Wheaton Bible Church: Recent Episodes
Wheaton Bible Church
Our mission as a church is that more and more people would love God, grow together, and reach the world.
Read this devotional at: https://wheatonbible.org/daily-devotional/
Written by: Catherine McNiel
Spoken by: Catherine McNiel
Read this devotional at: https://wheatonbible.org/daily-devotional/
Written by: Catherine McNiel
Spoken by: Catherine McNiel
Read this devotional at: https://wheatonbible.org/daily-devotional/
Written by: Catherine McNiel
Spoken by: Catherine McNiel
Read this devotional at: https://wheatonbible.org/daily-devotional/
Written by: Catherine McNiel
Spoken by: Catherine McNiel
Read the written version of this devotional at https://wheatonbible.org/daily-devotional/.
Writer: Catherine McNiel
Speaker: Catherine McNiel
Holy Saturday. Scripture is silent on this day in history. We will take it as a day to mourn and reflect on the brokenness within us and around us.
Written by: Kyle Reschke
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the vine, we are the branches.
Written by: Melissa Duncan
Jesus washes the disciples feet; one will betray; a new commandment; peter's denial foretold.
Written by: Catherine McNiel
Worship leader Ali Curry brings us this powerful word on Jesus healing a man born blind. God loves to make beauty and purpose from pain and chaos. He did it with this man, and He does it with you! Listen and be encouraged.
Written by: Ali Curry
Jesus knows that the only true way to follow Him is through genuine relationship, not through checking boxes or claiming titles alone. He chastises the Jews for neglecting real pursuit of God and claiming righteousness on the title of being "Children of Abraham" alone. In fact, He comes to bring an even greater title to us — Children of God.
Written by: Justin Brasse
The Jews have been celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, remembering their dependence on God for light and provision. Then Jesus declares: "I am the light of the world."
This is such amazing hope, and also a hard truth to grasp. Listen and ponder all of the things that this passage raises.
Written by: Catherine McNeil
The Pharisees want to trap Jesus in an argument. He's been defeating them at their own game, and so they bring Him a case they believe He cannot talk His way out of — a woman caught in sin.
But Jesus is full of unexpected, undeserved grace. Listen to how He handles the situation, and be amazed at the grace extended to you as well.
Written by: Melissa Duncan
Jesus is always controversial. To this crowd, His claim to be the Christ divides them strongly. The religious leaders are enraged and want to kill Him, where the common people see Him and believe in Him.
Which are you? Pray through these questions with God in honesty and trust.
Jesus teaches at the Feast of Tabernacles. He shows us that He came to dwell with us, to befriend and love us. He also talks about His God-given authority to teach and heal. Jesus has no lineage of teacher after teacher to give Him credibility—He has God Himself as His authority.
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
Jesus declares that He is the way to eternal life — and many choose not to believe in Him. But His true disciples say, "Lord, to whom shall we go?"
Listen to today's reading and ponder the questions that Scripture provokes in us.
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
Jesus feeds the 5,000 in today's Lent reading and we get to see the compassion and kind instruction of God. Listen to this miracle and ask God to show you more of the miracles He's performing in your own life.
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
Today is a tough one, Church. Jesus isn't afraid to refine us, to make us holy. Today's Scripture ends with Jesus calling out the Pharisees for loving religion more than they love God Himself. Do you see yourself in that accusation? How can you learn to love God more than you love following His rules?
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
Today, the Pharisees put Jesus on an informal trial, and He defends Himself as the Son of God. He makes some incredible claims that if they're true (spoiler: they are!) means that healing is HERE! Listen to the authority of Jesus, and thank Him for His power and goodness!
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
Today, Jesus heals a paraplegic man by the pools of Bethsaida. He commands Him, "Get up! Walk!" and when the man chooses to obey, he discovers he is healed. How is your lack of obedience keeping you from experiencing your own healing?
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
Today, revel in the power of God to save and heal! Take this time to listen to worship music, go on a walk, or talk with some friends about God. Whatever you do best to experience God and worship Him, do that!
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
Yesterday, we experienced the woman at the well in a new way. Today, we're talking about the response of the disciples to Jesus' incredible conversation with this woman—and it's a pretty relatable experience. How often do we interrupt God to tell Him what He should be doing, and completely miss the miracles He's performing right in front of us?
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
For today's Lent reading, we're doing something a little bit different. You're going to hear the story of the Woman at the Well read over you multiple times in a style of prayer called Lectio Divina. This is a great way to wake up your imagination and allow God to speak to your mind and heart in a new way!
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
John the Baptist once again exalts Jesus as the Christ and encourages us to really consider what it means for us to become less while Jesus becomes greater.
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
Perhaps the most famous passage in all of Scripture is featured in today's Lent reading: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."
Consider how you're like Nicodemus, and what questions you have for Jesus. Rest in the incredible, world-moving, all-consuming Love of God that's discussed in this passage!
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
In today's Lent reading, we see Jesus' righteous anger at those who are degrading the temple with the marketplace. He also reveals that in the future, we won't need the temple or any mediator to draw near to Him — He will be the temple, and we can come to Him at all times!
Written by: Melissa Duncan
Our Lent reading today explores Jesus' first miracle — turning water into wine at the Wedding of Cana. This miracle was done so quietly and to meet the needs of others. Ponder your own neediness today, and the everyday miracles God performs on your behalf.
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
Today's Lent reading shows Jesus bringing more disciples along with him. We see that everything about Jesus is unexpected—He did arrive to Earth like we expected, He didn't come for the reason we expected, and He didn't live in a town anyone would expect.
Praise God that His plans are higher than our ways, amen?
Listen to this Scripture and prayer recording. If you want to go deeper, check out the attached prompts.
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
In today's reading, Jesus calls His first disciples. They abandon everything they know so they can be with Jesus.
Do you do the same? Does the presence of Jesus take that top spot in your life?
We also see Jesus change the name of Simon to Peter, giving him a brand new identity. Listen for the new identities you have in Jesus, and ask God to give you an identity for you to live fully into today.
Listen to the Scripture and pray along with us. To go deeper, ponder the questions attached.
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
Today's Lent reflection takes us to when Jesus first appears and John the Baptist proclaims that He is the Son of God.
Listen to the Scripture and pray along with us. To go deeper, ponder the questions below.
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
What is Lent? Why are we practicing it? This is a great place to start if you've never participated in Lent, or even heard of it! We'll talk about why it's valuable for a Christian and how you can make the most of this season.
We're removing something we think we need from our lives and replacing it with more time with the greatest gift we already have — Jesus!
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
John 1:1-8 Receive the Scripture and consider what to sacrifice for this time. Want more guidance for your quiet time? Check out the prompts below!
Written by: Victoria Greenwald
Panel conversation to commemorate 90 years of God's faithfulness to Wheaton Bible Church.
As we conclude our God of Promises series, Pastor Rob leaves us encouraged and looking ahead as we discuss heaven—the place where there will be no more crying, pain, or tears. It will be perfect—full of God’s love and compassion. Listen now to feel encouraged and excited about experiencing heaven for ourselves.
In a message that explores God’s promise of power, Pastor Phil Shields explains the role of the Holy Spirit in enabling us to fully deploy the power God’s Spirit is able to pour out in and through us—as He changes us from the inside out.
The promises of God, Pastor Lon says, are like colorful gifts under the Christmas tree. Unwrapping one of those “gifts,” he explores the promise of wisdom, a gift that far supersedes our human understanding, and equips us to face whatever life throws at us with God’s truth and His understanding.
As followers of Christ, we long for spiritual experiences that bring a glorious awareness of God’s love and care. But in his message, Pastor Rob acknowledges that those experiences are often replaced by times of spiritual dryness, and suggests what we can do when God seems far away.
All of us experience loss, pain, and difficulties—some that threaten to overwhelm us. Pastor Rob talks about the character, disciplines, and secret of peace that we can rely on in the face of these problems—relief from anxiety, enabling us to experience the peace that is beyond human understanding.
Though so much of life is problem-driven, this series continues to remind us that we are called to be a promise-driven people. Pastor Lon looks to the book of Psalms to explore our need for intimacy—and to understand that it is our relationship with God, who is always present, that brings us true joy and peace.
