at the resurrection? Yet again, Jesus’ answer shuts them up... this time for good. “Teacher,” the scribes reply in verse 39, “you have spoken well.” And they no longer dared ask him any questions.

Jesus is a brilliant storyteller. The chief priests and scribes, the religious leaders of Israel in this day, are continually trying to trap Jesus, peppering him with impossible questions with the aim of crucifying him whether he agrees or disagrees. Recently, there was a question about the authority with which he teaches. Jesus’ brilliant storytelling gives the perfect answer to this question: the parable of the wicked tenants. Afraid of the people, they fire another fastball; yet another “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” question. This time, the question centers on paying taxes to an authoritarian, oppressive government that unjustly ruled over God’s people. And yet again, Jesus the storyteller has the perfect response to their interrogation.

Beginning with chapter 20 we see a basic pattern in Jesus’ ministry emerging; the Jewish leadership is coming after him. In the previous chapter Jesus had cleansed the temple and in this chapter we see wave upon wave of opposition seeking to discredit and trap him. Verses 9-19 constitute a parable that is meant to depict his opposition (the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the Jews). There is nothing veiled about this parable. Some things don’t need any interpretation. Jesus’ opponents are at the end of a long line of Israelite leaders that have rejected Yahweh’s servants. Jesus exposes his enemies and rather directly says “I know what you are going to do.”

Nathan Noorlun • This week, we come to the end of our series in Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians. The final words of this letter encourage and exhort us to live in line with the ways of God's kingdom. Here, we see that gospel-centered reminders equip a gospel-centered church.

A ‘catch 22’ is a dilemma where someone can’t escape because of conflicting or contradictory rules and outcomes. This is exactly what one finds in Jesus’ interactions with the Jewish leaders in this section of Luke's Gospel. The last two verses of chapter 19 provide a bit of context for the story that unfolds at the beginning of chapter 20. Jesus has made it to Jerusalem and has begun teaching in the temple. Then, the opposition enters the picture. The Jewish leaders are seeking to destroy Jesus, even though there is no evidence that he is guilty (19:47-48). So, as we’ve seen so many times before in Luke’s Gospel, they set out to trap Jesus. Questioning Jesus on the source of his authority, Jesus turns the tables on them and offers an answer provided that they honestly answer his question first. However, when realizing that to answer Jesus honestly would mean they either admit to rejecting God’s messenger or open themselves up to critique from the public, they choose silence. This passage puts the ignorance and hostility of the Jewish leaders on full display and challenges each of us to ask if we too are guilty of questioning the authority of Jesus.

We’re back in the Book of Luke. We started this Gospel back in 2018, and have spent 58 Sundays in its pages. We’ve witnessed Jesus’ birth, his teaching, his miracles, and, most recently, his journey toward Jerusalem. This week concludes that journey that began back in chapter 9. While this week’s text may seem like a random smattering of events at the end of a road trip, almost every detail of this story harkens back to an Old Testament prophecy about the coming Messiah. In these pages we see contrasting responses to the Savior of the world: we hear a crowd praising the Son of God, saying “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” But we also hear a growing grumbling from Israel’s religious leaders who are now plotting to kill the coming King.

What role does humility play in the Christian life? As we examine Philippians 2:1-11, we see the ultimate example of humility, and we hear a clear charge to model that same humility in our lives. Here, we see that submission to Christ produces Christlike humility.

What does Scripture mean when it talks about Jesus as a king and the kingdom of God? As we examine Isaiah 9:1-7, we see God speaking through the prophet Isaiah about a king and a kingdom. Here, we see that Christmas celebrates a Kingdom like no other with a King like no other, with a Reign like no other, and a Guarantee like no other.

This week, we continue our journey through the Book of Ruth. We've been introduced to the major characters of this short narrative, and we are starting to see the theme of redemption playing out in the lives of Naomi and Ruth. Here, we see that the weary find rest through a selfless redeemer.

As we continue in our Advent sermon series, we are introduced to a crucial character in the Book of Ruth. Boaz is a "worthy man" who is related to Naomi (v. 1). This worthiness is put on display as Boaz provides for and protects Ruth in a time when Israel is dangerous. Throughout this passage, God's providence is center stage and we are called to see what the Lord does for those seeking refuge in him.

This week, we begin our Advent sermon series: In the Days When the Judges Ruled the Land. It is with Judges barely in the rearview mirror that we are introduced to Naomi. Having lost her husband and sons, she begins the journey back to her home country with his widowed daughters-in-law. Here, we see that even in the bitterest of circumstances, God is working.

The saying goes, “two wrongs do not make a right.” We see this reality playing out every day. After forgetting to do the dishes, lying about it won’t make them suddenly clean. When one sibling steals from another, stealing a toy of theirs won’t ‘right’ anything. This week’s passage not only horrifically confirms this idea, it also shines a brutal light on all of Israel in one of the darkest nights for the people of God. The end of Judges displays wrong after wrong after wrong as the people of Israel move further and further from the holy ways of the LORD that they were taught. And without warning, the book of Judges ends. “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

After the death of Samson, the book of Judges takes a weird turn. The vicious cycle of chapters 3-16 has culminated in Samson, and the narrator seeks to bring home the central thesis of the book by means of a double conclusion. The conclusion of the book takes the form of two longer narratives (chapters 17-18 and chapters 19-21, respectively) that repeat the author’s thesis statement throughout. These two narratives mirror the opening of the book (we will examine more on this next week). By zooming in on the odd saga of “a man of the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Micah” (Judges 17:1), the author of Judges will drive home the point, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25). These are days of subjective religion. Among the Israelites, a people called by God to worship and serve him as a light to the nations, darkness covers the land. After being saved by God again and again, chapters 17-21 give an intimate picture of just how far they have degenerated. They didn’t drive out the Canaanites, instead they have become like them. They did what was right in their own eyes. Relativism, counterfeit religion, and godlessness abound.

Welcome to part three of the Samson saga. Our first week was filled with angels and animal sacrifice. Week two contained ripping lions apart with bare hands and foxes tied together to be used as weapons. It’s been quite the journey, and the story isn’t over yet. Part three contains sin, seduction, and even more amazing feats of strength. But behind all the theatrics that could fill a Marvel trilogy is the story of a people falling deeper and deeper away from their God, modeled in the character of our book’s last main judge, Samson.

Samson has been called by God, and in this week’s text, we begin to see Samson live out his calling. This is certainly an odd text; filled with riddles, murder, a strong man ripping apart a lion “as one tears a young goat” (as if that were simple), and a bunch of foxes with their tales on fire. While it can be easy to get lost in the wild, superhero-like story of Samson, it’s important to remember the pattern of the book of Judges. Last week’s text (about Samson’s parents) began with the first step in our cycle, and this week’s text continues the cycle. Make sure not to “lose the forest for the trees” this week as you study, remembering the downward spiral of the Israelites, who are beginning to look exactly like their Canaanite (or more specifically to this text, Philistine) enemies.

Chapter 13 starts in a familiar place for the people of Israel. “And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” The Lord has given the people of Israel over to the hands of the Philistines because of their rebellion, and we are about to meet the final judge that God raises up for his people. Even with the weight of sin ever-present throughout the book of Judges, we see glimpses of God’s sovereign hand working to advance his plans when an angel appears to a family from the tribe of the Danites. Throughout the book of Judges we see twelve men and women fill the role of Judge and here in chapter thirteen we are introduced to the last one, Samson. Samson is one of the better known of the judges, often remembered for his incredible physical strength and his infamous downward fall into sinfulness. Chapter 13 is the story of Samson’s parents and their encounter with a messenger from God. Samson’s father, a man named Manoah, and his wife were visited by an angel and told they would have a child. The angel delivers very specific instructions to Manoah’s family and to the future of Samson’s life. The God “who works wonders” is still working even in a dark season of Israel’s rebellion.

In some ways, this story is very similar to the cycle we’ve seen over and over… sin, oppression, deliverance, and peace. In other ways, this story is unique. Jephthah, our next Judge, is a very successful warrior, but he “makes a deal” with the God of Israel: “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.” After the Lord delivers the Ammonites into his hand, the first thing to come out of his door is his only child. What does all this mean? That’s what we’ll explore this week, but for now, let’s notice just how far Israel has gotten from knowing the character of their God. With Jephthah’s deal, he’s treating the God of the Bible like all of the gods of the nations around him… and Israel is beginning to look a lot like those nations.

This week’s passage revolves around the tension between Abimelech, son of Gideon, and the corrupt leaders of Shechem who put him in power over Israel. First, we see Abimelech plotting and seizing power with the help of his mom, and hiring a gang of thugs, all with the blessing of these leaders. But the dynamic soon changes as God causes division between these two evil parties. Having fallen out of favor with the leaders of Shechem, Abimelech dodges assassination plots from both the leaders and their new golden boy, Gaal. Abimelech’s life comes to a swift, violent, and, as one can imagine, prideful end. Following the retributive slaughter of Shechem’s leaders and people, Abimelech leads an invasion attempt against a neighboring city and is killed by at the hands of a woman. Following the account of Abimelech violent beginning and ending, the author notes the judges who followed him and reminds the reader of the reality that these Israelite judges would come and go, but there is a greater leader to hope for.

In one of the oddest battle scenes in history, Israel defeats Midian by blowing trumpets and breaking jars. We’re told that the Lord set the swords of the Midianites against each other, and Israel won. In chapter 8, we see Gideon win another battle, but the narrative is quite different. The author took great care to remind us of God’s presence at every turn in chapter 7, but that language is oddly silent in chapter 8. After the battles, we see the continual downward spiral of both Gideon and the Israelites. He leads the Israelites in improper worship practices, where Israel “whored after” the ephod that Gideon made after his victories in battle. Years later, Gideon dies, and the cycle of the book of Judges continues.

We’re now with our next judge: Gideon. What immediately sticks out (compared to the judges of chapters 3-5) is the length of this narrative, which spans three chapters of the book. More time is spent on Gideon than Ehud, Othniel, Shamgar, and Deborah... combined. While the flannel graph Sunday school lessons of our youth may have us believe that Gideon is the hero of this three-chapter story, what we actually find is a man who is a coward, questioning God at every turn. What hope is there for Israel when even the judges exemplify the weakness of the people?

Once again, the people of Israel do what is evil in the sight of the Lord. Already, we’ve seen the same story twice. Remember the pattern that was laid out for us in chapter 2: God’s people do what is evil, they are oppressed, they repent, God sends a judge to deliver them, and then there is a time of peace. And this week is no different. There’s evil (4:1), the Israelites cry out to God for rescue (4:3), God sends Deborah (4:4-24), and there’s a time of peace (chapter 5). There is one way that this week’s text differs from what we’ve explored so far in the book of Judges: we get a glimpse into the mind of the judge through a song (chapter 5). Here we see Deborah recount the events of chapter 4 in song, giving glory to God and reminding the Israelites of God’s goodness.

This week, we’re introduced to our first three judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar. It’s also here that we see the first two examples of the pattern we were introduced to in chapter 2, a pattern that we’ll see throughout the book: God’s people do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, they are oppressed, they repent, God sends a judge to deliver them, and then there is a time of peace.

The first two chapters of Judges grab the reader’s attention immediately, as it opens in the middle of a war. This is a Holy War. God’s people have been commanded by Him to enter the Promised Land and execute God’s judgment on the wicked nations therein by “devoting them to destruction” (Judges 1:17). From the outset, the reader gets a taste of this dark and exceedingly odd book. A king named Adoni-bezek faces God’s judgment, as his weird fetish of cutting off thumbs and big toes of the kings he defeats gets visited on him. The reader is also confronted by a foreshadowing of what is to come. The tribes of Israel fail to follow the Lord. They “did not drive out” the inhabitants of the land, instead intermarrying with them and falling into idolatry, worshiping their pagan gods. But though Israel is in the process of abandoning the Lord, the book of Judges exists, because the Lord refuses to abandon His people. In chapters 1 and 2, we meet a fickle people and a faithful God.

It's as Israel is settling in the Promised Land that God issues an interesting command. "Appoint cities of refuge ... that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there." It is in these cities alone where the manslayer could find protection from the avenger of blood, and it is in this passage where we see an incredible picture of the savior who redeems us from the penalty of our sin.

This week, we continue in our four-part biblical theology series, The Story. Looking at Genesis 3:1-10, we see Adam and Eve, the first humans, rebelling against God and allowing death to enter into the world. Here, we see that on the day we defied God, we struck a deal with death.

Andrew Murch • What is the story of Scripture? We're familiar with the stories of Scripture, but what is the overall story of Scripture? Over the next four weeks, we'll examine where we come from, why we exist, how we became as we are, how our world’s brokenness developed, and what answer God gives to the pain that plagues us. Join us this Sunday as we explore the Origin Story of humanity.

Andrew Murch • This week, we come to the end of our "If I Could Tell You One Thing" series. Psalm 2 is both a warning and a call to wisdom; wisdom that is practiced when we submit to King Jesus. Here, we see that there is no refuge from Jesus, only in Jesus.

Josh Lane • This week, we're continuing in our "If I Could Tell You One Thing" series with Philippians 3:2-14. The Apostle Paul exhorts the Christians in Philippi to "press on" and remain in Christ despite what they will face. Here, we see that in Christ, our future is far more certain and beautiful than our past and present.

Brent Kimball • “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?" The question of forgiveness is an important idea for Christians to understand. As followers of Jesus, we have been forgiven of a debt that we could never pay back. In light of that forgiveness, we ourselves are called to practice forgiveness. In our passage this week, we see that the forgiven are forgiving.

Nathan Noorlun • The Lord is near... This simple reality changes absolutely everything for absolutely everyone. As we continue in our If I Could Tell You One Thing series, we come to Philippians 4:5-23. Here, the Apostle Paul is writing to the church at Philippi, reminding them of the nearness of our God and of the imminent return of Jesus. We cannot hope to face the affliction and hardships of this life without recognizing the amazing reality that our Lord is near.

Jake Gamble • "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God..." Our passage this week, Hebrews 4, reveals the incredible reality that despite sin and rebellion, God's people will enter the perfect rest that is only offered through Christ. Here, we see that there will be true rest offered through the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ.

Gavin Hesse • As Christians, we know that we are called to take the gospel into the world. But how do we do that? This week, we turn our attention to 2 Corinthians 4:1-6. Here, the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians about how he and his fellow workers carry that good news into the darkness of the world. This passage calls us to boldly proclaim our risen Savior’s Glory.

Ben Potloff • This week, we examine Romans 3:9-26. In this section of his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul instructs the church on the reality that no one apart from Christ is righteous. And on top of that, no one is justified by his own works. But there is hope! Here, we see that sinners are made right with God through faith in Jesus.

Sam Cassese • This week, we look at a scene in Matthew's Gospel most commonly referred to as "the Great Commission." Before Jesus ascends to heaven, he gives his disciples some final instructions for their mission. They are to make disciples. But what does this mean for us in 2021? Here, we see the glorious and Christ-exalting call that has been put on all of our lives.

Sam Cassese • This week, we look at Matthew 4:18-20: the story of Jesus calling Simon Peter and Andrew to follow him. Upon hearing this call, these brothers left everything to follow Jesus. Ultimately, this short scene prompts us to ask, what is a disciple?

Jake Gamble · What kind of king are you looking for? All too often, in today's world, we look to those in power to make things right. But for those of us who are in Christ, where does our help come from? Where does our hope come from? Psalm 72 answers this question for us, giving us a clear picture of the caring King who will ultimately make all things right.

Noah Soistmann · This week, we look at Psalm 40:1-5. In this psalm, written by King David, we see God redeeming and restoring David. And in response to this restoration, God is praised and glorified. Here, we see that believers sing a new song to the Lord as we remember our deliverance from death.

Jake Gamble · Our sin makes us enemies of God, but there is good news. God is good and he has done everything that is needed for us to be brought back into relationship with him. Psalm 17, written by King David, speaks of this reality and the good news of salvation for God's enemies.

Josh Lane · "Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!" In our text this week, we see a plea from a desperate and downcast Israelite. This psalm of lament reveals important truths related to difficult circumstances, our posture in prayer, and the good news of what God has done in Christ.

