Alpine Bible Church Podcasts: Recent Episodes
Alpine Bible Church
Most of us handle personal failure one of two ways. We dismiss it entirely, or we try to perform our way out of it. Neither works. Psalm 130 cuts through both of those dead ends and lands somewhere better. The psalmist looks directly at his own sin, then looks directly at God's forgiveness, and finds the boldness to keep going. That same path is open to us.
Psalm 107 was the psalm the Pilgrims turned to when persecution drove them from Europe and across an ocean. It has anchored people in some of the hardest seasons in history because it does something rare: it speaks to every season, not just one. Whether you feel lost, trapped, broken by your own choices, or simply worn out by a busy life, this psalm calls you back to the same foundation. God has not forgotten you.
Most of us use the word "blessed" without thinking much about it. Psalm 67 pushes back on the easy version of that word. Real blessing is the presence of God shining on your life. And when that sinks in, it changes everything about how you live, how you worship, and how you treat the people around you.
Written a thousand years before the crucifixion, Psalm 22 describes pierced hands and feet, bones out of joint, soldiers casting lots for clothing. None of that is coincidence. It is God making clear that the cross was never an accident. Jesus went there deliberately, thinking of others up to his final breath, so that nothing you carry would be beyond his reach.
Life is fragile, and most of us handle that reality in one of two ways. We let our emotions run the show, or we stuff everything down and put on a religious face. David tried both in Psalm 39, and neither worked. What he found instead was a God worth bringing everything to, including the anger and the confusion. That same God is worth finding today.
David wrote Psalm 15 to describe the person who dwells on God's holy hill, someone of integrity, honest speech, and genuine care for others. But read it carefully and you'll realize none of us live it perfectly or consistently. That gap isn't cause for despair. It's an invitation to run back to the God who pursued us first and whose grace keeps renewing the relationship.
Acts ends without a resolution. No final verdict for Paul, no tidy conclusion. That might feel unsatisfying until you realize the story was never meant to end. The book of Acts is the story of the church, and the church is still here. We are not spectators reading ancient history. We are the next chapter, built on the foundation the apostles laid, with Christ as the cornerstone.
Life rarely goes according to plan, and neither did Paul's. Shipwrecked, stranded, and then snake-bitten the moment things seemed to be looking up, the Apostle Paul had every reason to despair. Yet in Acts 28, we discover three timeless truths for moving forward after the storm: God's promises outlast the chaos, His purposes are often found in life's detours, and He uses His people to carry us through.
"Those who have a why to live can bear almost any how." Acts 27 demonstrates this truth through Paul's shipwreck experience. Facing certain death, Paul didn't just survive, he led others through the crisis with supernatural calm. The difference? He knew he belonged to God. Challenges will either reveal the emptiness of self-reliance or deepen our trust in Christ's sufficiency.
"A storm reveals the strength of a tree's roots." Paul's shipwreck in Acts 27 becomes a masterclass in spiritual resilience. While experienced sailors panic, this prisoner-apostle brings calm to chaos. Why? Because he understood that whether we cause our storms or they're beyond our control, God's faithfulness remains constant. The answer to every storm isn't better circumstances, it's always Jesus.
Are you utterly convinced of something but potentially wrong? Paul was the most religious person of his day, yet he was 'sincerely wrong' until Jesus confronted him. True discipleship begins with humility, recognizing we didn't create truth and our feelings can mislead us. Where is God 'goading' you toward Him? Don't ignore His pull — He may be calling you to a life of true discipleship.
What if patience isn't about waiting longer, but about trusting deeper? Paul's imprisonment teaches us that patience is the spirit-produced ability to endure difficult people and delayed outcomes without losing faith, love, or self-control. When we remember God's patience toward us, we discover the strength to honor Him even when circumstances don't change.
How do you respond when the world becomes hostile to your faith? Paul faced false accusations and imprisonment, yet maintained integrity and truth. The real battle isn't external opposition—it's internal. When people reject Christ, they're wrestling with surrendering their own throne. Paul shows us that responding with character, not defensiveness, reveals Christ's power even in persecution.
