As we reflect on the freedom we enjoy, we also need to be aware of those living here who remain in bondage. Yes, physically and emotionally they may be free, but spiritually they remain captive to sin. As we will see in our examination of Luke 4.14-21 on Sunday, it is our mission to point the way to Jesus so they can be freed by His power and mercy.  Read More

Friday First - Seeing Souls: An Unlikely MissionaryChrist had an amazing vision. He looked forward to the glory that was set before him, so much that the even the cross couldn't stop me. He had a vision for his movement, born in just a few disciples. He also had a vision for each person he met. He saw them as eternally valuable souls, from the sick, to the poor, to different races, different faith...  Read More

This week we’ll look from the eyes of Jesus as we consider Christ’s body of of believers and God’s gift of unity. As we read John 17.20-21, for what and what exactly is Jesus praying?  Read More

By God’s providence and our faith, this congregation is reaching more people locally than anytime previous in its history. And with that, it is important to continue to rally to the call to fill up the building with changed hearts. There is so much to be excited about … and so much good to anticipate.  Read More

Following, Becoming, Sharing  And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 1.17Those guys had no idea what they were about to experience when they accepted Jesus’ invitation. When Christ came to Simon Peter and his brother Andrew fishing in their boat, he invited them to follow him into what was nothing short of a revolutionary life-changing, world-changing ...  Read More

God did not recreate you to have you go through life alone. He not only gave you His Son, He gave you His people. It is being with them not watching them, where this vital connection for growth is made.   Read More

If we’re going to be a place to heal, we must put our words into action and love the way Jesus did. Matthew 12.15-21 shows us how to follow in our Lord’s footsteps.  Read More

It was in his book Confessions where Augustine said, “You made us for yourself, and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you.” There may not be any better example in the NT than Paul, who lived this out in a very real way. Philippians 4.8-13 constitutes some of his best writing where he captures the heart of spiritual focus, contentment, and peace. Paul stressed it was all built on the foun...  Read More

Do you ever feel like God's presence is far from you? We all do, at times, especially in a trying and confusing world. God is not too far away, though. His arms are long enough to reach us wherever we are.There is nowhere his eyes can't see us. "He will not leave us as orphans."Last week, Matt brought us through John 14.7-14. In that text, Jesus prepared his disciples for the greater things that w...  Read More

John 14 is the perfect chapter as we discuss the complete devotion Jesus has in calming our fears. We learn this in discovering how He dealt with the circumstances descending upon the 11 in the hours leading up to His arrest, trial, and execution. Today we’ll focus on 14.7-14. Here we learn of three more assurances Jesus provides to His disciples … and ultimately to us … as they cope with great fear, uncertainty, and inward anxiety.  Read More

Relational Discipleship and Mental Health Since Genesis 3, we have experienced the shockwaves of a fallen world. The God of order, peace and perfection has been uninvited, and so the universe is “cracked.” What fills in those cracks are the result from the cosmic rupture in the fall. Through no fault of our own, many of us are born with various maladies or disorders. Do I understand how all this w...  Read More

John 14 is not simply a feel-good story. It is not just the relating of historical data. It is given to us with the intention to speak to and sustain our own faith in Jesus Christ. Just as He sought to bring the 11 comfort and peace, so He will for us today. By His power, we can experience comfort in the midst of dire circumstances. Will we trust in Him?  Read More