The gospel calls us to unite with one another in love - with humility, patience, and forgiveness - so that the church maintains the unity that Christ prayed for and died to secure.

Because Christ has served us, we are freed and empowered to serve one another in love.

Words have the power to wound or to heal, to tear down or to build up -- so what kind of speech will shape our life together as Christ's body?

This week we kick off our new series “Be the Body” by exploring the foundational command of our life together in the Christian community – Jesus' call to love one another.

“What is the good news?” and “What do we do with it?” These two questions are at the heart of gospel ministry.

What does the kindness of God look like?

Living faithfully as sojourners and exiles is draining. Why do we get so worn down and tired? And what can we do about it?

Jesus was rejected by those who (thought they) knew Him the best. How can we guard against a familiarity with Jesus that leads to unbelief?

Jesus didn’t come to impress the crowds, but to make disciples who learn from Him, live like Him, and lead others to Him.

Give up fleeting pleasures for the joy of everlasting treasure.

How did the the people of the Southern Kingdom, Judah, respond to God’s call to “Be Holy, for I the Lord your God am Holy” and what can we learn from them to help us chase holiness in our lives.

Why does a just God allow evil to persist? When I am overcome by injustice and suffering, how will I respond? Habakkuk can teach us the role we should play in a broken, complicated world.

Jesus shares three parables about Kingdom growth that encourage us to patiently trust the process.

What happens when the seed of the word of God is scattered on the soil of your heart?

As a people called to be salt and light in the world, how would Jesus have us think, feel, and act in response to Pride Month and the ideologies that it promotes?

This passage challenges us to consider how the Pharisees’ dead religion is still alive in us today, and it invites us into the life that only Jesus can give.

All who repent and come to Christ by faith will be fully forgiven. But those who continue to willfully and knowingly reject the Spirit’s work reveal calloused hearts that will not repent and therefore, will not be forgiven.

In this summary of the book of Micah, we'll see the LORD confront injustice and idolatry, and we'll see Him extend forgiveness and mercy to the repentant.

Matthew takes us back to the Old Testament to see that acts of compassion aren't a distraction from the Messiah's mission—they are the mission.

If Christ has not been raised, our faith is pointless and we are still in our sins. But if Easter is true, then it changes everything.

While the Pharisees confront Jesus about the Sabbath, this passage confronts the Pharisee in each of us.

Weary? Burdened? Worn out? Come to Jesus, the revelation of God, and find rest for your souls.

As the message of the kingdom spreads, the responses from the crowds serve as warnings for us.

How do we deal with disappointment and doubt as disciples?

How did the city of Nineveh go from receptive and repentant to selfish and hard-hearted? And how can you and I guard against the same fate?

In the early chapters of Genesis, the story of God's plan for humanity is interrupted with stories of people who had plans of their own. In each case, their attempt to secure their future by their own resources comes quickly to an end, and God's better plan moves forward. And every time it moves forward, the invitation to join him in his plan remains open to anyone who will trust him.

Disciples of the King are sent out with what they need for His mission.

One Day, the struggle will be over. We will see our Savior face to face, and we will finally be like Him. Until then, stand firm in this hope and press on by faith.

In this series, we've talked about the ongoing work of the gospel in our lives to makes us more like Jesus. After looking at the head and the heart, this week we focus on the hands - practical steps we can take to grow in Christlikeness by the power of the Spirit.

As you behold Jesus, God is transforming you by the Spirit to uniquely reflect the glory of Jesus on earth.

In this first sermon in a series called "Gospel (re)Formation," we consider how Satan, "the god of this world," deforms us in obvious and not so obvious ways.

As we round out the year, may Psalm 90 give us perspective and purpose for 2025.

In Christ's first Advent, the grace of God appeared which saves us, sanctifies us, and sustains us until His second Advent.

Isaiah lifts the eyes of our hearts to see the light of the Messiah's advent breaking through the darkness of this world.

When all hope seems lost, God sends his people the hope of a deliverer.