Ever wonder if God truly sees you in your struggles? In Acts 23, we discover the beautiful truth of being "chosen" by God, the same transformative love that worked in Paul's life extends to you. Your adversity isn't evidence of God's absence; it might be the very place where His providence unfolds, orchestrating circumstances for His glory and your ultimate good.
Paul could have responded to his attackers with defensiveness or despair. Instead, he chose compassion, because he remembered where he once stood. Having been transformed from persecutor to proclaimer, Paul knew that sharing his encounter with Christ wasn't about impressing others with his story, but about revealing God's pursuing love that can transform any heart.
Everyone is being formed by something. The question is: what is shaping you? In Acts 21, Paul demonstrates how to exercise compassion without compromising truth, sometimes surrendering personal freedom for the gospel's sake. With humility toward Christ and hunger for His Word, we can honor God authentically while building bridges in our broken world.
How do we live faithfully when God's will seems difficult? Paul's journey to Jerusalem teaches us to expect challenges as normal, not exceptional. His willingness to sacrifice amplified Christ's beauty and inspired the early church. When we transform our pain instead of transmitting it, we become living testimonies of Jesus' love.
"I do not count my life of any value nor as precious to myself," Paul declares in Acts 20. He discovered what many miss: finding your worth through God's love, not self-focus, leads to a life of purpose and influence. The more we know God's incredible love, the more we desire to honor Him with our lives.
We tend to think too much of ourselves and too little of our God. Jesus didn't go to the cross as a victim, but as a victor—substituting His life for ours. This Easter isn't just about an event 2000 years ago; it's about the living hope that renews our hearts every single day through Christ's resurrection.
Why should Palm Sunday matter to us today? When Jesus boldly entered Jerusalem on a donkey, He wasn't just fulfilling ancient prophecy—He was forcing a decision that still confronts us. Crown Him or kill Him. There's no middle ground with Jesus. He didn't leave room for nice platitudes about being a "good teacher." Palm Sunday reminds us: Jesus is the saving King who deserves the throne of our hearts.
Paul's journey teaches us that opposition doesn't mean God's absence, sometimes faithfulness requires changing plans without abandoning purpose. Through his example of investing rather than merely spending his life, we learn how intentional movement, meaningful relationships, and unwavering commitment to God's Word can create ripple effects that outlast our lifetime for His glory.
God's love is unbelievable, undeniable, and unlimited. While we create rules and systems to fix ourselves, God's love reaches down to the worst of us. Romans 5:8 shows us something extraordinary: "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." That's not human love. That's divine, redeeming love.
What makes you most anxious? What consumes your time and energy? These questions reveal the idols we don't even realize we're serving. In Acts 19, the Ephesians burned their magic books because they found something infinitely better in Jesus. Victory isn't about becoming a better version of yourself, it's about discovering who you truly are in Christ.
Sometimes we think we need to wait until we're perfect to share Jesus with others. But Apollos teaches us differently. Though he knew only John's baptism, he boldly shared what he understood, until Priscilla and Aquila lovingly taught him more. God doesn't call us to be theological experts; He calls us to share what Christ has done in our lives, growing in knowledge as we go.
Have you ever felt like Paul in Corinth, beaten down by life's challenges, facing what seems impossible? In Acts 18, we discover that even the great apostle struggled with fear and discouragement. Yet God's response reveals three powerful truths: He provides people for community, speaks peace in our storms, and reveals purpose beyond ourselves when we rest in His sufficiency rather than our own strength.
How do you engage a world filled with diverse beliefs without compromise? Paul found himself in Athens, a city of great intellects and countless idols. Rather than being intimidated by the philosophers and academics, he looked beyond himself to the greatness of God. When we stop trying to impress people with who we are and start introducing them to who God is, we discover our true calling as vessels of His grace.
"These men have turned the world upside down!" That's how opponents described Paul and his companions in Acts 17. When you live for God's glory instead of people's approval, you'll face a choice: comfort or Christ. The early church discovered that suffering isn't opposed to joy—it's often God's means of accomplishing His purposes and revealing His sufficiency in our lives.