Gavin Hesse · As we begin our Summer Psalms series, we look at Psalm 95. This incredible psalm points us to God as the object of our worship and reminds us that he alone is worthy of our worship.

Andrew Murch • This week we come to Luke 19:11-28, the Parable of the Ten Minas. In this scene, Jesus once again pauses his journey toward Jerusalem to instruct his followers on discipleship and the kingdom of God. Through this parable, Jesus is urging his followers to live faithfully, work diligently, and patiently wait for the Master to return.

Andrew Murch • This week, we come to the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus the chief tax collector. With this short story, Luke gives his readers a clear image of Jesus' mission on earth. Here, we see that Jesus is the one who saves and following him requires repentance.

Andrew Murch • "Son of David, have mercy on me!" This week, we read of a plea for mercy from a blind and broken man. As Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, he passes by the city of Jericho where he encounters this man and heals him. This miraculous scene reveals to us the heart of our savior, the faith that we all must have in him, and the healing that Jesus brings to those who would put their faith in him.

Andrew Murch • This week, we come to Luke 18:15-34. While a number of these verses are often quoted and referenced, there is an underlying theme that must not be missed: the kingdom of God. Here, Jesus instructs his disciples on the posture of one who wishes to be a part of that kingdom, the things of this world that blind us to the reality of that kingdom, and what it will cost for that kingdom to be established on earth.

Andrew Murch · Jesus Christ is risen! This Easter, we continue in The Gospel According to Luke: Kingdom Stories. Luke 18:9-14 contains the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Through this interesting scene, Jesus instructs his followers on the necessity of humility and the danger of self-righteousness.

This Good Friday, we remember the suffering of Jesus and how it informs our lives as his followers. Christ's suffering leads to our redemption and our suffering is redeemed.

Andrew Murch · At first glance, this text appears to be about prayer. While there are principles about prayer that can be gathered from this parable, the primary point is the vindication of God’s suffering people. The point here is that “God patiently listens to his elect as they pray in their continuing distress, waiting for the proper time to act on their behalf” (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary). But the question Jesus asks remains. “Will he find faith on earth?”

Andrew Murch · In our passage this week the Pharisees finally ask the question that has been a long time coming. When will this kingdom come? Again wanting to test Jesus, these religious leaders ask this question then wait to catch Jesus as they have so many times before. But Jesus doesn’t respond to their question in the heretical way they were hoping. Instead, Jesus describes to them the true reality of God’s kingdom. This kingdom cannot be located because it is already in their midst.

Drew Dyck · This week, Luke is tying together temptation, confession to one another, faith, and being faithful servants of God. As Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem, and ultimately his death, he is teaching his disciples how they live out the Kingdom Ethic when he is gone. He provides no room for loner Christianity, but he also doesn’t forget personal accountability. We are responsible for how we live out our faith with and among one another, and yet we will also all stand before the master to give an account of how we served him in our life.

Andrew Murch · This week, Luke is tying together temptation, confession to one another, faith, and being faithful servants of God. As Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem, and ultimately his death, he is teaching his disciples how they live out the Kingdom Ethic when he is gone. He provides no room for loner Christianity, but he also doesn’t forget personalaccountability. We are responsible for how we live out our faith with and among one another, and yet we will also all stand before the master to give an account of how we served him in our life.

Gavin Hesse · Covering topics like money, John the Baptist, the Law and the Prophets, and even divorce, this week’s text is Jesus’ response to the questions, attitudes, and heart condition of Israel's religious leaders. As we go through this week’s text, let’s examine our own hearts and make sure that they line up with the words of Jesus and the kingdom of God.

Andrew Murch · The parable of the dishonest manager is rather perplexing at first read. But, when we look closely, there's an important message that Jesus wants to teach his followers. Jesus, speaking to his disciples, urges them to be faithful in all their dealings with wealth. The world is often more intentional with their wealth than believers are (v. 8). While the world’s methods and means are for unrighteous gain, shouldn’t Christians be just as intentional in their stewardship for righteousness? Jesus encourages his disciples to be faithful with little and with much. We are to be faithful with the world’s riches and with our spiritual riches. Because, just like the dishonest manager, you cannot serve two masters. You may have both God and money, but you cannot serve both.

Andrew Murch · The story of the Prodigal Son is not only the story of the tax collectors and sinners in Jesus’ day, but of all of us today. We are created to be with God and experience relationship with him, but we have all rebelled and gone our own way (Isaiah 53:6). This story teaches us that despite our rebellion, God is overjoyed to bring us back into relationship with him. Our God is a gracious and merciful and loving father.

Andrew Murch · It’s no coincidence that last week’s passage ends with Jesus’ words: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” and then this week’s passage begins with the religious elites grumbling and complaining about the sinners that are drawing near to Jesus. Jesus answers their complaints, as he often does in Luke’s Gospel, with three stories. These parables all have a similar theme: heaven rejoices when a lost sinner repents. In this week’s passage, we get the first two parables: the story of the lost sheep and the story of the lost coin. In these stories, we not only see God’s heart for the lost, but we also gain the correct perspective of those who have already repented.

Andrew Murch · It seems that Jesus is all about the wedding metaphors in this section of the Scriptures. Jesus’s heart is to fill his banquet up with people. So, he sends out the invites to all who will come. And thank Jesus that he did, because that includes you and me! Jesus concludes by advising his disciples to count the cost. At the end of this section we’re left to consider, will we RSVP to the wedding banquet? Will we be prepared for that day?

Andrew Murch · This week, we see Jesus speaking through two parables. His lesson is clear: Those who assume a place of honor will find themselves humbled, but those who humble themselves to care for those who need them will find themselves exalted in the end. So, we ask ourselves, who is invited to sit around our tables?

Jake Gamble · As we jump into a new section of Luke’s gospel account, we are confronted with a scene that is all too familiar. Jesus is journeying toward Jerusalem where he has declared he will suffer, be rejected, and die. On the way, Jesus is stopping in villages and towns to teach and share the good news of God’s kingdom. Jesus instructs those listening that they should “Strive to enter through the narrow door.” Those who know Jesus and are known by Jesus will be the ones who enter. Jesus ends this scene by lamenting the disobedience of Jerusalem, a symbol of all Israel.

Todd Miles · "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14b) This week, we look at a passage where God, through his prophet Isaiah, promises that a son will be born miraculously to a virgin. What could more wonderful than the circumstances of this child's birth? The child's name will be Immanuel, which means 'God with us'.

Andrew Murch ·

Andrew Murch · As this season of Advent is quickly coming to its high point, we come to Isaiah 35. In this prophetic Old Testament passage, God reveals to us an amazing truth. God himself is coming to save us! This earth-shattering reality is the driving force behind our celebration of Jesus' birth. The prophet Isaiah's words give us the hope and joy necessary to faithfully proclaim "Joy to the world, the Lord has come!"

Andrew Murch · As we continue in The Lord is Our Shepherd, we come to Psalm 23. This Psalm, written by King David, declares truths that we need to understand in order to rightly understand who Jesus is. Our God renews us, assures us, and pursues us. Here, we see that when we know the Lord, we know that all we need is the Lord.

Andrew Murch · This week, we begin our Advent sermon series: The Lord is Our Shepherd. In Genesis 48, Jacob wants Joseph's sons to know and experience the blessing and promise of the God who has been his shepherd all his life, the one who redeemed him. Here, we see that the Shepherd Redeemer never leaves his sheep.

Bill Clem · This week we close out the fourth installment of The Gospel According to Luke. In this section of Luke's account, we read about Jesus healing a woman on the Sabbath and then teaching his followers about the kingdom of God with two comparisons.

Sam Cassese · This week, we read as Jesus continues his discourse by calling the surrounding crowd to turn away from their sins. When listeners in the crowd ask Jesus about a recent event in Galilee, Jesus corrects their thinking and reminds them that Israel needs to repent. Jesus then teaches the crowd about Israel’s need to repent and bear fruit through the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree. Here, Jesus compares Israel to the barren tree and he makes it clear that time is running out for Israel to bear real fruit. Altogether, Luke 13:1-9 shows us that the answer to Jesus’ call to remain vigilant and faithful is to repent and bear fruit.

Jake Gamble · As we continue in Jesus’ address to his disciples and the surrounding crowds, we read of Jesus warning his followers to remain vigilant. There is no question about it... Jesus is coming back soon! So, how will that reality change the way we live now? Jesus exhorts his followers to “stay dressed for action” and “be like men who are waiting for their master.” It is in this season of waiting that we are to be like faithful servants who continue to carry out their tasks despite the unknown of when their master will return. This passage reveals Jesus’ continuing anticipation for his coming suffering and instructs on how we are to live as God’s people while on this earth.

Andrew Murch · As Jesus continues his teaching, someone in the crowd asks him to mediate an inheritance issue. This seems reasonable enough; to ask a rabbi to weigh in on moral issues. But Jesus turns the question on its head, instead telling a story about a man who stores up treasure for himself. He follows with a beautiful passage on anxiety, reminding us that God is sovereign and that we have a Father who cares for us.

Sam Cassese · It's in Luke 12 where thousands upon thousands of people are gathering to see and hear Jesus. That’s when Jesus turns to his disciples and gives them important instructions about their interactions with the Pharisees and any future persecution as a result of following him. Here, we see that we are to fear the Lord and we will have nothing to fear.

Andrew Murch · Jesus’ ministry continues, more and more people know about him, and he has become more and more polarizing. Like the rest of Scripture, this week’s text puts a mirror in front of us and asks: from whom does your righteousness come from? Is it man-made or is it Christ-transformed?

Andrew Murch · As we move our way through the gospel according to Luke, this week feels like a hodge-podge of random and disconnected moments in Jesus’ ministry. We just came from such iconic moments like Jesus’ time with Mary and Martha and teaching his disciples how to pray. But what in the world is going on in this week's text? People think Jesus is demon-possessed, he gives us a lesson about demons, rebukes a lady for calling his mom blessed, talks about Jonah and the Queen of Sheba, and then ends on some teaching about light. Jesus, what are you talking about? This week, we find out!

Andrew Murch · All throughout Luke’s gospel, we find Jesus praying. Apparently, one of the disciples noticed this as well. So he asks. After showing us how to pray, Jesus tells a parable about God’s response to our prayer and encourages us to pray, urging us to ask, because God is a heavenly Father who longs to give good gifts to us, his children.

Sam Cassese · This week, we read a story about two sisters who had the opportunity to meet Jesus. Not only did they meet him... they were able to welcome him into their house! But while they had Jesus over, these sisters had differing ideas about what was most important, they had different priorities, a different focus, and a different opinion about what was most necessary.

Andrew Murch · In one of the most widely known parables, we see Jesus answer two massive questions:- What do I do to get to heaven?- Who counts as a neighbor deserving of my love?

Andrew Murch · This week, we come to the beginning of Luke 10. This section continues the dramatic shift that we saw last week as Jesus’ “set his face toward Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51b, 53b). Luke 10:1-24 is a section of Luke's gospel that shows the reality of Jesus’ ultimate mission on earth. As he sends out more messengers, Jesus commands his followers to tell the people that “the kingdom of God has come near to you.” This declaration, Jesus makes clear, is for all the people, whether they receive his followers or reject them.

Andrew Murch · This week, we resume the Gospel According to Luke. Up to this point we have seen Jesus feed thousands, cast out demons, calm stormy seas, and even raise the dead. However, beginning here we see a shift in Luke’s narrative. Luke 9:51 says, “When the days drew near for (Jesus) to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” It is inthis moment that we see the trajectory of Jesus’ earthly ministry turn. Now we know that this turn will eventually lead to Jesus’ crucifixion, but it will ultimately end with his resurrection from the grave.

Andrew Murch · In these days of pandemics, social unrest, and political campaigns, we are long for a truly righteous king. That king has come and his name is Jesus! We long for that king and through this text, we are reminded that it takes a righteous king to bring justice.

Jake Gamble · This week, we continue in our Life & Death series by examining Proverbs 9:1-18. This section of Proverbs contrasts lady wisdom, who we learned about two weeks ago, and woman folly. Here, we see that choosing the right path comes through discipleship, community, Scripture, and repentance.

Gavin Hesse · Life and death... in Proverbs 5, two voices are pitted against one another: the voice of the wise father and the voice of the seductive woman, whose speech is smoother than oil. Whom will the son listen to? His decision will either preserve his life or ensnare him to the point of death.

Sam Cassese · In this new series through the book of Proverbs, we’re going to hear a call to pay extreme attention to the voices we are following and to the influences that are shaping our lives. The advice we follow is nothing less than a matter of Life and Death. This week, we are introduced to Lady Wisdom, who offers her instructions publicly and loudly for all to hear. Her warning is clear: to ignore wisdom is to invite destruction.

Andrew Murch · This week we come to the end of our Be Not Conformed series. Judges 17 opens with a family that has some serious issues. They are breaking God's laws, neglecting God's covenant, and completely forgetting God's promises. Here, we see that if you reject God’s revelation all you have left is counterfeit religion.

Sam Cassese · This week, we come to Romans 12:14-21 where the Apostle Paul continues to instruct the Church in Rome on how they are to live as genuine followers of Christ. In these eight verses, Paul lists a number of commands that guide the Christian to live in light of the example of Christ. Here, we see overcome evil with good.

Andrew Murch · What characterizes a true Christian? As we look to Romans 12:9-13 this week, we see the Apostle Paul instructing the Early Church on how they can practically model Christ with their lives. Here, we learn that God embodies his love through the imprint of our lives.

Sam Cassese · "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought." That is the Apostle Paul's exhortation to his Christian readers. In our text this week, we see that we are called to live humbly, seek unity, and serve cheerfully.

Andrew Murch · This week we continue in our Be Not Conformed series, as we jump into the beginning of Romans 12. In these first two verses of Romans 12, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Church in Rome to offer their bodies to God as living sacrifices.

Andrew Murch · "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!" As we kick off the Be Not Conformed series, we look at Romans 11:33-36. Here, the Apostle Paul erupts with praises to God. We learn that in all seasons, rain or shine, knowing and unknowing, God will be glorified—now and forever!

Andrew Murch · This week we come to the end of The Church Scattered Series. Our series ends with Acts 14:8-23, where we see Paul and Barnabas living out the gospel mission, as they call others to abandon their sin and turn to the Living God.

Andrew Murch · This week, we look at Acts 11:19-30. In this text, we read of a man named Barnabas and we see what happens when Christ's Church is scattered. This story encourages us that even though we are scattered, God's grace is still accessible to us. Here, we see that God extends His grace in the scattering of His people.

Andrew Murch · As we continue in The Church Scattered series, we come to Acts 4:23-37. In this narrative, we see the Early Church Christians praying for boldness in the face of opposition. We are also shown examples of how these believers lived in light of the gospel. Here, we see that as the nations rage, we must proclaim Christ’s reign.

Sam Cassese · This week, we continue The Church Scattered series with Acts 2:42-47. In this section, the author records how the Church functioned in its infancy and the characteristic that marked the people of God in those days. Here, we see that the Church shines bright to the glory of God.

Andrew Murch · This week, we begin The Church Scattered sermon series. In our text, we see Peter confess Jesus as the Messiah. This story teaches us to persevere because we know that Jesus is building His Church.

Andrew Murch · What do you do when you reach the end of your rope? This week, as we examine Psalm 123, we see what God calls his people to do in these seasons. Here, we learn that in the day of trouble, we should look to God, who is on the throne.

Andrew Murch · Are we there yet? In this season of pandemic, many of us just want to know, "are we there yet?" No matter where we're all at specifically, there is great hope in Psalm 84. King David writes about the strength, grace, and hope that we ultimately have in King Jesus.

Andrew Murch · This week, we look at Psalm 27. Written by King David, this prayer demonstrates many of the different emotions we experience as humans. Ultimately, this psalm reminds us that even in difficult situations, we should "wait for the Lord; be strong, and let [our] hearts take courage; wait for the Lord!" (v14)

Andrew Murch · This week we look at Psalm 90. The only Psalm authored by Moses, Psalm 90 deals with massive realities for God's people. Moses, as he's crying out to God, teaches us how to pray and call out to God in all seasons of life.