As we continue our series on ten foundational promises of God, we are reminded that God is completely in control, and is able to fulfill all that He promises. Pastor Hanibal then asks three important questions, to help us grasp this truth, understand why we struggle with it, and take action to embrace it in our lives.
Launching a 10-week series, God of Promises, Pastor Rob begins by focusing on an amazing promise that is unique to the Christian faith. He looks into the book of Isaiah to examine the promise of abundant pardon and forgiveness available to us—not by anything we can do—but through God's mercy.
Looking at Matthew 25 and Christ's parable of the servants and the resources entrusted to them by their Master, Pastor Rob talks about all God has given to us and our church. He then talks about how we can wisely invest—and risk—in Christ's Kingdom work, and details some of the implications of our pursuing our mission and our new five-year vision.
Looking at our long history of outreach and our mission to love God, grow together, and reach the world, Pastor Rob talks about what God may be leading us to accomplish in the next five years. Knowing that "God is able to accomplish immeasurably more than we can hope or imagine," he invites the church to look at the possibilities and ask again, "What if?"
In a Mother’s Day message for moms—and dads and singles and everyone else—Pastor Rob points to the vital importance, and awesome privilege, of prayer. The Lord’s Prayer, possibly the best known prayer ever prayed, has much to teach us, Rob says, about what it means to come face to face with God, to pour out our hearts to Him, and to hear Him speak into our hearts and lives.
As we conclude our series on some of life's most important relationships, Pastor Rob looks to the book of Ephesians to explore the roles of love, authority, and wisdom in godly parenting.
What does the Bible have to say about singleness? While many people see singleness as secondary and marriage as primary, the Bible teaches that for many of us, singleness is the preferred state—and both marriage and singleness are ordained by God. Continuing our series on Marriage, Singleness, and Parenting, Pastor Lon explores the implication of those teachings, what they mean in our lives today and in eternity to come.
“A great marriage,” Pastor Rob says, “is grounded in the giving and receiving of truth.” As he launches a five-week series on Marriage, Singleness, and Parenting, Rob examines the importance of speaking truth, demonstrating love, and exercising grace in order to experience marriage as God designed it to be.
For those who first witnessed Jesus’ resurrection, as well as those who celebrate it today, Easter is all about change—sudden and powerful change. In his Easter message, Pastor Rob explores the implications of the change that was triggered when Jesus rose from the dead, and what it can mean for each one of us who will allow that change to transform our hearts and radically change our lives.
The world-transforming events of Holy Week began with a flicker of hope among the cheering crowds that the long-awaited Messiah had arrived. But while the crowds soon had their doubts, Pastor Lon says, there is no question that hope had arrived—even for those of us today who believe our situation is hopeless!
When we face extreme difficulty, our friends—both those who do and don't follow Christ—often offer advice on how to stand firm. But as Pastor Hanibal reminds us, only one thing can help us hold fast in times of pain and chaos—and it's available from God alone.
Most of us would agree, we live in a leadership-challenged world, with the emphasis on ego and personal success. As we continue our series, Rob talks about being and living out hope through our Christ-like care of others, as he looks at five practical principals for leadership—servant-style—laid out for us in 1 Peter, chapter 5.
No matter what chaos, suffering, or struggle threatens to overwhelm us, 1 Peter 4 brings perspective to our pain and a surprising answer to the age-old question—one you may be asking—Why me?
How would we live if we really believed what 1 Peter 4:7 says: “The end of all things is near”? In his message, Pastor Rob reminds us of the “ultimate reality” that Jesus could come at any moment, and life in this world will change in an instant. The question is not whether that will happen, but whether we will choose to live in anticipation of that coming day.
Pastor Rob begins this message by sharing eight simple words a friend spoke to him that changed the trajectory of his life. He then continues our series by considering the power of words —both God's and our own—and four areas of practical instruction on words laid out for us in 1 Peter 3.
Continuing our series from 1 Peter, Pastor Lon considers how we can thrive in a chaotic world that's changing so quickly around us. He reminds us that we are part of a royal, holy priesthood—temporary citizens, yes—but on display so that even through our suffering and submission the world might be saved.
Continuing the conversation about how to live in peace in the midst of a chaotic world, Pastor Phil Shields looks to the second chapter of 1 Peter. This passage points God’s children to a practical action step that will allow us to experience that peace and live lives that reflect the reality that we are God’s own children, no matter what is going on in the world around us.
Peter writes to Christians, "Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God." Living within the Church as one people can be challenging, but also one of the most beautiful things we can ever experience. In this message, Pastor Hanibal looks at Christ's Church—what it is, what it offers, and what it needs—as he continues exploring how we can both experience and be "Living Hope" in our world today.
As we continue our series on how to live lives of hope in spite of the difficulties we so often face, Pastor Lon looks at a powerful passage from the book of 1 Peter. Reminding us that the full benefit of God's grace will be unleashed only at Christ's coming, he lays out four specific and practical steps to experiencing a life of hope even in a world of chaos.
We all have a longing for hope—the feeling that better times are coming. But for the people who first read Peter’s letter—and those of us who read it today—those feelings of positive expectation don’t always come naturally. For Peter’s readers then and now, who frequently find themselves in challenging circumstances, Pastor Rob looks to Scripture for a path to experiencing hope—no matter what the new year brings.
Arriving in Jerusalem after Jesus’ birth, the Magi were looking for the newborn King, whose star they had seen in the east. They didn’t find Him in Jerusalem, but soon they were on their way, sent by a jealous King Herod—and led by the star—to where the child was. Pastor Phil Shields looks at Matthew 2 for a message that focuses on the joy of those wise men when they found Jesus and worshipped Him, and what their example can teach us about getting worship right today.
The message from our Christmas Eve service at Wheaton Bible Church. Listen in as Pastor Rob Bugh shares some thoughts about the nativity and how we can relate.
In a world filled with suffering, joy can seem illusive. Yet, as the the shepherds in the story of Christ's birth demonstrate, the key to experiencing joy is not in living a problem-free life. Pastor Rob explains three ways these first-hand witnesses found and embraced the news of Christ's birth, modeling for all of us a path to true peace and joy.
As we continue into the celebration of Advent, Pastor Lon explains that the miracle of Christ's birth was filled with both peaks and valleys for those personally involved. Looking at the life of Mary, he explains how great joy—but also fears and even suffering—are a part of the story of all people who choose the risk and adventure of following God's call.
As we enter the season of Advent, Pastor Rob looks at the subject of joy—one of the most illusive longings of the human heart. He explains that all Scripture is an account of joy lost, recovered, and completed, and nowhere is this demonstrated more fully than in the birth of Jesus Christ. Looking to the account of Elizabeth and Zachariah, he explores how even in the face of suffering, discouragement, and fear, God’s people can experience deep-seated, sustained delight.
As we conclude this series from 1st John, we look at the final verse on idolatry—which many believe cements all the teachings that precede it. Pastor Wil begins by explaining what idolatry really is, and then explores how this one sin can stand in the way of fully loving God and others.
All humans, even the most secular, exercise faith on a daily basis—whether we’re eating a meal, driving in traffic, or opening our computers. But there’s a special kind of faith displayed by those who follow Jesus Christ, and it’s that faith Pastor Rob describes as he continues our series in 1 John. It’s a faith, he says, that is to the soul, what oxygen is to the body—a faith that overcomes the world.
The English language uses the word "love" in many contexts—from affection to friendship to romance. As we continue in our series of studies in 1 John, Pastor Lon defines these kinds of love—as well as the supernatural "agape" love that God has shown to us, and that we, as recipients of His transforming love, are able to show toward others.
Many people today say there is no absolute truth, Jesus can't be the only way to God, and that being good is more important than what you believe. But in this message Pastor Rob explains the importance of testing such thinking against the truth God has given—and gives an answer to these common arguments against the Gospel.
What John does in this letter, Pastor Rob says, is to clarify three ways we can know that we love God and that He lives in us: the truth test, the obedience test, the love test. In this sixth message in our Love Works series, Pastor Rob Bugh focuses on the love test, and how our love—toward God and toward others—reflects hearts and lives transformed by Christ.
On our second MissionsFest Sunday—focusing on our own community—Pastor Lon reminded us of God’s call to “welcome the foreigner.” From Colossians 4, he reminded us of the power of prayer and our potential to represent Christ through our actions and words—and that we each have a part in God’s grand mission to restore a broken world!