What do you do when following God leads to unexpected struggles? In Acts 16, Paul faces adversity at every turn on his missionary journey—closed doors, beatings, imprisonment. Yet through it all, he discovers three powerful truths: God redeems adversity in unexpected ways, the gospel transforms lives, and we're called to live for His glory while trusting Him completely.
Paul became "all things to all people" for one reason: that some might be saved. Whether circumcising Timothy for ministry effectiveness or enduring persecution in Philippi, every decision served the gospel's advance. This challenges us to examine our own lives—what are we willing to do, change, or sacrifice so that others might encounter Jesus?
Acts 15 represents one of Christianity's most pivotal moments—a debate that could have split the church forever. When some demanded that Gentiles become Jewish to be saved, the apostles faced a choice: compromise the gospel or risk division. Their response reveals the DNA of every powerful church: anchored in grace, united by truth, and sent in freedom. The result? A revival that continues to this day.
Paul faced hostile crowds, cultural barriers, and even being stoned—yet he never gave up on his calling to share Christ. Why? Because his commitment wasn't to people's responses, but to glorifying God regardless of outcomes. In our rapidly changing world, we're called to the same faithful endurance as ambassadors of Christ.
Fear or faith—which will control your decisions this year? Acts 13 reveals how the early church moved from reactive to proactive ministry, sending Paul and Barnabas on their groundbreaking missionary journey. God wants to use you right where you are, through the connections He's given you. The question isn't whether you'll face challenges, but whose hands you're in.
Acts 12 teaches that wisdom for life's challenges includes sleeping peacefully like Peter chained between guards the night before execution, because trust in God transcends circumstances. The angel's specific instructions to Peter—get up, get dressed, put on sandals, wrap your cloak—shows God cares about practical details even in miraculous deliverances. When Rhoda left Peter standing outside in her excitement, it illustrates how God's answers can be so unexpected that even faithful believers struggle to believe them.
Acts 11:19-31 demonstrates that gospel hubs develop through three markers: cross-cultural evangelism that reaches overlooked people, encouraging leadership that sees potential in rejected servants like Saul, and practical love that sends relief to suffering believers. Antioch became the launching pad for world missions because unnamed believers dared to speak to Greeks, showing that movements start with ordinary people taking extraordinary steps of faith. When Barnabas saw God's grace and was glad rather than threatened, he modeled how established leaders should celebrate new works.
Acts 10 teaches that God builds His church by challenging our prejudices and expanding our vision of who belongs in His family, as Peter learned that God shows no partiality. Cornelius's devotion and prayer didn't save him—he still needed the gospel—but God honored his seeking heart by sending Peter with the message of salvation. The Jewish believers' astonishment at Gentiles receiving the Spirit reveals how God's building plan often surprises even mature believers who think they understand His ways.
Acts 9:32-43 demonstrates that the gospel works through us when we prioritize being present with people in their suffering, as Peter traveled strengthening believers before any miracles occurred. The transformation of Lydda and Sharon after Aeneas's healing, and Joppa after Dorcas's resurrection, shows that God uses individual encounters to spark community-wide movements. Peter staying with Simon the tanner—considered unclean by Jews—reveals another evidence: the gospel breaks down barriers we've built between ourselves and those God wants to reach.
Acts 9:1-31 shows that moving from sinner to servant requires dying to our self-made identity and receiving God's chosen purpose, as Saul the Pharisee became Paul the apostle. Jesus's words "Why are you persecuting Me?" reveal that attacking the church means attacking Christ Himself—a truth that revolutionized Saul's theology. When Barnabas risked his reputation to vouch for Saul, he modeled how God uses courageous bridge-builders to integrate transformed lives into the community of faith.
Acts 8:26-40 demonstrates that gospel movements flourish when believers prioritize divine appointments over human logic, as Philip left crowds for one seeking soul on a desert road. The Ethiopian official, returning from worship yet still searching, found answers when Philip explained how the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 was Jesus. This encounter sparked the gospel's spread to Africa, proving that investing in one person's spiritual journey can impact entire continents for generations.