Sam Cassese · This week, we turn to Psalm 43. In this open letter to God, the psalmist calling out to God because of pain and oppression that he is experiencing. Here, we see that pain gives way to perspective in the presence of God.

Sam Cassese · This week, we're jumping back into the Psalms. Our text, Psalm 113, is a psalm that declares God's awesomeness. This psalm asks the question, "Who is like the LORD our God?" Here, we see that no person, no thing, no power, and no authority is like our God!

Andrew Murch · King Jesus has risen! Today, we continue our journey through Matthew's account of Holy Week with the story of Jesus' resurrection. This is good news for us and it changes everything about how we live and who we place our faith in!

Andrew Murch · It's Palm Sunday! Today we look at Matthew 21:1-11. In this text, we see Jesus' triumphal entry in Jerusalem. Although he did not look like the conquering king that was expected, Jesus was just a few short days away from finishing the work that he was sent to do.

Andrew Murch · This week we come to the conclusion of our story. Haman’s plot has been revealed, the King has given Mordecai and Esther a blank check, and the Jews have been granted freedom to defend themselves. Here, we see that deliverance was secured on the day destruction was scheduled.

Andrew Murch · Esther 7:1-8:17 is packed with movement and plot development. Some of the principles that we see revealed in this text include God’s divine sovereignty, human responsibility to obey God, God’s faithfulness to his people, and God’s undeniable control over all things in his work to deliver and reconcile his people. As Christians living thousands of years after this age, we recognize the real main character of this story. God in all his glory and sovereignty, although unnamed and not mentioned, faithfully works to redeem and deliver his people.

Andrew Murch · It’s been stated before, but it needs to be said again. Although God is not explicitly named in the pages of the book of Esther, he is clearly at work. This section of the story highlights how God is sovereignly in control, even when he seems most absent. The King’s sleepless night, Haman’s entrance, and Haman’s recommendations to the King are all examples pointing to how God is working.

Jake Gamble · In Esther 5 we see the setting of the stage for the climactic end of the book. Esther prepares to go before the king to make her request for the salvation of her people.We see Esther acting strategically in her approach as she risks her life on behalf of the Jews.

Andrew Murch · This chapter addresses a few major principles in the life of a Christian: obedience, faith, and boldness. We see our own lacking in how we can easily identify with Esther’s stubbornness and fear. More importantly and although not explicitly mentioned, we clearly see our faithful God sovereignly in control over all things. Here, we see that there is a Savior who took on death to deliver God’s people from it.

Andrew Murch · This week, we continue on our journey through the book of Esther. As we learn more about the makeup of our characters, we’re left longing for a savior and hoping that we might see more of God working behind the scenes. Here, we see that the facts on the ground don’t control the fate of God’s people.

Andrew Murch · The book of Esther asks the question, “Does God see and care for his people even when they’re far from home?” The book will not answer this explicitly, but rather through a number of times when God is at work behind the scenes... the first of which being an orphaned Jewish woman miraculously coming into the most favored and influential position in the household of the reigning pagan empire.

Sam Cassese · This week, our time in Paul's letter to Titus comes to a close. In this final chapter, we see Paul giving Titus some final instructions. He tells Titus to remind the Cretan churches of how they should conduct themselves. Titus is to teach his people to "devote themselves to good works." Here, we see that we live changed lives because God changed everything.

Andrew Murch · As we near the end of Paul's letter to Titus, we come to an incredibly impactful and dense text. Paul reminds Titus of Jesus' appearance to us, sacrifice for us, and mercy shown to us. Here, we see that Jesus changes how we live.

Andrew Murch · This week we come to Titus 2. The Apostle Paul urges Titus to "teach what accords with sound doctrine." He gives examples and illustrations to Titus as he continues to instruct him on how he should be leading the local churches on the island of Crete. Here, we see that the gospel is revealed as true among the lives it shines through.

Andrew Murch · In our text this week, the Apostle Paul instructs Titus on why local churches need qualified elders and what kinds of people hinder the health of a church. Here, we see that deviation from the gospel breeds dysfunction in the church.

Andrew Murch · This week, we look at the Apostle Paul's reasons for placing Titus in Crete and the qualifications for elders in the local church. Paul presents a list of credentials for the men who lead a local church. Here, we see that God leads His people through godly leaders.

Sam Cassese · This week, our text covers the Apostle Paul's introduction to his letter to Titus. In these four verses, we see Paul address the growth of God’s people, the hope of God’s promise, and the relationships in God’s family. Here, we see what God cares about.

Todd Miles · This week, we continue the story of Moses in the book of Exodus. This text covers the powerful signs that God showed Moses and then Moses return to Egypt. Here, we see God's powerful work continue.

Andrew Murch · This week, we pick up Moses' story after he flees Egypt and settles in Midian. This chapter details Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush. Here, we see that the Lord came down to deliver His people.

Andrew Murch · This week we are introduced to a new character. Our text begins with the birth of Moses and how the dramatic opposition from Pharaoh in Exodus 1 brings us to this point. Our text then tells of Moses' journey away from Egypt and we see the beginnings of the work that God is going to do. Here, we see that the Savior’s arrival signals the captive’s release.

Andrew Murch · This week we jump into the Book of Exodus, where we see that the nation of Israel has greatly increased in Egypt since the end of Genesis. In the first chapter of Exodus Pharoh oppresses Israel by enslaving them, ordering midwives to kill Israelite babies, and demanding that all of Egypt deal cruelly with Israel. Here, we see that in the face of evil’s futile plans, the promise of God stands.

Sam Cassese · Our text this week is another combination of stories where Jesus shows us that his ethic of the kingdom is different than ours. Godly power, authority, and glory look different than we expect. Like the disciples, we must allow Jesus’ life and work to shape us into the people of his kingdom, not our own.

Andrew Murch · At this point in our text, Jesus’ ministry is in full swing. There are some who believe he is a prophet. There are others who think he’s John the Baptist. There are even religious leaders who think that what Jesus is doing is demonic. In the text this week, Jesus poses the question: who do you say that I am? Here, we see that the only road that leads to life runs through the suffering of Christ.

Andrew Murch · This week, we come to one of the most well-known stories from Jesus' ministry; the feeding of the 5,000. When you take the passage as a whole we begin to see a larger theme than just food mysteriously appearing. We begin to see providential provision. Jesus provides our every need. This text shows us that there is no mission without Jesus as provision.

Gavin Hesse · Our text this week brings us to Jesus' healing of a woman and Jairus's daughter. At first, Jesus’ ability to multitask these two situations seems weak. However, Jesus masterfully uses the situation to teach us an unforgettable lesson on faith and God’s timing. Here, we see that by grace we have been saved through faith.

Andrew Murch · In our text this week, Jesus calls for obedience from creation. These men who have been on the road (and seas) with Jesus are completely blown away and perhaps seeing him for the first time. Jesus is personally with us and still incomparably powerful over all things. Here, we see that this is Jesus.

Andrew Murch · Luke 8:1-21 is all about hearing the Word of God and responding to that Word. We see this text broken into four sections: the parable of the sower, Jesus’ reason for speaking in parables and explanation of the parable of the sower, the parable of a lamp under a jar, and Jesus’ mother and brothers. These four sections all point to different aspects of our response to the hearing of God’s Word.

Andrew Murch · In our text this week, we read of Jesus going to dinner at the home of a Pharisee named Simon. As they recline to eat and talk they are interrupted by a woman with a reputation This woman begins to touch Jesus, weeping and washing his feet with perfume and her hair. It’s in Jesus’ response to her and also the responses of Simon and this woman to Jesus that we learn so much. Here, we see that a debt forgiven is a cost absorbed.

Jake Gamble · The messianic expectation of God’s people is very evident in our text, this week. The original, Jewish audience has been looking forward to the day when God’s King would come to rule and reign. Had the day finally come? Even John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, is wondering if he is the one who is to come. Here, we see that Jesus came to do what God intended, not what people expected.

Andrew Murch · Luke 7:1-17 contains two stories. Both of these stories show Jesus’ complete power and authority over sickness and death. Here, we see that Jesus is Lord and does not bow his knee to any kind of human sickness or curse of sin.

Andrew Murch · This text goes a lot of different directions. This text speaks of forgiveness, hypocrisy, and what it looks like to live as brothers and sisters in Christ. It reminds us that our lives will show the fruit of who we are and where we find our identity. And it reminds us of the importance of centering our lives on the work of Jesus. Here, we see that “Jesus is Lord” is not a cliché, it’s a call to obey.

Andrew Murch · This week, we come to Luke 6:27-36. In this text, we dig even deeper into the upside-down kingdom of Jesus and into an even clearer picture of what it looks like to follow him. Here, we see that mercy changes the math.

Andrew Murch · In Luke 6:12-26, Jesus choose his twelve Apostles and with his followers gathered, Jesus teaches on how his kingdom will operate differently, not being defined by class systems or social classifications. Instead, the kingdom of God is based on service, love, and self-sacrifice. Here, we see that the message of the King is a twisted world redeemed.

Andrew Murch · Diving back into Luke's gospel account, we come to Luke 6:1-11. This narrative details Jesus and his disciples breaking the law and picking grain to eat on the Sabbath. This account also tells of Jesus healing a man with a withered hand and breaking the Sabbath. Here, we see that Jesus elevated redemptive mission above religious tradition.

Andrew Murch · This week we look at Psalm 61. This psalm, written by King David, is one of David crying out for God. We clearly see David's dependence on and response to God. Here, we see that the promise of the King makes the weary sing.

Andrew Murch · This week, we look at Psalm 32. Written by King David, this Psalm centers on the blessing that we see in God's forgiveness of our sins. David continuously rejoices in his sins being forgiven by God, and how believers should follow that example. Here, we see that He is better.

Dave Bertolini · "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?" You can almost hear the trembling in David's voice as he says these words. Anyone who has spent a few years on this earth knows the feeling... we can all remember that trembling coming from our own mouth. In Psalm 13, we see the reality of sorrow in the life of the Christian, we see a God whose love is steadfast, and we see a salvation worth rejoicing!

Sam Cassese · This week we continue our summer Psalms series with another section of Psalm 119. Through the author's joy in the law of the LORD, we learn of what it looks like to set our eyes on God. Here, we see more of who God is, how he loves his people, and how we respond to who he is.

Andrew Murch · This week, we look at Psalm 16. This Psalm, written by King David, speaks a great amount to who God is. In these eleven verses, we see that God is the only real refuge, the prize of His promise, the source of security and the path of life. Here, we see that God is...

Dave Leandre · This week we are in Psalm 115. Much of this text is about how God deals with the nations and the nation of Israel. In this Psalm, we see that praise does not belong to us, but to God!

Jake Gamble · Psalm 145 is all about proclaiming God's goodness. King David declares God's goodness and righteousness and the Lord's worthiness of our worship. David then announces his response to such a great God, and we see that we are to follow suit in how we praise the Lord.

Sam Cassese · Continuing his exposition of Psalm 119 from last summer, Pastor Sam Cassese walks us through verses 33-40, showing us the cry of the righteous: show me, shape me, shield me.

Ryan Smith · This week we look at Psalm 121, a Psalms of Ascent. Here, we see that God is our source for help and our Keeper who will never let us go.

Andrew Murch · This week, we come to the close of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Christians of Ephesus. This letter ends where it began, with grace and peace from God theFather and the Lord Jesus Christ. Here, we see that the source of peace you can’t shake is grace you don’t earn.

Andrew Murch · This week, we come to the Apostle Paul's instruction regarding the armor of God. Over and over, Paul teaches Christians to put on the different pieces of armor in order that they may "stand against the schemes of the devil." Here, we see that our security through the battle is our identity in the savior.

Andrew Murch · In our test this week, the Apostle Paul continues to instruct Christians how to live in light of our new life found in Christ. After teaching on marriage and the call for husbands and wives to model the gospel, Paul now turns to children and parents as well as servants and masters. This text teaches us that we answer to Christ for how we handle authority.

Andrew Murch · Our text this week is all about marriage and the gospel. The Apostle Paul continues to instruct the Christians in the region of Ephesus as he teaches on marriage and how it displays the gospel. In this test, we see that marriage is meant to tell a bigger story.

Gavin Hesse · In our text this week, the Apostle Paul continues to instruct Christians on how they are to live, in light of the fact that Christ has made them alive. In this text, we see that Spirit-filled wisdom is the foundation of a joy-filled walk.

Andrew Murch · In our text this week, the Apostle Paul continues to condemn sin and teach on the ways Christians are to live. Paul explains that although we were once children of darkness, we are now called to live as children of the light. In this text, we see that you’re not raised from the dead to live in the dark; walk in the light.

Andrew Murch · This week the Apostle Paul continues to call Christians to put off the old self and put on this new. However, in this text, Paul does this by giving specific, practical examples of how Christians are to live in light of the gospel. This week we see that we must follow Christ down the path of self-sacrifice.

Andrew Murch · This week, our text brings us to the Apostle Paul teaching the Christians in Ephesus about the new life they have in Christ. Paul also directs them in how they should live their lives in light of this new life. He calls them to cast off their old sinful selves and put on their new selves. Here, we see that the lie loses it luster once you've met the Truth.

Andrew Murch · The Apostle Paul continues to teach and edify the Christians of the church in Ephesus. Paul's teaching in this text centers on Christ's work to build His Church. Through various gifts and people, Jesus is building up His Church in unity, in maturity, and in Christ-likeness. In this section of Ephesians 4, we learn that Christ uses every single Christian to build His Church.

Sam Cassese · This week we come to a turning point in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians. X created unity so maintain it. As Paul instructs the Church at Ephesus in how they should conduct themselves, he calls them to unity in how they identify, in how they live together, and in what they believe.

Andrew Murch · He is risen! This week, our text brings us to the Apostle Paul explaining a mysterious gospel truth. Jesus has destroyed the power of death. Christians do not need to fear death, because we are no longer slaves to sin. Paul declares that glorious truth that when Jesus rolled away the stone he took away the sting of death.

Andrew Murch · This week brings us to another prayer from the Apostle Paul. He writes to his readers, focusing on the power and work of the Triune God, in order that his readers would grow in spiritual maturity and strength. Through this prayer, we see that we need God's power to live as God's people.

Andrew Murch · This week, we come to Ephesians 3. In this section we see Paul informing his readers of the mystery of the gospel, that Gentiles are coheirs along with Jews in Christ. Paul explains to the readers that the mystery of Christ revealed displays the plan of God fulfilled.

Andrew Murch · This week, our text looks at unity between Jew and Gentile Christians. Paul calls on these Gentile Christians to remember that they were once far off and strangers to God, but through Jesus now equal with the Jews. We see that Christ embraced the cross to reconcile us.

Andrew Murch · This week, we move into the next chapter of Ephesians. In Ephesians 2:1-10, we continue to see Paul explain our sinful condition, God's intention to bring his elect back to himself, and how God executes his plan of salvation and redemption. Paul continues his letter declaring that it is the gift of God that makes those dead in sin alive in him.

Sam Cassese · This week, we see a prayer of thanksgiving from the Apostle Paul. Paul selflessly prays for the spiritual needs of the Christians reading the letter. Reading this grateful prayer, Paul's exhortation to his fellow Christians, we pray, "Lord, open our eyes."

Sam Cassese · This week our focus turns from God the Father and God the Son (Eph. 1:1-12) and turns to God the Holy Spirit. In Him, we have our salvation secured and our future inheritance guaranteed. In this text, we see Paul declaring that the presence of God's Spirit prompts the praise of God's glory.

Andrew Murch · As Paul gets into the meat of his letter to the Ephesians, we are given both the gospel story and the proper response to that story. This anthem of praise not only speaks of God's praiseworthiness, it also tells us who we are because of his great work... and our response? Praise!

Andrew Murch · When you receive a letter, a few questions are of utmost importance. Who wrote it? Who did they write it to? And what are they trying to say? As we begin our study of the book of Ephesians, we see that the letterhead says, “God our Father,” and the message begins, “Grace and peace.”

Andrew Murch · Jesus is on the move. He is healing the sick, saving sinners, and calling people to follow him. In today's text, we see Jesus call yet another unlikely disciple. He dines with sinners, offends the religious elite, and unveils more about his upside-down kingdom.