Looking at all that is happening in our world today, people are beginning to wonder, How much horror can we handle? If God is sovereign, Pastor Rob says, this is not the time to hunker down in fear, but to serve and respond with hope, and live out our love for God before a watching world.
Continuing our studies in 1 John, Pastor Hanibal takes a fresh look at worldiness, reminding us what worldliness is, what it is not, and three reasons why it is possible for us—as His children—to resist the strong desires for things of this world that might otherwise defeat us.
The New Testament book of 1 John, Pastor Rob says, keeps returning to two central themes: loving God and loving others. In chapter 2 we discover how our love, or lack of love, for others reveals the authenticity of the faith in Him that we profess—but it is only as we recognize the depth of His love for us that we are truly able to love others.
The joy promised to Christians isn't an occassional, "hit or miss" joy, but one that is permanent and complete. Pastor Rob continues this series from 1 John by looking at three ingredients of joy: basic beliefs of those who experience fellowship with Jesus Christ.
This message introduces this 10-week series on the New Testament book of 1st John—105 verses that explain how to live out the two great distinctives of the Christian faith—loving God and loving others. Pastor Rob begins by walking through the four ways John tells us we, as believers, demonstrate our love of God.
The Bible, from beginning to end, is a radical, theological treatise on generosity. Pastor Rob begins this message with a reminder that God is the most generous being in the universe and then explains why—as Christians—a lifestyle of generosity matters to Him and to others.
Thanks to amazing technological advances, we can connect with others at the touch of a button at any time of day. Yet research shows that more people feel alone than ever before. Pastor Phil looks at our fear of stepping into deep community, and the huge benefits as Christian disciples of taking that risk.
Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden and hid from God, humans have tried to hide from Him—and from one another. In this message, Pastor Rob talks about Christian community, God's radical solution to growth and openness with Him and others, and how we can experience this in our own lives.
Pastor Chris begins this message by sharing about his early days as a Christian and an improbable invitation to serve that changed the direction of his life. He then talks about one of Christ's best-known miracles and how He commanded His disciples to take part, joining Him in serving others.
Many people aspire to greatness, and that included the disciples of Jesus Christ. But as Pastor Lon explains, the clear path He laid out for them in Matthew 20 was not what they were expecting. In fact, His words challenged the norms of their culture and every society that has followed—including our own.
Whether it's stopping things we shouldn't be doing, or starting and sustaining the things we should, self-control can make or break our lives. As we conclude our series, Pastor Rob explores what the Scriptures say to believers about this final Fruit of the Spirit—and why it is far less a matter of the will than a focus on the desires of our hearts.
“Gentleness,” Pastor Phil Shields reminds us, “isn’t a form of weakness, but a God-like trait that is full of power.” It’s a trait, he adds, that Jesus models toward us—and when we reflect His gentleness toward those around us, our attitudes and actions can impact the lives of others now, and for eternity!
“God’s people, infused with His gifts—His fruits,” Pastor Lon says, “is exactly what our world needs.” But what does a God-led, fruit-filled life look like, and how is it possible? Continuing our Fruit of the Spirit series, he examines the fruit of faithfulness, and how God can empower us to be faithful to others and to Him.
Continuing our Fruit of the Spirit series, we are reminded that God intends for His followers to be conformed to the image of His Son—and He provides us with the fruits of the Spirit as a picture of what that looks like in our lives. Turning to the fruits of goodness and kindness, Pastor Lon explains how we can foster a sincere desire for other peoples' welfare and take actions that advance their well-being
With instant entertainment, communication, and commerce, we live in an increasingly impatient culture. Yet God calls His people to exhibit spiritual fruit which can only build slowly and steadily over time. Pastor Rob looks at James 5 for a better understanding of the value of waiting—and even pain—in the lives who love and follow God.
In the midst of relational turmoil and difficult circumstances it's easy to be anxious—especially surrounding the things we're devoted to. As Pastor Phil continues our series on the fruit of the spirit, he looks to Scripture to reveal the secret to seeing peace grow and flourish in your life.
God wants us all to be captured by joy even in the midst of all life throws our way. How can such a thing be possible? Pastor Lon explains this seemingly unbeliveable call as he presents this second message in our series on the Fruit of the Spirit.
The moment we come to Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to reside within us—and He changes us! He grows His fruit inside us as we allow Him to work. Today Pastor Rob begins our studies on the Fruit of the Spirit as they are found in Galatians, chapter 5, starting with love.
While we hear a steady stream of bad, even frightening, news coming out of the Middle East, Tom Doyle shares the exciting story of changed hearts and lives as Muslims in the region are coming to Christ in record numbers. In spite of harsh persecution and suffering, the message of the Gospel is taking root through the bold witness of those who are willing to suffer, even die, for their faith.
Concluding our two-part series on Gospel Parenting, Pastor Wil Franco looks to the Gospel of Matthew for a message that speaks to parents and non-parents alike: We are all called to the same thing: making disciples. He goes on to describe three resources that are available to help us in this mission.
As he introduces a two-part series of messages on Gospel-centered parenting, Pastor Rob contrasts our culture's emphasis on behavior and performance with parenting that focuses on the heart of the Gospel: our radical brokenness and God's radical love.
Pastor Lon begins this message with a beautiful reminder that it is through us, His children, that God mothers and fathers the world. Turning to the Old Testament account of Esther, he explores her role in protecting and advocating for her people—and the example she is for all of us in reflecting God's love and power.
As we conclude this series on the parable of The Prodigal Son, Pastor Rob looks at the father and the love he shows to both his sons. He then looks at four aspects of God's love pictured in this story, and how they illustrate the breadth and beauty of His love for us through Jesus.
Jesus is a storyteller, Pastor Lon says, and one of his best-known stories is the Parable of the Prodigal Son. In part two of our three-week study of that parable, we're focusing on the elder brother: a rule keeper, the "good" son—and a character with which many of us will identify.
On this day of celebration, Pastor Rob talks about hope—and the role it plays in every human soul. While hope in our society today appears to be on the decline, he explains how what happened on Easter can provide each of us with unparalleled positive expectations for the future.
Entering into what is known as Holy Week, we join millions of Christians around the world in reflecting on the amazing historical events leading up to Christ’s death and resurrection. Following Christ’s joyous and celebrated entry into Jerusalem, we know things moved quickly. And in this Palm Sunday message, Pastor Rob looks at what occurred the very next day—and how Christ’s actions on that Monday set the tone for what would follow—and still offer powerful insights for us today.
As we conclude our series in Galatians, Pastor Rob offers a powerful reminder of the freedom that Christ bought through His death and resurrection—and how that impacts our lives as we first place our faith in Him, and in every day that follows.
As we continue our series on the freedom that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, Pastor Rob turns to one of the most practical sections in the book of Galatians. Recognizing that Christians live with an ongoing battle against our sinful nature, he walks through six specific characteristics that mark a life being changed by the Spirit.
Our culture has many definitions for the word freedom. But in the book of Galatians, Pastor Hanibal says, that term has a very specific meaning—one that can empower Christ-followers to break free of their bonds and experience real freedom in every area of their lives.
A longing for freedom is common to all people in every place. As we continue our series in Galatians, Pastor Lon talks about the greatest freedom of all—freedom of the soul. He begins with Paul's heartfelt cry at the start of chapter 5: "It was for freedom that Christ set us free."
As he continues our studies in Galatians, Pastor Rob looks at how Paul's letter reflects his deep love and care for the young church as it is threatened by manipulative false teachers—and how Paul's tough but caring message to the Galatians brings a critically important warning to the Church today.
Idolatry is not a normal desire for something evil but an over desire for something good. As we study Galatians 4:8—20, Pastor Rob invites us to take a deeper look into our hearts and search for any idols that may be taking us away from Him. Additionally, Pastor Rob gives a few tips we can use to combat against idolatry in our lives and choose Him.
Continuing our series on the freedom found in the Gospel of Christ, Pastor Rob looks at two fundamental truths about a believer's new reality as a follower of Christ. Exploring texts in Galatians and Romans, he examines both our union with Christ and our adoption as children of God.