Acts 8:1-25 shows godly movements grow through faithful people willing to bloom where persecution plants them, as Philip transformed from serving tables to performing miracles in Samaria. Philip's encounter with Simon the magician shows that true spiritual power cannot be purchased or manipulated—it flows from hearts surrendered to Christ. When persecution intended to destroy the church instead multiplied it, God proved He uses opposition as fertilizer for growth.
Acts 7 demonstrates through Stephen's final sermon that mature faith sees beyond immediate circumstances to God's eternal purposes, recognizing that spiritual blindness has always opposed God's work. Stephen faced his accusers not with self-defense but with biblical truth, showing how Israel repeatedly rejected God's messengers—from Joseph to Moses to Jesus. His prayer for his murderers while being stoned reveals the ultimate mark of Stephen-like faith: supernatural love that forgives even as stones fly.
Acts 6 reveals that staying spiritually healthy during growth and challenges requires protecting priorities, empowering others, and maintaining unity in diversity. When the early church faced division over neglected widows, the apostles refused to abandon prayer and preaching to serve tables, instead appointing Spirit-filled leaders to address practical needs. This wisdom teaches that good things can become distractions from God things, and healthy churches multiply servants rather than consolidating power.
Acts 5:12–42 shows that the mission of Jesus advances through Spirit-empowered believers who refuse to be silenced. Despite threats, imprisonment, and flogging, the apostles boldly proclaim Christ, rejoicing in suffering because they live for a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Their courage isn’t rooted in personality—it’s fueled by the Holy Spirit and anchored in eternal hope.
Acts 5:1–11 reveals that the greatest threat to the church isn’t external persecution but internal deception. Ananias and Sapphira’s choice to appear generous while secretly withholding exposed a deeper issue—valuing reputation over reverence. Their sudden deaths weren’t about the severity of their sin but the sacredness of the moment, as God established the holiness of His church. This passage reminds us that God is sovereign and good, and that true faith isn’t about looking holy—it’s about walking humbly. When believers compromise integrity, they diminish God’s glory in their hearts and distort their identity in Christ. But when the church lives with deep reverence and authentic surrender, it becomes a powerful witness to a watching world.
Acts 4:23-37 reveals that success in adversity comes not from waiting for trials to pass but from seeking the Lord, resting in His sovereignty, and praying for boldness even when afraid. When threatened by authorities, the early church didn't pray for comfort or revenge but for courage to continue speaking God's Word. Their faith was proven genuine through selfless living, biblical unity, and radical generosity—demonstrating that a ground-shaking God enables His people to remain unshakable.
Acts 4 teaches that the gospel transforms cultures not through compromise but through believers who know who they are because they know who God is. When religious leaders arrested Peter and John for healing a lame man, they revealed the real issue wasn't truth but control. The apostles' boldness came not from arrogance but from an unshakeable foundation: a dead man was walking, proving Jesus's resurrection and validating their message that salvation exists in no other name.
Acts 3 teaches that miracles in Scripture have both power and purpose—not as ends in themselves but as signs pointing to the Messiah and the greater miracle of transformed hearts. The lame man at the Beautiful Gate represents all of us: desiring nearness to God but unable to achieve it through our own efforts. When Peter says "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk," he demonstrates that we become conduits of God's power, not the source—pointing people to Christ, not ourselves.
Acts 2:42-47 demonstrates that churches become impactful not by growing numbers but by growing healthy through collective devotion to Christ above all else. The early church's commitment to God's Word, genuine fellowship, remembering Christ's sacrifice, and prayer produced such radical generosity that even their enemies admitted Christians cared for everyone's poor. This devotion transforms closed fists clinging to earthly worth into open hands blessing others, because those filled with Christ overflow with grace toward a poverty-stricken world.
Acts 2:14-41 shows Peter boldly proclaiming Christ to those who crucified Him, demonstrating there's no neutral ground—only God's grace or judgment. His sermon reveals that true transformation comes not through politics or returning evil for evil, but through surrendered hearts recognizing Jesus as both Lord and Savior. When 3,000 souls asked "What shall we do?", the answer was repent and receive the Spirit, proving that even our darkest days become emblems of celebration through the gospel's power.