Peter wraps us his letter by exhorting us to humbly cast our cares, carefully resist the Devil, patiently trust the process, and faithfully stand firm in grace.

God cares for His flock through humble shepherds serving a humble people.

Suffering is an "if" but a "when" in this earthly life. How can we glorify God in our suffering?

How should we live in response to Christ’s suffering on our behalf? What is the appropriate way to anticipate his return?

We’re called to do good, even if we suffer for it. But Jesus has already broken the power of evil, and in the end we will be victorious with him.

The crucified and resurrected Christ gives us the power and pattern we need to glorify God in all of our relationships.

As God's chosen people, we belong to a better Kingdom. But we still have an earthly citizenship. How then should we live?

In the coming months and years, the biggest threat to the church is not what happens "out there" - which we can't control - but rather what happens "in here," amongst us, which we can control.

Peter has just encouraged followers of Jesus by marvelously explaining who they are because of the gracious work God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Now that they are firmly established in Christ, Peter calls them to action.

God in His mercy has secured for us a salvation that the trials of this world cannot destroy. May He be praised!

Remember who you are so that you can stand firm in the faith where you are.

When the original audience heard this letter, they knew that the charge from Peter to stand firm in the true grace of God was an exhortation from experience. As we step back and look at Peter's life in this sermon, may we be encouraged that we too can be transformed by the grace of God.

Our compassionate King invites us to be active participants with Him on His mission.

All desperate people who come to the King in faith receive a foretaste of the Kingdom.

This sibling rivalry got way out of hand. Learn about the disastrous consequences of Edom's pride and the certainty of God's justice.

Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners (like me and you).

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” (CS Lewis) This story takes us between those two ditches by calling us to be aware of the enemy and his schemes, and to be in awe of the Son of God, who came to “destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)

Facing exile because of their sin, the people of Israel are left asking, "is there any way God can redeem this disaster?" In response, God shows them a vision of a glorious future where he will deal with their sin and bring flourishing once more.

All too easily, humans can twist religion into something aimed at serving our comfort, cravings, and convenience. That’s the temptation that Amos called Israel out for, and it's a temptation we have to be on guard against today.

We all love poetic justice—when it happens to someone else. But Amos wants us to realize that God's true justice implicates each and every one of us.

"What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?" He is Yahweh, and He is with us in every storm we face.

Is Jesus enough?

Jesus Christ is the anchor of our souls amid all of life's transitions and storms. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, have confidence in him to sustain you.

Matthew draws our attention to Jesus' interaction with Peter's mother-in-law, as well as many who are oppressed by demons and sick. What does this section add to the portrait of the person and work of Christ that Matthew is painting for us? And how should we respond?

After showing us Jesus' compassion for an outcast, Matthew now highlights Jesus' care for an oppressor. How does the Centurion's faith and Jesus' response shape our view of the King and His kingdom?

After His authoritative teaching in the sermon on the mount, King Jesus now displays His authority through many miracles. First up? A leper who is cleansed physically, socially, religiously, spiritually, and eschatologically.

The community of God is called to steward the story of God so that the coming generations might set their hope in God.

The first half of Joel leaves the reader with the question "where is their God?" In the second half, God removes his people’s shame by showing, at their lowest point, that he is with them.

What do you do in the face of great suffering?

The empty tomb is an invitation for us to come as we are and worship the risen Savior.

Hosea has shown us that God will go to great lengths to win back the hearts of His people. As we finish up the book, we will continue looking at how God's love compels Him to reveal and replace the idols in our hearts. This will result in true flourishing in our lives and in the world.

It is likely not made out of wood. You probably did not craft it from stone. But the idols of your heart are just as dangerous. Thankfully, your compassionate Father is at work to reveal and replace every idol in your life.

Evidence is presented and Israel stands guilty as charged before a holy, righteous Judge. What will their punishment be? And is there any hope?

Hosea and Gomer's marriage is an enacted parable showing the seriousness of Israel's sin and the depth of God's love and faithfulness.

