Christ Church Fox Chapel Podcast: Recent Episodes
CCFC Clergy
Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman shows how He often brings deep healing through tension and discomfort.
Readings from this service:
1 Kings 12: 26-30
Psalm 63: 1-4
John 4: 1-30
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Alex and Ben discuss another sign of the Gospel going out to the nations.
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Alex and a special guest examine the pitfalls of putting yourself first.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 62: 1-5
Psalm 115: 1-9
John 3: 22-36
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Alex is joined by Adam Bright to discuss John 3, baptism, signs, and weddings.
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Alex examines two obscure ideas either side of the Bible’s most famous verse.
Readings from this service:
Numbers 21: 4-9
Psalm 139: 1-3, 11-12
John 3: 9-21
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Alex and Ben are back to discuss the context of the most famous verse in scripture. Who knew the band Oasis was somehow part of that context!
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Our guest preacher (another Brit, The Rev. Alex Banfield Hicks) introduces our next witness: Nicodemus.
Readings from this service:
Ezekiel 36: 22-28
Psalm 51: 7-10
John 3: 1-8
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As Jesus witnesses their world and their attitude he notices some critical problems, but what would He witness about you?
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 56: 6-8
Psalm 69: 6-9
John 2: 13-25
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Jesus turns water into wine in order to show that He came to provide, renew, and sacrifice himself for His people.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 25: 6-9
Psalm 36: 7-9
John 2: 1-12
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Alex and Ben discuss the symbolism of wine for exactly 35 minutes.
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Alex examines a few simple steps in sharing our faith, but how ultimately, how it is God who reveals his glory to us.
Readings from this service:
Deuteronomy 18: 18-19
Daniel 7: 12-14
Psalm 8: 3-6
John 1: 35-51
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Alex and Ben delve deeper into discipleship, disciple-making, and the singer songwriters of the early 1970s.
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Alex looks at what it means to behold the lamb of God.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 53: 5-7
Psalm 103: 8-12
John 1: 29-34
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Alex and Ben discuss atonement, baptism, and the music of Dire Straits.
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John the Baptist’s extraordinary humility, boldness, and joy all grow from his relationship with Christ - the exalted one who came after him.
Readings from this service:
Malachi 4: 5-6
Isaiah 40: 3-5
Psalm 2: 7-12
John 1: 19-28
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Alex and Ben explore John the Baptist and the music of Radiohead.
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Bishop Alex visits and speaks about our own personal sacrificial systems.
Readings from this service:
Romans 4: 13-18
Psalm 50: 1-6
Matthew 9: 9-13
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Alex and Ben discuss the symbolism of wine for exactly 35 minutes.
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Alex and Ben major on a pedantic side point somewhat related to our new series from John.
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As the book of Ezra ends, the people repent, rededicate, and rehabilitate, but God reconciles and redeems.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 10: 18-44
Psalm 103: 8-14
Luke 22: 37
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Ben thrashes around blindly trying to score a point over Alex (and somehow partly succeeds).
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The rain-soaked repentance of Ezra 10 is a steppingstone along the way to the spirit-saturated assembly of Acts 2. Repentance always opens the way to new life.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 10: 9-17
Acts 2: 1-13
Psalm 96: 1-3, 9-10
Matthew 28: 18-20
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Alex vengefully asks Ben some difficult questions exposing his (Ben’s) dubious theories.
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The people of God repent from their sins and promise to “put away” the foreign wives and children who were leading them into idolatry. This troubling episode anticipates Jesus, who purified not by banishing idolaters, but by dying for them.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 10: 1-8
Psalm 103: 8-12
Luke 19: 1-10
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In which Ben somehow forces Alex to defend a tricky passage that he (Ben) understands way more.
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Alex looks at how Ezra 9 ties in with many of the major themes of the Old Testament.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 9: 10-15
Psalm 51: 7-12
Luke 18: 9-14
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Alex and Ben discuss Ezra 9 and Ben launches CCFC’s latest jewelry line, inspired by Britney Spears.
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Alex and Ben are joined by Britaini Evanuik to discuss addiction, sin, and how we can find healing in a Christian community.
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Alex takes a practical look at what we should do when we relapse into sin.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 9: 1-9
Psalm 51: 1-4
Luke 15: 11-24
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Alex and Ben discuss why sometimes our revival is interrupted by a relapse.
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Ezra stakes his life on God’s faithfulness, and God delivers him through a perilous journey. Our God is sovereign over his enemies and faithful to His own.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 8: 24-36
Psalm 91: 1-7
Luke 12: 22-34
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Alex and Ben discuss the staggering amount of money that the exiles have to carry home.
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Alex looks at the purpose of long lists of difficult names in the Bible.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 8: 1-23
Psalm 118: 5-9
Matthew 14: 22-33
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Alex and Ben discuss an extremely long list of barely pronounceable names.
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Ezra’s leadership was rooted in the sovereign favor of God: “...the hand of the LORD his God was on him." Those in Christ have the same confidence that God works all things together for their good.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 7
Psalm 126: 1-6
Luke 1: 46-55
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Alex and Ben return to the book of Ezra as we meet Ezra himself for the first time.
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Alex explains why we do not need to be afraid if we seek Jesus.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 25: 6-9
Psalm 118: 14-24
Matthew 27: 62-28: 10
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God’s people are triumphant as they celebrate the first Passover with the completed Temple. Their victory is a foretaste of the final deliverance won by Christ.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 6: 19-22
Psalm 118: 19-22
Luke 19: 28-40
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Alex and Ben discuss the significance of the Passover.
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Alex looks at eight signs of revival (maybe nine) (or ten).
Readings from this service:
Ezra 6: 13-18
Psalm 118: 19-24
Luke 2: 22-33
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Alex and Ben discuss some of the common signs of revival from Ezra chapter 6.
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Alex examines the link between repentance and the reward of a relationship with God.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 6: 1-12
Romans 13: 1-7
Psalm 128: 1-2, 5-7
Matthew 6: 31-33
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Alex and Ben discuss reward from God, with a small sidebar about Ancient Near Eastern dung piles.
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Ezra 5 gives a window into source of Israel’s courage: a pairing of humility with trust in the Sovereign God.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 5: 6-17
Psalm 121: 1-4
Matthew 5: 13-16
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Alex and Ben talk about the much nicer (well less nasty) letter in Ezra chapter 5.
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From Ezra 5, Alex discusses some encouraging signs when we feel far from God.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 5: 1-5
Acts 5: 27-29
Psalm 124
Mark 12: 13-17
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Alex and Ben discuss how challenges to our faith can make us grow even more.
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Alex examines God’s plan for when our revival meets resistance.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 4: 17-24
Psalm 94: 16-23
John 19: 1-11
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Alex and Ben discuss the power of manipulative words in Ezra chapter 4.
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The complaint against God’s people in Ezra 4 exemplifies the enduring spiritual war that plagues our world. We do not fight against flesh and blood but against demonic strongholds, and we win victory only through Christ’s loving self-sacrifice.
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Alex and Ben are joined by ‘the’ Los Yetis, to talk about manipulation, and spiritual attack.
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From Ezra 4, Alex examines why revival always provokes spiritual attack.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 4: 1-6
Psalm 2: 1-6
John 4: 7-26
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From Ezra 4, Alex and Ben discuss why sometimes believers suffer sustained and varied forms of attack.
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In Ezra 3 we see that the sweetness of Israel’s restoration is tinged with the bitter memory of their loss. Though all our joys in this life are likewise bittersweet, the Gospel says that it shall not always be so.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 3: 8-13
Psalm 136: 1-3, 23-26
John 2: 13-22
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Alex and Ben discuss Ezra 3 and the bittersweet experiences of life.
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Alex examines how revival is God’s plan for our lives.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 3: 1-7
Psalm 91: 1-8
Luke 12: 4-7
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Alex and Ben discuss the revival of temple worship long before the temple was even built.
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The detailed list of Israelite settlers in Ezra 2 reminds us that the sovereign God directs all history to its center at Golgotha. Readings from this service:
Ezra 2
Psalm 126: 1-4
John 10: 11-16
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Alex and Ben discuss in detail, the load capacity of an Ancient Near Eastern donkey.
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Alex opens our study of Ezra by explaining how God protects His people, influences others, and revives our faith.
Readings from this service:
Ezra 1: 1-11
Psalm 122
Luke 9: 51-56
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Alex and Ben kick off Season 7 of the CCFC Bible Study Podcast with an unexpectedly focused discussion of Ezra, the focus of our new sermon series.
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One of the practical results of the Gospel is that grace of the Mosaic Law been supplanted by the more glorious grace and truth of Jesus Christ.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 60: 1-5, 19-22
Psalm 84: 9-13
John 1: 14-18
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Christmas is more than baby Jesus in the manger. Pastor Erik today discusses what Christmas means in the first chapter of the Gospel of John and how become children of God by His grace.
Readings from this service:
Galatians 3: 23-29
Psalm 98: 1-5
John 1: 1-11
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Jesus calls us to repent and follow Him, knowing that if we do, others will join us in a new life that is entirely free.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 61: 1-3
Psalm 126
Mark 1: 14-20
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Alex and Ben move on from birds to fish and discuss what it means to become fishers of people.
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Alex digs further into the opportunity for a new beginning that the gospel presents.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 4: 14-16
Psalm 95: 8-11
Mark 1: 12-15
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Alex and Ben discuss temptation and 'Now That’s What I Call Music 21'.
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In Jesus’ baptism God reveals that his character is a Trinitarian dance of self-giving love.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 2: 1-4
Psalm 2: 6-12
Mark 1: 9-11
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Ben leads an erudite discussion on the baptism of Jesus and Alex speculates wildly.
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Alex looks at how the beginning of the gospel contains a giant hint about the end.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 44: 1-5
Psalm 96: 1-3, 13
Mark 1: 1-8
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Alex and Ben start a new church year with a song and a new book of the Bible.
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Ben teaches from 2 Corinthians 8 about how the gospel transforms our motive for giving, from duty to joy.
Readings from this service:
2 Corinthians 8: 1-9, 9: 6-8
Psalm 136: 1-3, 23-27
Matthew 6: 25-31
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Alex and Ben discuss money with barely a mention of Pink Floyd or Dire Straits.
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Alex explains how, under persecution, pressure, and poverty, we can find peace.
Readings from this service:
2 Thessalonians 3: 16-18
Psalm 29: 1-2, 9-10
John 20: 19-22
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Alex and Ben discuss the peace that comes from Christ and try some new cookies from a listener.
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Paul shows how the Gospel transforms our disordered view of work, bringing order and peace to our chaos.
Readings from this service:
2 Thessalonians 3: 6-15
Psalm 127: 1-3
Matthew 25: 14-30
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Alex and Ben discuss the subject of work, and to empower them, they try a classic British candy bar kindly supplied by the listener.
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Alex examines why bad things happen to believers.
Readings from this service:
2 Thessalonians 3: 1-5
Psalm 121: 5-8
John 17: 6-15
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Alex and Ben discuss why Paul would ask this persecuted, pressurized, and poverty-stricken church to pray for him.
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As Paul reminds the Thessalonians, we can stand firm in faith because the Gospel is God’s work from beginning to end.
Readings from this service:
2 Thessalonians 2: 13-17
Psalm 90: 13-17
John 14: 16-19
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Alex and Ben discuss three key doctrines and how they relate to both scripture and the ambient dance scene of the early 90’s.
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Alex and Ben are joined by Adam Bright for a special episode, as he shares his research on Fear.
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Paul encourages the Thessalonians to stand firm persecution by remembering that they are chosen and beloved by God.
Readings from this service:
2 Thessalonians 2: 13-17
Psalm 16: 6-11
John 17: 20-24
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Alex and Ben what Paul means by standing firm and how it differs to Greek & Scottish warfare.
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Alex identifies six reasons why people might not see the signs of the end of the world but why it is not yet too late.
Readings from this service:
2 Thessalonians 2: 7-12
Psalm 10: 4-6, 12-13
Matthew 12: 22-29
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Alex & Ben discuss reformation, revolution, renaissance and also God.
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Alex examines two key signs that preempt the end of the world.
Readings from this service:
2 Thessalonians 2: 1-6
Psalm 22: 27-28
Mark 13: 3-23
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Alex and Ben discuss the signs of the end of the world.
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Ben leads a special study of three popular but very different views on hell.
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Ben wrestles with the truth of God’s justice and explains how the doctrine of hell magnifies the cross.
Readings from this service:
2 Thessalonians 1: 5-12
Psalm 11: 4-7
Matthew 25: 31-46
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Alex and Ben discuss prog rock, reggae funk (possibly Euro folk disco), and hell.
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Alex discusses how to live and even bless our persecutors when we are afflicted for our faith.
Readings from this service:
2 Thessalonians 1: 3-4
Psalm 84: 5-13
Luke 17: 5-6
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Alex and Ben discuss how to thrive under pressure.
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We start a new series focusing on 2 Thessalonians this week.
The opening verses 2 Thessalonians introduce us to the swirling drama of the letter and remind us that the Gospel runs like an underground stream to nourish God’s Church.
Readings from this service:
2 Thessalonians 1: 1-2
Psalm 131
John 1: 14-18
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Alex and Ben open our new series with some traditional Thessalonian music.
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The crowds are astonished when they meet Jesus and Alex explores how that might be happening today.
Readings from this service:
Ezekiel 13: 9-16
Psalm 111: 10
Matthew 7: 24-27
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Alex and Ben discuss the bit after the end of the Sermon on the Mount
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In the Sermon on the Mount’s climactic final parable, Jesus urges us to consider the foundation of our lives and set our hopes on Him alone.
Readings from this service:
Ezekiel 13: 9-16
Psalm 111: 10
Matthew 7: 24-27
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Alex and Ben discuss, Churchill, Simon, Garfunkel, both Beastie Boys, and Matthew 7:24-27.
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Alex examines how the impossible call of chapter 7 becomes possible, only, in the context of chapter 5.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 3: 3-6
Psalm 6: 1-4, 8-10
Matthew 7: 21-23
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Alex and Ben talk about hell and Damien Rice.
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Jesus gives a warning about the very real danger of bad influences and some practical guidance about how to recognize them before it’s too late.
Readings from this service:
2 Timothy 4: 1-4
Psalm 1: 1-4
Matthew 7: 15-20
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Ben talks with special guests Noah Skaugen and Timothy Fire about false teachers, finding a church, and the qualities to look for when choosing a spouse.
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We are travelers on road to the promised kingdom for God. There is a problem however, there is another road and we can see many others who are perfectly happy to travel it. Let’s learn how our Savior carries us on the road to life and how to know if we have strayed from it.
Readings from this service:
Acts 4: 1-12
Psalm 46: 1-3, 10-11
Matthew 7: 13-14
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Ben and special guest The Rev. Erik G. strive to employ Star Wars analogies to explain Jesus’ teaching on the narrow way that leads to life.
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Alex looks at the Spirit enables us to meet Jesus’ impossible call to change the world.
Readings from this service:
Matthew 22: 34-40
Galatians 4: 4-7
Psalm 51: 1-4
Matthew 7: 12
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Alex and Ben discuss the golden rule and the music of Dame Shirley Bassey.
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Jesus urges us to pray in all circumstances because we have a Heavenly Father who always hears and delights to give us good things.
Readings from this service:
Jeremiah 29: 10-14
Psalm 9: 9-10
Matthew 7: 7-11
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Alex and Ben discuss why, if God promises good things, do we not always get them.
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Having commanded us never to judge, next Jesus teaches us how to do it gently in a way that can bless the church and even advance the kingdom of God.
Readings from this service:
Galatians 6: 1-10
Psalm 51: 9-13
Matthew 7: 1-6
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Alex and Ben discuss how judging others can be something we are both forbidden and commanded to do.
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Ben explores what Jesus has to say about anxiety, scarcity, and shame.
Readings from this service:
Philippians 4: 4-7
Psalm 91: 1-4
Matthew 6: 25-34
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Alex & Ben consider the lilies, Matthew 6, and Monty Python.
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Alex looks at how money can be a blessing or a trap depending on how we feel about it.
Readings from this service:
1 Chronicles 29: 10-14
Psalm 55: 1-2, 23
Matthew 6: 22-25
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Alex and Ben discuss anxiety about money: luxuries, the basics, and even survival sometimes.
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Alex is joined by Tommy Worrall who shares the miracle of his new life (in more than one meaning of that phrase.)
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Jesus' teaches us to invest our lives in the gospel because all "lesser treasures" will leave us empty and in the dark.
Readings from this service:
Philippians 3: 7-8
Psalm 49: 16-20
Matthew 6: 19-21
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Alex and Ben discuss treasure, and more Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd
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As we return to the Sermon on the Mount, it’s important to remember, before telling us what the gospel does, Jesus tells us what the gospel is.
Readings from this service:
Romans 8: 18-25
Psalm 34: 15-19
Matthew 5: 1-12, 6: 9-13
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For our new Summer series, Alex and Ben return to the Sermon on the Mount and examine how it begins.
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Bishop Alex speaks about awe and the majesty of the Holy Trinity.
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If the gospel of the kingdom is more than anything else, then receiving it is more than anything else we could hope for our kids.
Readings from this service:
Acts 2: 1-14a, 38-41
Psalm 22: 27-31
Matthew 28: 18-20
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Alex and Ben talk about the Holy Spirit, raising kids, and the music of Donovan.