Acts 2:1-13 teaches that the church's power comes not from human effort but from the Holy Spirit's presence, fulfilling Joel's prophecy that God would pour out His Spirit on all people. The fire that once appeared in burning bushes and temple clouds now rests on each believer. True evidence of the Spirit's work shows in two ways: we make much of Jesus, and we bless others by sharing His transforming love.
Acts 1 teaches us that seasons of waiting are not wasted but vital for spiritual preparation. The early church's first act after Christ's ascension was to obey His command to wait and pray, establishing godly leadership while refusing passivity. True leadership seeks towels not titles, following Christ who washed feet rather than demanding position, reminding us that influence for God's glory matters more than any earthly title.
Acts 1 reminds us that Christianity is rooted not in ideas but in a Person—the resurrected Christ who promises His presence through the Holy Spirit. This same Spirit who empowered the early church to transform the known world in 30 years dwells in believers today. We're called to live as witnesses, recognizing that God's heart for people makes our mission urgent and eternal.
This church faced challenges, but they didn't let circumstances dictate who they were. Rather, they discovered something deeper in Jesus which could never be taken away from them. They chose to sustain themselves in every circumstance through their relationship with Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4 and 5 assures believers that death is not the end but the doorway to eternal life with Christ. This hope calls us to live in readiness, encouraging one another with the promise of His return, and anchoring our lives in the unshakable truth of the gospel.
1 Thessalonians 4 reveals that God’s will for our lives is not just about what we do, but who we are—set apart for Him. True purpose flows from surrender to Christ, leading to a life that glorifies God, blesses others, and reflects holiness in every area, especially in love and purity.
1 Thessalonians 3 shows that a life truly surrendered to Christ is marked by sacrificial care and genuine prayer for community, even in hardship. Our deepest impact comes not from personal performance but from investing in others, building unity, and trusting God to work through us—often in ways that reach far beyond what we see.
1 Thessalonians 2 urges us to live with pure motives rooted in Christ, letting our transformed hearts drive all we do. Through gentle nurture and bold encouragement—like a mother and father—we model authentic faith for others. Lasting impact comes not from striving, but from letting God work through us and celebrating His faithfulness.
1 Thessalonians 1 calls the church to become an inspiring, unshakable community through deep reverence for God’s Word, joyful reliance on the Holy Spirit, and intentional mentoring. Grounded in faith, love, and hope, the Thessalonian church models how adversity refines authentic faith that impacts lives and multiplies God’s kingdom.
Hezekiah’s life challenges us to trust God, respond to Him immediately, pray boldly, and walk in humility. Despite his imperfect family legacy and personal failures, Hezekiah’s faith and obedience brought revival and deliverance to Judah. Like Hezekiah, we’re called to be humble distributors of God’s grace for His glory and the good of others.
Psalm 145 calls us to generational worship, urging us to pass on praise and faith in God to the next generation. Our identity and hope are rooted in His grace, mercy, and steadfast love. True worship transforms us, fueling a legacy of faith that impacts both our community and future generations for Christ.
Psalm 137 is a raw lament that teaches us to bring our honest emotions—anger, grief, or frustration—before God in times of suffering or injustice. Rather than holding on to bitterness, we’re called to reorient our hearts to God’s greater purpose and trust His perfect justice, finding peace through the cross of Christ.
Psalm 119 emphasizes the gift of knowing and following God through His Word. It reminds us that faith is not about discovering new truths but deepening our walk with Jesus by treasuring His teachings. The psalmist expresses a wholehearted pursuit of God, recognizing that Scripture shapes our identity and guides our path. Prioritizing and aligning our lives with God's Word fosters true spiritual growth and fulfillment.
Psalm 102 reminds us that God lovingly gives voice to our pain and remains our unchanging hope in adversity. Even when life feels overwhelming or anonymous, we can be honest with God, trusting His faithful presence and power to bring security, healing, and lasting peace through Christ.
Psalm 16 calls us to find joy in the Lord, not letting circumstances dictate our peace. We remember that true joy is rooted in an enduring hope in God, who sustains us through every trial. David’s trust in the Lord, even in difficulty, teaches us to rest in His presence, anchor our faith in Him, and build a lasting community centered on His goodness.