How can a sinful people live in covenant relationship with a holy God? To answer this question, Exodus 34 gives us a glimpse into God’s heart. This picture of a merciful yet just God forms the bedrock for the Minor Prophets’ message.

Every body part works together for the body to be able to do its job.

It takes the entire community of the church to bring up the next generation of faithful, resilient disciples.

We are starting a three week series called “It Takes a Village” where we will hear about God’s design for our community to bless the nations, bring up the next generation, and build up the body.

When the rains come down and the floods go up, will the house of your life stand firm?

Each year we join churches across the country in setting aside the third Sunday of January to observe Sanctity of Life Sunday. This week we will see how our ongoing study of the Sermon on the Mount produces a worldview that seeks flourishing for all humans, from womb to tomb.

Jesus warns His disciples of some dangers along the hard path so that we faithfully endure and enter the kingdom of heaven on the last day.

As Jesus concludes the sermon on the mount, He challenges His audience to make a decision. There are only two ways to live. Which one will you choose?

The "Golden Rule" is well known but often not well-lived. How might next year look if by God's strength we intentionally, holistically, creatively, and imperfectly treat others the way we want to be treated?

Life's struggles may weigh us down, but we find peace in knowing that God always has better plans. This peace is revealed in Jesus Christ, and we will return glory to Him.

Mary's praise of the Lord is fueled by God's mercy towards the humble in the past, present, and future. From her joyful praise to the Lord, we are shown how to embrace true joy.

Four reasons you can hope in God this Advent season.

The songs of Mary, Zechariah, and others leading up to the birth of Jesus draw on an Old Testament pattern—the song of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2. By reading and reflecting on this song, we prepare our hearts for the Advent season.

Kingdom citizens are encouraged to persevere in expectant prayer because we have a good Heavenly Father who delights to provide good things for His children.

As Jesus continues to instruct us in the ways of the Kingdom, He addresses our tendency to judge others self-righteously and hypocritically without dealing with our own sin.

Jesus invites us to lay down the weight of worry by trusting our Heavenly Father's care as we seek first the kingdom of God.

What do you do in the face of great evil?

What do you do in the face of great evil?

How is your heart? What do you hunger for? What do you want? As Jesus continue discipling His Kingdom citizens, He presses into the core of our being and challenges us to treasure that which is truly worthy of our affections.

After aligning our hearts with God's name, kingdom, and will, we have the privilege of bringing our daily needs before our caring Father in prayer.

After instructing us on the problems we have with prayer and inviting us to have a posture of childlike dependency, Jesus gives us a pattern for praying. This week we'll look at the first three God-centered petitions of name, kingdom, and will.

Rather than living (and dying) for the praise of men, as Kingdom citizens we trust that our Heavenly Father sees, hears, knows, and rewards His people. And that is enough.

Have you ever truly wondered what your purpose is? Psalm 134 calls God's people to their intended purpose and the benefits thereof.

Kingdom citizens imitate their heavenly Father by loving everyone, even their enemies.

Because of the grace of God, Kingdom citizens righteously respond in unexpected ways to a watching world.

The hard labor of raising up the family of faith in the ways of the Lord is not only a labor worth doing, but a joy that God has given to his people.

Psalm 120 is a song of discontent—but this discontent is meant to light a fire, start a journey, and drive us to seek God.

Israel experienced heartache, pain, and loss. Through it all, God was doing the beautiful work of restoration.

This song gives every pilgrim on their way to glory the needed assurance that with the LORD there is abundant forgiveness.

How should God's people respond in the face of ridicule and contempt? We must look in faith to the enthroned King and wait upon Him for deliverance.

The Kingdom is filled with people who don't need to take oaths or vows because their character backs up their words.

As Jesus continues preaching about whole-person, inside-out righteousness, He draws our attention to the lustful intentions of our hearts and calls us to take serious steps to fight sexual sin.