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Acts 1 shows the Triune God rules everything through the Father’s good design, the Spirit’s dynamic power, and the Son’s Dominion. Ben encourages believers to ask of every situation, “Where Is God – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit – In This?” (WIGFISHSIT).
Readings from this service:
Acts 1: 6-11
Psalm 47: 5-9
Luke 24: 50-53
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Alex and Ben discuss the Ascension and Bob Dylan.
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In Jesus Christ, the Infinite God, made an infinite change to this sinful fallen world, but amazingly, through the Spirt, we can expect even more!
Readings from this service:
Acts 1: 1-5
Psalm 86: 8-12
John 14: 16-18, 25-27
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Alex and Ben discuss what Jesus means when he refers to the good news of the Kingdom of God.
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In his the first address to the disciples after His resurrection, Jesus explains how the Gospel is the fulfillment of everything and the foundation of hope.
Readings from this service:
Zechariah 12:10, 13:1
Psalm 22: 22-23, ,27-28
Luke 24: 44-49
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Alex and Ben finally sound upbeat about the resurrection accounts in Luke.
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The resurrection brings us work to do, glory to shine, and peace for evermore.
Readings from this service:
1 John 1: 1-3
Philippians 4: 4-7
Psalm 4: 1, 7-8
Luke 24: 36-43
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Alex and Ben talk about Jesus, Porcupines and fish.
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Alex examines what it feels like to become a Christian, and why we don’t always know that it’s about to happen!
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 25: 6-9
1 Corinthians 11: 23-26
Psalm 119: 17-20
Luke 24: 28-35
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Alex and Ben celebrate Liverpool FC’s historic Premier League win, with a discussion of Luke 24.
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As Jesus walks with two disciples along the road to Emmaus, he restores their faltering faith by showing them how all the Hebrew Scriptures point to His suffering and glory.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 1: 1-3
Psalm 119: 9-16
Luke 24: 13-27
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After weeks of gloom (albeit occasionally enjoyable gloom) Alex and Ben are pleased to begin a discussion of life after the storm.
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Luke 24 reminds us that the power of the gospel comes not from the faithfulness of the disciples, but from the objective reality of Christ's resurrection.
Readings from this service:
Acts 10: 34-43
Psalm 118: 14-17, 22-24
Luke 24: 1-12
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Rev. Alex delivers a Good Friday message.
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In the final sermon of our series on Amos, Alex explains how, after months of gloom, Amos ends with hope a new life after the storm.
Readings from this service:
Amos 9: 1-15
Psalm 106: 40-46
Matthew 26: 26-29
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Alex and Ben finish out there series on Amos on a note of hope (at last).
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In Amos 8 God makes clear that Israel is ripe for judgment. Ben explores the theme of “The Day of the LORD” in Amos, and how this ancient prophecy leads us to the cross.
Readings from this service:
Amos 8: 1-14
Psalm 7: 6-9
Mark 15: 33-39
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Alex and Ben discuss the darkest passage of Amos yet.
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Like the plot of a TV thriller: Amos speaks the truth to power, and the shadowy cabal fights back.
Readings from this service:
Amos 7: 10-17
2 Timothy 4: 1-5
Psalm 78: 1-4
Matthew 24: 4-14
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Alex and Ben analyze the "thug life" of Amos.
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Though we are measured, we are also saved, by Christ the "plumb line" and the “Passover lamb".
Readings from this service:
Amos 7: 1-9
Psalm 78: 56-60
Matthew 5: 17-20
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Alex, Ben, and Amos move on from oracles to a series of visions from God.
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Our themes today are power, hate, faded glory, fear, stupidity, bitterness, the total meaninglessness of all human success, death, and life.
Readings from this service:
Amos 6: 8-14
Psalm 10: 4-9
Luke 6: 20-26
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Alex and Ben discuss more strange nosies from Amos chapter 6.
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From Amos 6, Ben explores how Amos boldly condemns Israel for their pride and addiction to luxury. For Christians, the passage is an invitation to the joy of repentance.
Readings from this service:
Amos 6: 1-7
Psalm 73: 1-6
Matthew 24: 36-44
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Amos says “the first shall be first”. Alex and Ben discuss why, in this context, that’s not a good thing!
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It is possible to look like you’re worshipping God, when in reality, you’re worshipping yourself. But genuine worship always manifests in genuine blessing.
Readings from this service:
Amos 5: 18-27
Psalm 24: 3-5
John 4: 1-26
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Alex and Ben look at one of the most famous verses in Amos and explore why it might mean even more than we think.
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Ben teaches on Amos 5, where the LORD holds an intervention to win back his people’s heart.
Readings from this service:
Amos 5: 8-17
Psalm 8: 1-5
Luke 12: 16-21
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Alex and Ben the great significance of chiasms, which seem to have very much become Ben’s focus this week.
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From Amos 5, Alex explores how to find hope, even when life is hard.
Readings from this service:
Amos 5: 1-7
Psalm 62: 7-11
Matthew 23: 37-39
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Alex and Ben examine Amos 5 in reverse order to discover how human behavior can make God feel.
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Amos 4 tells the story of God’s consistent tough love in the face of Israel’s willful ignorance. It is a reminder for Christians of God’s patience and our need to repent.
Readings from this service:
Amos 4: 6-13
Psalm 65: 5-9
Luke 19: 41-44
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Ben & Alex examine covenant curses and what really matters in life.
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Alex explains why the heavy prophecy of Amos 4 is, in fact, good news.
Readings from this service:
Amos 4: 1-5
Psalm 1: 1-5
Matthew 23: 29-36
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Alex and Ben discuss bovine fecundity in the Ancient Near East and how it relates to us today.
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In Amos 3, God pronounces judgment upon Israel for betraying the covenant. The passage highlights the stark difference between the conditional covenant that God made with Israel, and the New Covenant of grace in Jesus Christ.
Readings from this service:
Amos 3: 1-15
Psalm 126: 5-7
Matthew 18: 10-14
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Alex and Ben discuss prophecy, covenants, and salvation, from Amos 3.
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As Amos explains that everyone will face the judgment of God, he hints at the good news that some will be delivered by God, at cost to Himself.
Readings from this service:
Amos 2: 4-16
Psalm 19: 7-10
Luke 19: 41-44
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From Amos chapter 2, Alex and Ben discuss how and why God might bring a storm, even upon His own people.
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God warns Israel’s pagan neighbors that He is about to punish their wicked ways. Judgment passages like this one remind Christians of the good news that God will punish all wickedness, and that He has himself borne the penalty for sinners who trust in Jesus.
Readings from this service:
Amos 1: 3–2:3
Psalm 17: 7-13
Matthew 25: 31-46
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Alex and Ben discuss why we should care about conflict, even when both sides are enemies of ours.
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In this special bonus episode, Chuck Gerdes tells us about his ministry with the Christian Motorcycle Association and how what they do applies to us all.
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Alex introduces the book of Amos, explains why it is so relevant to our setting today, and shows how God always calls to His people warning them of judgment, and offering a rescue before it's too late.
Readings from this service:
Amos 1: 1-2
Psalm 46: 6-10
Matthew 25: 31-34
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Alex and Ben begin our new series for the new year, with a gathering storm.
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After years of waiting, Simeon and Anna see that Jesus is the embodiment of God’s consolation and redemption. Their example reminds us that God always keeps his promises.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 42: 5-9
Psalm 96: 7-13
Luke 2: 22-38
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Alex points out how when an obvious prize is on offer, things that had our interest before, suddenly seem of less concern.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 12: 1-6
Psalm 96: 1-2, 10
Luke 2: 8-20
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In Luke 2 we meet angels who display God’s glory and shepherds who display man’s lowliness. The scene points to how Christ embodied both natures for our sake.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 6: 1-4
Psalm 106: 1-5
Luke 2: 8-14
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Alex and Ben discuss angels, where they come from, what we know, and the role they play in our lives today.
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We’ve seen there is nothing we can do to earn God’s love, but are there things we can do to block it? (No!).
Readings from this service:
Micah 7: 18-20
Psalm 132 14-19
Luke 1: 67-80
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Ben and Alex (now infected with Ben’s mystery illness from last week) discuss whether their strange malady is because of something they did wrong.
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Mary’s Song reminds us of a liberating truth: what the Sovereign God does with our lives is vastly more significant than what we do with our lives.
Readings from this service:
1 Samuel 2: 1-10
Psalm 126: 1-6
Luke 1: 46-56
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Alex and Ben keep up the relentless attack on Plagiarism, with some help from Jimi Hendrix.
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Once again we see God initiates grace and people respond in worship. But this week, we also see that when we worship we experience intimacy, communion, and joy.
Readings from this service:
Micah 5: 2-4
Advent Canticle: The First Song of Isaiah
Luke 1: 39-45
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Alex and Ben discuss how grace always leads to worship.
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Alex tackles the most holy-sounding heresy in the history of the world.
Readings from this service:
2 Samuel 7: 12-22
Advent Canticle: A Song of the Spirit
Luke 1: 26-33
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Alex and Ben look at how Gabriel’s announcement to Mary fulfills the promises to David roughly 1,000 years before.
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In the final chapter of 1 Timothy, Paul reminds us to take responsibility for our faith and calling because God has taken responsibility for us.
Readings from this service:
1 Timothy 6: 11-16, 20-21
Psalm 90: 1-2, 13-14
John 21: 15-19
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Alex & Ben round off the 1 Timothy series with a nice sensible and uniform volume level.
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Last week Alex looked at some risks that come with money, and this week: opportunities for joy.
Readings from this service:
1 Timothy 6: 13-19
Psalm 37: 21-22
Luke 12: 13-21
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Having looked at the risks last week, this week Alex and Ben look at some of the spiritual opportunities that money provides.
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Alex looks at what happens when we dethrone the idols in our lives.
Readings from this service:
1 Timothy 6: 2b-10
Psalm 24: 1-2
Matthew 6: 24-29
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Alex and Ben are interrupted by a surprise visit from the treasurer during a discussion on money.
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Paul ties together a smorgasbord of practical issues by calling the church to honor others as Christ has honored them.
Readings from this service:
1 Timothy 5:3–6:2a
Psalm 50: 7-15
Matthew 10: 1-12
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Alex and Ben discuss the need to honor the vulnerable, our leaders, and our colleagues with our attitude to money.
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When the social tide pulls away from God, Christians are called to swim upstream. To this end, Paul advises Timothy to cultivate a resilient faith that is nourished by the gospel and strengthened by serving the Church.
Readings from this service:
1 Timothy 4:6–5:2
Psalm 119: 1-6
Matthew 7: 24-27
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Alex and Ben discuss the importance of different age groups within the church.
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Alex explores what happens when we meet a problem that is beyond our ability to control.
Readings from this service:
1 Timothy 3:14–4:5
Psalm 125: 1-3
Matthew 23: 25-28
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Ben and Alex discuss the demonic origins of both chaos and control vs the good news from the Holy Spirit.
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The qualifications for church leadership in 1 Timothy 3 make a countercultural claim: that character matters more than charisma.
Readings from this service:
1 Timothy 3: 1-13
Psalm 23
Matthew 28: 16-20
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In this special episode, Ben takes us through a broad summary of the biblical view on how men and women are to work together in the church.
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Alex and Ben dig deeper into the role of men and women in church leadership.
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Alex explores some of the most common views on how men and women are to work together for the gospel.
Readings from this service:
1 Timothy 2: 1-15
Acts 18: 24-26
Psalm 19: 7-14
Luke 10: 38-42
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Alex, Ben, and Kat talk about this complex and controversial passage that we’re studying in the Adult Forum, church services, and the Women’s Group right now.
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Like Timothy, we are called to “wage the good warfare” in chaotic times by holding fast to the gospel through prayer.
Readings from this service:
1 Timothy 2: 1-15
Psalm 72: 1-4
Matthew 22: 15-22
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Alex & Ben are joined by Erik to talk about lot about politics from a passage that has little to do with politics.
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We are inundated with contradictory information and advice, but the gospel offers consistent grace.
Readings from this service:
1 Timothy 1: 12-20
Psalm 107: 4-9
Luke 19: 1-10
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As Ben returns from exile in the bathroom, he and Alex are much more focused on the text of 1 Timothy 1.
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Rev. Ben opens our new series "1st Timothy: Constancy Amid the Chaos."
Paul charges Timothy to combat bad doctrine in the Ephesian church. Even when chaos seems to reign, the simple power of the gospel remains constant.
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Ben joins Alex from a remote location to open our new series on 1st Timothy.
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We like to say “your will be done” but do we really mean it?
Readings from this service:
Romans 8: 18-27
Matthew 2: 19–3:2
Psalm 145: 10-13
Matthew 6: 10
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Alex and Ben talk about just one line in the Lord’s prayer, but not quite as succinctly as Jesus did.
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Despite its familiarity, the Lord’s Prayer offers a revolutionary vision of life that is foreign to most modern people. Jesus invites us to pray in a way that recenters our lives and reignites our trust.
Readings from this service:
1 Chronicles 29: 10-19
Psalm 23: 1-6
Matthew 6: 9-13
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Alex and Ben discuss the Lord’s prayer and how it fits in with the rest of the Sermon on the Mount.
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Instead of pointless pompous prayer, God desires relationship over technique.
Readings from this service:
1 Kings 18: 17-40
Psalm 34: 17-18, 22
Matthew 6: 7-8
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Alex and Ben reunite to distract themselves from the topic of pagan prayer.
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Jesus shows us that real Christian prayer is not a method or discipline but a hidden relationship with a loving Heavenly Father.
Readings from this service:
Romans 8: 12-30
Psalm 91: 14-16
Matthew 6: 5-6
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Ben & special guest Mike Starz butcher the podcast intro and say a few things about prayer.
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Jesus exposes showy religiosity in order to replace self-righteousness with a greater reward.
Readings from this service:
Acts 4: 32–5:11
Psalm 37: 21-24
Matthew 6: 1-4
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Ben and special guest Rev. Erik Germesin discuss true piety, Scrooge McDuck, and the podcast’s growing popularity among Russian bots.
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Christians are called to love like God does and Jesus shows us how He can help us to do it.
Readings from this service:
Romans 12: 9-21
Psalm 145: 8-9
Matthew 5: 43-48
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Alex and Tami discuss the call to love our enemies and just how difficult this can be sometimes.
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Believers spend a lot of time on the meaning of the letter of the law, but Jesus Himself shows us just how radical the spirit really is.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 50: 6-7
Psalm 112
Matthew 5: 38-42
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Alex and Tami talk about Clint Eastwood, Batman, Winston Churchill and Matthew chapter 5.
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From Matthew 5, Alex looks at why we lie, and how to become believable.
Readings from this service:
Leviticus 19: 12
James 5: 12
Psalm 76: 11-12
Matthew 5: 33-37
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Alex and Ben try to figure out if they are pharisees, as they discuss oaths and Matthew 5.
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Jesus teaches on sensitive topics like adultery and divorce because he aims to heal the deepest wounds of the human heart. He calls us to faithfulness and draws us into mercy.
Readings from this service:
Colossians 3: 1-5
Psalm 51: 10-12
Matthew 5: 27-32
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In this special extended episode Ben and Alex discuss the basics of sound biblical interpretation and then examine the differing mainstream views on divorce and remarriage.
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From Matthew 5:27, Ben and Alex discuss the call to sexual purity and the grace of God when we fail.
Tune in to Bonus Episode #27 to dig deeper in to the subjects of divorce & remarriage.
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Ben asks what anger reveals about the contents of our hearts, and what to do when we feel afraid, insecure, or out of control.
Readings from this service:
Proverbs 25: 7b-10
Deuteronomy 5: 17
Psalm 37: 7-11
Matthew 5: 21-26
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One of our former pastors, The Rev. Ben Wulpi, is preaching this weekend and dropped into the studio to let us know how he’s doing.
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Alex and Ben discuss anger and what to do when we feel ashamed about it.
Don't miss our Bonus Episode with Rev. Ben Wulpi, our guest preacher this Sunday!
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Christ came not to lower the standard of God’s righteousness, but to complete it for us. Only when we face up to the full gravity of the Law can we understand the magnitude of the Gospel.
Readings from this service:
Galatians 4: 4-7
Psalm 40: 6-8
Matthew 5: 17-20
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Alex and Ben discuss Hitlers views on the 10 commandments.
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In Matthew 5, Jesus pays his followers the greatest compliment, and then says something even greater. But "so what"?
Readings from this service:
Proverbs 4: 10-19
Psalm 112: 1-4
Matthew 5: 13-16
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Ben and Alex look at the calling to be salt and light to the community around us.
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Alex begins our news series on the Sermon on the Mount by exhaling how the first 12 verses of Matthew 5 are the key to understanding the whole thing.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 61: 1-3, 8-9
Psalm 34: 15-19
Matthew 5: 1-12
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Ben and Alex open up our new series by discussing the beatitudes and recycling all their old jokes.
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The final chapter of Hebrews reminds us that how we live and what we believe matter, but Who we trust matters even more.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 13: 1-25
Psalm 118: 6-9
John 10: 14-18
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In the final podcast episode for our Who Is Jesus? series, Alex and Ben finish Hebrews 13 where a seemingly disparate list of commands is, in fact, all tied together by love of Christ.
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As the world and all of its promises come to naught, Alex looks at the eternal hope we find in Jesus.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 12: 18-29
Psalm 50: 1-6
Matthew 23: 29-36
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From Hebrews 12, Alex and Ben discuss the extraordinary idea that somehow (and in some way), we might be in heaven already.
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In this special episode for Pentecost, Alex and Ben talk about some exciting trends in worship and the implications for our future.