Even in our increasingly irreligious culture, worth is most often based on performance. As Pastor Rob continues a series on the Freedom found in the Gospel of Christ, he looks at one of life's most critical questions: How does a person become right with God? The answer is one the Galatians and those of us who follow Christ today, too easily forget.
Continuing our studies in Galatians, Iglesia del Pueblo Lead Pastor Hanibal Rodriguez unpacks a tough-love message from the apostle Paul, warning the young church at Galatia about a perilous error that had crept into their beliefs.
If you are trying to gain God's approval by carefully obeying a set of rules, you'll want to listen closely to Pastor Lon's message from Galatians 2. There's nothing wrong with rules, he says, unless they are substituted for the truth of the Gospel and the pure freedom if offers to those who embrace it.
Continuing our series of Paul's letter to the Galatians, Pastor Lon examines the apostle's own story—of his dramatic conversion and his transformation from persecutor of Christians to become one of the most effective evangelists and teachers in the history of the Christian faith.
From its opening words, Paul's purpose in writing his letter to the Galatians is clear: this young church must never add anything to—or take anything away from—the redeeming Gospel of Jesus Christ. In this first message of an extended study of Galatians, Pastor Rob unpacks that core message of this powerful New Testament book.
Sometimes our best hopes for a new year are undone by our own wrong choices. Other times our good intentions fall victim to circumstances beyond our control. Whatever has caused your good intentions to falter in the past, Pastor Rob points us to the book of Genesis for a fresh vision for God in 2017.
The story of the first Christmas, laid out in Luke chapter 2, is one of the simplest, yet most dramatic stories ever told—an event that literally changed the course of human history. Pastor Lon shares the meaning of the Christmas story—not just for those whose stories are told—for all people past, present, and future.
God becoming man is considered to be "the greatest miracle of all miracles.” In this final Sunday of Advent, Pastor Rob looks to the beginning of 1 John, to confirm not only what Christmas is—but what it isn’t. He then looks to these verses to explain how the Incarnation transcends the self-centeredness of secularism and the self-righteousness of religion, to point us to something entirely different.
When Jesus—the Light of the World—enters our hearts, we are intimately connected with the God of the universe. But there's more, Pastor Lon reminds us: Just as our new life in Jesus transforms our relationship with God, it also transforms our relationships with others who walk in the light, as we share life together.
As we move toward the celebration of Christ's birth, Pastor Rob reminds us of the ways in which the lights of Christmas reflect our hearts' universal longing for beauty and truth. He then unpacks the profound claim of Jesus Christ: "I am the light of the world."
The One whose birth we celebrate on Christmas is called the Light of the World. On this first Sunday in Advent—the season when the church anticipates the celebration of Christ's birth—Pastor Rob looks to the opening chapter of the Gospel of John and what the arrival of this "light" means to all people, then and now.
In this conclusion to our series on God's Design for Marriage and Singleness, Pastor Rob explains how all of us can grow in Christ through our relationships with other believers—including our spouse. He then looks to Paul's words in Ephesians for three essential ingredients for accelerating this growth curve.
Just like buildings need to start with a firm foundation, so do our relationships. Pastor Ted continues our series on God’s Design for Marriage and Singleness by talking about ways we can assess whether a relationship’s foundation is firm or faulty, offering a special word of encouragement—and caution—to those who are building into their marriages.
Reminding us that all humans are relational beings, Pastor Hanibal looks at the remarkable guidelines set out in Scripture for all our relationships. Whether we are married or single, he outlines three things we need to understand and apply in order to build healthy relationships that flourish.
Pastor Rob Bugh kicks off a four-part series focusing on God’s Design for Marriage and Singleness. He begins by looking at how the world-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ transformed the relationships of those within the church—both married and single—and how God’s design for us and His Kingdom must continue to impact our view of community, marriage, and singleness.
Completing a series on our mission and values with a celebration of our local outreach, Pastor Chris McElwee focuses on the Great Commandment and challenges us, through the story of the Good Samaritan, to rethink what it means to love our neighbor.
The Kingdom of God is on the move, propelled forward by Christ Himself. Pastor Lon looks to Christ's directive in Matthew 9, to present a compelling and hopeful picture of how God continues to invite us into His work to reach the world with His love and grace.
We are a hospital, not a country club.” That statement—long heard around Wheaton Bible Church—has taken on even greater significance as our church has refined its mission and values. If that kind of humility is embraced in our lives, Pastor Rob says, it will change not only our church, but will transform our individual relationships as we allow others to see the Gospel at work in our lives.
Small Groups Pastor Phil Shields continues our exploration of the mission and values of our church, focusing on two of our values that relate to community life within the church. Pointing to the truth of Hebrews 10:19–25, Pastor Phil reminds us that the Gospel that transforms us and empowers us to live boldly for Christ, is meant to be lived in community with others, relationships in which we give and receive—spurring each other “toward love and good deeds” and “encouraging one another” in the long race of life.
Continuing our studies on the mission and values that guide us as a church, Pastor Rob explores the implications of two central truths: 1) Everyone is called to all-the-time ministry, and 2) Healthy believers go deep and wide. Grasping the meaning of these two values will make a profound difference in our everyday lives—wherever we are and whatever we are doing.
As our mission clarifies what we are trying to accomplish, our values help guide us along the way. Pastor Rob continues our series as he talks about the values of Spirit Dependence and Sending. Looking at two promises Christ made regarding the Holy Spirit and His presence among ordinary believers in every age, he explores the true meaning of sending—reminding us that Christ was sent, so that we in turn could be sent to others.
As we begin this foundational 7-week series, Pastor Rob looks at the three inseparable strands of our mission as a church; that more and more people would love God, grow together, and reach the world. He then looks at the first of twelve core values that drive us—the centrality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all that we are and do.
Spoiler alert: The book of Jeremiah records no happy ending to the prophet's forty-five year ministry. Right up to the end, his earnest pleadings continue to be ignored, and the promised dire consequences result. But Jeremiah remained unshaken, offering an example to God's people down through the centuries of endurance, encouragement, and hope—whatever the circumstances, no matter the cost.
What will satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts? As he concludes our studies in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, Pastor Rob finds the answer to that vitally important question in promises God made to His prophet Jeremiah—promises that point to eternal realities that can transform our lives today and throughout our forever future.
Conquered and exiled into Babylon, God's people experienced the consequences of their disobedience and rebellion toward Him. With their beloved city Jerusalem sacked, they have been taken as captives into a foreign land. But God is not done with them, and through His prophet Jeremiah, He provides instructions for their new life as exiles—guidance that holds great wisdom for God's people today.
As he continues our series of studies in the book of Jeremiah, Pastor Rob explains why the prophet made a risky real estate purchase and how God used that transaction to send a powerful message about Himself and His faithfulness toward His people.
Throughout our studies in Jeremiah, we've seen the prophet face overwhelming adversity and suffering as he called a disobedient and rebellious nation to turn back to God. But in Jeremiah chapter 31, Pastor Rob says, we find a pivotal message of hope—one that demonstrates the mix of law-giving and love that mark the complex character of our God. But far more, it lays out an amazing promise that we can claim in our lives today.
In this political season when so many are confused, even anxious, about the future, we find clarity and comfort as Pastor Wil unpacks the message of Jeremiah 23, where the prophet focuses his message on the leaders of his day.
In Jeremiah chapter 25, we find this faithful prophet—after more than 23 years of pleading with God's people to turn back to Him-—only halfway through his difficult life's calling. Pastor Lon looks to this model of endurance for encouragement to meet the challenges we face today, then concludes his message with a dire warning for those who ignore God's insistent call.
When Jeremiah spoke God's truth into the culture of his day—calling Judah back to God—the rejection and suffering he experienced was staggering. But even as he cried out to God in his anguish, Jeremiah demonstrates the kind of strength and perseverance that we too can experience in the midst of an increasingly chaotic world.
We are a people consumed with our own pursuits—building into and seeking to control our own lives, families, careers, and purposes. As Pastor Rob continues our series in Jeremiah, he looks at a powerful passage that reminds us of who is truly in power over our lives and destiny—and that He is someone we can trust.
The prophecies of God's messenger Jeremiah foretold a bleak future for God's hard-hearted and disobedient people—graphically describing the judgment and misery that was to come. But embedded in that bleak prophecy is a message of hope, offering a path of rescue and restoration for the sin-trapped people of Jeremiah's day and for all who need to be rescued by a loving Savior.