The Christian community is a priestly consecratory body through which brotherly unity sanctifies members of the body to draw others to Jesus.

In a world of anger and rage, King Jesus' people are to be characterized by reconciliation and peace.

Last week we saw that the flourishing life that Jesus is describing and inviting us to is founded on the authoritative word of God fulfilled in Christ, interpreted by Him, and applied in and through Him. This week we take a closer look at how to interpret and apply His word in our lives.

As Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount, we will see how he views the Bible and how that impacts how we read and relate to the Old Testament today.

God's people sing this song of hope as they travel onward.

Self-control is a virtue that is universally valued, so how should Christians seek to cultivate this virtue? What counsel does Proverbs give for what it looks like to exercise discipline and self-control in the life of the Christian?

Both Proverbs and the Sermon on the Mount help us catch a vision of the flourishing life as God defines it. But it’s not enough to simply catch that vision—we need to know how to direct our steps to get there. What wisdom does the book of Proverbs offer on the topic of planning?

Join us as we celebrate Easter by looking at the peace which the resurrection brings to individuals, communities, and the world.

The people of the Kingdom bring glory to God through lives that proclaim and display the beauty of the new covenant. 

In part 2 of our study in the Beatitudes, we look at Jesus' description of the good life.

Jesus begins His sermon on the mount by addressing one of the deepest longings we have as humans.

Money problems exist for both the wealthy and those in poverty because of the temptation to rely on it alone.

*Note that the audio and video cut out for about 2 minutes in the middle of the message due to technical difficulties.*

How should kingdom people speak? The Proverbs provide plenty of principles to help guide our words.

Join us on the mountain as we sit down with the disciples at the feet of Jesus, the Great Teacher.

The King calls you to follow Him. How do you respond?

An Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew.

The believer's life is a daily and deliberate submission to God's call to wisdom (the fear of the Lord) amidst many moral voices that seek our attention.

Through a compelling speech by Wisdom, Solomon shows us the necessity of hearing wise instruction and actively pursuing wisdom, and points us to the one true and wise king — Jesus.

As Solomon disciples his sons, he pleads with them to embrace wisdom instead of sexual sin.

Watch the service in which on 1/8/2023 we commissioned Scott Allen to the role of pastor for preaching and vision.

In our pursuit of the things we need and want, we're often enticed by dangerous shortcuts. The Lord kindly calls us to the longer path of wisdom that works hard and waits for the him.

The advent of Jesus changes everyone, even those not eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new King. There is only one right response to the Christ. 

As we acknowledge the stress in our own lives that comes from change, we’ll study Mary’s response to a plan that turned her world upside down. We can learn from her approach that focuses on God’s character instead of her circumstances.

When Jesus arrives he changes everything no matter who you are.

Our "Portraits of Advent" series begins with Joseph, a just man whose life was changed drastically by an unexpected pregnancy.

Proverbs 5 invites us to look past the allure of sexual temptation to its devastating consequences, and to embrace God’s better alternative of love within limits.

What makes wisdom so good? It confronts the whole person, for their whole life, throughout all generations.

Among the many benefits of obeying God is a life of peace.

Proverbs 3 confronts us with the question: "Will I trust God, or will I trust in myself, my possessions, and my comforts? The LORD directs the path of those who trust in Him.

God has precious wisdom waiting to be poured on us. But it may not come the way you think.

What do you truly want? And how far will you go to get it? Wisdom shows us what to do when we are tempted to gratify our personal desires at the expense of others.

A church that regularly sits at the feet of Jesus will be a church that faithfully serves Him.

Precious wisdom your reward, if you humbly fear the Lord.

Caring for the weak and defenseless is part of being God's leaders!

We are compelled by the generosity of God our Father who provides us with everything we need to live lives marked by generous action.

Things are getting worse in Israel after the death of their last (and worst) judge, Samson.

Being faithful/committed to God.

What does the Bible mean by the word, "repent"? Do believing Christians also have to repent? Is it still repentance if I keep on sinning?