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Through the Gospel even the most the difficult trials are filled with meaning and hope. Christians can endure the struggles of life by looking to Jesus for correction, comfort, and power.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 12: 1-17
Psalm 94: 12-15
Luke 22: 39-46
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Alex and Ben are joined by special guest Debbie to discuss Hebrews chapter 12.
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Our faithful forebears took great risks, and suffered horribly for their faith. But they also failed, often badly. So what is it that really unites them and sets them apart as worthy models of faith for us to copy?
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 11: 23-39
Psalm 144: 10-15
Luke 10: 22-24
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Alex and Ben cover many subjects, and even, sometimes, Hebrews chapter 11.
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Guest preacher Jenna Hughes shows that Hebrews 11 is less about our faithful character and more about the God in whom we put our faith.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 11: 1-22
Psalm 42: 7-11
John 15: 1-5
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Ben and Alex talk about our place in the long story of the faithful people of God.
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Alex looks at the confident assurance of hope we get through the living blood of Jesus.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 10: 19-39
Psalm 143: 10-11
John 14: 6
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Alex and Ben dig into some of the more difficult parts of chapter 10 and manage to avoid any reference to bacon.
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Hebrews 10 shows that our deep need for moral cleansing is fully and finally met through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 10: 1-18
Psalm 40: 6-8
Matthew 9: 9-13
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From Hebrews 10, Alex and Ben look at how the sacrifice of Jesus will never be repeated, even if the discussion about it will be many times!
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Through the swirling, repetitive, and even seemingly contradictory language of chapter 9, Hebrews reveals how Christ fulfills and turns upside down everything they had ever hoped for.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 9: 11-28
Psalm 68: 19-20
Luke 24: 13-27
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From Hebrews chapter 9, Ben and Alex try to explain the biblical structure of chiasm, by reference to bacon cheeseburgers.
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Alex looks at the implications of the resurrection, and why, without it, our faith is futile.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 15: 12-22
Psalm 118: 17-24
Matthew 28: 1-10
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Rev. Ben delivers an insightful and powerful Good Friday message.
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Mark’s passion narrative shows us that even at the cross Jesus is not a powerless victim, but a conquering King.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 52: 13-53: 12
Psalm 22: 1-11
Mark 15: 1-39
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Alex and Ben walk through the radical changes that took place between Palm Sunday and Good Friday along with a few small rants about ceremonialism and a brief digression into a current motor racing scandal.
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Nothing is built to last: from the Great Temple, to your new TV, even your own body. But our frustrations when things go wrong are because we were made for eternity.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 9: 1-14
Psalm 95: 6-7
Mark 14: 53-65
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Ben and Alex discuss Hebrews 9 and the history of ... everything.
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The New Covenant secured by Christ offers newfound innocence, real connection, and a renewed heart for all who will have Him.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 8: 1-13
Jeremiah 31: 31-34
Psalm 89: 30-37
Luke 22: 14-20
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Alex and Ben discuss how even under the Old Covenant, they longed for something new and better.
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Christ, the king and priest of righteousness and peace brings us into unique hope.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 7: 11-28
Psalm 110: 4-7
Matthew 26: 26-29
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Alex and Ben are joined by special guest Marian Ahlers to help them stick to the subject.
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Hebrews 7 proclaims that Christ’s priesthood is more foundational, more authoritative, and more lasting any other. He alone has the power to transform our view of God and God’s view of us.
Readings from this service:
Genesis 14: 18-20
Hebrews 6:19–7: 11
Psalm 110: 2-4
John 8: 53-59
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Alex and Ben finally talk about the mysterious character of Melchizedek who appears more in Hebrews than anywhere else in the Bible.
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From Hebrews 6, Alex explains how, with Christ, we can have the firmest of hopes, in the stormiest and most hopeless of times.
Readings from this service:
Genesis 22: 15-19
Hebrews 6: 13-20
Psalm 62: 5-8
Matthew 27: 45-51
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Alex and Ben are joined by Tami and special guest Debbie, in an attempt to keep them on track through Hebrews 6.
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Hebrews 6 features a stern warning against the peril of abandoning Christ. Ironically, this difficult word is one of the ways that God brings safety and assurance to unbelieving hearts.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 5:11–6:12
Psalm 131
John 15: 4-9
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Ben & Alex discuss Hebrews 5 and why they are so dull.
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Confidence in Christ leads to biblical reverence in the church
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 4:14–5:10
Psalm 2: 6-12
Luke 22:39-46
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Hebrews 5, confidence, reverence, and shrunken skulls
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In Christ we look forward to a great homecoming and a true Sabbath rest. Hebrews 4 exhorts us to abide in Christ through faith so that we can enter it.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 4: 1-13
Psalm 95: 6-11
Luke 6: 1-11
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Alex and Ben introduce an important theme for several studies in 2024: rest and how we can only truly find it in Jesus.
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Alex and Ben discuss Hebrews 3 and the need for fellowship and rest.
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Jesus, the ultimate priest and sacrifice, frees us from the power and fear of death.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 2:1-18
Psalm 8: 3-6
Luke 18: 9-14
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Ben breathes his horrible disease on Alex while they discuss Hebrews chapter 2.
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Jesus, the creator and sustainer of all things, steps into our world to reveal himself and save us.
Readings from this service:
Hebrews 1: 1-14
Psalm 45: 6-7
John 1: 1-5, 14-17
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Alex, Ben, and Tami launch Season 5 with a discussion of Hebrews 1 and the progressive rock of the 1970’s.
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The old man Simeon meets the infant Christ and finds in Him the fulfillment of his deepest hopes. Christmas is an invitation for us to do the same.
Readings from this service:
Leviticus 12: 6-8
Isaiah 60: 1-3
Luke 2: 22-38
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Zechariah shows us how freedom and healing make us fit to serve.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 40: 1-11
Psalm 111: 4-9
Luke 1: 57-80
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Before Jesus was even born, his mother Mary understood that His coming would invert the order of the World and offer new hope for sinners and sufferers.
Readings from this service:
1 Samuel 2: 1-10
Psalm 34: 1-8
Luke 1: 46-56
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Mary, Elizabeth, and John teach us that God’s decision to show up in our lives and save us is entirely an act of grace.
Readings from this service:
Daniel 7: 13-14
Psalm 132: 11-12
Luke 1: 26-45
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Zechariah’s story shows how human fickleness can’t spoil God’s sovereign purpose to shatter hopelessness and replace it with joy.
Readings from this service:
Malachi 4: 1-6
Psalm 80: 1-3
Luke 1: 5-25
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As we end the church year, and our series on Revelation, Alex asks if we’re ready for the end of the world, and reminds us how to be certain that we are.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 19: 11-21
Psalm 110
John 12: 12-15
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Alex and Ben wrap up the sermon series and podcast season with the Last Battle in Revelation 19.
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John's vision of the New Jerusalem shows us that Christ has prepared a future full of community, divine proximity, and glory for all who will have him.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 21: 9-27
Psalm 84: 1-4
Luke 19: 41-48
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In an apparent discussion of Revelation 21, Alex and Ben are briefly admonished by Tami for their foolish chatter on giant mollusks, the habitable volume of the Earth’s surface, and Turkmenistan.
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John hears five promises spoken from the throne of God that give us solid hope amid a hopeless world.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 21: 1-8, 22: 1-5
Psalm 122
John 14: 1-3
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Alex and Ben meet ostensibly to discuss Revelation 21 but get distracted by a distraction
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In this bonus episode Alex and Ben are joined by special guests Jesse Egeler and Rev. Stephen Manyama to hear stories of God’s work on Ukara island in Tanzania, how their families became friends, and what God might be doing there next.
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Alex asks, what happens at the end of the end of the world, and how can we find ourselves on the winning side?
Readings from this service:
Revelation 20: 1-15
Psalm 2
John 11: 17-27
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In this special extended episode, Alex and Ben discuss the details of four different understandings of the end-times… in detail. You’ve been warned!
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When you’ve lived in a dark place for a long time, it’s not always easy to see it, but Christ has proposed to set us free and is coming to complete the job soon.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 18: 1-3, 18:21–19:8
Psalm 46: 4-7
John 7: 37-38
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Alex and Ben discuss the symbolic evil of Babylon, its power over us now and its inexorable downfall in the end.
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Alex and Ben discuss the new song of the people of God.
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In this vision of Jesus, the victorious Lamb, we see that our future in Christ is full of belonging, deep goodness, and wild happiness.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 14: 1-5 & 15: 1-4
Psalm 40: 1-3
John 4: 19-26
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John has a vision of a Dragon, a Sea Beast, and a Land Beast, that together form a counterfeit Trinity – an unholy triumvirate offering a counterfeit Gospel.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 13: 1-18
Psalm 46: 8-11
John 15: 18-21
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Alex and Ben discuss the dragon and the two beasts, and how they form a counterfeit evil trio to blaspheme the Holy Trinity.
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From Revelation 12, Alex asks: what is it like before the end; and how do we find ourselves on the winning side?
Readings from this service:
Revelation 11:19–12:17
Psalm 145: 1-3, 10-13
John 17: 6, 14-19
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Alex and Ben talk about the woman and the dragon and the woman and the dragon... and the woman. And how salvation history tends to repeat itself until the end.
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From Revelation 7, Alex asks, who get’s eternal life, how do they get it, and what is it like?
Readings from this service:
Revelation 7: 1-17
Psalm 22: 25-28
John 10: 9-16
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Alex and Ben have a really really long conversation about Revelation 7 and a very brief one about Clint Eastwood.
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This symbolic vision of Jesus the Lamb opening the seven seals on the scroll of history offers fresh hope to weary Christians. Even when deception, war, famine, and death seem to reign, God’s sovereign purposes remain.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 6:1-17, 8:1-5
Psalm 56: 8-11
John 8:12
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Alex and Ben discuss two more chapters of Revelation, the seven seals, and Johnny Cash.
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From the vision of Revelation 4 and 5, Alex looks at who God is, what He’s done, and how.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 4:1–5:14
Psalm 103: 15-19
John 18: 1-6
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Alex and Ben discuss the wonders of the lion and the lamb of Revelation chapters 4 & 5.
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We begin a new series this week, Revelation: Things Are Not As They Seem
Richard Bauckham is right in calling Revelation “a work of immense learning, astonishingly meticulous literary artistry, remarkable creative imagination, radical political critique, and profound theology.” The book’s vivid imagery and bizarre symbolism engage the imagination and present Jesus Christ in fresh perspective.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 1: 1-20
Psalm 34: 1-10
John 14: 18-20
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Alex and Ben introduce our latest series from the book of Revelation, discuss what it is and how to read it.
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What do we do if we realize that we’ve made a horrible mistake? Is there any hope of redemption or are we doomed to face the consequences?
Readings from this week's service:
Judges 11: 29-40
Psalm 104: 35
Matthew 14: 1-11
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Alex is joined by guests Kat Shuttleworth & Kris Kann to finish out the series on Judges.
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When Israel resorts to prayerless pragmatism instead of trusting the Lord they end up with a man who is competent, but not called. The Gospel offers a better hope than our self-reliance.
Readings from this service:
Judges 11: 1-1
Psalm 19: 12-13
Mark 8: 27-33
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Alex and Ben discuss Israel’s latest judge, Jephthah AKA "the Phil Collins of the Old Testament."
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Alex asks why we do what is evil in God’s eyes and what is His solution to our sin.
Readings from this service:
Judges 10: 6-18
Psalm 107: 17-19, 42-43
Matthew 6: 31-34
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Alex and Ben discuss the worst judge so far, and yet why he might have appealed to the Israelites somehow.
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Gideon’s ascent to power and moral corruption serves as a cautionary tale and a reminder that we all need the cleansing power of Jesus.
Readings from this service:
Judges 8: 22-35
Psalm 78: 5-8
John 12: 36b-43
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Alex and Ben continue with the discussion of Gideon.
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God uses Gideon’s internal weakness of character and external weakness of circumstance to bring glory to Himself by miraculously defeating the Midianites with only 300 men. This reminds us that Christ’s power is made perfect in weakness, whether that weakness comes from our own lack of faith or from the difficulties in our lives.
Readings from this service:
Judges 7: 1-23
1 Corinthians 1: 27-31
Psalm 8: 1-4
John 16: 32-33
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This week Ben and a special guest discuss Judges 7 and God’s tendency to demonstrate divine power in the absence of human capability.
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Parents often beat themselves up for letting their children down, but in the grace of God, sometimes it’s the children He uses to bring the parents back to faith.
Readings from this service:
Judges 6: 1-27
Psalm 44: 1-4
Matthew 7: 7-11
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Alex, Ben, and Tami discuss Gideon and God’s patience with us, even when we have doubts about his power.
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Today we welcome The Rev. Canon Bill Henry as our guest preacher.
Deborah, the judge, was a woman with amazing God-given gifts who provides us today with a timeless example of spiritual leadership.
Readings from this service:
Judges 4: 1-23
Psalm 83: 1-2, 9, 15-16
Luke 1: 46-55
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Alex and Ben discuss Deborah, and God’s tendency to shatter our assumptions about what power must look like.
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The weirdness and edginess of the story of Ehud makes a profound point: that God moves in surprising ways.
Readings from this service:
Judges 3: 12-30
Romans 1: 18-24
Psalm 78: 32-35
John 19: 5-11
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In the latest passage to be released, Alex and Ben discuss the most toiled-humor-based chapter in scripture, remarkably holding back on some of the more childish jokes.
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We can use all sorts of strategies and techniques to improve our lives, but ultimate freedom only comes from the Spirit of God. This is good news, because His power is available equally to anyone, regardless of who they are.
Readings from this service:
Judges 3: 7-11
Psalm 105: 1-5
John 3: 16-21
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Alex and Kat discuss how sometimes God needs to make the peace before he can keep it, sometimes even disturbing the peace in the process.
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God is consistently the God of grace, but sometimes, His grace, doesn’t look like we think it should.
Readings from this service:
Judges 2: 16-3:6
Psalm 106: 40-45
John 16: 32-33
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Alex and Ben discuss how doing what is right in our own eyes leads to conflict with others, and even with ourselves.
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Judges 2 underscores the importance of teaching our kids to know about God and follow Him. We fail in this calling, but Christ is faithful even when we are not.
Readings from this service:
Judges 2: 6-15
Psalm 89 : 30-37
Luke 19: 41-44
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Alex and Ben discuss Israel's downward spiral of syncretism and apostasy, construction projects, formula one, the original Italian Job movie and the difference between teaching your kids abstract truths vs showing them what you really care about with your worship.
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Although there is always a consequence, and often crisis, that flows form sin. God consistently offers, to His people, grace.
Readings from this service:
Judges 1:1-2 & 1:27–2:5
Psalm 106: 6-7, 34-37
Luke 6: 20-23
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The book of Judges corrects our spiritual vision by helping us see the truth about ourselves and accept the truth of the gospel.
Readings from this service:
Exodus 23: 28-33
Joshua 24: 14-15
Psalm 101: 1-4
John 13: 36-28
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Ben and special guest Jenna Hughes introduce a new series on the book of Judges and discuss how it points us to Jesus.
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The Rt. Rev. Alex Cameron, Bishop of Pittsburgh, visits to celebrate Trinity Sunday.
Readings from this service:
2 Corinthians 13: 5-14
Psalm 150
Matthew 28: 16-20
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Spiritual gifts are designed to build us up and when used well, they bring peace to the whole body of believers.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 14: 20-33
Joel 2: 28-29
Matthew 6: 5-6
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Alex and Ben are joined by Lt. Col. Mike Starz to discuss the military language of 1 Corinthians chapter 14.
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Alex looks at the many varied gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they all come from one unified place, for use in one unified church.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 12: 1-31
Psalm 127: 1-2
John 20: 19-23
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Alex and Ben discuss spiritual gifts and occasionally get sidetracked (which might be one of their spiritual gifts)
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Spiritual gifts are temporary. What really counts is the steady growth of agape in a heart transformed by Christ’s love.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 13: 1-13
Psalm 139: 13-16
John 3: 16-17
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What is love? From 1st Corinthians 13, Alex and Ben seek to answer a question that has befuddled the greatest human minds for more than three decades, since Haddaway released his epic Eurodance anthem of the same name.
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The Lord calls all believers to work for the gospel until He returns. Sometimes the work is costly and we come under attack, but sometimes just the right people come along to support us and show us love. But regardless of how it goes, the end is secure, and God’s grace is always with us.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 16
Psalm 115: 1-2, 5
Matthew 24: 10-14
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Ben and Alex discuss 1 Corinthians Chapter 16 and what it looks like to live a resurrection life.
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The bright hope of resurrection life gives us strength to stand through trials.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 15: 35-58
Psalm 116: 5-9
John 12: 24-26
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Alex and Ben discuss the third part of Paul’s treatment of the doctrine of the resurrection in 1st Corinthians 15.
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The resurrection of believers is one of the most misunderstood, if not outright disbelieved aspects of the Christian faith. In this sermon Rev’d. Alex looks at the hope we can obtain from the plain words of scripture.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 15: 20-34
Isaiah 26: 19
Psalm 8: 4-9
John 11: 17-27
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Alex and Ben discuss some common Christian misunderstandings about the resurrection and completely ignore the movies of Burt Reynolds.
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The historical fact of Jesus’ resurrection redeems our past, transforms our present, and secures our future hope.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 15: 1-19
Psalm 16: 9-12
Matthew 28: 1-10
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Alex, Ben, and Justin (AKA "Justin from the Podcast") discuss the gospel, the necessity of the resurrection, and to a lesser extent, Burt Reynolds.