Psalm 11 calls us to take refuge in God, not letting life's storms dictate our response. We remember that challenges reveal our faith, that God is sovereign and sees us, and that tested faith refines an enduring trust in Him. As His people, we are called to walk in righteousness, rest in His shelter, and trust His steady presence through every season.
Ezekiel 1 reminds us to face challenges by acknowledging them before God, seeking His presence, trusting His character, and responding in faith. As a church, we’re called to pursue God’s mission together—sacrificing for future generations, relying on His faithfulness, and seizing opportunities to serve as His hands and feet in our community.
Luke 10 calls us to embody the Great Commandment—to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves. This message challenges us to sacrificially love others like the Good Samaritan, reminding us that true spiritual health only comes from a relationship with Jesus.
This special message from Isaiah 6 challenges us to live a healthy missional life marked by compassion, courage, and sacrifice. Rooted in God’s holiness and grace, we’re invited to respond like Isaiah—“Here I am, send me”—as we consider how to serve future generations, honor Christ, and walk faithfully in our season.
As we conclude Revelation, chapter 22 calls believers to live in light of the coming kingdom, where Eden is restored and God’s presence is fully realized. As citizens of His eternal city, we are called to be invitational, faithful, bold, and humble—representing Christ’s hope, grace, and victory in a broken world until He returns.
The Easter message celebrates Jesus’ victory over sin and death through the cross and resurrection, offering true hope and new life. It calls us to surrender pride, trust fully in Christ’s sufficiency, and live in the freedom and joy of His finished work, knowing He alone is enough for our redemption.
Revelation 21 unveils the culmination of God’s promise: a renewed creation and eternal communion with Him. Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, makes all things new—starting in our hearts now. As citizens of the coming kingdom, we’re called to live with hope, purpose, and surrender, trusting fully in Christ’s sufficiency.
Revelation 20 reveals God’s final victory over Satan and reminds believers of Christ’s sovereign reign, the coming kingdom, and the urgency of guarding our hearts from deception. It challenges us to persevere in truth, live with eternal purpose, and rest in the hope of resurrection, judgment, and life with Jesus forever.
Explores the reconciliation of Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark, showing how God restores broken relationships for His glory. Through love, listening, and learning, we are called to reflect Christ in how we relate to others. Our relationships, when shaped by grace and truth, can become a powerful testimony of God’s redemptive work.
Revelation 19:11–21 reveals Jesus as the victorious King, returning in power and righteousness to judge and conquer evil. It contrasts the joy of those at the marriage supper of the Lamb with the sobering end for those who reject Him. The passage calls believers to open their eyes, embrace Christ’s victory, and live boldly for His kingdom.
Revelation 19 celebrates the triumph of Christ, revealing Him as the victorious Lamb and Bridegroom. The fall of Babylon contrasts with the marriage supper of the Lamb, inviting believers to wholehearted devotion. True worship comes from rooting ourselves in God’s promises, embracing our identity in Christ, and living in anticipation of His return.
Revelation 18 reveals the fall of Babylon, exposing the emptiness of self-glorification and worldly idols. God calls His people to leave behind the broken systems of this world and embrace His eternal kingdom. True freedom comes from surrendering to Christ, recognizing His sovereignty, and living for what truly lasts.
Revelation 17 exposes the deception of worldly power and false hope, warning against idolizing temporary things. True wisdom comes from surrendering to Christ, the only lasting prize. While the world’s system ultimately leads to destruction, God’s kingdom endures. Believers are called to recognize deception, trust in His sovereignty, and live for eternity.
Revelation 16 unveils the outpouring of God’s wrath, demonstrating His perfect justice and ultimate victory. While the world resists and curses God, His people find comfort in His righteous judgment. True faith clings to Christ, our refuge, who bore God’s wrath for us, ensuring our hope, endurance, and eternal security in Him.
Revelation 14 and 15 reveals God’s righteous judgment and the triumph of His redeemed people. The wrath of God is sobering, yet His mercy offers salvation through Christ, our true Passover Lamb. Genuine faith is found in surrendering to Him, living with no reserve, no retreat, and no regrets, secure in His eternal kingdom.