Special guest Kevin Harney, founder of Organic Outreach International, offers inspiring words and practical suggestions on how we as God's people can scatter the seed of Christ's love to those around us—with joy—every day.
Jeremiah had a tough assignment: deliver a harsh message to a rebellious and hard-hearted nation. Turning our attention to Jeremiah 7, Pastor Rob examines what God’s messenger had to say in his second message to the nation of Israel—and the bleak future it painted for God’s disobedient people.
Pastor Phil Shields examines a difficult message Jeremiah was called to deliver early on in his prophetic ministry—warning a nation that had turned its back on God of the grave consequences that will result from their unfaithfulness and continued disobedience.
As we begin our Unshaken series, focusing on the life and message of Jeremiah, Pastor Lon introduces us to "God's prophet to the nations," a man who faced some of life's greatest difficulties and challenges but nevertheless remained steadfast in his God-given purpose and mission.
As we conclude our series on Redeeming Work, we are reminded that when our work is fueled by faith, we are joining Jesus in His mission of healing a broken world. Looking to the life of Joseph, Pastor Rob explains the importance of understanding the culture in which God has placed us, how to develop a vision for what we do each day, and the one thing that makes redemptive work a possibility.
The majority of people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ say they were influenced most, not by a pastor at church, but by someone they encountered in their everyday world. Pastor Lon looks to the life of Daniel to show how we, too, can all use our daily work—whether at home, in our communities, or on the job—to bring others closer to God.
God created work and designed it to be meaningful for us and beneficial to others. Yet, in our broken world, work—for so many of us—is hard and unrewarding. Pastor Lon looks to Genesis 3 to explain why work has become so difficult, and suggests four ways we can begin to reclaim new joy and purpose in what we do each day.
Whether mother, manager, or mail carrier, as Christ's people we are called to merge our faith with our everyday lives—no matter what type of work fills our days. In this second message in our Redeeming Work series, Pastor Rob turns to the Old Testament book of Jeremiah to point us to a central truth that can greatly influence our work and our impact on the people we encounter in our daily lives.
As we begin our Redeeming Work series, Pastor Rob explains that every believer has been tasked with using our daily work for the glory of God and for the blessing of others. God Himself is always at work, Rob says, and offers us practical ways we can join Him in using our gifts, skills, and energies—not in drudgery, but with joy.
Throughout history, Pastor Rob tells us, envy has been recognized as a deadly emotion, causing people not only to resent the good things others have, but also creating a longing to see their happiness destroyed. An example from the life of King Saul helps us understand why envy is such a problem—even for Christ followers—and shows us the key to eradicating envy from our lives.
Anger is a common—and destructive—emotion, both in our own lives and in the lives of human beings throughout the world. But there are two kinds of anger, Pastor Rob explains: one, which is clearly sin, and another that we can lovingly embrace on behalf of God and His Kingdom agenda.
Every one of us experiences discouragement—whether it be relational, situational, physical, or spiritual. Pastor Wil explains that the real question is what we can do about it. Continuing a series on dealing with troubling emotions, he looks to Psalm 43 for a three-part process to help us uncover and irradiate discouragement from our lives on a daily basis.
Our world is full of people who are overwhelmed by worry—and we are no exception. Too often we experience anxiety and fear over things we can't control. The good news, Pastor Rob says, is that Jesus Himself understood our tendency to worry, and in His words, recorded in Matthew 6, we find three specific ways to help us evict worry from our lives.
Jesus is risen! The historical event of Jesus' Resurrection is a life-altering, paradigm-shattering historical reality. But much more, Pastor Rob reminds us, the Easter story is a story with a soul—a story of God's love for all people, which is our only basis for hope in an increasingly troubled and chaotic world.
On Good Friday, the question we might naturally ask is: What can possibly be “good” about the betrayal, the trials, and the crucifixion of Jesus? From a human perspective, there is nothing good about the suffering and death of our Lord, but in this Good Friday meditation, Pastor Rob reminds us how the events of that day mark a crucial turning point in the history of mankind, as God’s plan to rescue and restore our broken lives unfolds.
On the day of His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Jesus stirred a deep longing in the hearts of those who waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna—a longing for a Good King, who would rescue them from their pain, their oppressors, and their troubles. But sadly, like many today, they missed the truth of who He is and the hope He offers to transform not only their present circumstances, but also their eternity.
Concluding ten weeks of studies in the book of Acts, Pastor Rob examines one of the greatest evangelistic moments in Scripture. He tells the powerful story of how the apostle Paul turned his personal pain and imprisonment into a platform for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and points to what we can learn from Paul's unshakeable purpose.
Even good things—like family, approval, comfort, jobs, happiness, security—can become a problem for us when they move into the ultimate place in our lives. That problem, Pastor Rob says, is called idolatry. It's something Paul addressed in the early church at Ephesus and his words to those believers have real application to our lives today.
The believers in the early church were so full of God's love they were unstoppable in sharing their faith with others. Pastor Lon describes three ways they were a witness of Christ's love to those around them—three biblical actions we can put into practice every day.
When you discover something great, you can hardly keep from sharing it. Pastor Lon looks at the amazing promise found in Acts 2:38-39 and explains how those in the early church who had experienced the over-whelming, never ending love of God, shared the Gospel so fervently it was soon "bearing fruit and growing throughout the world."
Looking at the second half of Acts 11, Pastor Rob explores the amazing account of how the Gospel of Christ spread beyond the geographic boundaries of Israel to ignite one of the greatest spiritual awakenings of all time—reaching hundreds of thousands of people in the nearby metropolitan area of Antioch, through the witness of ordinary people like you and me.
This hope-filled series continues to remind us of what made the first-century church so humble, fearless, and unstoppable—as Pastor Rob looks at the theology of conversion and the amazing transition of the Acts Church into a world-wide movement of God.
As he continues our studies in the book of Acts, Pastor Lon examines the amazing story of what happened when the enemies of the young church tried to shut down its explosive growth—but their efforts backfired, making it clearer than ever that the God-given power that fuels His Church is truly unstoppable.
Every local church that is living out its faith "to the maximum" shares five common characteristics. Pastor Lon looks to Acts chapter 2 to see how those powerful traits played out in and around the first church and how we can witness the same world-changing impact today.
The presence of Holy Spirit in your life, Pastor Rob says, is the most important thing about you. And just as the Spirit's miraculous life-giving power transformed fearful fishermen into fearless men of faith, it is the Spirit's presence within you that will enable you to become the person God wants you to be.
The book of Acts, Pastor Rob says, answers the questions of those who are wondering about the truth of who Jesus is and why they should follow Him—starting with the facts surrounding the miraculous Resurrection of Jesus and His Ascension into heaven.
There is no more exciting and joyful way to live, Pastor Ted reminds us, than a lifestyle of grace-fueled generosity—telling the story of the Gospel to those around us through concrete actions that demonstrate the gift of God's grace.
As we move closer to the celebration of Christmas, Pastor Rob looks at the world-altering reality behind the well-known picture of a baby in a manger. A signal to all mankind that “Help has arrived!” this divine birth is a pivotal moment in God’s solution to humanity’s most significant problem.
In an unsettling and troubled world—when events happening all around us can bring worry about what the future holds—Pastor Rob reminds us that this is not the final chapter. "There is a Redeemer," he says, "Who won't be satisfied until all things are made new—starting with you and me.
On this second Sunday of Advent, Pastor Lon tells the story the most unimaginable gift of all time—far more extravagant than anything we could long for this Christmas: the never-earned, never-ending overwhelming love of God.
In an increasingly troubled world, difficult circumstances can cause us to lose sight of God's healing and grace. Pastor Rob begins a new series that reminds us of the here-and-now power of Jesus Christ and the world's most important story.
Concluding our Leaning Upstream sermon series, Pastor Rob examines texts throughout the New Testament that affirm that racism—valuing one race over another—is a sin and that the diversity of humanity is to be celebrated not tolerated.
When Adam and Eve did the one thing God told them not to do, decay and brokenness were introduced into the perfection of His Creation. But that's not the end of the story. The curse of thorns and thistles, earthquakes and hurricanes, will one day end, Pastor Lon reminds us, and even now there's a role for each of us in tending earth's beauty and managing its rich resources.