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What does blending a happy meal and a health shake have to do with the ancient heresy of gnosticism? What does such an ancient heresy have to do with us today? In this short sermon, Rev. Alex looks at how the resurrection changes everything.
Note: you might enjoy watching this sermon in action to fully appreciate the sermon illustration:
Easter Morning Service Broadcast
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 15: 1-19
Psalm 16: 9-12
Matthew 28: 1-10
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In this short Podcast for Easter weekend, Alex and Ben discuss the passion narrative and the implications of the Good News.
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The sermon and the Lord’s Supper are two sides of the same coin: they proclaim a Christ who was crucified and risen for our healing and restoration.
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Alex examines 1st Corinthians 11 and how the Lord’s Supper can be a way to expose (and then heal or judge) divisions within the church.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 11: 17-34
Psalm 23: 5-6
Matthew 5: 21-24
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Alex and Ben discuss Holy Communion and the ways in which it was dividing, rather than uniting, the Corinthian church.
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Paul’s discussion of marriage and head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11 has often been mischaracterized. When we cut through the historical weeds, we see a gospel-centered plea for unity, modesty, and marital interdependence.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 11: 1-16
Psalm 8: 3-6
Luke 10: 38-42
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In this head coverings-focused episode, Alex, Ben, and Tami discuss head coverings at great length and Kat accidentally passes the studio, and gets pulled into a lengthy conversation about head coverings.
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Although it's fun to be in a growing church, tensions are inevitable when new members are very different to ourselves. What hope does the gospel bring to a divided world that ensures we do not become a divided church?
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 7: 17-24 & 9:19-27
Psalm 134
Mark 2: 21-22
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Alex and Ben discuss two more unusual themes in the middle of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians and where he might be going with it.
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Paul’s discussion of idolatry, community, and the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 10 shows us how participation in Christ reorients us from a self-centered life to a God-centered life.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 10: 7-33
Psalm 78: 5-9
Matthew 4: 8-11
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Alex and Ben discuss some of the recent events at Asbury University, as well as the passages in 1st Corinthians that deal with how you build a church that works for people with radically different sensitivities around food, worship, and culture.
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In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul brings the sanity of gospel-centered living to bear on the sensitive topic of singleness and marriage.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 7: 1-15, 38-40
Psalm 143: 8-11
Matthew 5: 31-32
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Although today’s passage contains some of the best news in scripture, it’s one that we tend to skip because of how it reads to the culture of our age. In the sermon, Alex looks at why we think what we think, and why the good news of grace really is so good.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 6: 9-20
Psalm 119: 92-96
Matthew 5: 27-30
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In this double-length episode, Alex and his guest Pastor Justin discuss chapters 5 and 6 of 1st Corinthians and the implications for those trying to live and think as believers today.
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Being so heavily influenced by the culture of the town, the Corinthian church had failed in its mandate to change the culture of the town. In chapters five and six, Paul explores the need to serve the individual, whole church, and entire town by living out what we really believe.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 5:1–6:8
Psalm 1: 1-5
Matthew 16: 11b-12
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When we follow the culture of the age, we become more boastful, judgmental, and afraid of being exposed, but when we follow Christ, we find grace, peace, and a deep sense of connection with those who have been freed from sin by Him.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 4: 1-21
Psalm 31: 21-22, 26-27 (ACNA 2019 BCP pg. 305)
Matthew 20: 25-28
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Alex and Ben discuss pomposity, conflict, leadership, judgmental people, ancient Greek, Michael Caine, and why people sometimes have a hard time focusing on just one thing.
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Special Edition: Due to our Annual Meeting we weren't able to record the sermon as it was preached to the congregation. Rev. Ben recorded this episode the day after in our studio.
We are all vulnerable to the poison of spiritual and intellectual pride, but the gospel offers the antidote of freedom and humility through Christ.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 3: 1-23
James 3: 13-18
Psalm 115: 1-2, 18
John 16: 12-15
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Alex & Ben discuss more of the divisions in Corinth and the parallels with artificial intelligence today.
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In this week’s podcast, Alex, Ben, and Tami dig deeper into the divisions in Corinth, and how, being steeped in the culture of the day, the church was seeing a similar thing.
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Alex looks at the divisive culture of Corinth, the parallels between then and now, and Paul’s simple solution to a problem that might have seemed more complex than it really was.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 1: 18–2: 16
Psalm 111: 1-3, 9-10
Matthew 11: 25-27
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Rev. Alex starts our new 18-week series focusing on 1 Corinthians.
Corinth was a town like ours at a time like ours, and so the church was in some ways like ours too. In today’s sermon, Rev’d. Alex looks at some lessons we can learn from the Corinthian church.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 1: 1-17
Psalm 133
John 17: 15-23
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Alex and Ben discuss the value of 1st Corinthians to our church today, some of the big themes of the letter, and what it looks like to live as a growing church in a cultural melting pot like Corinth.
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In this week's sermon, we read from the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Psalms, Luke, Philippians, and Revelation, and Tami shares some thoughts about the joy of serving God. In the calling of Moses, the cry of David, the teaching of Paul, and the rejoicing of Simeon, God reveals His mercy and love for those H has called to serve Him.
Readings from this service:
Exodus 3: 1-12
Philippians 2: 1-18
Psalm 2
Luke 4: 31-39
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We begin the fourth season of our podcast!
Alex, Ben and Tami discuss the revelation of God to Moses, his calling, and how God gives us joy when we serve Him.
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Christmas is all about the glorious doctrine of adoption: God sent His Son to buy us out of slavery into sonship.
Readings from this service:
Galatians 3: 23-4:7
Psalm 84: 1-2, 10-13
John 1:1-18
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Usually when we receive a gift, we open it and then use it. But sometimes, with the gifts of God, we keep them quiet.
Why do we do that? And how can a rubber chicken help us to apply the principles of Luke chapter 2 verse 8-20?
Reading from this service:
Luke 2: 8-20
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Jesus’ birth fulfills Isaiah’s Immanuel prophecy, showing that God’s promises never fail.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 7: 10-17
Psalm 24: 7-10
Matthew 1: 18-25
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Alex, Kat, and Ben attempt to summarize of all the teaching this year, but somehow get sidetracked into a conversation about Neil Young.
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This week, Alex asks, what if the way does not go your way? Can you still worship, even if you feel disappointed with God?
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 35: 1-10
Psalm 146
Matthew 11: 2-6
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Alex and Ben discuss the links between Matthew 11 and Isaiah 35: a clear prophecy that Christ fulfills in an immediate, intermediate, and ultimate way.
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John the Baptist’s radical message of repentance offers a hard, but hopeful prelude to redemption.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 11: 1-10
Psalm 72: 1-2
Matthew 3: 1-12
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Since “no one knows the day of the hour” when Jesus will return, those who would follow him must ready themselves with hearts rooted in grace.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 2: 1-5
Psalm 122: 1, 5-7
Matthew 24: 29-31, 36-44
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Alex and Ben are joined by Joe Nawrocki to discuss Advent, and the prophecy in Matthew 24 about the end of the world.
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Rev. Alex completes our series on Joel this week. The final talk shows how Joel sums up the whole of the Bible and all of its themes in one chapter.
Readings from this service:
Joel 3: 9-21
Psalm 96: 9-13
Luke 21: 25-26
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When bad people take advantage, it’s normal to want justice. But in Joel 3, we hear about the risks of taking things into our own hands, and how the God of justice is coming to fight for us.
Readings from this service:
Joel 3: 1-8
Psalm 96: 10-13
Matthew 18: 21-35
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As the book of Joel digs into another aspect of suffering, that we (the reader) didn’t even know was going on, Alex Kat and Ben discuss the link between justice and revenge.
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Through Jesus, God has fulfilled his promise to pour out his Spirit on all people and create oases of hope in dark times.
Readings from this service:
Joel 2: 28-32
Acts 2: 16-21
Psalm 116: 4-7
John 14: 15-17
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This week Alex and Ben discuss God’s promise to pour out His Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and ultimately, to renew the whole earth at Christ’s return.
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When a crisis comes, many of us worry what other people will think if they find out, but God promises we will never again be put to shame if we turn to Him.
Readings from this service:
Joel 2: 25-27
Romans 10: 9-13
Matthew 27: 27-31
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Alex, Ben, and Tami discuss Joel chapter 2 verses 25-27, the delicate subject of shame, and the reality of God’s grace in taking it upon himself and away from us.
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God’s promise to restore Israel after the locust plague anticipates the greater restoration that God’s people share in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Readings from this service:
Joel 2: 18-27
Psalm 126: 1-6
Luke 4: 16-21
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Alex and Ben discuss how the imagery of Joel chapter two relates to both Gos’s plan for the end of the world, and the way he wants to restore us to abundance today.
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As the first green shoots of renewal emerge from the devastated ground of our lives, God’s promise is that “they” will notice.
In this sermon, Alex helps us to answer who “they” are in our lives, and maybe, for some of us, “they" is you.
Readings from this service:
Joel 2: 15-17
Psalm 79: 4-10
Matthew 5: 11-12
Note: Psalm 31 was sung during the Sunday morning services instead of Psalm 79.
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This week Alex, Kat and Ben discuss the way that crisis can both strengthen the existing members of a church and draw in those on the outside who witness the way we react.
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God wages war against his own people to humble them. He afflicts in order that they might return to him and find life.
Readings from this service:
Joel 2: 10-14
Psalm 86: 12-17
Matthew 24: 29-31
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Sometimes God brings a crisis to our home, but he always stands with us and calls us closer to Himself.
Readings from this service:
Joel 2: 1-9
Psalm 22
Matthew 24: 42-44
Having eaten a ‘locust’ Alex and Ben try to regain their composure and discuss Joel chapter 2.
Alex & Ben have been surprised with a delivery of chocolate covered "locusts." Are they game to sample this delicacy???
Alex and Ben are joined by Kris Kann to discuss the multiple crises of Joel chapter one and what it feels like to be a believer today in a world that is still in crisis.
The book of Joel can be hard to understand, so in this sermon Alex suggests some concepts that might help unlock it for us and prepare us for the weeks ahead.
Readings from this service:
Joel 1: 15-20
Psalm 145: 14-20
Luke 19: 41-44
Alex, Kat, and Ben discuss the opening themes of Joel, and take some valuable time to learn about the terrifying differences between locusts and ordinary grasshoppers.
The prophet Joel models a pattern of Lament that is comprehensive, communal, and Christ-centered.
Readings from this service;
Joel 1: 1-14
Psalm 28: 1-3, 10
Luke 18: 1-8
Alex introduces the book of Joel, and why we believe the church needs to relearn how to lament if we are to grow in our faith.
Readings from this service:
Lamentations 3: 16-24
Psalm 18: 5-7
Matthew 11: 28-30
Alex and Ben discuss the book of Joel, the genre of lament, and why the church needs to relearn how to do it if we are to be renewed.
Rev. Ben concludes our summer series this week. The same Jesus who showed his compassion to two blind men outside Jericho reaches out with a tender heart toward sinners and sufferers today.
Readings from this service:
2 Samuel 7: 12-17
Psalm 146: 8-11
Matthew 20: 29-34
Alex and Ben finish the series on healing by looking at some of the big themes of the last few months and how again it is those who suffer who are among the first to see who Jesus really is.
New member Lam Gray’s moving testimony that she shared with the church on Sunday, August 6.
Matthew urges us to repent of our pride so that we can see and marvel at Jesus with fresh eyes.
Readings from this service:
Matthew 13: 53-58
Psalm 103: 8-17
Matthew 15: 29-31
If we are ready for supernatural restoration from Jesus, sometimes we have to stretch out our withered hands for everyone to see.
Readings from this service:
Deuteronomy 5: 12-15
Psalm 147: 1-5
Matthew 12: 9-14
Last week’s guest speaker, Adam Bright, shares his testimony and the link between suffering and resting in Christ.
With two completely different reactions to this healing of Jesus, the question for us, is who do we say Jesus really is?
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 35: 1-7
Psalm 39: 8-10
Matthew 9: 32-34
Alex and guest, Adam Bright, discuss the healing of the mute man, and the accusations of the Pharisees who recognize the miracle, but attribute it to evil
Sometimes being in a vulnerable place can make it easier to see a need for Jesus.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 29: 17-19
Psalm 146: 8-11
Matthew 9: 27-31
Alex, Ben and Tami discuss how two blind men are able to see what no one else in Israel had figured out yet.
Alex and Ben discuss the context of this week’s healings, and how both healings relate to the coming of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus responds with generous grace and healing power to those who interrupt him . Like the synagogue ruler and the sick woman, we are invited to presume upon him.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 21: 1-4
Psalm 145: 17-21
Matthew 9: 18-26
Rev. Alex, Kat, and their nephew Colby discuss the links between healing and the forgiveness of sins and how Jesus sees and responds to our deepest needs.
Every heal is a reveal of something greater that only God can do.
Readings from this service:
Micah 7: 18-20
Psalm 103: 1-6
Matthew 9: 1-8
Alex and Ben discuss the parts that got cut from the sermon, including the mysterious reason why demons might wish to enter into pigs.
Allowing Jesus to restore your life also means allowing him to rule your life. In this passage we see that for some people, our possessions are too precious for us to risk letting Jesus in.
Readings from this service:
Leviticus 11: 1-8
Psalm 145: 8-12
Matthew 8: 28-34
Alex and Ben are joined by the fabulous Stephanie Wulpi, fresh in from Kentucky, to discuss healings, demons, and the fulfillment of prophecy by Jesus. She even provides an authentic Wulpian crescendo for those who’ve been missing it.
Jesus’ ministry of healing follows the pattern of Isaiah 53. The works he performs are part of the atonement he completes through his death and suffering.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 53: 4-6
Psalm 33: 6-9
Matthew 8: 16-17
Alex, Ben, Niki and Kat discuss the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law and the intimate care Jesus feels for both strangers and the people closest to him.
In this sermon, Alex asks, if you were restored to health in some way today, what would you do with this new lease on life?
Readings from this service:
Joshua 24: 14-15
Psalm 100
Matthew 8: 14-15
Pastor Bryan Jarrell of Epiphany Church Ligonier joins Alex and Ben to discuss the healing of the centurion’s servant in Matthew 8, and what it means for those who feel like outsiders in the church today.
Though each of the healings are impressive, they are merely part of the much bigger story of God’s desire to restore all things and in Matthew 8, Jesus himself explains how this one fits into God’s salvation plan.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 2: 2-3
Psalm 107: 19-22
Matthew 8: 5-13
In this first sermon of our new series, Restored: The Healings of Jesus, Jesus reaches out and touches a leper, curing him and making him clean by the power of God’s infectious holiness.
Readings from this service:
Numbers 5: 1-4
Psalm 33: 17-21
Matthew 8: 1-4
In this special edition of the Podcast, Rev.Alex is interviewed by Pastor Justin from Cranberry as they discuss the powerful truths that unite us as believers across denominations, history, and even the world.
Readings from this service:
Acts 2: 1-11
Acts 13: 1-3
Psalm 104: 24, 27-30
John 14: 8-17
In this special edition of the podcast, Alex & Ben discuss the war in Ukraine. How do lessons learned by watching how the war is progressing apply to us as Christians as we think about spiritual warfare?
Jesus’ third temptation in the wilderness exposes on of Satan’s core lies: that we need absolute certainty because the Father can’t be trusted.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 45: 9-13
Psalm 26: 1-3
Luke 4: 1-13
Satan offers glory from this world, or at least the chance to avoid the condemnation of it, but only Jesus can break our anxiety about what other people think.
Readings from this service:
Deuteronomy 6: 10-15
Philippians 2: 1-11
Psalm 24: 1-2, 8-10
Luke 4: 1-13
Alex, Kat and Ben discuss the glory of this world vs. the glory that only comes from God. And as a special treat, they’re also joined briefly by Jeremy, a first time caller to the show!
A look at anxiety, control, how it relates to sin, and why a kingdom without a cross will never work.
Readings from this service:
Matthew 20: 20-28
Revelation 2: 25-29
Psalm 8: 4-9
Luke 4: 1-13
The enemy plays to our desire for authority and control by selling us something that ultimately he has no authority to offer. Only Jesus has real authority, and praise God that that is true, because only Jesus uses is it perfectly to serve us.
The enemy wants us to believe we'll never be comfortable but God is our comfort.
Readings from this service:
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
Deuteronomy 8
Psalm 119: 73-76
Luke 4: 1-13
Rev. Alex and guest, Pastor Justin Cassidy of Cross Roads Church, discuss the lies satan tells us about comfort and the dangers of becoming too comfortable.
In today’s sermon we see that the author of temptation is also the father of lies. But for al who are tempted (which is everyone) Christ reveals truth and offers grace.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 10: 13-17
Hebrews 4: 14-16
Psalm 97: 10-12
Luke 4: 1-13
It's week two of our series on Lies. This week's lie tackles temptation—even the only perfect Christian, Jesus, was tempted. Satan tried over and over again and targeted his strengths, proving that not only the weak are tempted.
As we begin our new sermon series, Six (more) Lies of Satan and Why We Still Believe Them, Kat, Alex and Ben talk about the schemes of the enemy and why it’s so important to bring his lies into the light.
We don’t fight the Devil standing on our own two feet. Christ empowered us by the victory of His resurrection and equipped us with His Word and Spirit.