Andrew Murch · A leper and a paralytic... in the first-century, there was quite a stigma attached to both the leprous and the paralyzed. One was a sign of uncleanliness, the other a supposed sign of generational sin. Yet when Jesus comes into the picture, we see not only the power to heal, but also the power to forgive sins.

Andrew Murch · With his ministry in full swing, Jesus is drawing crowds and teaching them about the kingdom of God. He's healing people and, in today's text, he begins calling his first disciples. As we dig in to Luke 5, we see that the instruments of Jesus’ mission are the recipients of Jesus’ mission: sinners saved by His grace.

Andrew Murch · As Jesus' ministry gets into full swing, we begin to see a glimpse of the kingdom that Jesus came to inaugurate. While God's kingdom looks far different than the world we live in, in the work of Jesus we find the announcement of God's reign. In today's text, we see that in God's kingdom, the power of Satan is defeated, the presence of sickness is eliminated, and the purpose of the Son is realized.

Ben Potloff · The ministry of Jesus has begun, and he's headed to his hometown. As Jesus is rejected by those in Nazareth, we see who Jesus is, what he came to do, and we're faced with the same question as his original audience: how will we respond?

Andrew Murch · text this week takes us to the baptism, genealogy, and temptation of Jesus Christ. Here, we see Jesus face Satan and remain standing where Adam fell.

Andrew Murch · Exiting the Christmas narrative, we arrive at Luke 3. Today's text brings us back to John the Baptist, son of Elizabeth and Zachariah, and his message of the coming Judgement Day.

Todd Miles · preaches on Luke 2:21-52.

Andrew Murch · Merry Christmas! As we celebrate the eve of Christmas, we look at an often overlooked character in the Christmas story. Caesar Augustus was perhaps the most powerful man in the known world at this time, but he stands in stark contrast to the King who was being born in Bethlehem.

Andrew Murch · It's in Luke 2 that we find the Christmas story... a climax to the biblical story... an answer to the question of the entire Old Testament. Today's text takes us to a manger in Bethlehem, where we witness the birth of Jesus.

Andrew Murch · The plan is in place. Mary has visited Elizabeth, and even from the womb John the Baptist proclaims the Christ. In today's text, we see John's birth, and the proclamation of his father, Zechariah.

Andrew Murch · Joy... it's a word we hear and see a lot this time of year. And it's a word that describes the characters in today's text. Mary has been visited by an angel, Elizabeth has been given a son, and John proclaims the Savior from the womb. And in all of this, we see that the coming of Jesus is joyful because the character of God is faithful.

Ben Potloff · Joy... it's a word we hear and see a lot this time of year. And it's a word that describes the characters in today's text. Mary has been visited by an angel, Elizabeth has been given a son, and John proclaims the Savior from the womb. And in all of this, we see that the coming of Jesus is joyful because the character of God is faithful.

Jake Gamble · Since the beginning of time, the world has been waiting for a Savior. All the way back to Genesis 3, God has promised the one who will come and save His people. In Luke 1:26-38, we see the next step in God's plan: a baby born to a virgin.

Darryl Elledge · Since the beginning of time, the world has been waiting for a Savior. All the way back to Genesis 3, God has promised the one who will come and save His people. In Luke 1:26-38, we see the next step in God's plan: a baby born to a virgin.

Andrew Murch · Advent: the season of anticipating the arrival of our Savior. In the first chapter of Luke's gospel, we see the anticipation mounting. God is sending a messenger to prepare the way... to prepare his people for the coming of His Son.

Andrew Murch · The Gospel According to Luke. This first letter that Luke writes to Theophilus is an account of the life and work of Jesus Christ, but why did he write it? In these first four verses, we see his desire: that the reader would have assurance that what they know is accurate.

Sam Cassese · As the book of Genesis comes to a close, we continue to see the picture of a faithful God and his chosen family. Joseph is grieving the loss of his father, and his brothers are worried about his potential retaliation for their past sins. Yet even in this, we see God's sovereignty in Joseph's response: "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."

Andrew Murch · We've now been with Jacob for 147 years... or for about 24 chapters of Genesis. We've seen his good and his bad, but mostly, we've seen God be faithful to His family. As we close out the life of Jacob, we see that Jacob died with the ways of God on his mind and the wait for God on his lips.

Andrew Murch · We’ve reached a pinnacle in our narrative. Joseph has come from the pit and slavery into a position of power. He has reconciled with and provided for his family…and the entire time, God was with him. Now, as Jacob and the rest of the family head to Egypt to be with Joseph, God’s promise remains the same: He will be present with His people as He unfolds His plan.

Andrew Murch · As we explore the narrative of Genesis 44-45, we need to zoom out. Sure, we need to see the beginning of the tension between Joseph and his brothers... the slavery, the prison, the rise to power. But we should go even further, past the immediate context, and look at the family of promise. From Abraham to Moses to David, we see a God that continually stays faithful to his chosen family. And finally, when we adjust the binoculars once more, zooming out to see the entire story, we see the promise itself, found in the salvation that comes from the work of Jesus.

Andrew Murch · The Lord is with Joseph. As we pick up our narrative in Genesis 42, Joseph has gone from the pit to the palace, and is now second in command in Pharaoh's kingdom. While Joseph is far removed from the brothers who began this mess years before, God is about to use Joseph to preserve his chosen family.

Sam Cassese · So far in his life, Joseph has been thrown into a pit (by his own brothers) to be left for dead, then sold into slavery. He's been accused of a crime he did not commit, and sent to prison. Is there a plan for the pain? Join us for Genesis 41, as we begin to see the answer to this very important question.

Andrew Murch · As we left our narrative last week, we find Joseph in prison. What is God's purpose in this season of Joseph's life? As we watch the story unfold, we see a God who gives his people wisdom, and a God who handles his people with wisdom.

Andrew Murch · As we begin Genesis 39, we remember that Joseph has been sold into slavery by his very own brothers. Life does not look good for the young Hebrew. And during today's narrative, we see Joseph's day as a slave, as one convicted for a crime he didn't commit, and as a prisoner. Yet we also see the beautiful reality of a God whose presence is with Joseph at every turn.

Andrew Murch · The Old Testament is full of stories about imperfect people... imperfect people who are not only used by God, but also are the actual ancestors of Jesus, the Son of God. Genesis 38 is one of those stories, showing that even in spite of putrid sin, God wraps His sovereign purpose in the people He saves.

Andrew Murch · We live in a world of click bait. It's hard to live a day in our world without reading an alarming headline, only to find that the article inside tells a completely different story. At first glance, Genesis 37 may appear this way. God isn't mentioned at all in this narrative, and the sin of Joseph's brothers is on full display. But when we dig deeper, we see the rest of the story... the sovereign providence of the author of the story.

Sam Cassese · In the beginning, God spoke the world into existence. He created Adam and Eve, he saved Noah, and he called Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob into his family. Every fall since 2014, we've spent a few months in the book of Genesis, and today kicks off our final installment: SOVEREIGN: they meant evil // God meant good.

Jake Gamble · There are many Psalms that quickly make sense to us. Words like those found in Psalm 23 and 119 seem to just "belong" in our Bibles. Yet there are other Psalms that, to the outsider, may seem odd to find in the pages of the Scriptures. Imprecatory Psalms, words that invoke judgment on enemies, can make us scratch our heads at times. How should we view these Psalms? Should we pray them? How can we apply them? Join us this weekend as we explore Psalm 7 and the answers to these questions.

Nathan Noorlun · Some people believe that the Bible teaches that if you follow God, he will make your circumstances easy. A quick scan through the Bible will debunk this myth quickly... but what does the Bible say about our posture when our circumstances are difficult? This week in Camas/Washougal, we dive in to Psalm 34, seeing that no matter our circumstances, we can taste and see that God is good.

Chad Francis · One of the hardest things God asks us to do is wait. But what we see in Psalm 40 is that God uses our waiting to shape us into the people He’s called us to be.

Sam Cassese · How do you respond when you’ve wandered off the road? Thus far in Psalm 119, we've seen clearly that God blesses the one who walks on Blameless Way, and that straying from the path leads to destruction. But what happens when you do sin... when you do wander from the path? In the fourth stanza of this acrostic poem, we see clearly that the fallen repent, and God forgives the repentant.

Sam Cassese · What is the difference between a need and a want? The author of Psalm 119 recognizes this difference. He’s spiritually needy, a sojourner, and despised, and because of this, he knows that he needs God's word.

Nathan Noorlun · Who is this king of glory? In Psalm 24, King David answers this question, as well as the question of who can enter this king's holy place?

Sam Cassese · At the beginning of Psalm 119, we saw that the man who walks on Blameless Way is blessed. But just how does one keep to Blameless Way? This week in East Vancouver, we'll be unpacking verses 9-16, seeing the three ways that we respond to the guardrails of Blameless Way.

Gavin Hesse · Often in Scripture, we are commanded to be joyful. But why? What causes the one who follows God to be joyful? This week in Camas/Washougal, we'll look at Psalm 30, where we see that our joy is rooted in God's faithfulness.

Andrew Murch · The Lord is my shepherd... if we've been in church for awhile, we can likely finish this poem. But how often do we think of the truth found in Psalm 23? How often are we assured of our Shepherd's path, presence, and provision?

Chad Francis · Does God care? Can you run to him with the difficult things in your life? This week we look to Psalm 55, where we find that we can, and should, run to God with our hard emotions.

Nathan Noorlun · In a world where the wicked seem to prosper, what is the response of the Church? Psalm 37 helps us gain perspective, teaching us to trust the one who sees the whole picture.

Sam Cassese · Why do people need God's word? In Psalm 119, we're told that the those who walk in the law of the Lord are blessed. In this text, we see not only the call to keep God's law, but also an example of what it looks like to desire and commit to the "blameless way."

Andrew Murch · What happens when creatures live in denial of their Creator? In the beginning, God created humanity, and it didn't take long for humanity to rebel. Romans 1 gives us a snapshot of what it looks like when humanity lives in denial of the God who created them.

Andrew Murch · In the beginning, there was marriage. This sacred covenant was not created by man or government, but by the Creator, and we find this story on the first pages of the first book of our Bible. And here we find not only that marriage was created, but that it was created to tell the Creator's story.

Andrew Murch · If we're honest with ourselves, we all know that we're broken. There's something inside us that tells us that this is not the way it's supposed to be. But where did it go wrong? And what's the answer?

Andrew Murch · Where did it all begin? The story of sex... the story of male and female... it all began at the beginning of the story. While many look to modern culture to define sex and sexuality, when we look at the Scripture, we see a design that has been there from the very beginning.

Jake Gamble · What is your work producing? This week, our series takes us to the little book of Haggai. The Israelites have been allowed back into Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, but something has gone wrong. For more than a decade, God's people have toiled and labored, building their own homes while neglecting the temple. The message of the prophet rings true for us today: are you laboring in vain, or laboring for glorious gain?

Andrew Murch · Can these bones live? God's gives a vision to the prophet Ezekiel, a vision of dry, dead bones in the middle of a valley. And God asks Ezekiel, "can these bones live?" The answer: Yes. This text is a beautiful picture of the work of God's Spirit in the lives of his people.

Andrew Murch · The beginning of the book of the prophet Jeremiah. These were dark days among the people of God, and the word of the Lord comes to a man who is likely under the age of 20. We find this calling, and Jeremiah's response, in today's text. And while Jeremiah's circumstances differ greatly from ours, the principle remain the same: the Lord calls His people to proclaim His word.

Sam Cassese · How big is your view of God? And when confronted with the greatness of God, what is your response? Isaiah 6 gives us a glorious vision of a great God, a gracious God who makes a way for his people, and a gripping call to those who follow him.

Andrew Murch · All throughout redemptive history, God has been speaking to his people, and he often did this through the prophets. The author of Hebrews begins his letter by telling his reader that now, in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, and as we read, we find that all of God's plan centers on His Son.

Sam Cassese · As the book of James comes to a close, we see a familiar theme appear: the importance of humility. Over and over, we've seen our tendency to rely on our own strength. And in the final words of this letter, James helps us see that prayer confronts the self-reliance in our hearts.

Jake Gamble · What is our response to suffering and trials? It is patient endurance and faith. In today's passage, James again addresses the issue of suffering, and how we as Christians are to act in light of sorrows, trials, and pain.

Andrew Murch · What does the truly humble life look like? When one has submitted their life to Jesus, certain fruit should be evident. In today's passage, James helps us see the fruit of our relationships, our life, and our money.

Andrew Murch · It's Easter Sunday, and we can confidently celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Why? Because we already know the end of the story. Today, we rejoice, because in Jesus, today's pain produces tomorrow's promise.

Andrew Murch · We often talk about humility, and the fact that we should exemplify it. But what does biblical humility really look like? James 4 looks at this very trait, telling us to submit, resist, and repent.

Andrew Murch · Throughout the book of James, we have continually seen humanity's inability to live up to the standard of our Creator. Thankfully, we've also seen a Creator who embodies that perfection, and gives us his Spirit to make us more like him. This week's text is yet another example, showing us that God has enough grace to deal with our sin.

Jake Gamble · The truths found in James 3:13-18 are not complex, but they are difficult. Wisdom is to be sought after, but what does true, godly wisdom look like, and how is it different from the wisdom of this earth?

Andrew Murch · The tongue is such a small part of the body, but according to this text, it is also extremely powerful. This being the case, we must tame our tongue... but can we?

Andrew Murch · What's the deal with faith and works? Are our works in vain? Is faith not enough? In "True Faith, Part 2" we'll explore the relationship between faith and works, ultimately finding that the pulse of faith is works.

Andrew Murch · What saves us? Is it faith? Or is it the object of your faith that saves you? And how do you know if your faith is real? These are questions that people have been asking for millennia, and they are the subject of this week's text.

Sam Cassese · When we've been shown the mercy of Christ, it causes us to live differently. That is much of what James' letter has to say to the church, and this passage is no exception. We see that when we’ve been shown the mercy of Christ, we should share the mercy of Christ.

Andrew Murch · It can be so incredibly easy to show favoritism. But is it biblical? In this week's passage, James deals with the topics of favoritism and discrimination in the body of Christ.

Andrew Murch · What happens among a people who have been brought to life by God? James 1:19-27 give us the answer: they live the gospel.

Sam Cassese · Last week we talked about the faith that can come from persevering through trial. But today we see that trial can often come with an unwelcome friend: temptation. Where does temptation come from? Is God at the source of temptation? In this text, we see that God is unmistakably for us.

Andrew Murch · James wastes no time jumping in to his short, hard-hitting statements about life following Jesus. Do you lack wisdom? James has a path for you. Do you rely on yourself too much? James has the antidote. Are you going through trial? Again, James' words are for you. And in all these things, the answer leads to the same conclusion: totally rely on God.

Andrew Murch · James was a leader in the early church, and he was Jesus' half-brother. He had an up close and personal look at the life of the Messiah. This letter is written to Jewish Christians who had been scattered because of persecution. And James wastes no time in encouraging the church in the midst of trials. In this short text, James gets right to the point: Joy in trial requires trust in God.

Andrew Murch · In Isaiah 53, we found a prophecy about a lamb who was coming. In John 1, John the Baptist announced Jesus as that lamb. In Acts 8, it becomes even more clear that Jesus the lamb is the one who makes us right with God. And today, we explore Revelation 5, to look at God's plan, how Jesus is truly the fulfillment of that plan, and our response to God's plan.

Jake Gamble · Advent means “coming.” And for Christians, the Advent season is two separate arrivals- Jesus coming as a baby 2000 years ago, but also his return, triumphant and glorious. So here’s the question: Why are we celebrating?

Andrew Murch · The Jews had been waiting for centuries for their Messiah. They'd been promised that a Savior would come, but they knew neither when nor how. Enter John the Baptist. He cam to prepare the way... to make the announcement about the Messiah... to point to Jesus and say, "Behold! The lamb of God!"