Forcibly displaced from their homes, this year alone more than 59 million people will officially become refugees—half of whom are under age 18. In the face of such overwhelming injustice, how do God's people respond? Pastor Chris looks to Isaiah 58 to make some guesses as to what God might tell the Church in DuPage County today.
As Pastor Rob examines the massive tragedy of sexual abuse and exploitation taking place in our world today, he points to a biblical account of just such a sin, and reminds us of the staggering difference between disgrace and God's grace that offers the only path to hope and healing, both for the victim—and for the perpetrator—of sexual violence.
"The Bible," says Dr. Daniel Carroll, "is full of stories about migration—people leaving their homes and native lands in search of food and safety." Dr. Carroll's message on our Local Impact MissionsFest Sunday reminds us of the growing relevance of those biblical stories and metaphors in our culture and in the lives of those who are followers of Jesus Christ.
Henri Aoun—born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, and now a missionary to the Muslim world—kicks off MissionsFest 2015, sharing dramatic stories of God at work in the Middle East, "reconciling the world to Himself" through the strategic and creative witness of His people.
As we continue our series on living out biblical convictions in the face of cultural norms, Pastor Chris offers a surprising word on the kind of worship that pleases God. Looking to Isaiah chapter 1, he details the special care God requires us to extend to widows and the fatherless--and the great care Christ Himself showed to those with special needs.
In the fifth in a series of messages on some of the most challenging cultural issues of our day, Pastor Rob addresses the subject of abortion, laying out two foundational truths that will clarify our thinking and our response to this critically important issue.
Tackling tough issues relating to sex and gender from the perspective of the Gospel, Pastor Lon examines God's design for human sexuality and the devastating consequences that result when sexual temptations pull men and women away from God's perfect plan and into sexual sin.
Speaking into the cultural debate surrounding the issue of homosexuality, Pastor Rob looks at what the Scriptures teach about homosexual behavior within the larger context of the Gospel—which doesn’t divide people into categories but is a message of repentance and belief, and a call to holiness, for everyone.
This is the second in a 10-part series of messages examining current cultural issues from a biblical perspective. Explaining that God is for marriage, for singleness, and for healthy relationships in community, Pastor Rob looks at three misconceptions about marriage in our society today and two ways even those within the Church can embrace an unhealthy view toward singleness.
This message opens a 10-week series on some of the most difficult issues facing our culture today—and explains how the Gospel of Jesus Christ forms the framework for responding with clear, biblical convictions. Pastor Rob begins by offering two foundational principles that can help us speak God’s truth, demonstrate His love, and also understand the role we play as Christians in helping our culture and our communities flourish.
The New Testament speaks of the Church both as a body and as a building made of "living stones." Both, Pastor Rob says, are beautiful pictures of the unity, connectedness, and interdependence God intends us to experience within His Church in order to prepare us for our vital mission of blessing a broken and waiting world.
When Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, Pastor Ted Coniaris reminds us, He turned the social norm of the day upside down, introducing His followers to a whole new way of thinking and living—a new set of Kingdom realities under which the greatest become the least and the most powerful are unleashed to serve the powerless.
Starting in Genesis and all through the Bible, God calls His people to live on mission. Pastor Hanibal examines that call and what it looks like when we l put that kind of missional living into action in our everyday lives.
Pastor Rob continues a foundational series on the mission of Wheaton Bible Church by focusing on Christ's call to all believers to "grow together" as we live in a community of radical love.
The mission God has given to Wheaton Bible Church—to love God, grow together, and reach the world—gets at why we exist as a church. But it is only as we personalize that mission, Pastor Rob says, that it will begin to impact our lives 24/7, in every relationship, wherever we are.
Pastor Rob concludes our series of studies in the Psalms by looking at the great comfort found in Psalm 121, and God's promise to rescue and empower His people--in spite of life's anxieties and struggles.
Understanding the amazing backstory of Psalm 34, makes David's declaration of faith and praise in this psalm even more remarkable and powerful for us today.
Every thunderstorm is a worship service, Pastor Rob says, when viewed through the lens of Psalm 29. In the violent turbulence of a storm a vivid picture of God's awesome power and majesty is revealed.
When he calls Psalm 150 "a psalm of ecstatic praise," Pastor Lon refers to the beautiful picture this Psalm paints of those times when reason and emotion come together in exuberant "all in" adoration of our great and powerful Creator God.
It’s not a sin to be sad, Pastor Lon says in this sermon based on Psalm 42—a psalm that is labeled, “a psalm of lament.” But even in our sadness, we can, and must, continue to place our hope in God.
We all experience the dirt and brokenness of sin in our lives. And no matter how hard we try, says Pastor Phil Shields, our efforts to fix ourselves are like putting duct tape over the problem—a faulty solution that won't last. But Psalm 51 shows us the path to recovery from the mess sin makes of our lives.
As we continue in our series in the Psalms, Pastor Ted Coniaris leads us through Psalm 139—exploring three glimpses of the incomprehensible greatness of God and David's unexpected response.
What does it look like when ordinary people practice the kind of constant meditation on God's Word that Psalm 1 prescribes? That's the question Pastor Rob addresses as he examines this pivotal text and the blessings it promises to those who will diligently seek after God.
Concluding this series, Pastor Rob examines the eighth and final of the Beatitudes—which formed the foundation of Christ's teachings on how to live a truly happy life—with this unexpected truth: Blessed are those who are persecuted.
As Christ introduced the platform for His Kingdom in Matthew 5, the Jews had been under political oppression for 600 years. In this seventh message on the Beatitudes, teaching pastor Lon Allison considers the reaction of Christ's audience when they learned that peacemakers will be called the children of God.
Pastor Rob Bugh continues our series on the Beautitudes—offering us snapshots of a life radically transformed by Christ—and the happiness offered to those who are pure in heart.
"Blessed are the merciful," Jesus tells us. Why? Because those who clearly understand and actively practice true mercy will get most other things in life right.
Continuing in this series on the Beatitudes—the sermon of Jesus Christ that set the tone for all that He and His ministry would be about--we turn a corner to a blessing that impacts not only us, but the whole world.
In the Beatitudes, Pastor Rob says, Jesus gives us a series of snapshots of what people look like when His new life has entered into them, and how radically different His Kingdom is from the worldly culture in which we live.
What does Jesus mean when He tells his followers, "Blessed are those who mourn"? How can mourning lead to happiness and blessing? That's the question Pastor Rob examines as he describes the kind of mourning that can bring us deep and lasting joy.
Are you hungry for happiness? Jesus addresses how we can experience lasting happiness, unaffected by our circumstances or external events—beginning with a realization of our total dependence on Him.
"Will you follow Jesus?" That's the question each of us must answer when confronted with the historic reality of Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. How we answer impacts how we'll live today and how we'll spend eternity.
Jesus came, He died, and He now lives—bringing hope to everyone who believes and receives His gift of grace. That’s what we celebrate during Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday when we recognize Jesus as King, followed by Good Friday when we reflect on His death in our place on the Cross, and then the glory of Easter, Resurrection Sunday, when we praise the Risen Lord, who lives and offers us new life in Him.
Just like the crowds in Jerusalem—who waved palm branches and praised Jesus but didn't really understand who He was—we also can miss a central fact about who Jesus is, why He came, and the real reason He is worthy of our worship and praise.
The life of David was marked by a series of spiritual ups and downs, Pastor Rob reminds us. But in the end, this "man after God's own heart" finished well, and was a powerful influence on the future of the nation he led, serving as a godly example for his people and for the generations that would follow.
We live in a culture that celebrates success, but the truth is that everyone experiences failure—including the great King David, whose response to his own failure shows us the path to recovery from ours.
In David's song of praise, recorded in 2 Samuel 22, the powerful king reveals the source of his strength and the core of his identity: an unshakable dependence on God's rescuing love and grace.
What does it look like to forgive and be forgiven? Events In the last decade of David's life demonstrate the power of forgiveness to transform our hearts and set us free.
In an act of truly extravagant love, David reached out to a man named Mephibosheth—an heir of the murderous King Saul, who would normally have been considered his enemy. David brought him into his own household, treating him as a son, an act that foreshadows the loving, forgiving, restoring One to come, Jesus Christ.