Readings from this service:
Romans 12: 1-2
1 John 4: 1-6
Psalm 25: 1-4
Luke 4: 1-13
More than 500 people saw the Risen Jesus. The resurrection is a well-attested historical reality and bedrock hope.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 15: 1-11
Psalm 118: 14-17, 22-24
Mark 16: 1-8
This week, the chaps discus how Palm Sunday fits in with Easter Sunday, Good Friday, the Exodus, the Passover, the Davidic Covenant, the Last Supper, judgment, at least one inter-testamental revolt, weekly Holy Communion and Formula One.
Rev. Ben closes our Tetelestai series on this Palm Sunday. Jesus went to the cross at Passover to bring about a new and greater exodus from the powers of sin and death.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 5: 7b-8
Exodus 12: 3-8, 11-13
Psalm 118: 13-16
Matthew 26: 26-30
The central human question is “what do I need to do”, but what if there is no answer. Although the cross answers many of our questions, it also reveals that some of us are asking the wrong ones.
Readings from this service:
Galatians 3: 10-14
Deuteronomy 21: 22-23
Psalm 24: 3-6
Matthew 5: 17-20
The Revs welcome the extraordinary Mrs. Fire—Children's Minister, music teacher and overall amazing Christian! The discussion this week delves into what "the law" is and the exchange that was made on our behalf to guarantee our forgiveness for breaking it.
This week, Alex is joined by Becky Lowe, Catherine Parham, and Corrie Passavant, fresh from a time of prayer as they discuss their experience of praying through a passage from Luke chapter 4.
We have all inherited Adam’s legacy of sin and death, but in Christ we have a far greater legacy of grace and righteousness and life.
Readings from this service:
Romans 5: 12-17
Psalm 51: 1-6
Luke 4: 1-13
Rev's Alex & Ben are joined by Kat Shuttleworth and Kris Kann this week.
This week we study 1 Peter 1: 18-19, zooming in on "The Ransom." It's so easy to get stuck in seeking our own will and relying on our own resources. Has the cross provided for us to be able to find relief from that, and from ourselves?
Rev. Alex's message this week looks at the cost of our ransom and what it alone achieved.
Readings from this service:
1 Peter 1: 18-19
Isaiah 53: 4-12
Psalm 49: 6-9
Mark 10: 45
For many the message of Christ crucified is a skandalon - a stumbling block – but it is the ultimate display of God’s love and power.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 1: 18-25
Psalm 111: 7-10
Matthew 11: 25-30
Our new series zooms in on the cross. There is a lot of material about the cross available to us, but how well do we really understand its significance? This week we focus on the scandal of the cross. The Corinthians are obsessed with knowledge, and not being able to understand the purpose of the cross was scandalous—how could the Son of God be crucified???
Special guest, member, listener and Bible Study Fellowship leader Marian Ahlers, joins in to help introduce our new series, Tetelestai: The Finished Work of Christ.
During Lent, should we be focusing on "doing better" to receive God's approval, or instead should we reflect on what Christ has done?
Rev. Alex opens our new series, Tetelestai: The Finished Work of Christ, this week.
Death, debt, and the demonic are all defeated but even more is finished by christ’s work on the cross.
Readings from this service:
Colossians 2: 13-15
Psalm 22: 1-4
John 19: 28-30
Rev. Ben delivers our Ash Wednesday homily.
Readings from this service:
2 Corinthians 5: 10b-21
Psalm 103: 8-14
Psalm 51: 1-13
One of the themes of our series has been that God is (and has been) building a church where everyone can serve. Paul has left behind or lost many in his journey to build the church and has suffered in doing so, but perseveres in the knowledge that the Lord sustains Him. We experience the same to this day as we see much coming & going in our own congregation, for many reasons, but the word of the Lord stands firm.
2 Timothy 4: 9-22
There is a personal cost when we build a church that serves, but if we do, God strengthens both the server, and the served.
Readings from this service:
2 Timothy 4: 9-22
Psalm 37: 39-41
Matthew 10: 16-22
Special guest Niki De Luca joins Alex & Ben to talk about how the power of scripture helps and sustains us through suffering. To prepare for this week's episode, make sure you read 2 Timothy 4: 1-8 as well as search "Cake or Death" on Google.
Preaching, according to Paul, is a God-centered practice of heralding the good news of Jesus Christ from the Scriptures. Preaching is not about us, but by God’s grace, preaching is forus.
Readings from this service:
2 Timothy 4: 1-8
Psalm 119: 49-56
Mark 6: 30-34
This week's reading, 2 Timothy 3: 10-17, refers to imposters and magicians and swindlers— Twitterati in today's terms—and how they can lead us down the wrong path, vindicating Rev. Alex's strong distaste for clowns and the circus. This reading shows us that these cowboy builders have been around forever and that we've not been spared. Being rooted in scripture is what keeps us on the right track. But what is scripture exactly?
What is scripture & what does it do?
Readings from this service:
2 Timothy 3: 10-17
Psalm 119: 105-112
John 15: 18-21
In this week's reading, 2 Timothy 3: 1-9, Paul points out the Godlessness that will ensue in "the last days" and those who may appear Godly, but don't respect its power. How do we recognize these magicians and "cowboy builders" and protect the church? And just what is a "cowboy builder?"
Having cleared a foundation and framed out the building of the church, next Paul puts in some power. But what kind of power should we use to empower a church?
Readings from this service:
2 Timothy 3: 1-9
Exodus 7: 8-13
Psalm 1: 1-4
Luke 16: 13-15
Children's Minister & Urban Missionary Josh Gerdes and his wife Kirsten, also an Urban Missionary and a soloist here at Christ Church, join Ben and Alex to talk about talking: how should we speak to one another, and what changes as we grow in both age and maturity.
God calls us to build a church using words. But what kinds of words should we use, and how do we use them?
Readings from this service:
2 Timothy 2: 14-26
Psalm 119: 9-12
Matthew 12: 15-21
God calls us to share in suffering for the gospel, but his grace in Jesus strengthens us to endure.
Readings from this service:
2 Timothy 2: 1-13
Psalm 91: 1-4
Mark 8: 34-38
The podcast crew welcomes special guest Tami Fire, our Assistant Children's Minister and music teacher extraordinaire! They explore this week's reading, 2 Timothy: 2: 1-13.
As Paul writes this letter he is literally in chains and facing the end of his life. We are often bound by suffering and wonder how we can possibly serve God and the Gospel if we can't help ourselves. But the word of God is not bound. His word moved powerfully through Paul, and can do the same for us.
This week's reading (2 Timothy 1: 7-18) focuses on suffering. Is it really telling us that we are all going to suffer? What is suffering, exactly? Are we alone in our suffering? How should we handle it? Does it make us weaker ... or stronger? Is it cause for shame? Tune in to learn how the Gospel answers these questions!
Sometimes our feelings of shame can hold us back from wanting to serve, but Paul assures us that our calling to serve is purely by grace and that even when things go wrong, we often end up feeling even closer to God.
Readings from this service:
2 Timothy 1: 7-18
Deuteronomy 7: 6-11
Psalm 37: 27-32
John 14: 15-17
We start a new season & a new series at the same time! Rev's Alex & Ben welcome Kat Shuttleworth to introduce the series, Building a Church That Serves, which focuses on 2nd Timothy.
Rev. Alex starts our new 8-week series, Building a Church That Serves, this week. The series focuses on the book of 2nd Timothy.
If you have been called to believe, then you have also been called to serve. What might hold us back from serving in the church, what happens when we do, and what happens when we don’t?
Readings from this service:
2 Timothy 1: 1-7
Psalm 86: 14-17
Matthew 25: 14-30
As we end our Advent and Christmas series, we look at how these 4 little verses, often overlooked, speak of God’s plan to identify with us and pay for our sin.
Readings from this service:
Leviticus 12: 7 -8
James 2: 5
Psalm 147: 5-6
Luke 2: 21-24
Jesus’ birth narrative displays a paradox that characterizes his whole life: that he is exalted but lowly.
Readings from this service:
Micah 5: 2-4
Psalm 147: 1-5
Luke 2: 1-7
In this all age Christmas talk, Alex explains how Jesus is the greatest gift the world has ever received.
The talk focuses on Luke 2: 8-20.
Mary does what everyone does when the good news is revealed and they receive it: she worships and shares the good news with the world.
Readings from this service:
1 Samuel 2: 1-10
Psalm 80: 7, 17-19
Luke 1: 46-56
For many Christmas is a time of celebration with those we love, but for some it’s a time when we feel more alone than ever. What does God say about loneliness? Why do we all sometimes feel so alone? And what is God’s plan to bring us blessing and joy?
Readings from this service:
Micah 5: 2-4
Psalm 80: 1-3
Luke 1: 39-45
John the Baptist is not nice, but he is kind. His message is abrasive, but he encourages us to reassess of our values and prepare our hearts to meet God.
Readings from this service:
Zephaniah 3: 14-20
Isaiah 12: 2-6
Luke 3: 7-18
Rev. Ben opens our Advent series this week. Many are put off by the countercultural witness of John the Baptist, but he brings good news for those desperate for redemption.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 40: 3-5
Psalm 126
Luke 3: 1-6
Serving and Giving to Jesus will always look like a waste unless and until we see that he is our King. If you want to know who is really your king, you can easily look at how you use the resources God has given to you.
Readings from this service:
1 Chronicles 11: 1-3
Psalm 133
Mark 14: 3-11
In this final episode of season 2, we welcome an illustrious cast of past and present Senior Wardens as Alex, Ben, Kris, and Jane discuss what it takes to grow in knowledge and grace and how that can bring about a deeper sense of peace.
The Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns, the Interim Bishop of Pittsburgh, visits today and closes our series on 2nd Peter. He encourages us to live faithful, fearless and forgiving lives. AMEN!
Readings from this service:
2 Peter 3: 14-18
Psalm 90: 8-10, 12
Matthew 7: 15-20
Alex and Ben discuss medieval theology, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Edwards, Ryle, Tom and Jerry and the prospect of life after life after death.
Many of us wonder when He will return. But God in His grace is not being slow, he is being patient: waiting for one more person to turn to him and receive life. Maybe that person is you, or maybe your job is to find them.
Readings from this service:
2 Peter 3: 8-13
Psalm 97: 1-6
Matthew 24: 35-36
Skeptics will seek to undermine our confidence in the gospel. One of the most common objections to the Christian faith is the existence of suffering and the apparent slowness of Christ’s return to remedy it. Peter reminds us of God’s timing and calls us to remember what we have already had revealed to us.
Readings from this service:
2 Peter 3: 1-7
Psalm 125: 1-2, 5
John 15: 18-27
Scoffers scoff (like Taylor Swift's haters hate according to Rev. Alex) in Peter's letter this week as he continues to talk about false teachers. Now, he talks about why they say what they are saying.
Out of discussions about shenanigans (both human & pet), the appropriateness of quoting Proverbs to teenage boys, and bathtime with young children, the clergy reveal this week's messages:
1. we as humans are compelled to sin again & again—it's "baked" into human nature
2. Superficial Christianity is no substitute for the real thing and won't save us.
False teachers and counterfeit gospels are dangerous because they can inoculate us against the real thin
Readings from this service:
2 Peter 2: 18-22
Psalm 125: 1-2 & 5
John 15: 18-27
We are all taught and trained by someone. So Peter asks, who are the influencers in your life, and how can you tell if they’re leading you into the light?
Readings from this service:
Numbers 22: 21-23
2 Peter 2: 10b-17
Psalm 18: 26-29
Luke 16: 10-13
In this week's reading, Peter continues to talk about false gods. Do you have any that have helped to form you?
In this week's episode, Alex and Kat discuss church authority, the judgment of God, and recommend a show with Tiffany Haddish as a terrible illustration of their point.
If God has judged and rescued before, then He will judge and rescue again.
The question is, who does he judge and who does he rescue, and how do we end on the right side of history?
Readings from this service:
Genesis 6: 5-9
2 Peter 2: 4-10a
Psalm 34: 15-19
Matthew 24: 36-40
Special guest Niki De Luca (our Finance Manager) joins the Rev. Alex this week as they discuss 2 Peter 2: 1-3. People may tell false truths or false futures that are enticing. They often sould legitimate, but these false claims are heresy. We don't need to do anything to be saved, we were saved by Jesus on the cross.
Rev. Ben continues with week four of our series on Peter. This week, Peter’s stern admonition about false teachers reminds us that the gospel really is a matter of life and death.
Readings from this service:
1 Peter 2: 1-3
Psalm 18: 20-23
Matthew 7: 15-20
Sometimes the light reveals that the things we love are not really as good for us as we thought they were. When that happens what will we do? Turn up the lamp, or reach for a blindfold?
Readings from this service:
2 Peter 1: 10-21
Psalm 119: 9-16
Mark 9: 2-8
This week Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben H. (our new full time minister!) discuss how the Gospel reveals the glory and the squalor we experience in our own community.
In his last sermon to us, Rev. Ben Wulpi preaches from 2 Peter 1:3-9 about how God calls us to cooperate with Him to build a faith that lasts.
Readings from this service:
2 Peter 1: 3-9
Psalm 84: 10-13
John 14: 12-14
The Bible Study returns after a brief summer hiatus with Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben Hughes lamenting the loss of their colleague Rev. Ben Wulpi as he prepares for his move to Kentucky, in addition to some other woes experienced over the past few weeks.
They also introduce the new series, 2nd Peter: A Lamp in the Darkness.
Rev. Alex begins our new series, 2nd Peter: A Lamp in the Darkness, this week. He sets out some of the main themes of the letter and notes from the introduction that although Peter is an apostle, with the greatest of credentials, he considers all believers to be of equal standing with himself and he expects this grace to be multiplied in us even further.
Readings from this service:
2 Peter 1: 1-2
Psalm 11: 2-4
Matthew 16: 13-19
Rev. Ben Wulpi brings our series on Miracles to a close this week, focusing on Luke 13: 10-17.
In this miraculous healing, Jesus reveals to us the true meaning of Sabbath, and his desire to restore us through it.
Readings from this service:
Exodus 23: 12
Psalm 6: 2-4
Luke 13: 10-17
All of the miracles reveal the majesty of Jesus as God, but if we misunderstand this, then our ministry will be in vain.
Readings from this service:
2 Peter 1: 16-18
Psalm 139: 13-15
Luke 9: 37-45
We welcome Kat Shuttleworth as our guest preacher in week six of our Miracles series.
In typical Jesus fashion, Jesus takes our perspective on the miraculous and reminds us how his ways are always higher, bigger and better than ours. And in just two interactions we get to see that he is always in the business of restoration beyond what we could have ever imagined.
Readings from this service:
Leviticus 15: 25-31
Psalm 66: 15-19
Luke 8: 40-56
Jesus enters a foreign land and rescues a man by casting out a legion of demons, showing that there is no problem too big for him, and no place beyond the scope of his authority.
Readings from this service:
Numbers 19: 16, 20-22
Psalm 62: 5-8
Luke 8: 26-39
Rev. Alex & Kat discuss the compassion of and the cost to Jesus in bringing life out of death as best they can with a noisy construction crew just outside of the "studio."
In this week's sermon, Rev. Alex looks at the compassion of God and how he always provides for our restoration. In this reveal Christ comes to us in our most vulnerable state, and reveals how much more we can expect from Him on the cross.
Readings from this service:
Numbers 19: 11-13
Psalm 86: 1-5
Luke 7: 11-17
This week, Ben, Ben and Alex discuss how in this week’s miracle it is Jesus who marvels at the frenemies servant (and how Ben W. dislikes the word frenemy.)
In our passage today from Luke 7:1-10, this miracle of Jesus reveals to us the nature of faith and how it shows us what is really true. When we learn to live in this truth, Jesus can do amazing things in us.
Readings from this service:
Galatians 3: 7-14
Psalm 107: 19-22
Luke 7: 1-10
In week two of our miracles series, Rev. Alex takes a deep dive into the Old Testament rules reveals how far short of God we fall, and yet how Jesus brings healing, restoration, and grace to us, through his presence with us.
Readings from this service:
Leviticus 13: 45-46
Psalm 50: 1-3, 15
Luke 5: 12-14
This week Ben W. and Alex discuss Luke Chapter 5 in light of the instructions in Leviticus 13 and how Jesus desires to bring us a restoration that we don’t deserve.
Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben H. introduce our new series, Reveal: The Miracles of Jesus, Pt. II. This is a continuation of the series from the summer of 2019, which focused on the book of Matthew. This new series focuses on the book of Luke.
The miracles reveal who God is and what God is like.
Rev. Alex starts our new series this week, Reveal: The Miracles of Jesus, Pt. II. The series is a continuation from summer 2019.
The miracles reveal a huge amount of Christian doctrine to us, and in today’s miracle Jesus reveals who God is and what He is like, who we are and what we are like, our need for him, his ability and willingness to save us and even to send us out in power to work for him by grace. It is effectively the entire gospel in one miracle.
Scriptures from this service:
Isaiah 6: 1-8
Psalm 8: 4-9
Luke 5: 1-11
Rev. Alex leads a combined sermon and background study to this week's passage in place of the regular podcast as we look at one of the most famous restarts in the Old Testament.
Rev. Alex leads a combined sermon and background study to the passage in place of the regular podcast as we look at one of the most famous restarts in the Old Testament.
Readings from this week's service:
1 Kings 18: 17-40
Psalm 56: 3, 11-13
Matthew 7: 21-23
The third tenet of membership is Contribute. In this sermon, Rev. Ben explores the biblical and spiritual principles behind this call, and why God graciously invites you to contribute to the family of faith.