Andrew Murch · In the prophets, were introduced to the idea of "the Servant." He's the coming instrument of God who will make all things right. Isaiah 52-53 help us see this servant, his suffering, and how this is fulfilled in the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Andrew Murch · Genesis 34 contains one of the most heinous acts recorded in Scripture. Unfortunately, the fate of Dinah is the fate of so many, both in Jacob's time and today. We live in a world where the vulnerable are often victimized, and this text is proof. Is there justice? Will there be? If we're left to ourselves, the answer is a resounding "No!"

Sam Cassese · As Jacob continues his journey, tension is building. He is getting closer and closer to the brother he deceived and cheated... how will Esau respond? Will he continue the cycle of violence and deception, or will he be gracious to his brother?

Andrew Murch · It has been said that Genesis 32 is one of the most obscure texts in the Old Testament. And while it is certainly one that makes you scratch your head, the narrative is quite familiar. Jacob is on his way back to Esau, and he is terrified of his brother's revenge. And in his moment of distress, reliance on God is of extreme importance.

Andrew Murch · We hear a lot about heroes of the faith from the Old Testament, but this text certainly challenges that notion. In today's narrative, we see deceit, trickery, cowardice, fear, anger, and violence. But we also see the work of a God who is sovereign, good, and true to his promises.

Andrew Murch · Stacking the deck... we do this all time. We try and position ourselves and our circumstances to our favor. The biblical characters do this as well. But this week, we're encouraged with the truth that the will of the sovereign Lord, not the schemes of men, will ultimately define our lives.

Andrew Murch · While last week's text covered less than 24 hours, today's passage spans decades. And what we see in those decades is much of what we've already seen: human deception and God's faithfulness.

Andrew Murch · We're at an interesting point in our Genesis narrative. We're two generations removed from Abraham, but that doesn't mean that God's promise to Abraham doesn't still stand. In fact, in this text, God himself shows up to remind Jacob of his initial promise.

Andrew Murch · The story remains the same: humanity continues to fall, while God remains faithful. As our story turns to Isaac, Rebekah, and their sons, the tales of deceit, revenge, and ruin seem to take center stage. But in all of this, God is at work, and faithful to accomplish what he has promised.

Andrew Murch · As our narrative moves from the life of Abraham to Isaac, we find ourselves, as readers, in a state of deja vu. The life of Isaac looks so much like the life of Abraham. And honestly, the lives of these men look like so many in the Bible, and throughout history. While this may leave us in despair, the truth that God has always been the same is our comfort.

Sam Cassese · The passing of the torch from one generation to the next... As Abraham dies and the stories of his sons come into view, we're reminded that God's plan remains.

Andrew Murch · As we near the end of Abraham's life, we see that his focus is not on his own life or security, but on the covenant. Will God deliver on his promises? Genesis 24 is a beautiful text that shows us that the God who made the promise can be trusted to keep it.

Andrew Murch · Before we begin our fourth fall in the book of Genesis, we take a look at how we read the Old Testament. Jesus himself, teaches us the whole point of the scriptures, and if we miss that point, we miss the whole meaning. This week we jump into Luke 24:13-32.

Dave Leandre · Throughout the Psalms, the people of God are reminded of the enduring, steadfast love of God. Yet God, being just, cannot casually dismiss sin. So how does God deal with sinners? Psalm 103 shows us how God's justice and mercy work together.

Jake Gamble · This is the age of anxiety, more people are diagnosed with anxiety than ever before. Yet, anxiety isn't a new thing, and even God's people have struggle with anxiety for centuries. In Psalm 3, the psalmist's anxiety meets face-to-face with God and is completely altered.

Sam Cassese · In a world run by fools, how are followers of God supposed to live? Is there any hope for righteousness in our lives? In Psalm 14 we see the plea of God's people in response to these questions.

Andrew Murch · In Psalm 139 we've seen God's great knowledge of and love for his people. In response, the psalmist cries for justice and judgement at the end of this psalm and there is only one solution. Join us as we dive into Psalm 139:19-24.

Andrew Murch · Why were we made? This is a question that has been asked for millennia, and our answer is found all throughout Scripture: we were made to worship God. Psalm 139 illustrates this beautifully, reminding us that we were not just made and formed by a loving Creator, but that we made and formed for a loving Creator.

Sam Cassese · The book of Psalms teaches us about the prayers of God's people and this week Psalm 100 show us why God's people give praise to God.

Andrew Murch · For those of us who know ourselves, the truth that God knows everything about us could make us want to run and hide. However, there is no place we can go where God is not there, and his nearness is the very thing we need. Join us as we continue in Psalm 139 with verses 7-12.

Jake Gamble · Deep in the wilderness, the psalmist David has seemingly lost everything in his life. In his misery, he turns to the only thing that can bring rest to his soul. We continue in our Psalms series with Psalm 69.

We would cringe at the idea of someone being able to hear all our thoughts and know exactly what we're thinking. However, this is the exact knowledge that God has of us and his response to us is stunning. Join us as we take a look at the first part of Psalm 139.

Sam Cassese · In the book of Psalms we see the various prayers of God's people and each one teaches us something about our God. In Psalm 15 the psalmist comes face to face with the nearness of God and it changes everything about his life. Join us for our first week in Psalms: The Prayers of God's people.

Andrew Murch · This week, we close the book of First Timothy with Paul's final charge to Timothy and the church. Week after week we've been called away from lies and toward the truth in God's word. Now, how do we live that truth? Join us for 1 Timothy 6:17-21

Andrew Murch · At the peak of Paul's first letter to Timothy, he sums up all he's taught to Timothy by telling him to "fight." What does it mean to fight the good fight of the faith, and how do we do it today? We near a close this week in 1 Timothy 6:11-16.

Andrew Murch · In our lives, we daily feel the drive for 'more;' more money, more stuff, more accomplishments. In our world of 'more' the Bible calls us to one thing that is of 'great gain' and it has nothing to do with our bank accounts. Join us for 1 Timothy 6:3-10.

Sam Cassese · When addressing first century Christians in the church who were considered slaves, Paul the apostle give a surprising instruction. Though, not what we expect, we're shown a key correlation between our actions and the reputation of the household of God. Join us this week for 1 Timothy 6:1-2.

Andrew Murch · Life is hardly ever smooth sailing and in rough waters it's easy to be gripped by doubts and anxiety. We often wonder if God has forgotten about us. In Jesus we see a powerful reminder that kills all anxiety. This week we dive into 2 Timothy 1:3-12.

Andrew Murch · In the household of God, everyone contributes and everyone does their part. 1 Timothy teaches us what it means to be a part of this house and the responsibility we have to one another. Join us for 1 Timothy 5:1-16.

Sam Cassese · The messenger is often just as significant as the message proclaimed. When it comes to the gospel message it's key that not only our words speak truth but our lives as well. Join us this week for 1 Timothy 4:6-16.

Andrew Murch · It's incredibly frustrating when you realize you've been heading the wrong direction and not knowing it. Whether navigating life or a street map, it's important to know truth from lies. This week, 1 Timothy 4:1-5 teaches us the way of liars and the path of truth.

Andrew Murch · While the question of if truth is real echoes through culture, the Church declares a resounding 'yes.' This truth however, is not our own but belongs to the God who gave his life for us. The home of truth is revealed in 1 Timothy 3:14-16.

Brent Kimball · Not only has God appointed servant leaders to care for his church, but there are also many men and women who are leading servants in Jesus' church. What does it mean to be a deacon? Join us for 1 Timothy 3:8-3.

Andrew Murch · The church, as the bride of Christ, as been left in the charge of local church elders. But these are not ordinary men, the men God entrusts with his church are those who are trustworthy. Join us as we look at these qualification in 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

Andrew Murch · In the house of God, life looks differently and it's design points to the beauty of the gospel. This week we dive into 1 Timothy 2:8-15 as we see how God's design of the family informs God's design of the the church family.

Andrew Murch · The topic of men and women in the church is challenging and important. However, before we get there, we much begin with men and women in the home. This week we take a short detour away from 1 Timothy as we learn the same background the readers of Paul's letter would have had. Join us this week in Ephesians 5:21-33.

Brent Kimball · For Christians in the house of the living God, life is distinctively marked by unique traits. As we learn the make up of this house, we begin with the most urgent. Join us this week for 1 Timothy 2:1-7.

Andrew Murch · Truth, particularly truth in God's word, has a way of revealing the worst aspects of our lives and heart. When our sins overwhelm us, we have one place to cast our focus and lean our trust on. Join us as we continue this week in 1 Timothy 1:12-20.

Andrew Murch · From the very beginning of Paul's letter to Timothy, the truth of God's word come crashing in on 'the Spirit of the Age.' In this battle, both law and gospel play important roles as they culminate in Christ. Join us as we continue in 1 Timothy with 1 Timothy 1:8-11.

Andrew Murch · As we open 1 Timothy this week, it's like we're opening the front door of the household of God and taking a peek inside. The first thing we see about this house is what those in the house keep and what they throw away. Join us as we begin 1 Timothy: Life in the House of the Living God in 1 Timothy 1:1-7.

Andrew Murch · Before we dive into the book of 1 Timothy, we first look to Acts for some history and background. As the church have a trust handed down to us to through the generation and it is the trust we are called to guard and continue pass down. Join us this week for Acts 20:17-38.

Sam Cassese · The life and story of Abraham's journey begins to come to a close this week with the passing of his wife Sarah. As Abraham makes preparations for Sarah's funeral, we see that God's plan continues. We end our Abraham series this week in Genesis 23.

Andrew Murch · In following Abraham's journey we have seen many struggles and tests of faith. This week, we'll see Abraham face his greatest test of faith, evaluating the very core foundation of his life. Not only is this the climax of Abrahams life, but an incredibly key gospel-moment in the scriptures. Join us this week for Genesis 22:1-19.

Andrew Murch · It's been quite the journey for Abraham, and the Abraham we see at this point in his story is not the man we met leaving his hometown. God's continued faithfulness has taught him something about faith in waiting and we once again see God's sovereignty on display. Join us this week for Genesis 21:22-34.

Andrew Murch · Much like the rest of us, Abraham and his family are prone to make a mess of things in their lives. However, God has a specific and effective answer to the problem of sin in our hearts. Join us as we continue in week 13 of Abraham in Genesis 21:8-21.

Andrew Murch · After many doubts, frustrations, and missteps, at long last we see God's promise to Abraham and Sarah fulfilled. Through it all, God's faithfulness has never wavered and in this blossoming family we see a greater plan unravel. We pick back up in our Abraham series wth Genesis 21:1-7.

Andrew Murch · The Christmas season is a special time for many, but what does Christmas offer the other 11 months of the year? At the birth of one tiny baby we see a monumental statement about the work and character of God. Join us this Christmas Eve as we hear the song of Mary in Luke 1:46-55.

Andrew Murch · Before Jesus came on the scene, there was another man who was not only born earlier but began his ministry sooner. The man, John the Baptist, shows us that a life lived for self is to miss a greater purpose. In week four of our Advent series we dive into John 3:22-36.

Andrew Murch · Centuries ago, God promised a reigning King that would be greater than any before him and whose rule would be eternal. This king is both our hope and our source of life today. We continue through advent this week in 2 Samuel 7:1-17.

Andrew Murch · The advent of Jesus not only reveals to us the identity of the true reigning king, but shows us how death leads to life. This week we continue our "Greater Than" series in Romans 5:12-21.

Brent Kimball · The advent of Jesus is the most anticipated and foreshadowed event in all the scriptures. When Jesus finally shows up on the scene we see that his timing is perfect and his purpose unwavering. Join us as we begin "Greater Than" with Romans 5:6-11.

Andrew Murch · This week, the narrative returns focus to the namesake of our series, but it's hard to believe we're not just watching a re-run. Abraham is once again torn between faith and doubt and his choice uncovers the correlation between treasuring truth and trust in God. Join us this Sunday for Genesis 20:1-18.

Sam Cassese · This week, as smoke still rises from the ashes of a wicked city, we realize that the home of sin is not simply a geographical location. What is our hope against the sin that has roots deep in our hearts? Join us for week 10 of Abraham as Pastor Sam Cassese preaches Genesis 19:30-38.

Andrew Murch · The scene darkens in one of the most iconic texts of God's wrath. As the oncoming storm of fire and brimstone descends, we see how God is still not without his great mercy and compassion. Join us this week as we dive into Genesis 19:1-29.

Andrew Murch · In a moment of need, Abraham lifts his voice in prayer to the Lord, and God shows up in a unique way. We learn through Abraham how we see God. Join us in week 8 of Abraham as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches through Genesis 18:1-33.

Sam Cassese · After the mess Abram made, surely it's time to say goodby to Abram as God's man of faith. God once again comes to Abram and we'll see that the scope of God's mission is much larger than just one broken man. We continue in week seven of Abraham as Pastor Sam Cassese preaches Genesis 17:1-27.

Andrew Murch · Upon the coattails of Abram the man of faith being counted righteous, we see even in the righteous the sting of the Fall still exists. How does the promise-keeping God deal with a chaos-creating people? This Sunday we continue in week six of Abraham as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Genesis 16:1-16.

Andrew Murch · Years have passed in the life of Abram and it seems he's no closer to the fulfillment of God's promise in his life. However, in a remarkable display of grace, God makes a covenant that is guaranteed to be unbreakable. We enter week five in our Abraham series as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches through Genesis 15.

Andrew Murch · In lives that are nothing close to predictable, it only makes sense to reach for what we can grab as we strive to make something of this life. However, this week in the story of Abram we see a radically different way for those in the Kingdom of God. Join us in week 4 of Abraham as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Genesis 14:1-24

Andrew Murch · Step by step and scene to scene, Abraham's life unfolds as he begins to learn that he does not hold the pen to his story. There is an Author at work in the life of Abraham who is also the same author of our lives today. Join us in week 3 of Abraham as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Genesis 13:3-18.

Andrew Murch · Abram, the man of faith, confronts his first test of faith and the reality of his circumstances settles in. Through it all, through human fear and failure, God's character is unchanging and his promise is sure. We continue in week two of our Abraham series as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Genesis 12:10-13:2.

Andrew Murch · This fall we return to the book of Genesis and witness God create a family in order to fulfill a promise in impossible circumstances. Continue the journey with us in our series Abraham: Covenant, Failure, and Coming Home as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Genesis 11:27-12:9.

In the closing week of our series Principles & Poets, the writer presents us a series of riddles. These riddles, though simple, are packed with practical life wisdom. Join us a Pastor Brent Kimball preaches Proverbs 30:24-28.

Though many tend to ignore your average 'instruction booklet', Proverbs is not average and ignoring wisdom costs you your life. This week in Proverbs 7 we hear a call of two women and a choice to be a fool or a wise man. Join is in week 10 of Principles & Poets with Pastor Sam Cassese.

As much as we would wish it, we unfortunately do not have the privilege to completely know what the end of our story looks like. However, through the battle cry for a victorious King, we learn the one thing we can be certain of. Join us in week nine of Principles&Poets as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Psalm 20.

When we get a true look at God, the creator of all things, there is only one response we can give. This week in Psalm 150, the psalmist shows us what that is. Join us as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches week eight of our series "Principles & Poets".

Our souls often echo the words of the psalmist when he calls out to God through the pain of his spiritual depression. However, the Lord meets us with an answer that breaks through the darkness of our hearts. Join us in week seven of Principles & Poets as Jake Gamble preaches through Psalms 42 & 43.

This week we take a look at a wedding poem. Thought seemingly an odd passage, we'll find out that this wedding has an eternal impact. Join us in week six of Principles & Poets as Pastor Brent Kimball preaches Psalm 45.

Words of wisdom can often simply appear as really good suggestions. However, scripture reveals that to ignore Wisdom is to put your life at risk. Join us for week five in Principles & Poets as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches through Proverbs 1:20-33.

From one endeavor to the next we seek achievements, experiences, and accomplishments to add life to our day to day. However, biblical wisdom shows us that we find life from only one source. Join us for week four in Principles & Poets as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Proverbs 1:8-19.

The poet and king David looked to the future and wrote about the great hope he saw. What was future for David, is present for us, and in this we have confidence. Join us in week three of Principles&Poets as Pastor Drew Saccenti preaches from Psalm 16.