Boundless, ungodly ambition destroys.

We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. And yet, Paul tells us to do something in order to receive the reward of our inheritance.

Service and the exercise of our spiritual gifts follow our salvation. Therefore, God, through the Holy Spirit, has empowered every believer with the ability to contribute to the maturity of the Church. Hence, by putting their faith in Jesus, all believers have signed up to be players and not spectators in edifying others and growing God’s kingdom. And the personal questions that each of us has to ask are: "Have I found and taken my place? And what and how am I doing in my place?"

Jesus is far more glorious than anything we could ever imagine.

We consider the story of Abimelech and how his story relates to gentleness and kindness.

May the Lord produce in us a posture of humble dependence on Him in the face of adversity that is expressed in setting our faces to seek Him, crying out for help, patiently waiting on Him, and acting in faith on His promises.

What is wisdom and how can it save my life?

Before his public ministry, Jesus is put to the test in the wilderness through a season of severe deprivation and temptation. What can we learn from his response?

We are called to live lives of faith-fueled obedience, looking to Jesus alone for our hope, security, and salvation, from start to finish.

Humility.

Courageous faith.

Integrity is a hallmark for God's leaders and God's people.

Jesus, the living word of God, has spoken. In this text, Paul tells us where his word belongs.

Closing text of Ephesians.

When the message of Jesus begins to take root in our own lives, it will undoubtedly impact the culture around us.

Good things happen when the risen king takes up residence in the heart of the believer.

If you've been raised with Christ, Paul tells us we've got to start dressing differently.

How to live both UNDER authority and IN authority.

The resurrection invites Jesus’ followers to see and think differently.

To be hospitable is to welcome others by leading them into the strength, gladness, and glory of God in Jesus Christ.

A sermon about marriage and the roles of husbands and wives.

In this message, we explore themes of pleasing God, avoiding immorality, and spirituality from Eph 5:1-21.

There's lots of confusion about issues of gender and sexuality, even within the church. What do we as a church believe, and what does the word say about these things? And how should we live this out?

Body-building activities vs. Body-breaking activities.

The Bible is a "heaven and earth" story. Earth is where we live, so naturally we know more about what's happening here. But what is the story from the "other side"? What is the story of the spiritual world?

Unity in Diversity leads to Maturity.

Love, the glue that holds the church together.

Paul closes his “book of joy” with two paths to relieve the anxious Christian of their fears and concerns. Both secure ‘the peace of God’ and so should be used by Christians as they walk the path of pilgrimage. The first is prayer (4-7), and the second is recognition (8-9). The latter widens the scope of the Christian’s’ eyes to see the good gifts God has granted his creation (and so his people) and should be received the gratitude. Paul commands imitation, which implies *he* has done both. So should we.

Continuing the message from a couple weeks ago - what does it look like for the different members of the church to be gifted with spiritual gifts?

God can use even the ones who are "lesser than the least" in his Grand Plan.

How should Paul's metaphor of the church being a body impact how we live in community together?

Ongoing sermon series on the book of Ephesians. This message explores the idea of unity among the peoples of the world, especially among believers.

The Scriptures show us that this world is filled with helpless people. Lost people. Wild people. Indeed we find that, though we may generally know where we are or what is supposed to come next, on our own, we all are lost and helpless people. But God has determined to send us help, to send us His salvation.

God saved us not BY works, but FOR works.

The power for Christian living – against the forces of evil and supernatural powers.

The Grand Plan of God, revealed.

As we begin advent, how does the Incarnation relate to our own adoption into God's family?

Sermon from our ongoing series "Faith of our Fathers." This message explores Joseph's integrity and God's blessing.

Continuing "Faith of Our Fathers" series with the patriarch Isaac.

The mark of a true disciple is a willingness to follow Jesus no matter the cost, knowing that he alone has the words of eternal life.

Series of four sermons on the four patriarchs in Genesis.

Series of four sermons on the four patriarchs in Genesis.