There isn't a single person alive, Pastor Rob says, who doesn't live with regrets. But the story of David's confession and repentance, and God's forgiveness and restoration, brings hope to all who live under the burden of guilt.
David's sin with Bathsheba—and all that came after—is a warning to us all, Pastor Rob says, of the potential for wickedness that exists within the human heart, and how easily compromise and cover-up can culminate in extraordinary evil
As we continue our studies on the life of David, Pastor Lon now introduces us to "the David we don't want to meet" — the David whose sin will have devastating consequences for this great king, his family, and the people God called him to lead.
When David decides it's time to build a house for God, he learns that God's plan for us is not about what we can do for Him but what He—in His limitless power and love—will do for us: surrounding us with His presence and flooding our lives with His grace.
There is nothing in life, Pastor Lon says, that matters as much as getting God right, And at the center of "getting God right" is a right understanding of how we are to approach Him: in awe-struck worship.
The tumultuous story of David's ascent to the throne as king over Israel offers us important lessons about power—its potential and its peril—and how it can bring good or evil into our own life and the lives of others.
Some of the changes that come into our lives are positive, but many are unwanted—even painful. There were elements of both in the critical transition that David faced upon the deaths of King Saul and Saul's son, Jonathan. In David's experience we find important lessons on how we can better face difficult turning points in our own lives.
The Scriptures that follow the telling of the Christmas story hold a truth that can transform worry into peace. It's the peace we all need, Pastor Phil Shields says, as the challenges and opportunities of a new year loom before us.
Pastor Rob Bugh explains that we are like a child who opens a beautiful Christmas present, but focuses instead on playing with the box. We concentrate on “horizontal” peace, looking for relational peace, international peace, and a life without longing, but ignore the “vertical” peace the angels announced on Christmas—the best gift ever given.
We have a "peace problem," Pastor Rob says. Our world is peace starved, and in the heart of each person is a hunger for peace. The good news of the Christmas story is that peace can be found—peace we can experience no matter our health, our finances, our relationships, or any other circumstances in our lives.
There is a way, Pastor Lon Allison says, that we can experience the "Peace on Earth" that the angels announced on the night of Jesus birth. In this message he shares two truths that will lead us from lives of stress and tension to the inner peace we crave.
As we seek to experience "Peace on Earth" this Christmas, Pastor Rob reminds us of the key to bringing peace in our relationships with those who share our workplaces, our homes, our neighborhoods, and other areas of our lives—by releasing the most potent force in the universe.
With turmoil raging globally, nationally, and for many people, personally, the idea of “Peace on Earth” seems unrealistic, if not impossible. But the angels spoke the truth, Pastor Lon tells us, and the peace they proclaimed on that first Christmas night can be ours—both now and forever.
When life goes wrong—when problems multiply and solutions are elusive—where do you turn? When David found himself in that kind of "wilderness" situation and it appeared that all was lost, he turned to God. There he found the kind of compassion, generosity, and grace that can radically transform our wilderness and also give us hope to enter the wilderness of others.
Even David, who was destined to be Israel's greatest King, faced significant disappointment in his life. But even though he gave into discouragement and took his eyes off God's plan, David's experience teaches us important lessons about God and how we can respond to difficult circumstances in our own lives.
Being wronged by another person can be one of life's most difficult circumstances—especially for those who seek to live lives of obedience to God. In the story of David, we find a man who knew the extremes of what it means to be treated unfairly, but who refused to repay evil for evil and instead extended grace to those who wronged him.
There are moments in our lives Pastor Rob says, when we get fearful, even desperate. David experienced that kind of desperate fear as he ran for his life from a murderously angry King Saul, and in David's story Rob identifies the truth that will transform us when our own fears threaten to overwhelm.
Guest speaker Dr. Amy Sherman is an author and strategist who is one of the leading thinkers among evangelicals in the area of faith-based community development. In our second week of MissionsFest, she explains how entire communities are blessed when God's people are passionately committed to His purposes in the communities where they live.
Dr. David Garrison, Global Strategist for Evangelical Advance with the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board talks about those areas of the world that are the most unreached today with the Gospel of Christ—yet God is doing utterly amazing things in those places. He shares stories from China, India, and the Middle East, contending that God is fulfilling the words found in Habakkuk 1:5; by doing “something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”
In the story of a group of distressed and discontented misfits who became David's mighty army, Pastor Lon Allison finds parallels to God's mighty warriors today and to the One David foreshadowed Who brings the ultimate victory and peace to a lost and broken world.
In the friendship of David and Jonathan, Pastor Hanibal Rodriguez finds a picture of what godly friendship looks like and explores some of the barriers that keep us from experiencing the kind of friendships God wants for us.
In 1 Samuel 18, the relationship between David and King Saul takes a serious turn for the worse as envy poisons Saul's heart. From the story of Saul's life Pastor Rob explores the damage envy can cause if left unchecked and points us to the antidote to envy that can rescue us from this destructive emotion.
The story of David and Goliath offers the obvious moral lesson that "David took on his giant and I can too." But Pastor Rob explores deeper and ultimately more important principles in this story that have great significance to each of us today.
The story of Saul—one of the most sober but most helpful stories in the Bible—shows us a man of great promise and power who self-destructed because fear and insecurity led to a failure to take God seriously.
David, the forgotten son, points us to Jesus, the greater forgotten son who became small to rescue us from our appearance addiction.
Independence and self-sufficiency—characteristics celebrated in our culture—are the very things that can keep us from fully investing ourselves in community with God's people, the Church. But in Philippians chapter 2, we discover the key to a whole new way of living in unity and service toward others—not focused on ourselves and our own needs but humbly committed to living in community with others.
In Psalm 23, we discover what the shepherding love of God for His people looks like—loving, gentle, intimate, sacrificial, and all-sufficient to meet every need of defenseless sheep, who are sometimes overcommitted, often arrogant and self-centered, prone to wander, and daily in need of His grace.
God knows we live in a sinful, fallen, and broken world. For that reason He has given us Psalm 88, so we can navigate life—and so we can help others—when things go terribly wrong, when the lights go out and life gets dark. In this message, Pastor Rob shares four things this psalm teaches us about trouble and three ways we should respond when trouble threatens to overwhelm.
At this moment, we may be experiencing the heights of hope. But it's just as likely that today or sometime soon we could find ourselves in the depths of despair, knocked down by fear and anxiety, or by the sorrow of loss, abandonment, false accusation, or possibly suffering the consequences of personal failure or wrong choices we've made. Whatever our reality is right now, the confident affirmations of Psalm 27 can raise us up as they turn our eyes and our hearts to God and His unfailing love.
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. There is no scale or measurement to quantify His great love for us. Community Life Pastor Ted Coniaris encourages us to ever praise and never forget what He has done for us and how He loves us.
Psalm 46, Pastor Lon reminds us, brings the consolation and clarity we need when the circumstances of life seem out of control. Whether our world is being rocked by natural disaster, nations in chaos, or personal crisis or loss, the message of the psalmist brings rest in times of trouble to God's people.
Envy. Anger. Doubt. Pastor Rob tells us what we can learn from the psalmist Asaph who experienced those feelings and doubted God but still placed his trust in Him. It's a story of redemption and grace in the life of a believer who almost lost His faith.
"The Psalms," says pastor Rob Bugh, "are David's spiritual journal of his walk with God." As we begin a series examining David's faith as expressed in the Psalms, Rob Bugh outlines the five marks of authentic faith as reflected in Psalms 63 and challenges us to exhibit the faith of David.
As Jesus was on trial for his life in the court of the high priest, His disciple Peter was facing a trial of his own in the courtyard below. Examining the verses in Mark 14 where these trials are recorded raises the question of what our own response might be when faced with this kind of testing: will we protect ourselves like Peter or will we surrender, as Jesus did, in obedience to God's purpose and plan?
Who or what do you love? That's the question Pastor Hanibal Rodrigues asks his listeners to consider as he examines three examples of extravagant love found in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 14: Mary's love of Jesus, Judas' love of money, and Jesus' love for us.
In Mark 13, Jesus shares with His disciples an ominous picture of the future—a time when it might appear that the entire world is spinning out of control. But along with that ominous prophecy of what is to come, Jesus illuminates the source of a confident and certain hope that will empower His followers to persevere through whatever trials may come.