It seems that everywhere we step we walk on shaky ground; in politics, the economy, cultural tensions, and even in nature itself. However, there is a refuge for our lives that casts out all fear of anything in this world. Join us in week two of Principles & Poets as Pastor Sam Cassese preaches Psalm 46.

Wisdom is a very precious commodity today when foolishness abounds. We can do many right things poorly if we lack wisdom. In our new series titled Principle and Poets, we take a look at our only answer to foolishness. Join us as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches from Proverbs 1:1-7.

Those who are fathers know it is not an easy job, but it is also not a job that can be ignored. This week we dive into the Scriptures to take a lesson from both a human father and God the Father. Join us as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Hebrews 12:3-11 and 1 Kings 1:5-10.

After 21 weeks in the book of Galatians we have zoomed in the lens on the gospel and how it informs every part of our lives. As we close out the book with the final word we are reminded of the one thing we keep our eyes on. Join us for the last week of Galatians as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Galatians 6:11-18.

Being the church means that our Christianity is something we live out together in the practical day-to-day. Therefore, it's crucial for us see how we connect what we believe with what we do. Join us as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches through Galatians 6:6-10.

As Christians and imperfect people, we struggle with sin but we don't struggle alone. Christian community is the place where in our struggle with sin we point one another to Christ and glorify God together. Join us this week as Guest Speaker Jake Gamble preaches Galatians 5:25-6:5.

In the gospel we are freed from sin's penalty and sin's allure. However, we still struggle with sin on a daily basis. How do we live in gospel freedom in the midst of our struggle? Join us as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Galatians 5:16-25.

If life was a race, Galatians shows us that the only way to 'stay the course' is to hold tight to the gospel. However, we are also warned of two dangers that threaten to throw us off track. Join us in week 17 of Galatians as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches through Galatians 5:7-15.

On Mother's day we take a break from Galatians and consider the relationship of work and rest in the Psalms. In all our striving, be it parenthood or elsewhere, there's only one place of rest for our souls. Join us as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Psalm 127.

We jump to a flashback this week as the Apostle Paul brings out an Old Testament story to teach us about a promise. As Christians we are children of the promise but we must live out that identity. Join us this week as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Galatians 4:21-5:1

This week the 'talk' gets personal. Throughout Galatians Paul has been appealing to reason and logic in his call to return to the gospel. This week, however, Paul grabs his readers by the shoulders and speaks face-to-face. Join us as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Galatians 4:12-20.

The gospel teaches us that we have been made sons and daughters of God through the work of Christ. Being a son or daughter of Christ fundamentally transforms the way we live. Join us as we continue in Galatians as Pastor Sam Cassese preaches Galatians 4:8-11.

Galatians so far has shown us that faith in Jesus is our only requirement in the family of God. However, what happens when we're a child of God still striving for approval? Join us as Pastor Andrew Murch breaks down Galatians 4:1-7.

Death is a reality for all who belong to the human race and is a grief that cuts deep. It leaves us wondering if God sees our pain, if he cares, and if he has the power to do anything about it. All this is answered in the God-man Jesus Christ. Join us Easter Sunday as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches through John 11:17-44.

Contrast helps us to see a picture more clearly. Side by side, the impossibility of keeping the law reveals to us the completeness of the gospel in Christ. Join us as Pastor Andrew Murch continues in week 11 of Galatians with Galatians 3:19-29.

Long before our time, God gave a promise to a man named Abraham. This promise is alive today and made possible through Jesus Christ. Join us in our tenth week of Galatians as Pastor Brent Kimball preaches Galatians 3:15-18.

The "gospel" we hear in our daily lives today is hard work and self-reliance. In the gospel of Christ, we hear a radically different and completely opposite message. We continue in week nine of Galatians as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Galatians 3:10-14.

This week in Galatians, Abraham is brought to the witness stand and his evidence is clear for us; faith in Christ really is enough. Join us in week 8 of Galatians as Pastor Andrew preaches Galatians 3:6-9.

All through Galatians we've looked in-depth at what the gospel means for our lives. This week, we look specifically on what it means that God includes us in his kingdom through his grace. Join us as Pastor Sam Cassese preaches from Galatians 3:1-5.

As Christians saved by the grace of Christ, being transformed by the gospel, and seeking to kill dead religion in ourselves, we keep our eyes on the cross. Only when our eyes are on the cross of Christ can we say we a being servants of Christ. Join us as we continue in Galatians as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Galatians 2:15-21.

Last week we saw how the gospel frees Christians from religious legalism. However, those who know the truth of the gospel must beware of losing sight of that truth and veering into hypocrisy. We continue in week five of Galatians as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Galatians 2:11-14.

As Christians we seek not only to know the gospel truths, but to live them out. We act out of the freedom we experience in the gospel, while also continually being transformed by the grace of God. Join us in week four in Galatians as Pastor Andrew preaches Galatians 2:1-10.

When we look at a man like the Apostle Paul and his early crimes against the Christian church it is apparent that the grace he received was beyond absurd. Yet it propelled a transformation that led many to glorify God. This is the same radical and transforming grace that is offered for us today by God through Jesus. Join us this week as Pastor Andrew continues through Galatians 1:11-24.

Despite of all the good ideas that claim to be the 'good news', there is only one Gospel. In all that we do we must remember the grace of God that's already been done for us. Join us as we continue in Galatians as Pastor Andrew preaches Galatians 1:6-10.

A word of good news can change the entire course of a day. However, there is one Good News that can change the entire course of a life; bringing peace in the middle of chaos. Join us as we open up our new series in Galatians as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Galatians 1:1-5.

Practically daily it can feel like we have much to fear in our lives and in our world. However, we have one defense against this paralyzing fear and it's found only in the One who holds everything. In week four of "The Author Saves the Story", Pastor Andrew Murch shows us the power of God's love from Isaiah 43:1-13.

In the midst of great pain in our lives, we have a source of joy that is more than just mere comfort. Join us for our third week of The Author Saves The Story as Pastor Sam Cassese shows us the reason for our joy from Isaiah 61:1-3.

In today's society, we often feel like peace is lacking in our lives. However, in advent we celebrate and declare the word of the One who is our peace. Join us for the second week of "The Author Saves the Story" as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Isaiah 40:1-11.

The Bible makes it clear that a day is coming when people from every nation will stand before the throne of God and worship him. We look forward to that day as it impacts every day of our lives. Learn how we live in light of that future day as Pastor Andrew Murch closes out our "His Kingdom: the church, the world, the future" series in Revelation 7.

God's heart is for all the world to know him, and he has a plan in place to bring his message to all humanity. Jesus is building his church to impact the world. Join us in our second week of "His Kingdom: the church, the world, the future" as Pastor Andrew preaches through Acts 2:1-41.

From the mouth of a waterlogged prophet we see the heart of God for all people in the world. Unlike this prophet, however, we must take the global mission of God deeply personal. Join us for our opening week of "His Kingdom: the church, the world, the future" as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches Jonah 4:1-11.

With the construction of Babel, mankind reaches critical mass. In light of impending failure God steps down to derail a people bound for destruction. Join us for the conclusion of "From Blood to Babel" as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches from Genesis 11:1-9.

Heroic visions of Noah quickly fade in Genesis 9:18-28 as we see the curse of sin still reigns in the human heart. Luckily, Noah isn't the end of the story. Join us for week seven in 'From Blood to Babel' as Pastor Andrew Murch reveals how the gospel answers this curse.

The world post-flood was a reset button for Noah, his family, and mankind together. Even while creation still longs for complete recreation, God reveals something about himself through his covenant to Noah. We continue in our series Blood to Babel as Pastor Brent Kimball preaches through Genesis 9:1-17.

Silence blankets a land deluged by catastrophic flooding. As water recedes to dry land, Noah constructs an altar of worship to God, reminding us today of the final altar offered on our behalf. Join us for week 5 in "From Blood to Babel" as Pastor Andrew Murch uncovers the point of Genesis 8:1-22.

As the scene of Genesis progresses and the story of humanity continues, we welcome Noah to the stage. However, this flood story isn't simply your Sunday School tale about a man and a boat. What Noah discovers is deep and timeless and available for us today. Discover Grace with us this week in the 4th installment of our Blood to Babel series as Pastor Andrew Murch preaches through Genesis 6:8-7:24.

It seems like the bad news keeps getting worse as we see the depravity of mankind increase in passage after passage in Genesis. However, there is a promise interwoven through the darkness that can't be denied. Join us for week three in our series From Blood to Babel as Pastor Andrew preaches from Genesis 5:1-6:8.

In the second week of our new series in Genesis, From Blood to Babel, Pastor Andrew shows us that, even in the worst of times, God’s work never stops. And we can take comfort in knowing no matter how bad we foul up the plans, God's still building a city.

This week, Pastor Andrew kicks off our new series, From Blood to Babel, speaking from Genesis 4 on the account of Cain and Abel. We find that as Abel's blood was taken, Jesus' blood was given.

Living in the house is much easier than living in the street. Join us today as Pastor Drew Saccenti, one of LPC's Family Life Pastors, talks through Psalm 5 and shows that in it, David exposes the reality that the wicked are not welcomed by God and that our righteousness begins and ends with Godʼs righteousness. Come to the house.

In the 2nd week of our series, Anthems, Pastor Andrew shared from Psalm 2. "We haven’t lost our taste for the forbidden fruit," he shared. But God, of whom there is no negotiating, "meets our rebellion head-on in Jesus."

In the 1st week of our new sermon series, Anthem, Pastor Andrew tackles Psalm 1:1-6. "The blessed life," he says, "is built on a firm foundation." God’s word is at the root of this blessed life. A life devoid of God, Pastor Andrew concludes, is still a life accountable to God.

In the conclusion of our series, For Tomorrow We Die, Pastor Andrew shows us that you and I will face the judgment of God for every deed we have done, or we will put our faith in Jesus and receive the reward that He alone deserves: life with God for all eternity. We are still called to obey; but not as a means of salvation; rather a response to salvation: living out the design for which the Designer created us.

In our 14th week of our series, For Tomorrow We Die, Pastor Brent shows us that our text has a lot to say about working, investing, and trusting. And it is based on this premise that it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

In our 13th week in the book of Ecclesiastes, Pastor Andrew shows us that a little bit of folly can do a lot of harm, that a foolish world demands we weigh our words with wisdom, and that wisdom demands we step carefully in our upside-down world. Join us as we come together as one church and tackle an important part of our study in Ecclesiastes.

In week 10 of our series in Ecclesiastes, Pastor Andrew talks about how wisdom is the best long-term strategy in our short-term lives and how joy is the straightest path in a twisted world.

In the big scheme of things, we can take comfort to know that Jesus is the Redeemer for the schemer.

In the 9th week of our series, For Tomorrow We Die, Pastor Andrew walks us through a biblical understanding of the good life and how pain in actually in God's plan. We may be in the presence of pain or adversity, but that doesn't mean we cannot live the good life. Because, rain or shine, God is and always remains God.

In a timely message about money, Pastor Brent shows us that it's God, and God alone, who can satisfy the human soul. Money isn't lovable and greed produces grief. But those who preoccupy and absorb themselves in Jesus, God occupies their hearts with joy.

In week 7 of our series, For Tomorrow We Die, Pastor Andrew walks us through Ecclesiastes 5:1-7. An important text and timely message about our worship to God is not a mindless list of items to be checked off on a checklist. To, Pastor Andrew says, is the rhythm of fools. The fool focuses on forms of worship, the wise focus on God.

In our 6th week in the book of Ecclesiastes, Pastor Andrew explores the idea of togetherness. How we were made for life together and that, in this life together, we can't live for ourselves. A rich man all alone is a poor man. We were made for life together.

As we explore chapters 3 and 4 of Ecclesiastes today, we learn that the only way to win the rat race is refusing to enter. Pastor Andrew encourages us to be content and seek God's kingdom in a wicked world.

Join us today as we explore one of the most famous passages of the Bible, Ecclesiastes 3, a time for everything. Pastor Andrew shows us that God's sovereignty is the fount of all joy and that this joy doesn’t come from the ‘feeling’ of worship, it comes from the ‘fact’ of worship of the Sovereign God.

Join us for week 3 of our series, For Tomorrow We Die, as Pastor Brent walks us through the idea that life is futile until we know why we are alive.

In week 2 of our series, For Tomorrow We Die, Pastor Andrew explores the idea of chasing the wind, chasing knowledge and our own desires. But the problem, he says, when we finally grasp what we've been chasing is that we'll see that our hands are still empty. Because you can't catch the wind.

In the first week of Ecclesiastes in our new series, For Tomorrow We Die, we hear from the wisest man to ever live on the planet. In Solomon's final years he asks the question, "What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?" Listen in as Pastor Andrew answers this question with a question of his own, "If this world is all there is, then really, what is there?"

Today we celebrate the resurrection of Christ and look at Ephesians 2 which shows us that God's love brought Christ to bear in a world of death deserved and that in Christ, grace takes us from death to life.

As we conclude our series, The Hope and The Burden, Pastor Andrew shows that, as we strive to be the church, we need to have a healthy leadership culture, and that our lives together must reflect that we belong to Jesus. His main point says it all: As the church, we belong together and we belong to Jesus.

As Christians, we know a day of reckoning is coming. Listen in on this timely message from Pastor Andrew as he reveals from 1 Thessalonians that the cross of Jesus transforms judgment day into the day of salvation and that life with Jesus relieves the fear of facing God's judgment.

Pastor Sam continues Paul's talk on Christian ethics from 1 Thessalonians that loving one another, as God has taught, is pleasing to God and that our ethics affects our relationships inside and outside the Church. Pastor Sam encourages us to respond to the text by loving our brothers and to live honorably among our neighbors.

Church, as we explore 1 Thessalonians 4, we hear an important message of the Christian sexual ethic. In this intense sermon, Pastor Andrew walks us through a life that is lived for God submits to the authority of Jesus and that the closer we walk with Jesus, the further we'll run from sexual sin. Make sure to listen to this timely and important message.

Join us as Pastor Sam Cassese walks us through 1 Thessalonians Paul was concerned that the Thessalonians were giving up on their faith but soon that concern was replaced with comfort knowing that God works in the context of Christian community.

As we continue our study in 1 Thessalonians, we take a detour and find Paul in Athens with an unsettled spirit, which can be evidence of God's Spirit in us. Our takeaway from Pastor Andrew's message is that every platform begins with simple initiative, that gospel of Jesus is a message that demands declaration without prejudice, and wherever God places you, wherever you happen to find yourself, acknowledge Jesus there.

Church, the way that we treat God's word is what defines us. At LPC, we believe that the Bible is sufficient, that it's clear, that it's the final authority, and that it's necessary. Join us as we go through the back half of 1 Thessalonians 2, where Paul tells us to persevere, for God's word is working and His Son is coming.

Continuing in his letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul was reminding the Thessalonians that his witness among them will ring true if they just remember the motive, methods, and message of his mission among them. The letter reveals that the call of God is the motive for the mission, that our genuine love for others is the method of the mission, and that the good news of God is the message of the mission.

As we continue through our study of 1 Thessalonians, Paul show that though suffering was a part of the story, joy was the headline. Pastor Andrew points out that when God's word takes root, it reverberates and that there is nothing more newsworthy than the journey from death to life.

Paul's prayer for the Christians in Thessalonica is that that the church would grow in their work of faith, their labor of love, and their steadfastness of hope. What a prayer! Join us as Pastor Andrew shows that Gospel roots grow in the soil of God's grace.

As we kick off our new sermon series, The Hope and the Burden, a look into 1 Thessalonians, we first want to explore the back story found in Acts 17. In it, we find that the power of the gospel of Jesus birthed the Thessalonian church, growth of the gospel produces immediate resistance, and, although rivals pursue, nothing can stop the spread of the gospel.

As we wrap up our series, The Hour Has Come, we look at the ministry of John the Baptist in John 3. We find that, even though John was losing market share as the ministry of Jesus was growing, John had joy because he knew himself and he knew Jesus. John recognized Jesus as the means to revelation and redemption from God and, ultimately, John got joy when Jesus got glory.