Readings from this service:
Acts 4: 32-37
Psalm 24: 1-6
Matthew 6: 19-24
Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben H. muddle through without Rev. Ben W. this week as they contemplate what contributing (is it con-tri-bute or con-tri-bute???) means in the context of membership. God has called us here for a purpose. Contributing is not limited to this hill or this building, but everywhere as we are part of a larger body.
What does it mean to be connected? Church members are connected to God—and to one another—through the blood-bought mercy of Christ. The Gospel joins even the most diverse group of people into a unified body.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 12: 12-27
Psalm 133
John 17: 20-26
Rev. Alex and his wife Kat lead this week's podcast. They talk about what it means to be a connected member of the church, and the many parts it takes to make up the full body of members. Everyone's gifting is essential!
We are a broad church, at different stages in our faith and with many subtle differences in our views. But there are some key non-negotiable commitments, without which membership here makes no sense.
(1) To be a Christian is to commit to Christ. The shortest creed is “Jesus is Lord”. He is Lord of all, or not Lord at all.
(2) He reveals himself and his will for us in scripture and he calls us to commit our lives to His commands.
Readings from this service:
Romans 10: 9-11
2 Timothy 3: 12-17
Psalm 100
Matthew 16: 13-16
Rev's Alex, Ben & Ben talk about the first of the three core components that define church membership: committing. Committing to Jesus and scripture, not a building or an idea. Sometimes this means accepting correction.
Our new series Restart: Commit, Connect, Contribute, begins this week.
Believers have always assembled together for worship. And the early church was especially characterized by its devotion to one another.
A passive, consumerist, materialist, or individualist understanding of church as a place to go to get something for yourself fundamentally misunderstands what church really is.
Readings from this service:
Acts 2: 42-47
Hebrews 10: 24-25
Psalm 22: 25-27
Matthew 16: 13-20
Rev. Alex is joined by his wife, Kat, and our Assistant Children's Minister, Tami Fire, to introduce our new series Restart: Commit, Connect, Contribute. What does church mean?
In the final week of our Thessalonians series, Rev. Alex talks about how the Holy Spirit calls and equips all of us for a ministry of the gospel.
Readings from this service:
1 Thessalonians 5: 12-28
Psalm 51: 9-12
Luke 6: 32-36
As the clergy explore our last reading in the Thessalonians series (1 Thessalonians 5: 12-28) they explore what it means to treat each other with grace, both interpersonally and as a congregation. Sometimes this can be awkward, but we are trying to help ourselves and others live life as Jesus would.
We can be encouraged about judgment because justice will be served on those who reject the gospel. The double encouragement is that those who receive the gospel are ready and even spared from such destruction by grace through faith.
If we really know the truth that Christ is judged for us, our encouragement should go viral.
Readings from this service:
1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11
Psalm 149
Matthew 25: 1-13
As we near the end of our Thessalonians series, Niki returns to break down 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 with Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben W. This week's topic: judgement.
Many of us take our eschatology from Disney: both overstating and understating the significance of death at the same time. We pretend it is “nothing at all” and make up ideas that gloss over our grief, but deep down we know that death is real and so we often feel despair, even if we hide it. But resurrection is real. So those who receive the gospel, can grieve with hope.
Readings from this service:
1 Thessalonians 4: 3-18
Psalm 49: 10-16
John 14: 15-26
The full complement of the clergy return for this week's episode discussing 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18. How do we deal with death and what does the resurrection mean to us?
The Thessalonian church seems to have been as confused about love as our world is today with too much selfish love (excessive physical pleasure for ourselves, and insufficient practical care for ourselves and others).
Readings from this service:
1 Peter 2: 9-12
1 Thessalonians 4: 1-12
Psalm 133
John 15: 12-14
The one-and-only Niki De Luca (our Finance Manager) returns to the podcast this week. The group discusses 1 Thessalonians 3: 6-13. What is holiness?
We especially need encouragement when we are afflicted or under distress and pressure. As believers grow in the power of the gospel, they learn to love more and increase in holiness.
Readings from this service:
1 Thessalonians 3: 6-13
Psalm 30: 5-8, 1-13
John 15: 9-12
In this week's episode, Rev. Alex identifies two themes that are starting to emerge from Paul's letter to the Thessalonians: the affection that Paul has for his fellow believers and the affliction that they are all experiencing.
These conflicting themes don't normally go together, but it's possible that the affliction is encouraging the affection, amplifying what is already there.
We can be encouraged by the power of the gospel in the lives of others in our church and be encouraged by any participation we’ve had in that work, knowing there is an eternal pay off for it.
A jolly good thing, because often gospel life is hard and our work will come under attack.
Readings from this service:
1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:5
Psalm 16: 9-12
Matthew 24: 4-13
Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben W. discuss this week's passage, 1 Thessalonians 2: 8-16. They delve into the parental images of mother from last week's passage and father in this passage.
Often gospel ministry is embedded in the lives of others (not just a lecture from the front, but care in their homes). It can be hard work, but the power of the gospel goes to work harder than we do.
Readings from this service:
1 Thessalonians 2: 8-16
Psalm 34: 4-8
Matthew 5: 10-12
Paul contends for the authenticity of their ministry (perhaps it was questioned or he knew they would be criticized soon).
Part of the power of the gospel in them is their willingness to work hard, and love gently, even when their motives are questioned. Like Jesus.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 40: 10-11
1 Thessalonians 2: 1-8
Psalm 12: 1-3, 8-9
John 5: 41-44
Rev. Ben and the brilliant Stephanie Wulpi deliver this week's episode from their (oddly quiet) dining room in Sharpsburg. In this week's scripture, 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-8, Paul finds himself defending his ministry to the Thessalonians by reminding them of what they already know and that they are all ministers of the Gospel.
Rev. Alex starts our new series 1 Thessalonians: What the Gospel Does.We talk a lot about what the Gospel is, but here we ask what it does: what practical difference the Gospel really makes. Receiving the gospel is not a mere intellectual exercise. Its power brings deliverance from evil and death.
Readings from this service:
1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10
Psalm 84: 1-2, 4-5
Matthew 3: 4-12
The "regulars" discuss the radical differences between cottage pie and shepherd's pie as they introduce our new series, 1 Thessalonians: What Does the Gospel Do.The scripture in the first sermon in the series is 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10.
Rev. Alex focuses on Mark 16: 1-8 and Colossians 3: 1-4. Resurrection Sunday is the strongest piece of evidence for our faith. If the resurrection is real, then what real difference does it make to you?
Rev. Ben Hughes explores John 19: 1-37, pondering what Jesus was thinking about during his time on the cross.
Jesus is welcomed as a liberating warrior king in triumphal procession. But within a week He is rejected in mock coronation, before being revealed as the true King.
Readings from this service:
Mark 11: 1-11
Psalm 22: 1-11
Mark 15: 16-20
The studio has moved (again) in an effort to deliver the highest quality for the fastest growing conservative evangelical charismatic Anglican podcast in the Fox Chapel area.
Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben W. discuss the readings for Palm Sunday: Mark 11: 8-11 and Mark 15: 16-20. These readings demonstrate how much life can change in a single week.
The mission of the Servant is completed as he suffers and bears our sins as a substitute, and in this he fulfills the will of God. Even in his suffering, he is victorious because God’s will has been accomplished.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 53: 4-12
Psalm 69: 17-21
Mark 15: 33-39
A short discussion about the difference between a squirrel and a rat and some friendly gambling start off this week's bible study. When Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben W. get down to business, they discuss the scripture that is the focus of our final week in the Servant Song series: Isaiah 53: 4-12.
Rev. Ben H. will be absent from the podcast as he and Jenna have welcomed their son, Asa Ryan, on March 16!
The three amigos return this week (in anticipation of being Laurel & Hardy next week if the Hughes baby arrives as anticipated) to discuss "The Rejected Servant" and how a brutal and inglorious ministry reflects on God (Isaiah 52: 13–53: 3).
God’s plan of salvation is brought about by unusual means. The Servant is unattractive, despised, rejected, and yet he brings about the cleansing of the nations. Isaiah hints how this brutal and inglorious ministry is a reflection of the heavenly glory of Almighty God, and John connects this to how Jesus dies, revealing God’s glory. Consider how God’s glory is revealed in our lives?
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 52: 13–53: 3
Psalm 118: 19-23
John 12: 27-33
The clergy are bundled up in our attic studio to bring you this week's bible study. The focus this week is Isaiah 50: 4-9.
In week three of our Lent series, the path of the Servant becomes clear: He is one who suffers in order to sustain and comfort others. He is one whose face is set like flint toward a higher purpose and calling to obey the Lord, and will not be dissuaded despite his own personal suffering.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 50: 4-9
Psalm 40: 8-12
Matthew 27: 27-31
Rev. Ben Wulpi returns from his paternity leave & joins Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben Hughes for this week's bible study. They focus on Isaiah 49: 1-6.
The Servant speaks and takes up his mission. The Servant Israel (a true representative) is to restore the nation Israel, but more than that, he will bring about God’s restoration and peace throughout the whole world. “It is too light a thing…” (v.6) reflects the scope of God’s plan from the beginning (the book of Genesis) to offer salvation to all nations.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 49: 1-6
Psalm 80: 1-3
John 12: 44-50
This is the first week of our Lent series, Servant Song: Christ & The Cross Before He Was Born.The Lord is bringing about a new thing in the form of His Servant. He is the one who will bring justice and peace and the will of the Lord. God gives the Servant as a light and covenant to the nations, even beyond Israel, challenging the notion of who God is for. This is the only hope for a truly just world.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 42: 1-9
Psalm 43
Matthew 12: 15-21
In this week's episode, Rev. Alex & Kat introduce our new series for Lent, Servant Song: Christ & The Cross Before He Was Born.
This is a clever lie because you accept the truth to some extent, but are deceived into thinking you can deal with it tomorrow.
Delayed obedience is disobedience. When we trust this lie we reveal that our convenience rules us and God is not our priority. It's just not convenient right now , “when I’ve done this, then I’ll do that.”
Readings from this service:
1 Thessalonians 5: 1-6
Psalm 39: 5-9
Luke 12: 16-21
This week, Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben Hughes welcome Children's Minister Josh Gerdes and his wife Kirsten, who is one of our soloists.
The final lie we explore in the series is "It's Not That Urgent." Oddly enough, there were technical difficulties in recording this session and several minutes were lost. Was it simply equipment failure, or interference from the evil one??
This lie equates spirituality with Christianity and encourages an individualist view of faith. It also mischaracterizes church as a ceremonial place of rituals and rules, not an assembly of disciples. The value of the body is ignored (where we encourage and serve one another) and the authority of church leaders is viewed with suspicion (“I know better”, “Moving on” from traditional religious institutions, seeing them as boring, restrictive, etc.
Satan is spiritual! So when you’re isolated from the body, he becomes your spiritual companion and your pastor.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 12: 12-20
1 Thessalonians 5: 12-15
Psalm 133
John 17: 15-23
This week, the clergy explore this week's lie, "Be Spiritual, Just Not Religious." Is being spiritual the same as being Christian?
Satan wants to disrupt our relationship with God getting us to believe that we can’t pray about certain things because they are too insignificant or too selfish etc. He also wants to undermine our trust in God’s word and either be ignorant of what God says to us, or disbelieve it for some reason. Even Jesus himself uses scripture to combat Satan’s lies. God is so big that nothing is too small for Him.
Readings from this service:
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-19
2 Timothy 3: 14-17
Psalm 139: 1-10
Luke 12: 6-7
This week's episode comes directly from the former servants quarters of our building, the attic! An apt location for servants of God.
This week the trio delves into the "God Doesn't Care About That" lie. Satan wants to disrupt our relationship with God getting us to believe that we can't pray about certain things because they are too insignificant or too selfish.
Satan speaks out of both corners of his mouth. In this lie he wants us to settle for the idea that good people go to heaven… and we must be good right? When we accept this lie, we compare ourselves favorably to others (“at least I’m not that person”). If the previous lie understates the severity of our sin, this understates the holiness of God. Again, there is a grain of truth in it, you can be good enough, but in Christ, not works.
Readings from this service:
2 Thessalonians 1: 5-10
Romans 3: 23-25
Psalm 51: 1-6
Luke 18: 9-14
Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben Wulpi bring a more intimate view to the Lies series. They discuss both passages from this week's sermon, Zechariah 3: 1-4 and 1 Timothy 1: 12-17.
Satan wants us to believe that it’s down to us to earn our own way to God and that our sin might be too great for grace. He loves us to compare ourselves to other believers unfavorably, become discouraged, give up and say “I don’t belong in church, I’m not good enough”. Like many lies, it works because it’s kind of true, but it is not the whole truth. Satan accuses, but God clothes us in righteousness.
Readings from this service:
Zechariah 3: 1-4
1 Timothy 1: 12-17
Psalm 25: 5-6, 10 & 15-17
John 8: 44
Rev. Alex begins our new sermon series, 6 Lies of Satan (and why we believe them) this week.
God never calls us to stay put in comfort, but to follow him. Were the good old days really all that good anyway, or did we have problems before? The heart of this lie is that we should put our trust in the security of normalcy rather than in God himself. Christians who accept this lie look very much like the non-believers around them. In exodus they wanted slavery, but in exile they wanted Israel, in return they wanted the temple!
Readings from this service:
Ecclesiastes 7: 1-3, 10
Philippians 3: 7-11
Psalm 137: 1-4
Luke 9: 57-62
The three amigos (or the ordained male clergy) start season two of the CCFC podcast this week! The introduce out new sermon series, 6 Lies of Satan (and why we believe them).
Rev. Alex and special guest, Senior Warden Anne Malone, welcome the new year. Anne shares her testimony and God's provision in her life.
Rev. Ben Hughes brings our Advent & Christmas series to a close.
Come let us adore Him! As the wise men fought many obstacles and traveled a long way, what will your journey look like to worship Jesus?
Readings from this service:
Jeremiah 31: 7-14
Psalm 84: 1-4
Matthew 2: 1-12
Rev. Ben wasn't able to be at our live service, but he recorded his homily on Luke 2: 1-7 in a COVID-safe manner before the service.
Rev. Alex fills in for Rev. Ben Wulpi who was unable to attend at the last minute. He gives a short talk on Rev. Ben's main points about Luke 2: 1-7.
John lived to exalt Jesus, and sought His glory above all else. To prepare the way for the Lord in our lies and in the world, we must take on the same attitude.
Readings from this service:
Titus 2: 11-14
Psalm 115: 1-11
John 3: 22-30
Rev. Alex welcomes special guests A.K. & Jim Edwards to the podcast this week in our NEW mobile studio.
A.K. & Jim talk about their faith journey and how they became members of CCFC.
In week three of our Advent series, John testifies to Jesus as the Christ, the Lamb of God, and always points people toward Him. How is your life pointing people toward Jesus? How does God call you to testify?
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 53: 4-7
Psalm 32: 1-5
John 1: 19-34
Rev. Alex welcomes his wife Kat as a special guest this week as we celebrate our 30th episode of the CCFC Bible Study!
Rev. Alex continues in week two of our Advent series. This week's sermon, Repent, John does not mince words and shows us how to prepare the way for the Lord: by repentance.
Readings from this service:
Romans 2: 1-5
Psalm 98: 4-9
Luke 3: 1-14
A dog eats a lightbulb, a man cooks an egg, and Kris Kann gives her testimony in this special edition of our bible study.
Rev. Ben Wulpi begins our new series for Advent, Prepare the Way of the Lord: The Ministry of John the Baptist.
Using John the Baptist as a framework, we'll explore what it means to prepare the way for the Lord in ourselves, the church, and the world.
God promised of old, and the world has been waiting in eager anticipation for, His salvation. John is born in order to prepare the way. Our ministry is also to prepare the way for Jesus in this world.
Readings from this service:
Malachi 3: 1-4
Psalm 111: 1-4
Luke 1: 57-80
The amazing Mrs. Shuttleworth joins Rev. Alex in this week's edition of the CCFC Bible Study podcast.
In the final sermon of our James series, James moves on to talk about some practical things we can do in suffering, especially in prayer. Sometimes people say that offering to pray is not enough, or is just the least we can do. James describes it as the most we can do. This attitude reveals that our trust is often still in human endeavor. For James, works are the outworking of faith, not a substitute for it or a precursor to it.
Readings from this service:
James 5: 13-20
Psalm 145: 17-21
Luke 22: 39-46
Recorded in the "Hughes Studio" with both Pastors Ben and Rev. Alex. This week the trio discusses James 5: 7-12.
The end of James deals especially with the question of suffering. His first call is to patience, placing present suffering into a longer and bigger context.
Readings from this service:
James 5: 7-12
Psalm 37: 7-9
Matthew 10: 16-22
Rev. Alex welcomes two very special guests this week, Vestry members Anne Malone and Jane Flaherty.
It's tempting to put our faith in money and things and to believe that through hard work, things will always get better in this world.
Readings from this service:
James 4: 13–5: 6
Psalm 19: 9-11
Matthew 6: 19-24
Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben Wulpi discuss this the focus of this week's sermon, James 4: 1-12.
James continues his point that worldly passions cause human conflict and draw us away from God. He uses the word humble several times in the context of peace with God and people.
Readings from this service:
James 4: 1-12
Psalm 19: 7-9
Matthew 23: 11-12
Little words might seem insignificant but ultimately we are either for or against God. What we say reveals where our hearts are.