In the closing verses of Mark chapter 12, Jesus warns his listeners not to be like the pompous and proud religious leaders of His day, who never recognized Who He was. Instead, He says, be like the poor widow, in whose example we can find the antidote to our fearfulness and the cure for our inability to fully put our trust in God.
In Mark 12, Jesus makes two statements that get to the core of what life is all about. Embracing these two simple, yet profound statements, and the principles they define, says Pastor Rob, will enable us to avoid meaningless effort and live purposeful, God-focused lives.
When you reject the beautiful grace of God, you will eventually face His just judgment. That's one reminder of many Pastor Phil teaches as he encourages us to destroy sin and cling to a holy God.
In the economy of God's Kingdom, the last are first, the weak are strong, and the greatest must first become the least. That isn't what Jesus' disciples were expecting to hear when they asked Him to reserve places of honor for them when He comes to reign in power and glory. His words to them—and to disciples today—radically redefine greatness as service not status, giving not gaining.
Mark 10 records a conversation Jesus had with a rich man, who asks Him, "What can I do to be saved?" Sadly, the man turns away when Jesus tells him to give away all his possessions "and follow Me." Reflecting on that story, Pastor Rob shares five important observations about how our possessions, our money, and our desire for status become idols that control us and keep us from treasuring what really matters.
Jesus, Mark 10 tells us, has a special love for children—and for all who come to Him as children do, with simple trust and wholehearted devotion. It is that kind child-like faith that the ushers both young and old alike into His eternal Kingdom.
When scheming religious leaders questioned Jesus on the subject of divorce, He responds to their trickery by teaching about God's beautiful plan for marriage.
In our Easter Sunday message, Pastor Rob examines the Resurrection of Jesus—the most important event in human history and the cornerstone of the Christian faith—and the well-documented factual support for the biblical account of Jesus' victory over death and the grave.
In His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem—what we commemorate on Palm Sunday—Jesus demonstrates that He is the King, that He is infinitely loving, and that He brings peace to those who will embrace Him and swear allegiance to His Kingdom.
In their confusion over who Jesus really was, Jesus' disciples were also confused about their own role as followers of a suffering Savior. Caught arguing over their own greatness, Jesus begins to teach them about His Kingdom's counter-cultural dynamic, where those who want to be first must be last and the greatest are the servants of all .
When Jesus' disciples experience significant spiritual failure, He teaches them—and us—the true source of spiritual power and how to access it.
When Jesus says "Follow Me," He is calling us as His disciples to forsake the American dream and embrace the Kingdom dream–living lives of radical discipleship that transcend adversity and transform a "Why me?" perspective on suffering and pain.
During Jesus ministry, He amazed the crowds who were drawn to Him – causing the blind to see and the deaf to ear. "Everything He does is wonderful," they said. In this text, we see how Jesus excelled in caring for individuals in need, for the masses, and for His disciples.
In this fascinating interaction between Jesus and the Gentile woman, Pastor Rob uncovers a story of remarkable faith—the kind of faith and dependence on Jesus that brings freedom and transformation in hearts and lives.
In these verses Jesus addresses the traditions of the Pharisees and teachers. Pastor Hanibal explains that traditions can be beautiful and dangerous. He suggests three ways to avoid making them dangerous: 1.) Confront with the truth 2.) Acknowledge our reality 3.) Believe the Good News.
Jesus and His disciples are worn out and depleted. He is grieving the death of John and the disciples have just returned from their two-by-two missions trips. Along with the twelve, we learn two powerful lessons: 1.) We can't live the Christ life unless Christ is living it in us. 2.) The law of God and the will of God is meant to kill any notion in us of self reliance.
We learn two significant truths about Jesus' rescue plan for the world as we read about the sending of the twelve and the death of John the Baptist: 1.) Jesus' strategy, His call, is disciple making, people reaching people. 2.) There is a cost to the call.
After demonstrating His power in Galilee, Jesus returns to His hometown and is rejected as the Messiah. Pastor Lon encourages us to keep praying for family and friends who might reject faith and to remember that although people might reject Jesus, He doesn't reject people.
In the three stories told in these verses we see Jesus delivering people from demons, healing from sickness, and raising from the dead. Pastor Rob explains that all three stories describe how faith overcomes fear and that no one is beyond the power or love of Jesus.
Everyone has a problem with fear. Pastor Lon examines how Jesus addressed the fear of His disciples during a storm and that although fear always will be present in life, we can embrace the truth that faith is the antidote to fear.
Pastor Rob continues our study in the Gospel of Mark, examining three brief parables that Jesus used to teach us about the Kingdom of God, about Himself, and about how He would have us live in order to align ourselves in the days ahead with His purposes and plans.
Jesus tells a parable about seeds and soils to describe the impact of the Gospel on a person's spiritual growth and transformation. In light of the importance of the soil (the heart) to growth, Pastor Ted asks us, "What is the condition of our hearts?"
Comfort and Joy is found in all circumstances when we clearly see the grace of Jesus. The Prince of Peace has come, He has been born, and He is giving grace every day.
Pastor Rob shares the mystery, miracle, and mission of the grace shown to us during the incarnation of Jesus.
Jesus was born to bring peace but along the way idols interfered with the comfort and joy found in the Prince of Peace. Pastor Rob identifies the problem, solution, and key response toward sustaining peace in your life.
Our source of comfort and joy should be Jesus' father-like love that never stops redeeming, caring for, and transforming us.
In Jesus the Mighty, All Power-Full God came to earth to heal, rescue, and restore people and creation.
Pastor Lon reminds us that we weren't meant to live alone. We were meant to have the Wonderful Counselor Jesus with us in the mental, physical, spiritual, and social dimensions of life.
True disciples count it a privilege to obey Jesus and do His will. Continuing our studies in Mark, Pastor Rob explains that this response comes as we feel the seriousness of our sin and grasp the immensity of Jesus' grace.
Jesus adds another dimension to His focus. Up to this point He had been attracting the public through miracles and large-group teachings; He had a "come and see" ministry. Now Jesus looks for and picks followers, showing us a "go and send" focus. Pastor Rob describes the steps Jesus took to pick His followers and also calls us to move from a "come and see" mindset to a "go and send" way of life.
God commands us in His Word to throw off every sin that keeps us from following Him. For most of us that sin is fear. Guest speaker Tom Doyle tells us that although many of us might fear Muslims, thousands are coming to a personal faith in Jesus everyday. Tom explains that it takes immediate, radical, and costly obedience to reach out to Muslims and shares exciting stories of what God is doing to bring this group to Himself.
Jesus uses the Sabbath laws to show how much He and God hate legalism, trying to be right by keeping rules. Pastor Rob explains that Jesus has authority over law and that authority involves grace, acceptance, and mercy. Legalism points to faults. Grace welcomes us with love.
In His call of Matthew, Jesus shows that He loves sinners, seeks them out, and desires to transform them. Pastor Rob reminds us that Jesus’ love and grace in our lives empowers us to respond to His call to love and go to sinners.
The Colossians were missing the value of the Gospel; they didn’t fully understand that the Gospel is the foundation of everything. It shapes our mission and sends us. Guest speaker Dr. Ed Stetzer asks us if we are going to go with the Gospel or let ourselves be cul de sacs on the Great Commission highway.
When Jesus healed the paralyzed man He showed that God often does His best work through people with no names, such as the man’s stretcher bearers, whose faith amazed Him. God calls all of us to be stretcher bearers for Him.
Christianity is both a belief system and a lifestyle. Pastor Rob reminds us that too often we make it just a belief system and ignore what Jesus taught us about how to live. He showed us three key elements of the Kingdom rhythm of life.
We see Jesus' deity as He heals and casts out demons. Pastor Rob explains that Jesus has come to rescue and restore us. God's plan for us is to seek the "Kingdom life," to deny ourselves and follow Jesus, not to pursue "the good life," success and comfort.
Jesus sets the context for calling His disciples by explaining that God's Kingdom is both a journey and a destination, it's about hearts not circumstances. We are called, not because of anything we have done, but by God's grace to both follow Jesus and to become "fishers" of men and women.
This account of the life of Jesus begins by asserting two things: this Gospel is historical and Jesus is God. Pastor Rob calls us to see Jesus for who He is so that we might follow Him more fully.