In John's gospel, we read of Jesus' interaction with a Samaritan woman. Jesus disregarded convention when He met this woman in need and she came face to face with God, who knew her deepest need was Him. As Pastor Andrew walks us through John 4, we find that in Jesus, God's greatest gift meets our deepest need.

As we kick off the 1st message in our new series, The Hour Has Come, Pastor Andrew shows us that the gospel is initiated by God's love and that His love that moved Him to give Jesus. In a loud world that points us in all different directions, we find that Christmas ultimately calls us to the cross.

For our second week of To Be The Church, Pastor Andrew walks us through Jeremiah 29, a word from God to His people in exile. The church is not a place to escape from the city or culture, our mindset in exile is to trust in the sovereignty of God.

Join us as we kick off our new series, To Be The Church. Pastor Andrew shows us that being the church means we hold fast to the teaching of Scripture and we are faithfully devoted to one another. It means we become a strategic outpost for the mission of Jesus. It means we have to come together to be the church.

In the beginning of Genesis 3, the serpent bursts on the scene signaling trouble in paradise. We learn that, though it can be quite deceiving, the allure of sin never delivers on its promise and that God responded to Satan’s con with a gospel hammer.

In Genesis 2, we see Adam having dominion but no one to share it with. God created man's perfect complement in woman and He created marriage as the re-union of what was originally one flesh. Stay tuned as we continue our series, Rise & Fall.

As we continue with our series, Rise & Fall, we read in Genesis 2 that God wraps up His work week with a day of rest. Pastor Andrew reminds us that God created man unhindered and unique and that He uniquely plants paradise and places man right in the center of it ... between the trees.

As we continue in the story of creation, Pastor Andrew walks us through how God ended Day 6 of His work week by creating representatives, image-bearers, to rule it. And how God gives provision for His design and His plan.

The creation account was intended to help the people of God distinguish between creation truth and creation myths. Join us as Pastor Andrew discusses 4 of the days of creation, revealing that the gospel confronts us because the creation informs us.

Genesis 1:2. The beginning of God's work week. Is it a coincidence that the first thing that God does is separate the darkness from the light? There is so much in the redemption story that deals with light. Join Pastor Andrew as we see how God, who separated light from darkness, sent Jesus to do that in You.

The creation of the world has been one of the most talked about subjects throughout history. Join in on the kick-off of our new series, Rise and Fall, as Pastor Andrew Murch takes us back to the beginning and reveals through the story of creation that God created all things and all of it is His.

In Paul’s letter to Philemon, he begins by speaking of Philemon’s love for the church and his faith in Jesus. What follows is a plea to Philemon; to reconcile with Onesimus, a former slave who had wronged him. This week, we close this letter, where the Apostle Paul gives us a great example of Christ-centered forgiveness, reminding us that Jesus gave the pound of flesh so that we don’t need to take it.

In Paul’s letter to Philemon, he begins by speaking of Philemon’s love for the church and his faith in Jesus (last week’s sermon). What follows is a plea to Philemon; to reconcile with Onesimus, a former slave who had wronged him. Join us as Pastor Andrew preaches Philemon 8-17, showing us that the gospel brings together what sin tears apart.

The book of Philemon. A letter from the Apostle Paul to Philemon, a leader in the church at Colossae. While Paul is writing to discuss a few issues in the church, he begins by speaking to the faith and love that they possess; faith in the Lord Jesus and love for one another. Join Pastor Andrew as we begin three weeks in Philemon.

After spending about five months in the book of 1 Peter, our time comes to a close. When Peter penned these words over 2,000 years ago, he was speaking to the elect exiles dispersed throughout the region. Now, in the 21st century, we are in the Pacific Northwest, thousands of miles from the original writer's location. His message is as true for us today as it was then, and that is that the God of all grace exchanges our burdens for His peace. Join us as Pastor Andrew closes this great book.

As men, we are called to lead our families. 1 Peter 5 gives us the qualifications for an elder... a leader in the church family. But honestly, these elder qualifications are a great roadmap for every Christian man. Join us as Pastor Andrew preaches on Father’s Day.

What are we to do with suffering? The Bible gives us very clear direction in such circumstances, yet it seems that Christians still have a very hard time knowing what to do with suffering. Peter gives us great instruction throughout his letter. Join us as Pastor Andrew preaches 1 Peter 4:12-19.

Jesus reminded us that others would know we belong to Him by our love. It was Edmund Clowney that said:"It is the reach of God's love that stretches our love. We love because he first loved us. Our love, kindled by God's love, is stretched by exercise." Join Pastor Andrew as we dive into 1 Peter 4:7-11.

1 Peter 3:18-22 is one of the most obscure passages in the New Testament. Just what does Peter mean when he speaks of "the spirits in prison," "the days of Noah," and Jesus' proclamation to them? The great Reformer Martin Luther refers to this passage with confusion, saying "I do not know for a certainty just what Peter means." Join us we tackle this great passage.

We have been called out of darkness, and now, with the lights on, we see things differently. How we interact with those around us is vitally important, and Peter has a lot to say to Christians in this regard. Join us as Pastor Andrew preaches from 1 Peter 3.

1 Peter 3:1-7 has many words of instruction to wives and husbands. And often, these words have been used to manipulate, dominate, and exploit. Our culture has also given its opinion on marriage as an outdated and broken institution. But as he wishes to do with all of us, God’s plan is to redeem marriage. Join us as Pastor Andrew preaches the words of Peter.

Join us as Pastor Andrew takes us through 1 Peter 2:18-25.

The truth of the resurrection calls us to respond. For some, it's a celebration, while others need to consider, and even more should have cause for concern. Join us as Pastor Andrew preaches from 1 Peter on Easter Sunday.

Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. These are Peter's words to the the elect exiles scattered throughout Asia Minor, and they are his words for us today. In a culture where complaining about our government is commonplace... even expected, Peter calls us to respond in a different manner: "Do good."

When we sin as Christians, it’s easy to get discouraged... but 1 Peter 2:11-12 reminds us that even though we’ve been saved by grace, the passions of our flesh are still waging war against our souls. Join Associate Pastor Sam Cassese as he preaches from this great text.

Throughout Scripture, we see Jesus referred to as the “cornerstone.” Even back in the Old Testament, the prophets looked forward to Jesus in this way. Because of this truth, we know that our salvation comes from Jesus alone. Join us as Pastor Andrew preaches 1 Peter 2:1-10, reminding us that God gives us mercy so that we can bring Him glory.

"You are to be holy, for I (God) am holy." What does holiness look like? Are we to outline all of the boundaries of our actions, thoughts, and words, in order to "measure up" for God and His love? Or are we to submit our lives to Christ as we are being sanctified by Him? Join us as Pastor Andrew preaches 1 Peter 1:13-21.

Where is God when we suffer? The prophets who prophesied about the grace that came with Jesus searched, suffered, persevered, trusted, served (God and others), and paved the way for the gospel to be revealed. Where they saw a silhouette, we see Jesus. He is the answer to our suffering. When we say "why?", God says "who."

Faith looks back. Hope looks forward. What Jesus did for us, both on the cross and in his resurrection, call us to faith. We believe that what Jesus said is true. What God is going to do for us at the revelation of Jesus Christ calls us to look forward in hope, knowing that our inheritance is coming. Join us as Pastor Andrew preaches 1 Peter 1:3-5.

Christendom is dead. The Christian lifestyle being the societal norm is no longer reality in America. Peter is writing to elect exiles throughout the world. As elect exiles, we’re called to be children of the King.

Over the next several months, we’ll be going line by line through 1 Peter. Today, we take a 30,000 foot view of the book, reading it together and discussing what this means for LifePoint Church. Also today, we’re rolling out To Be The Church, a 9-week initiative that will equip the church to be the church. For more, visit www.tobethechurch.com

The plan of God is being carried out all throughout our world, and God is using His people to carry out His plan. Join Associate Pastor Sam Cassese as we go through Ephesians 3 together, as he reminds us of the plan of God and our part as the church.

Consider the lilies... God’s promise to care for us is just that... a promise. As Christians, we are called to not worry about tomorrow, but to put our trust in Him; not to have anxiety, but to have faith. Join us as Pastor Andrew closes out From Him & Through Him & To Him.

Some Christians preach that if you’re faithful and “good,” God will bless you with wealth. Others preach the opposite, that giving everything away is the only way to be “good” in God’s sight. Join us as Pastor Andrew opens to Luke 12, where we see the correct response: when we loosen our grip on wealth, we tighten our grip on life.

The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom on our finances. Today, Pastor Andrew is looking at the book as a whole, giving us 10 principles to live our lives by as it relates to our money. The big picture? Be faithful.

Culture has a lot to say about the way we view our money. But as with everything, we are called to let the Bible be our guide as we navigate through our budget, finances, and spending habits. Join us as Pastor Andrew preaches from Genesis 14, where Abram responds to God’s provision by giving him a tithe.

Join us for the final week of Advent, as Pastor Andrew preaches from Isaiah 55.

Have you ever read through the first 17 verses of the New Testament? Do you usually just skim past, chuckling a little at the absurd names of Jesus’ ancestors? Join us Pastor Andrew dives deep into those names, reminding us of the redemption that came with Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection.

Joy. Do you have it? Isaiah 61 gives us a clear picture of the joy that accompanies the birth of Christ. Though commercials promise us freedom from the things that bind us, Pastor Andrew reminds us that eternal joy must come from an eternal source.

Advent is here. As we ring in the Christmas season at LifePoint, we’re reminded of the hope that we have in Jesus. Join us as Pastor Andrew preaches from Isaiah 35, reminding us that when Jesus gets your hope, you get his joy.

Why are we here? When Jesus left the earth, he had a purpose. If you’ve been with us for awhile, you probably know by now that the tomb is empty and the mission is on. As Christ-followers, we have the opportunity to make God known to those who have not heard him. Listen in as Associate Pastor Sam Cassese reminds why we’re still on the earth.

John 3:16. Likely a verse that can be quoted by most Christ-followers. But how often do we spout off the words and not stop and truly reflect on what this means? If God sent His son to save the world, then the world must need saving, right? In a culture where "your truth" can be "truth" and no one's way to God is wrong, how does John 3:16 fit into that? Join us as Pastor Andrew reminds us that "John 3:16 is not a lovey-dovey, empty verse... it's dripping with the blood of the sacrifice of Jesus."

The tomb is empty and the mission is on. Today we see the role of John the Baptist, and how he pointed to the light which is Christ. Jesus was on a mission for us to send us on a mission with him.

Here we are... the end of our journey. But really, it is just the beginning. Before leaving earth, Jesus gave us a mission: “Go into all the world and preach my Gospel.” So here we are, 2013, a community committed to furthering the mission of God. Join us as Pastor Andrew closes out the book of Mark.

The climax of our story has begun. Jesus is crucified. The Jews missed it, the Romans mocked it, but Simon of Cyrene received it. Join us as Pastor Andrew talks about the cross and the curtain, which was torn in the temple at the time of Jesus’ death. Today we celebrate His death, which gave access to God for all.

Barabbas, the thief, the criminal. Every year at this time, Plate would give the people one "free pass;" a criminal to be delivered into their hands. This, he thought, would be a great way to free Jesus, with whom he found no fault. But the crowd called for Barabbas, sending Jesus to the cross. Join Pastor Andrew as he calls us to remember Barabbas, knowing that Jesus' death has freed us from our penalty as well.

Today, we’re confronted with three courtrooms. The first: the house of the High Priest where Jesus was tried. The second: the courtyard where a servant girl puts Peter on trial for his association with Jesus. The third: ours. Join Pastor Andrew as we conclude our time in Mark 14.

As we near closer to Jesus' death, we see multiple emotions in him... anguish, sorrow, but most of all, submission to his Father's will. Just like Peter in Mark 14, we've all denied him, acting strong in our weakness, acting as if we have it all together. But Jesus' words and actions remind us that he stood strong to save us who are weak.

As we pick up in Mark 14, we come to the famous “Last Supper.” An event that was meant for celebration turned to grief, but was leading to the most beautiful sacrifice in history; for Jesus wasn’t just going to his death, he was going to secure our place at His table.

As Mark 14 begins, we see Jesus reclining at the table of Simon the Leper. Don’t read over that... Simon THE LEPER. The King was eating dinner in the house of a leper. What a beautiful picture of Christ’s love. While there, an unnamed woman rushes in, breaks an alabaster jar, and anoints her King. While the disciples and those at the table complain and criticize, Jesus replies “She has done a beautiful thing to me.” Join us as Pastor Andrew begins our final series in the Gospel of Mark, A King and His Cross.

What exactly is the Gospel? Join us for this 2-part, 1-week series on the Gospel, preached from 1 Corinthians 15. This is Part Two, preached by LPC Youth Pastor Drew Saccenti.

Does your Bible have red letters? These red letters indicate that Jesus Himself is speaking, and nowhere in the Gospel of Mark are more red letters found than in Mark 13. Tune in as Pastor Andrew tells us to "Stay Awake! Jesus is coming again."

"Beware of the scribes and follow the widow." Mark 12:38-44 are a warning to us, and an example of how to live. First, Jesus teaches us to avoid arrogance and entitlement, and then follows it with an example of how to live... like the widow.

What is the greatest commandment? After chapters of questioning by and arguing with the pharisees, scribes, and religious leaders, they finally agree with Jesus on something. "And you shall love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." After they agree on the greatest commandment, Jesus tells the scribe "You are not far from the kingdom of God." In this sermon, Pastor Andrew talks about what the scribe was still missing... that God's plan to save us isn't religion. It's Jesus.

This time it's the Sadducees who question Jesus, and their question comes from a heart of mockery. You see, the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, so their question is about something they don't even believe in. Jesus' response cuts right to the point: "Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?" Using Mark 12: 18-27, Pastor Andrew reminds us that a love for the scriptures, both in word and action, is how we truly know God.

In another attempt to trap Jesus, the Herodians and the Pharisees came together with this question: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" Jesus' answer is not what they expect. After asking him whose image is on the denarius, he tells them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Knowing that we are made in God's image, this passage calls us to give God what rightfully belongs to Him: You.

Don't you love a good story? When you were younger, you may have seen a story as simply that, a tale. But as you mature, you begin to see the agendas behind the stories that you hear. Today, Pastor Sam tells us the story of the tenants from Mark 12, helping us see Jesus' point in this parable.

There is no middle ground with Jesus. He drew a proverbial line in the sand, and essentially said "get off the line." When questioned by the scribes and elders in Mark 11:27-33, Jesus turned around and asked them a question. When they waffled in their answer, Jesus made it clear that His kingdom cannot be dealt with lightly.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus cursed the fig tree in Mark 11? Using this week's text (Mark 11:12-26), Pastor Andrew talks about Jesus pronouncing judgment, but doing so because he was preparing to take that judgment himself.

"Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!" The call came from Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, who was sitting by the roadside outside of Jericho. While Jesus could've kept walking, he stopped, called for Bartimaeus, healed him, and gave him this charge: "Follow Me."

"Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" This question seemed an easy one for the disciples, but they did not understand the depth or magnitude of Jesus' words. While Jesus knew he was on His way to the cross, the disciples were busy playing King of the Hill. As Pastor Andrew works through Mark 10:32-45, we see the hill change, and Jesus emerge as the true King of the Hill.

In Mark 10, a man comes to Jesus with a question. "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" It's a loaded question, and Jesus responds with a loaded answer. Pastor Andrew outlines Jesus response, which can be summed up in two words: "Follow Me." Though this man's Fire Sale should've included his possessions, we've been urged to find what in our lives need to be sold.

This week we see the Pharisees come to Jesus to trap him by asking if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus diffuses their trap by outlining marriage as designed by God. We come to Mark 10:1-12 and Pastor Andrew shows us that God does not change and that His design of marriage is not in question. In our society, man may try to alter his view of marriage, yet the design of marriage reflects its Creator: Faithful to death.

As Jesus continues his discussion with his disciples about humility. He brings in the topic of new believers and how to not be ruled by the power of sin. As we finish Mark 9:38-50, Pastor Andrew challenges us to work with Christ to mortify, or kill the indwelling power of sin in our lives. We find following Jesus leads us away from ourselves.