We can't use our mouths both for and against God (otherwise our hearts would be equally divided.) In the end there are no neutrals, one is either of God or worldly. Worldly is not neutral either—it can even be demonic!
Readings from this service:
James 3: 1-18
Psalm 64: 1-3, 6-8
Matthew 12: 30-31
Join Rev. Alex & the Rev's Ben for our 25th episode! This week they discuss James, Chapter 3, verses 1-18.
The clergy welcome Music Minister Robert Fire for this week's study of James, chapter 2, vs. 14-26.
Faith without works is dead.
It is not that works save us, rather they demonstrate if we have faith (or even in what we have placed our faith.) A person who claims to have faith will manifest that faith in how they live.
Readings from this service:
James 2: 14-26
Psalm 146: 1-4
Matthew 7: 15-20
It is easy for us to look at people and things with worldly eyesight, but this can lead to discrimination and judgement.
Real wealth is to be faithful and real judgement is to show mercy.
Readings from this service:
James 2: 1-13
Psalm 82: 1-4
Matthew 7: 1-5
A true faith is lived out. Believers don't just learn about God, rather our faith manifests in practical work and obedience.
Readings from this service:
James 1: 19-27
Psalm 106: 1-3
Luke 11: 27-28
Rev. Alex and both Rev. Ben's join in on this week's study of James Chapter 1, verses 19-27.
Rev. Alex starts off our new series, James: a working faith. Each passage deals with the question of what faith looks like in practice.
The world fails and falls apart, we are tempted to trust it too much but when we persevere through hard times, God blesses us. A testing can lead to good results.
Readings from this service:
James 1: 1-18
Psalm 103: 13-17
Matthew 4: 1-11
Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben are back with the fastest growing conservative evangelical charismatic Anglican podcast in the area!
This week the duo discusses the first chapter of James.
God calls us to be agents of His justice in the world, and to live out the Gospel in a way that reflects God's heart for justice. This includes concern and advocacy for the poor and marginalized, seeking righteousness for ourselves and for society, and calling out evil so that we might call the world to repentance. Our job is to be salt and light to the world.
Readings from this service:
Micah 6: 6-8
Psalm 37: 1-6
Matthew 5: 13-16
All biblical justice finds its focal point at the cross. How does Jesus' death matter for the injustices we see around us today? Because justice is satisfied at the cross, our job is to point people to Jesus.
Readings from this service:
Deuteronomy 10: 17-20
Romans 3: 21-26
Psalm 50: 1-6
Luke 4: 16-21
Rev. Ben Wulpi starts our new series, Biblical Justice: God's Vision for an Unjust World, this week.
Biblical justice is rooted in the character of God. Compare with other modern and postmodern forms of justice, and see how only God can satisfy the deep needs of the world. Biblical justice rests on biblical anthropology and eschatology. Because justice is rooted in God, our first job is prayer.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 30: 15-19
Psalm 89: 8-18
Luke 18: 1-8
Revelation ends as Genesis began with the revelation of God (Jesus uses the name I am) and speaks of his coming again. Many themes from our series are here including, the defeat of Satan, temple, nourishing, river, throne of David and eternal dwelling place for us with Him.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 22: 12-21
Psalm 36: 5-9
Matthew 16: 24-28
The Shuttleworth family welcome Tom Miller and the Edwards family to present this week's bible study.
Laodicea is tepid, and their ambivalence to God is repugnant to Him. It leaves them in danger of a most graphic promise (I will spit you out.) However, God also promises something amazing, he approaches us and offers us the opportunity to sit on God's throne!
Readings from this service:
Revelation 3: 14-22
Psalm 32: 8-11
John 14: 18-23
Philadelphia has been faithful, even through hardship. Jesus calls them to hold fast, because other will try to seize their inheritance. They will be made a pillar in the Temple, and receive a new glorious name.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 3: 7-13
Psalm 27: 1-4
Matthew 7: 24-27
This week Rev's Alex & Ben W. welcome member Andrew Beluk, who is currently enrolled in Trinity School for Ministry.
John pleads with the church in Sardis to wake up to the reality of Christ's kingdom and repent of their hypocrisy. Those who sleep (i.e. those who are content with a carnal existence) will face judgement, but those who wake up through repentance will share in Christ's pure goodness. He will acknowledge them before the Father and his angels.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 3: 1-6
Psalm 130
Luke 12: 35-40
Thyatira is like the opposite of Ephesus (good love and poor doctrine.) They are called no longer to tolerate evil, otherwise they will receive tribulation, sickness, and death. But if they hold fast to the truth Jesus will give them authority and even himself.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 2: 18-29
Psalm 2: 7-12
John 15: 1-6
Rev. Ben W., Rev. Alex & Music Minister Robert Fire delve into the scriptures from the Aug. 2 service.
Pergamum knows it is in a world where Satan has great power but is commended for faith in a hostile situation. But false teaching has come in. Christ promises either war against the false or the right to be name by him before God.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 2: 12-17
Psalm 25: 7-12
John 6: 48-58
Tune in to hear our new theme song, as well as the banter between Rev. Ben W., Rev. Ben H., & Rev. Alex.
To the church in Smyrna: Jesus knows intimately every struggle, temptation, and hardship you endure. His call is to be faithful, even unto death, just as He has been. Th eternal reward is worth the cost.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 2: 8-11
Psalm 73: 22-28
Matthew 10: 26-31
Rev. Ben Wulpi and Robert Fire bring you the "fastest growing conservative evangelical Anglican charismatic podcast in the Greater Fox Chapel area!"
In the second part of the I WILL series, we are looking to Revelation where "I Am" continues to say "I Will." In each of the seven parts of the letter, Jesus makes the promises of God and gives two alternative and contingent promises of life or death.
Ephesus has good doctrine but is poor at loving. If they persevere, they will be granted to eat of the tree of life (which takes us back to the account of Eve), or he will remove their lampstand.
Readings from this service:
Revelation 2: 1-7
Psalm 1: 1-7
Matthew 7: 21-23
To a people in exile, wrestling with the consequences of their own sin, God reminds them of his faithfulness, calls them home, and promises to renew their hearts.
Readings from this service:
Ezekiel 11: 16-21
Psalm 51: 5-11
John 3: 1-8
God makes a string of promises both for now and eternity to give rest and to protect his people, again with a strong Christological theme.
Readings from this service:
2 Samuel 7: 9-17
Psalm 89: 33-35
Luke 1: 46-55
Tune in to this lighthearted discussion of the readings from this week's service. This week's special guest is Finance Manager Niki Adams, who joins Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben Wulpi.
Like all covenants the maker states His name first. His name tells us why we can trust His promises. The promise to rescue a people trapped in an impossible trap of slavery.
Readings from this service:
Exodus 3: 4-12
Psalm 91: 14-16
Luke 1: 68-75
The foundational promise of the whole of the story of Israel as fulfilled in Christ—to be a blessing to the nations. God's blessing is never just for our own sakes, but an order to be a blessing.
Readings from this service:
Genesis 12: 1-3
Psalm 12: 5-9
Luke 2: 25-32
Enjoy a very special edition of the staff bible study with honorary staff members Kat, Ben & Hannah Shuttleworth, and special guest, Vestry member Tom Miller.
Rev. Alex begins our new series this week, I WILL: The Promises of God.
God makes numerous promises in the bible, often to people in uncertain times. Unlike human promises, they are 100% guaranteed because of who God is. Our understanding is that ultimately, they all point to Jesus so a key verse for this series is 2 Corinthians 1: 20: "For all the promises of God find their yes in Him."
The first promise is to defeat the enemy. We see that even in her sin, Eve is promised an offspring to do this and that although Satan will be defeated, the victory will wound the savior. It's a promise "another" will fulfill.
Readings from this service:
Genesis 3: 13-15
Psalm 132: 14-19
John 12: 27-33
The Rt. Rev. James L. Hobby Jr. visits this week to celebrate Pentecost.
Readings from this service:
John 14: 12-19
Psalm 104: 24-25
Acts 2: 1-11
Rev. Alex & Rev. Ben W. discuss the scriptures from this week's service, among other subjects!
This world is not our home. But we are given to it temporarily to capture it for the Kingdom of God. Jesus is now ascended, and enthroned, giving us both a message and the power of a message accompanied by heavenly signs.
We have trusted too much in the world around us but the fact that there is now a human on the throne of God give s us hope for the future.
Readings from this service:
Mark 16: 19-20
Psalm 68: 19-20, 35
We very likely feel worn down, even defeated right now. Our suffering is to be expected but we can have peace during it and hope of overcoming it in Christ Jesus.
Readings from this service:
John 16: 25-33
Psalm 47: 8-9
A candid discussion of the passages from the May 17 service with Rev. Alex, Rev. Ben Wulpi and special guest, Vestry Member Joe Nawrocki.
The clergy (informally!) discusses the scriptures from the May 10 service. Special guest Phil Thompson.
Jesus hints at his purposes in being born, dying, rising and ascending. This will become clearer later after his resurrection. His sovereign rule gives peace to believers in suffering and is the basis for our hope, indeed expectation of joy to come after suffering.
Readings from this service:
John 16: 16-24
Psalm 30: 11-12
Because Jesus has resurrected, He now gives us His Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us into the truth in a world that feels increasingly uncertain.
Readings from this service:
John 16: 4b-15
Psalm 25: 4-10
The clergy (informally!) discusses the scriptures from the May 3 service. Special guest Robert Fire.
Tune in to the staff bible study @ 11am. Rev. Alex, Rev. Ben W. & special guest Stephanie Wulpi have an informal discussion about the scriptures in today's service.
The disciples have returned to fear. In our doubts many of us are afraid and looking for peace. Jesus approaches us and calls us to submit to him as Lord. In doing so he both answers our fears and gives us hope.
Readings from this service:
John 20: 24-29
Psalm 111: 9-10
Like the disciples, there is fear in our world right now. But the resurrected Jesus brings hope and the power to share peace with the world. Even though our movements are restricted, the power of the resurrected God is not. He knows no boundaries.
Readings from this service:
John 20: 19-23
Psalm 111: 1-7
The clergy (informally!) discusses the scriptures from the April 19 service. Special guest Kat Shuttleworth.
The resurrection is the strongest piece of evidence for the truth of the Christian faith. But verse 9 is key: the death and resurrection was not just a demonstration of God's sovereignty, it was the fulfillment of His plan to redeem a dying world.
Readings from this service:
John 20: 1-10
Psalm 16: 9-11
An informal discussion of the scriptures from the April 12 Easter service. Special guest host Kat Shuttleworth, with friends Tami Fire, Kirsten Gerdes and Stephanie Wulpi.
Rev. Alex closes our series on Ephesians this week.
The enemy does not like it when we live like this. He is threatened by our lives and the way our freedom attracts others. So he attacks. But Jesus offers strength to resist.
Readings from this service:
Ephesians 6:10-23
Psalm 56: 3-4
The clergy (informally!) discusses the scriptures from the April 5 service. Special guest Kat Shuttleworth.
The radical teaching last week between spouses is taken even further as the same principle of mutual care is extended to two more marginalized groups: children and servants.
Imagine the impact on the world if we turn our little homes and places of work upside down with the gospel!
Readings from this service:
Ephesians 6: 1-9
Psalm 78: 5-8
The clergy (informally!) discusses the scriptures from the March 29 service. Special guest Robert Fire.
The mutually submissive teaching to spouses here is radical because it mirrors Christ's submission to death for us.
The staff team & vestry operates on the principle of submitting to one another. The aim is for this culture to impact the whole church.
Readings from this service:
Ephesians 5: 21-33
Psalm 146: 7-10
Matthew 20: 20-28
At a time of stress Ephesians 5: 21 shows what a powerful witness it can be to become a "you first" church. Extending the series by a week, Rev. Alex zooms in on just one verse today.
Readings from this service:
Ephesians 5: 21-33
Psalm 146: 7-10
Matthew 20: 20-28
Please note: this service was broadcast live on our Facebook page.*
Although believers still sin, we should be distinctly different from non-believers. And this ought to attract people to Christ. God in His grace points out our behavior to us so that we can be changed.
Readings from this service:
Ephesians 5: 1-21
Psalm 50: 17-22
John 13: 34-35
*Note: Due to technical difficulties, this sermon was recorded after the service.
Being isolated from God leads to a darkened mind and a hardened heart, which leads to sinful behavior and breaks our human relationships. But in the equal opposite way, peace with God leads to peace in our lives and one another.
What are our work and home lives like? Could the answer be linked to what we are like?
Readings from this service:
Ephesians 4: 17-32
Psalm 94: 8-12
John 12: 23-26
Paul's prayer is that we would grow stronger in our faith and trust in Christ more, seeing that he can do way more than we currently believe. God can always do more than even the most faithful person believes.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 41: 10-13
Ephesians 3: 14-21
Psalm 72: 18-19
John 14: 12-17
By grace, God extends his grace further and further, bringing in more and more people to the family of God as promised.
We gain bold and confident access to the Father through faith in Jesus Christ.
Readings from this service:
Ephesians 3: 1-13
Psalm 74: 2-3, 21-22
John 14: 1-6
We used to live alone and without hope but now we belong to God together with one another. Our new communal life is built on Christ alone.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 28: 15-16
Ephesians 2: 11-22
Psalm 118: 19-23
John 15: 1-5
God lavishes grace on us through his saving initiative. The language of death could not be stronger in debunking the idea of salvation through our own works: the dead do not raise themselves.
Readings from this service:
Ephesians 2: 1-10
Psalm 86: 12-16
John 5: 19-24
Having been made ready by Christ, we gain deep and powerful insight, seeing the world in a way that the dull cannot. In fact, Isaiah suggests we see it as he sees it.
We thus find hope, even in hard times because we see the authority and the power of Christ now.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 11: 1-4
Ephesians 1: 15-23
Psalm 119: 17-20
John 17: 24-26
We begin a new 14-week series this week, Ephesians: Reconciled in Christ & Ready for Life.
Those in Christ are ready for the end because of his redemption, blood, forgiveness & grace. The language of inheritance, salvation and election amplifies the point. We need not fear the end as we are sealed and our inheritance is guaranteed.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 45: 22-25
Ephesians 1: 1-14
Psalm 37: 18-20
Matthew 26: 26-29
God promises to ransom and redeem us and thus our mourning turns to joy.
Readings from this service:
Jeremiah 31: 7-14
Psalm 84: 1-2, 4-5, 10-13
Matthew 2: 1-12
In a criminal trial the accused at best might be declared not guilty. But in Christ we are declared positively as righteous and Isaiah promises even more: a beautiful, elaborate new royal identity for us.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 61: 10--62: 5
Psalm 147: 12-13, 19-20
John 1: 1-18
The idea of something as vulnerable as a baby being our judge and bringing light to a gloomy world is uniquely Christian.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 9: 2-7
Psalm 98: 1-3
Luke 2: 1-20
Christ enters the world to be with us in our sins and to save us from judgment by presenting us as righteous before God, not through our works but by his grace alone.
Readings from this service:
Romans 1: 1-7
Psalm 24: 3-6
Matthew 1: 18-25
We are promised both ransom and restoration. When we suffer or feel anxious, it can be comforting to know that the judge is near and will soon bring about our vindication.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 35: 4-6 & 10
James 5: 7-12
Psalm 146: 5-9
Matthew 11: 2-6
Jesus judges perfectly and with a prefect knowledge that no human can have.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 11: 1-5
Romans 3: 8-13
Psalm 72: 1-5
Matthew 3: 1-12
Advent is the beginning of a new church year, so a study of the end might seem odd. But the Christian faith offers a new start that prepares us for the end.
Judgement Day is in fact good news for the people of God because they are ready for it.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 2: 1-5
Psalm 122: 1, 5-9
Matthew 24: 29-44
We begin our Advent season series this week as we celebrate Christ the King Sunday.
Christ the King Sunday is a time to remember that although Jesus looked like a criminal, he is now enthroned as judge & king. He will come to judge our eternal destiny and he will separate people as sheep and goats. Yet as we prepare for a new start, we should also know he offers to be our rescuer, shepherd and savior too.
Readings from this service:
Ezekiel 34: 11-20
Psalm 95: 3-7
Matthew 25: 31-46
Have we reckoned with the scale of the seriousness of unforgiveness? The world is perishing, we have been given a message of forgiveness, but sometimes we act as though we'd rather they didn't hear it!
Readings from this service:
Jonah 4: 5-11
Psalm 103: 10-14
Matthew 20: 1-16
Grace just outrages us sometimes. From a human perspective it seems unfair and we like (other) people to get what they deserve. Jonah echoes the psalm, knowing that God forgives, perhaps also, like the psalm, he was looking for some justice to.
Readings from this service:
Jonah 4: 1-4
Psalm 86: 15-17
Luke 15: 11-32
Grace just outrages us sometimes. From a human perspective it seems unfair and we like (other) people to get what they deserve. Jonah echoes the psalm, knowing that God forgives, perhaps also, like the psalm, he was looking for some justice too.
Readings from this service:
Jonah 3: 6-10
Psalm 103: 8-10
Matthew 3: 1-8
This time Jonah seems more prepared to do as he is told. But, just as he knew, his message is well-received.
When God calls us to seek forgiveness, we can be angry at being called on our sin, or fatalistic and ignore the offer of grace, or we can respond.