In Track & Field, the team relay race takes speed to run the race and skill to hold and pass the baton. If the baton is dropped, the race is over for that team. As we come to Mark 9:30-37, we see Jesus being alone with the disciples and "passing the baton" to them. Even though Jesus discusses his coming death and resurrection, they do not understand him and are afraid to ask what he means. Today Pastor Sam shows us we can learn from these private sessions with the disciples; that If we are going to hold the baton, we have to run like Jesus ran.

Faith and Impossible - two words that do not work together, yet can Faith overcome Impossible? As we come to Mark 9:14-29, Pastor Andrew shows us that the amount or quality of faith is not the key. It is the WHO we have faith in. Faith in Jesus is the only place where nothing is impossible.

As we come to Mark 9, Jesus informs his disciples that some will get a glimpse of the kingdom of God. Six days later Peter, James, and John get to see Jesus in His transfigured state and hear the voice of God. These three disciples were granted a backstage pass to see God highlight Jesus as the centerpiece of His plan to redeem mankind here on earth. Pastor Andrew takes us to Mark 9:13 and shows us how everything Jesus is now doing is pointing to His upcoming death and resurrection. We see that Jesus is the plan.

Last week Jesus first mentioned to his disciples about his suffering, rejection, and death that was to come. Now Jesus talks to his followers about Dying to Live. The week we start a new topic set within Mark entitled "Jesus [Uncensored]". As we see in Mark 8:33-38, Jesus starts to emphasize topics that are not so popular to his disciples. Disciples that are expecting Jesus to overthrow Rome and bring peace to Israel. Yet Jesus has a more eternal mission to accomplish. Not just saving Israel, but providing salvation to all of humanity. When you follow Jesus, you sacrifice everything that is worth nothing for the one thing that is worth everything.

As a society or an individual, we long for freedom and look for a hero. As we see Mark 8:27-33, Israel was also looking for a hero to overthrow the rule of Rome and bring freedom. Jesus' disciples saw who he was in title as The Christ, yet his mission was not what they expected. Here Jesus first tells his disciples of the suffering, rejection, and death that was to come. As we celebrate Easter today, we see that Jesus died for our freedom and rose as our hero.

How we see something is at times a matter of our vantage point. This is how optical illusions work. This week Pastor Andrew takes us to Mark 8:22-26 as we see Jesus continue to change lives from three different perspectives, from the blind man to the disciples to us today. Because Jesus came, we can see clearly.

Compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Jesus has been teaching a large group of people for three days having nothing to eat. He has compassion to not send them away without feeding them. The disciples seem to have forgotten how Jesus fed an even larger group not long before. This week Pastor Andrew takes us to Mark 8:1-21 as we see how Jesus starts to bring his ministry "In Focus" with God's overall plan for mankind. We see Jesus clearly when we take our focus off ourselves.

Through these first seven chapters of Mark, we continue to see Mark emphasize with each miracle who Jesus is. The healing, the casting out of demons, the feeding multitudes, and even raising the dead show the people who Jesus is. As if to say "Can You Hear Me Now?". Today Pastor Sam Cassese takes us to Mark 7:31-37 and shows us Jesus speaks so loudly that even the deaf hear him. For us today, in Jesus, God is asking "Can You Hear Me Now?".

When something is strained, it does not take much for something to come apart or fall down. This is the basis for the phrase "The straw that broke the camel's back".This week we see Jesus moving along, trying to be unnoticed. Yet, a Gentile woman recognizes him and begs Jesus to deliver her young daughter from a demon. This woman crossed all sorts of cultural and religious barriers to seek Jesus.Pastor Andrew takes us to Mark 7:24-30 and shows us how Jesus continued to outline his mission to the Jewish people. And yet Jesus shows his love and compassion for all mankind, even women and Gentiles. This woman crossed the lines that Jesus came to erase and scaled the walls that Jesus came to tear down.

Rules, how many of you grew up learning church rules? "Don't run in the church." "Heads bowed, eyes closed." This week we see the Pharisees travel from Jerusalem to see what Jesus was doing. They see Jesus and his disciples were not following the rules. As we come to Mark 7:1-23 we see how Jesus questions the rules that the Pharisees were making. Pastor Andrew shows us that unrighteousness works from the inside out, not the outside in. A surface level solution won't solve a heart-level problem.

Lunchable - we know this as a small amount of pre-packaged food sent with a young child as a lunch. This is virtually what Jesus used to feed as many as fifteen thousand individuals. As we come to Mark 6:30-52, Pastor Andrew unfolds the story of how Jesus broke five loaves of bread and two fish to feed the multitude of people that were following him and his disciples. Jesus was teaching his disciples that His broken loaves fed the masses that his broken body came to save.

As Jesus' fame increases, he is noticed by King Herod. And yet King Herod does not recognize Jesus. As we come to Mark 6:14-29, Mark shows us a flashback of what previously happened to John the Baptist. King Herod had John the Baptist beheaded at an earlier time. Others believed Jesus was Elijah or a prophet of old. Yet, King Herod was convinced this was "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised. King Herod did not recognize the One that is greater than John, Elijah, or one of the prophets - Jesus. Pastor Andrew shows us how opposition heightens as God's kingdom advances.

The 12 disciples have been watching and learning from Jesus for a period of time. Jesus now sends them on a mission in pairs around the region to do in smaller groups what they have been doing together, to proclaim repentance, cast out demons, and heal the sick. Pastor Andrew brings us to Mark 6:7-13 this week as we see: This mission is urgent because the message is clear: "Salvation is found in Jesus alone."

This week we see Jesus returning home to Nazareth where he taught and healed as had been done in other towns. Yet, these people that knew Jesus were not astonished by what he did, they were offended by Jesus. Pastor Andrew takes us to Mark 6:1-6 and shows us the rejection that Jesus experience as he returned home. The faith that others had in Jesus was missing in Nazareth. Jesus is willing to save the willing.

We care deeply for our children. If our child was sick, we would go to any length to help them get well. As we come to Mark 5:21-43. we see a synagogue ruler, Jairus meeting and imploring Jesus to come heal his daughter who was near to death. As Jesus travels to Jairus' home, a woman touches the garment of Jesus to be healed. The woman and Jairus both had faith in Jesus to be healed. Pastor Andrew opens this passage about topics of life, death, and the resurrection. For death has your number until Jesus has your faith.

Earlier in Mark, Jesus exerted his authority as he cast out individual demons from people. Pastor Andrew takes us to Mark 5:1-20 as we see the man from Gerasenes possessed by demons who could not be chained or shackled. We see the authority of Jesus over multiple demons, which could have been 2000 or more and were allowed to enter a herd of pigs that then ran down a steep hill and were drowned in the sea. Jesus again showed us His mission to mankind. We now are charged with this mission. The mission of Jesus begins with you.

When tragedies happen, as we have witnessed locally in Clackamas and nationally in Newtown, questions are asked... How can God allow this evil to happen? Where is God in all of this? As we come to Mark 4:35-41, we see when God came down as Jesus, that the answer to these questions can be answered by Jesus. Elements in the world, weather, or evil are all subject to the word of Christ as we see in this portion of scripture. Verse 41 brings the question that requires an answer from each of us: "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" How do you answer this question? We find the answer is in the boat.

When do you start shopping for Christmas? Do you start in August, do you wait until there are three days left, or are you somewhere in the middle? Preparation is key to any gift giving. Pastor Andrew takes us to Mark 4:1-20 with the story of the sower. He shows us that our preparation for the seed of the Word of God is vital to our reception of the greatest gift ever given to us, the Gift of Salvation. How is your heart today? Salvation is not a gift you unwrap, it's a gift that unwraps you.

The courtroom is no place to spend Christmas. Yet, in this second week of December, we find three different sets of people feeling as if they were defending themselves against Jesus as if in a courtroom. This week Pastor Andrew brings us to Mark 3:20-35 and shows us that Jesus is not working to prosecute us. He is always working for our defense. That by his birth, life, death, and resurrection we are provided salvation. The only way to end up guilty is to refuse your defense.

As we continue through the Gospel of Mark this December, Mark does not include a narrative of the Christmas story. Yet as we look at Mark, we see Jesus living out the story of Christmas every day. Declaring the Gospel - the Good News that God became a man to provide salvation. Pastor Andrew takes us to Mark 3:7-19 and shows us how God provided a way for men to become sons of God. We see the gift of Jesus comes to us to work through us.

In Mark 2 we see the Pharisees and how they subjected the nation of Israel to their interpretations of the law. These interpretations followed the letter instead of the intent of the law. Today Pastor Sam brings us to Mark 2 and shows us how Jesus showed us the meaning of the Sabbath and the intent of rest. That it was to rest from work and remember the redemption of God. We find that our soul finds rest in following Jesus.

Religion and taxes. Two items we are taught not to discuss as they are polarizing subjects. Yet in Mark 2:13-22, Jesus combines both of these subjects as He meets a tax collector named Levi. Pastor Andrew shows us how Levi's meeting with Jesus changed his life. We cannot climb the ladder of Religion to get to God. God descended the ladder as Jesus saves us from religion, not for religion.

After Jesus went off to a desolate place to pray and be with His Father, he returns to Capernaum where he had previously healed many that were sick. Friends of a paralyzed man took him to Jesus to be healed. Pastor Andrew takes us to Mark 2:1-12 as we see this story unfold. These men have experienced a life changing event and will go to extreme lengths to see their paralyzed friend healed by Jesus. If you've been found, bring the lost.

Rejection is an unpleasant experience that often comes unexpectedly. Jesus took time away from people to pray with His Father to recharge himself for His mission. This week Pastor Andrew takes us to Mark 1:35-45 and shows how Jesus responded to a leper that came to Him seeking to be made clean. The compassion of Jesus extended further than just for this one man, it extended to all mankind. Jesus embraced rejection to free us from it.

When we hold a hand out to others it can be a welcome. It can act as an agreement. It can offer help or assistance. It can also save or rescue from danger. As we come to Mark 1:21-34, Pastor Andrew shows us how Jesus became the hand of God extended to humanity to help and heal. God extended His hand to you when Jesus extended His hands for you.

Living the the USA, we are not as familiar with kings as are other countries. Yet we can look back through history and recall notable kings, King David, King George, King Tut... As we come to Mark 1:12-20, Pastor Sam Cassese shows us how Jesus proclaimed the the gospel of God and announced that the Kingdom of God was at hand. As we repent and believe in Jesus, we accept the realm of God and how he is the King of not just our lives, but the whole world.

Events that hold anticipation for us are very exciting. The rush of a roller coaster ride, the wait for a new video game, waiting for marriage after the proposal, or the months awaiting a new baby. We all wait with anticipation for the fulfillment of the event. Today, Pastor Sam takes us to Mark 1:9-13 as we see how the world was awaiting a Messiah. Was Jesus really the expected one? Mark relates how John the Baptist set the stage for the the expected one, and how God the Father affirmed that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. The expectation for a savior is fulfilled in Jesus.

Today we start a new series titled "Mark: Jesus, Son of God, Son of Man". We learn a little about Mark, the purpose of the book, and the back story of the book. Pastor Andrew starts in Mark 1:1-8 as we see how John the Baptist heralds the arrival of Jesus as he baptizes people. Jesus came to rescue you from sin: take the plunge.

There is a major difference between an access road and a private drive. Each has its own function. This week Pastor Andrew wraps up the Disciple Series by taking us to Acts 17. We see while Paul was in Athens, he used different ways to explain the gospel of Jesus to the philosophers in Athens. Paul used existing, familiar "access roads" as he presented the gospel in their context. He did not keep the message to himself. Your access road to Christ was never meant to be a private drive.

Reality. Each of us will have times of adversity in our lives. When this happens, we have a Christian community that can be our safety net to help us face the adversity. Pastor Andrew takes to Acts 4:23-37 and shows us the marks of a Spirit-filled Community. The Christian community is your anchor to reality.

As we do church and are the church together, we see different ways of how the church functions. The dynamic experience we have together on Sunday should influence our daily reality of living together with each other, as well as how we live in the world. In this second week of the "Disciple" series, Pastor Andrew takes us to Acts 2:41-47 as he shows us how each of our lights, when gathered together, turns into a burning fire that could be see from space. Light shines where God's word is learned and lived.

This week we start a new series: Disciple - Learn, Live, Lead. Pastor Andrew takes us to 1 Corinthians 3:1-9. A healthy church is like a healthy Christian: always changing.

It has been seven weeks since we last saw the tree of life. When God created man, God and man were in relationship with each other. Then sin drove man from the garden and removed man's access to God and to the tree of life. Since that first week we have seen how God has pursued us, how He has redeemed us, how He speaks to us, how He directs us, how He loves us, and finally this week we see how God reigns and how we will reign with Him as His children. This week Pastor Drew Saccenti brings us to Revelation 22:1-7 where we see the end of the story and the return of the tree of life in Heaven. We see how the sacrifice of Jesus provides us access back to God, to Heaven. How the hope of Christ brings joyful submission to Him. This is the seventh and last message in the "Between The Trees" series.

Over the past 7 decades, the view of love in our culture has changed. Yet this piece of time is very little when viewed from Genesis until today. In this time, the love of God for humanity has not changed. His desire is to love us as children. This week Pastor Andrew takes us to Romans 5 and shows us the love that God has for us. God's love sacrificed His Son to give us access to our Father. This is the sixth message in the "Between the Trees" series.

Around the world we find that the Ruler determines the rights. As Americans, we learn from the Declaration of Independence "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." As a Christian, we learn from the Bible that God is sovereign. In this fifth week of the "Between the Trees" series, Pastor Andrew brings us to Isaiah 40 as we learn about God's sovereignty. How he weighed the mountains, measured the waters of the earth in the palm of His hand, and used His hand to mark off the heavens. Yet our sin has distorted our view of God and of ourselves. What about my rights? Remember, the Ruler determines the rights. We find that the sovereign God saved fallen man when God became a Man. The God who rules gave us rights as children when Jesus surrendered His rights as a Son.

As we look through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, we see how God speaks to mankind. This week we come to Hebrews 1:1-4 and see that in the past, God spoke through his prophets. How does God speak to us today? This week we welcome Associate Pastor Sam Cassese to the pulpit. Sam asks us, what is your view of God? God wants to interact with you. Do you want to know God? We must look to Jesus to know God as Jesus is God's perfect word.

Life is filled with heroes as well as goats. The hero gets the credit and the prize. The goat takes the blame for the loss. As the Bible is Jesus' story, which part do we equate to Jesus? Pastor Andrew takes us to this third week of the "Between The Trees" series. He shows us how God required a goat to pay for the sin of the people. Jesus is the Hero because He is the Goat.

Ever since the first man, Adam sinned, God has pursued man to redeem man to Himself. Even as sin destroyed our relationship with God, the pursuit of man is intertwined throughout the scripture. As Pastor Andrew brings us to the second week of the "Between The Trees" series, we see how deep God's love is for us by how he pursues us. We broke the covenant, Jesus paid the price, God gets the glory.

As we read Genesis 1-3, something that God creates disappears from the Bible until the final chapter of Revelation 22. This object is the tree of life. This week we start a new seven week series where we will see the our lives "Between The Trees" of Genesis and Revelation. Pastor Andrew starts the series by taking us to the first three chapters of Genesis where man lost access to the first tree by accessing the second tree. We continue to John 1 and see a third tree. With this third tree, God created access to the tree of life by hanging Jesus on a tree of death.

Jonah becomes angry with God as Jonah is familiar with God's character. God did not destroy Ninevah. God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding with love. God used a plant to demonstrate to Jonah the same mercy that God gave the people of Ninevah. Today, Pastor Andrew takes us to Jonah 4 and shows us how Jonah's anger and his desire to see Ninevah destroyed blinded him to God's mercy and love for Ninevah - and us. God's heart for you is to give you His heart.

"And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon dry land." After three days, Jonah is now free and back on dry land. The Lord again speaks to Jonah. Knowing now that he cannot run and hide from God, this time Jonah obeys, travels to Ninevah, and delivers God's message. This week Pastor Andrew takes us to Jonah 3 and we see the message God has for Ninevah and how they react to the message Jonah delivers. With Ninevah's repentance, God relents as spares this great city. The God who spared Ninevah didn't spare His own Son, so that He could spare you.