Readings from this service:
Jonah 2: 10–3:5
Psalm 65: 5-8
Mark 1: 14-15
Often prayer becomes more fervent when our life is in danger. The more we have lost, the easier it becomes to put our hope in God.
Jesus clearly sees parallels with the fish and his resurrection. He, his experience, his message and his call are greater than Jonah's yet we still resist forgiveness.
Readings from this service:
Jonah 1: 17–2:10
Psalm 139: 9-12
Matthew 12: 38-41
The Psalm imagines the believer reaching their desired haven. Ironically, in some ways, this will be the last place Jonah wanted to be.
The calming of the storm reveals to the men that Jonah's god is in fact The God and is to be feared more even than the storm.
Readings from this service:
Jonah 1: 11-16
Psalm 107: 28-30
Matthew 8: 23-27
We now find out that Jonah is not only fleeing from the task God gave him, but indeed from God himself. We cannot escape God, who does exactly as he wants and indeed sometimes even calls us to preach forgiveness.
Readings from this service:
Jonah 1: 3-10
Psalm 135: 5-7
John 3: 8
We're not told why Jonah flees, we're only told what he flees from—the job that God gave him. Later he claims he was fleeing from the job because he knew it would succeed. Like us, Jonah struggles with many aspects of the forgiveness of God.
Readings from this service:
Jonah 1: 1-3
Psalm 139: 6-9
Matthew 28: 6-9
Though Paul had it all, when he realized the surpassing value of Christ, everything else became devalued.
What do we value and how much are we prepared to stretch to get it? Why should we value the Ggospel more than all other things? And what difference does it make now to receive the Gospel?
Readings from this week's service:
Philippians 3: 4b-11
Psalm 4: 6-8
Matthew 6: 25-34
When Simon encounters the power of God, he is amazed but seeks to buy the Holy Spirit with money. Like us, he needs to understand that salvation can only ever be received as a gift.
Perhaps our question is similar: what is the fee/buy-in/dues for this "club" and what is the least we can get away with?
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 55: 1-3
Acts 8: 9-25
Psalm 22: 26 & 29-31
Matthew 6: 19-24
Whatever we think of giving to God, we must know first how much God prizes us.
God so greatly values our lives that he gave his only son to purchase our freedom. We are therefore invaluable to Him.
Readings from this service:
1 Peter 1: 18b-25
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20
Psalm 49: 7-8
John 3: 16-21
The language of Matthew 27 (imposter, fraud) only serves to highlight the purpose of this final miracle—it reveals irrefutably who Jesus is. Jesus is the miracle.Readings from this week's service:
Isaiah 45: 21-23
Psalm 2: 10-12
Matthew 27: 62–28: 10
Even as Jesus dies, there is a miraculous reveal of who Jesus is. As he is revealed, the people are filled with awe and even the centurion testifies that he is the son of God.
The ripping of the curtain is a sign of that which is complete (atonement) and the resurrection of the saints is perhaps a glimpse of the general resurrection to come as well as a glimpse of the resurrection of Christ himself.
Readings from this service:
Exodus 26: 31-37
Psalm 18: 4-7 & 9-11
Matthew 27: 45-54
Technically, Christ's conception is the first miracle. The first miracle, like the last, is one that humanly Christ could never have orchestrated.
His conception and birth, death, and resurrection reveal that he has power over more than nature and people but over the universe, over even life and death.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 7: 10-14
Psalm 130: 7-8
Matthew 1: 18-25
Here a miraculous curse reveals both the reality of judgement and leads to Jesus promising his disciples that they too can participate in miracles.
Readings from this service:
Hosea 9: 7-10
Psalm 1: 1-6
Matthew 21: 18-22
Human incapacity and vulnerability is no barrier to the overwhelming grace of God. Again Jesus' most specific of miracles reveals who he is as well as what he is like.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 42: 14-16
Psalm 146: 7b-10
Matthew 20: 29-34
We can be slow to learn. Sometimes we need to see more than one miracle. We can convince ourselves that great things never really happened and before they happen it is impossible for us to comprehend how God will do it.
Readings from this service:
Numbers 11: 16-23
Psalm 107: 1-9
Matthew 15: 32-39
Rev. Ben continues our series on miracles this week. The real wonder of the miracles is not the miracles themselves but the fulfillment of the promise.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 35: 3-6
Psalm 103: 1-5
Matthew 15: 29-31
In the previous sermon, the disciples are, in some small way, involved in it's execution. Again Jesus demonstrates his sovereignty over all creation and in some faltering way Peter joins in.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 43: 10-16
Psalm 116: 1-6
Matthew 14: 22-33
Welcome to our newest staff member, The Rev. Ben Wulpi, as delivers the sermon this week.
From the very personal and individual forgiving, healing and delivering of the previous two weeks, here Jesus demonstrates his ability to provide for all of his people.
Readings from this service:
2 Kings 4: 38-44
Psalm 78: 19-20 & 24-25
Matthew 14: 13-21
Some infirmities are physical, some spiritual, some even demonic in origin. But Jesus is Lord over all things. More of his comprehensiveness of his power and nature is revealed here.
Readings from this service:
Jeremiah 32: 17-22
Psalm 106: 35-38 & 44-46
Matthew 9: 32-34
*Note: the audio quality of this recording is slightly below standard.
Rev. Connie continues our new series on miracles this week. Jesus shows that a miraculous healing is part of his process of revealing who he is and what authority he has. They seem more surprised by his claim to forgive than his ability to heal!
Readings from this service:
Daniel 7: 13-14
Psalm 32: 1-2 & 5-7
Matthew 9: 1-7
Rev. Alex begins our new series, Reveal: The Miracles of Jesus, this week. The purpose of the miracles is to reveal Jesus as the sovereign Lord over all things and the unique giver of salvation.
Jesus demonstrates complete authority over nature. The reaction of the disciples reveals who Jesus is, but also reveals the purpose of miracles generally, and that is to reveal who Jesus is!
Readings from this service:
Nahum 1: 3-5
Psalm 18: 15-19
Matthew 8: 23-27
Bishop Jim Hobby delivers our Pentecost sermon.
Readings from this service:
1 Corinthians 12: 4-13
Psalm 104: 25-32
John 14: 8-17
It is tempting to make public play out of fasting but consistently God has asked us to humble ourselves quietly.
Moreover, big religious acts are no substitute for consistent Christian living.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 58: 1-9
Psalm 69: 11-15
Matthew 6: 16-18
Although God doesn't tempt us, He can spare us from difficult situations which in turn leads us to sin which in turn leads us to death. Having forgiven us, He has delivered us from Satan's power.
Readings from this week's service:
1 Chronicles 29: 11-13
James 1: 12-15
Psalm 71: 4-6
Matthew 6: 9-13
God's forgiveness is incalculable in Christ. Yet, even though we have been forgiven much, many still struggle to forgive others. This week's sermon includes a testimony about forgiveness from Mimi Erving.
Readings from this service:
Colossians 2: 13-15
Psalm 32: 1-2 & 5-6
Matthew 6: 9-15
God provides for our needs each day, not just in a physical sense, but in every sense. Yet the Exodus account reveals our sinful propensity to forget (or romanticize) the past and to rely on ourselves.
Readings from this service:
Exodus 16: 1-6
Psalm 34: 8-10
Matthew 6: 9-13
God's kingdom will only come in its fullness at Christ's return but it has been inaugurated on the cross. We can pray for advances of the kingdom every day and, by grace, even participate on kingdom work.
Passages from this sermon:
Deuteronomy 29: 29–30: 8
Psalm 40: 9, 17-19
Matthew 6: 9-13
Our new sermon series, Lord, Teach Us to Pray, focusing on The Lord's Prayer, starts this weekend.
Pagan culture often involved overly complex and lengthy prayers to get a 'god's' attention. Jesus says that God is already your Father and that holy though He is, He is already listening too.
Children's Minister Josh Gerdes focuses on Matthew 27: 46: My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
Vestry Member Joe Nawrocki focuses on Luke 23: 43: Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.
Rev. Jamey closes out our 3-hour Good Friday service focusing on Luke 23: 46: Father, into your hands II commend my spirit.
Rev. Alex celebrates the Risen Lord on Easter morning in this family-friendly service.
Readings from the service:
Luke 24: 1-12
Psalm 118: 14-17 & 22-24
The Rev. Cn. Tracey begins our 3-hour service with a message on the passage Luke 23: 34. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
This week CCFC welcomed guest preacher Captain Herb Bailey from Church Army USA/Uncommon Grounds. Herb looks at the call to Christian maturity as he challenges us from Luke 22 and Philippians 2 to be childlike not childish in our faith: serving with grace.
Readings from this service:
Philippians 2: 5-11
Psalm 22: 1-11
Luke 22: 39-71
We are made in the image of God with faculties like His of logical thought. But we are also deceiveable and now fallen.
Common sense is about learining to think Christianly.
Do our "logical" thoughts lead to more freedom and holiness, or less?
This sermon is not about big signs or miracles or fleeces before the Lord. We have the cross already for that. But rather looking for doors that God is opening, nudges from Him, circumstances that are opening up answers to prayer and verses coming up over and over again as God gangs up on you and opens your eyes.
Readings from this service:
Acts 12: 6-19
Romans 8: 28-30
Psalm 119: 15-18
Matthew 16: 1-4
There are many people out there who want to give you advice, but you should allow only very few to do so. You might also be drawn to seeking advice from people who think just like you, but that's not advice it's an echo chamber.
We often worry about decisions and can be tempted just to rely on ourselves. At its heart the question is whether we really trust God to come through with the answer we want. The Spirit compels or prevents or inspires in His time and in His way.
Readings from this service:
1 John 4: 1-6
Acts 16: 6-10
Psalm 139: 7-10
John 14: 1-6
All discernment comes back to scripture: the plain revealed and written word of God against which all decisions and senses of calling must be measured.
Scripture is both something for us to use to know what to do and something for God to use to work on us when we’re being stupid.
Readings from this service:
2 Timothy 3: 14-17
Hebrews 4: 12-13
Psalm 119: 103-105
Matthew 22: 23-33
Just as last week, Christians are called to work at growing up in our private lives and then to look out. This week are are called to grow up in reaching out, seeing how that impacts those inside. Speaking with salty speech is important if we are to be attractive.
Readings from this service:
Colossians 4: 5-18
Psalm 78: 3-4
Matthew 5: 13
Christians are called to authenticity at home in private and to pray that we, in turn, are able to reach out. A radically different church growing up will find it easier to reach out.
Readings from this service:
Colossians 3: 18–4:4
Psalm 103: 13-17
Mark 13: 32-37
When the whole body is clothed with Christ there is a dynamic change in our behavior. Being focused on things above (up) clothes over our differences and makes us welcoming to all. The sexual ethic debate is a delicate one but ironically Paul says the fruit of biblical sexual ethics and the exclusion of immoral behavior is the inclusion of more types of people.
Many of us want in some way to do the right thing. We seek godliness in many places and through many techniques. But if godliness comes from God, then we need to cut these other things out of our diet. They don't help us.
Readings from this service:
Colossians 2: 16-23
Psalm 111: 9-10
Matthew 15: 10-14
We are raised up and built up in Christ. Our new life in Him is utterly different to our old one. Death and debt and darkness become life and freedom and light, filled with God himself.
Readings from this service:
Colossians 2: 6-15
Psalm 1: 1-3
John 1: 14-18
Sharing the gospel so that the church grows numerically and individuals grow spiritually can be a real struggle, but the payoff is joyous assurance.
Readings from this service:
Colossians 1: 24–2:5
Psalm 25: 16-18
Matthew 5: 11-12
Jesus is the Lord, creator and sustainer of all things in the universe. He is God and our ID is sourced in Him alone. There is a strong contrast between our old ID and our new (real) one.
Readings from this service:
Colossians 1: 15-23
Psalm 89: 20-21 & 27-28
John 1: 1-3
Rev. Alex starts our new series focusing on Colossians this week.
We get stronger in living out our faith when we realize the reality of the change God has done in us and for us already.
The church is awesome. When it grows in faith and maturity a believer has a ringside seat to what God is doing in the church.
Readings from this sermon:
Colossians 1: 1-14
Psalm 16: 1-3
John 12: 24-26
Jesus growth in the Lord was unique in one sense but in another completely normal.
In the next gospel passage he even expresses surprise that they would not know where he would be.
Are we making repentant children and passing the faith on to the next generation?
Do we pray that our children would exceed us in their faith and do we take this command seriously for the whole generation below us not just our own immediate families?
Are we reproducing our faith?
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 62: 10-12
Ephesians 6: 1-4
Psalm 78: 5-8
Luke 2: 39-40
Enjoy some frivolity as Rev. Alex illustrates the life of Jesus in a relatable lesson for children (of all ages!)
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 9: 2-7
Psalm 89: 19-21, 26-29, 35-36
Luke 2: 8-15
King Jesus was born in an ordinary place—a treasure where we don't expect him, in complete fulfillment of all that was promised.
We prepare a place for Jesus in our hearts with penitence and welcome a treasure too.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 9: 2-7
Psalm 89: 19-21, 26-29, 35-36
Luke 2: 8-15
Those following Jesus are sent out with authority to both preach and to deliver but they face rejection. Although we are sent out with authority, we might also face rejection even by those to whom we minister. Even Jesus was initially rejected by his family.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 52: 7-10
Psalm 143: 9-11
Mark 3: 13-21
God saves us to use us. Having called us to come follow, he now sends us out to go do. Believers don't merely repent for personal edification but are deployed in the kingdom and for the kingdom to win the lost.
Readings from this service:
Jeremiah 16: 14-21
Psalm 43: 3-5
Mark 1: 16-20
As with all prophecy it can be fulfilled in layers, each fulfillment amplifying the one before. But consistently, God has called us to repent in expectancy of healing. Our expectancy and faith will grow if we approach God with penitence.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 61: 1-3
Revelations 21: 1-4
Psalm 107: 19-22
Mark 1: 14-15
The people of God were told to prepare for the coming of the Messiah with penitence.
As Christian festivals become increasingly secularized, we might find more hope and joy in our faith at Christmas if we prepare our hearts in Advent by turning to Christ.
Readings from this service:
Isaiah 40: 1-5
Psalm 32: 5-7
Mark 1: 1-8
God's people are not left to suffer indefinitely. A decisive end is coming where God's people are redeemed and his enemies are shamed.
Evil always overplays its hand and will eventually be revealed for what it is. God is defamed by his enemies and they look to be of incalculable power, yet, like the kings of the histories in Daniel Pt. I, they too must find out that God reigns.
A House divided cannot stand—not only does this section set out in astonishing detail every facet of the war and civil war during this period—the whole lot are depicted as failures. Each wicked empire falls to the next and for all their strength, their evil brings them to ruin.
We are always fighting evil, but evil is always fighting itself.
Readings from this sermon:
Daniel 11: 1-35
Psalm 144: 1-2
Luke 11: 21-23
Conflict on earth is mirrored in a greater cosmic conflict of which Daniel starts to become aware.
Have you ever found yourself asking why things are happening in your life? There is an unseen realm and unseen forces at work in the world.
Daniel doesn't remain in a state of confusion. He realizes that the time of exile is drawing to an end and God, who controls time and knows all, reveals what is to come next as well as how to handle it.
Readings from this service:
Daniel 9: 20-27
Psalm 89: 14:15
Matthew 24: 15-16 & 23-24
Daniel comes to understand why the exile was brought upon them and so in repentance, he calls out to God for help.
Readings included in this service:
Daniel 9: 1-19
Psalm 106: 6 & 8
John 16: 23b-24
Even Daniel admits to being confused by his vision, but this one is explained. He learns that as empires rise and fall a time of great persecution is coming when a king will decisively set himself up against Gods people… and lose! Therefore Daniel trusts God enough to go about his daily business.
What would you do if you knew the end was nigh? Some would buy Ferraris, some would fast, but Daniel continues his regular work!
Readings from this service:
Daniel 8: 1-27
Psalm 119: 142-144
Matthew 16: 13-19
In the second part of our series on the book of Daniel, we receive a series of visions.
Like the histories, they testify to a conflict of kingdoms and the sovereignty of God over even the most powerful of human enemies, even future ones. In sermon one, it gets weird quickly! We therefore need to understand the genre to understand the point.
Even those in poverty give. But not out of command, rather out of love. Just as Jesus became poor for us to be rich, we can respond with our riches for the poor. This is a practical necessity for evangelism—paying the electric bill enables others to hear the good news and also gain abundant life. Readings included in this sermon: 2 Corinthians 8: 1-9 Psalm 65: 9-14 Mark 14: 3-9
Abundant blessing flows from abundant redemption. The question for the people of God is how to respond.
Readings from this service: Acts 2: 38-47 Psalm 134 John 10: 10b-11
In reality we responded to God's abundant creation with nothing better than abundant sin. But God is yet more abundant, even giving his own life in exchange for ours.
The language of redemption and ransom are both monetary images. Mark & Paul say such a high price should manifest in humility, service and glorifying God in our bodies.
Readings from this service: 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 Psalm 49: 7-9 & 15 Mark 10: 42-45
The Sept. 8/9 sermon opens the new series Abundance: The Overflow of God’s Blessings. Genesis contrasts nothingness with abundance. Man, made in God’s image, is given stewardship over it all.
A classic stewardship talk recommends carefully managing God’s resources. But if we are made in God’s image…. and God is abundant, a small careful percentage-based response is not all that godly, rather abundance is!
Readings from this sermon: Genesis 1: 1-3 Psalm 115: 14-16 Matthew 6: 25-27