Revelation 14 contrasts the false hope of Babylon with the enduring victory of Christ. It calls believers to genuine worship rooted in a secure identity, reminding us that our foundation is in God’s unshakable kingdom. True joy and endurance come from proclaiming the gospel, trusting in His justice, and living faithfully.
Revelation 13 unveils Satan’s tactics through worldly power and false religion, portraying an unholy trinity that seeks to deceive and oppress. Despite the enemy’s temporary reign, believers are called to stand firm in faith, rooted in God’s truth. Endurance in Christ ensures victory, as His kingdom alone is eternal.
Revelation 12 paints a vivid picture of spiritual conflict, highlighting God’s deliverance through the gospel. Amid the enemy’s deceptions and accusations, believers are reminded of their victory through Christ’s sacrifice. This chapter inspires trust in God’s provision, encouraging steadfast faith as we live out our identity in Christ, overcoming darkness.
Revelation 11 reminds believers of four certainties: our greater hope in Christ, the opportunity to reflect His light, endurance through adversity, and the ultimate victory through him. This chapter highlights God’s sovereignty and faithfulness, urging us to live boldly for His glory, trusting in His promises amidst tribulation.
Revelation 10 offers a powerful pause amidst the judgments, emphasizing God’s greatness and faithfulness. The imagery of the mighty angel reminds believers to trust in God’s sovereignty, cling to His promises, and embrace His calling. It invites us to focus not on the destination but on the presence of the Shepherd guiding us.
Revelation 9 unveils the reality of spiritual warfare, showing the destructive forces of Satan’s kingdom and the torment it brings. Yet, it reminds us that victory lies in Christ. Through faith, repentance, and deepening our relationship with Jesus, we overcome lies and find true freedom in His truth and grace.
Revelation 8 highlights God’s sovereignty in judgment, emphasizing moments of silence, prayer, and reflection as acts of worship. It invites believers to trust God’s justice while embracing His grace, inspiring an exodus from worldly distractions to a deeper relationship with Christ, preparing for His ultimate redemption.
Revelation 7 offers hope and assurance to God’s people, revealing that believers are sealed and secure in Christ. It highlights the faithfulness of God in redemption, calling us to worship boldly and serve joyfully, trusting in His promises amidst the trials of a fallen world.
Revelation 6 reveals the breaking of the seals, exposing humanity’s persistent reliance on worldly systems that lead to destruction. Amid adversity and judgment, we are reminded of God’s sovereignty and patience, offering repentance and rest. The passage calls us to align with His eternal kingdom, rejecting hope in worldly things.
Revelation 5 reveals Jesus as both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb who was slain, emphasizing His power and sacrifice. It calls us to find hope in His fulfillment of prophecy and His resurrection, inspiring genuine worship and aligning our lives with His redemptive purpose for all nations.
Revelation 4 draws our hearts to the throne of God, emphasizing His supreme glory and personal care for His people. In troubled times, it urges us to anchor our faith in God’s sovereignty, fostering genuine worship and reliance on His power to calm the chaos within and around us.
Revelation 3 highlights the way spiritual complacency and reliance on worldly comforts hinder true faith. We should be seeking humility, renewed passion for Christ, and reliance on His transformative power to align with God’s greater kingdom, beyond earthly distractions.
The Church of Philadelphia serves as a model of steadfast faith and obedience, encouraging believers to persevere and trust in Christ’s promises.
The church in Sardis was a wealthy and well protected ancient city that had many resources and creature comforts available to them. Because of this, the church there was lulled into complacency and simply followed God because it was convenient for them. They were living a facade that was more interested in comforts than being willing to serve and sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel.
The church in Thyatira was struggling with embracing the culture around them, especially in regards to sexuality, instead of living in a manner that was set apart. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us — are there areas in our lives that we need to surrender to God in order to grow in our relationship with Him?
In Revelation 2, we examine John's messages to the churches in Pergamum and Smyrna. These churches were doing some things well but also had areas of concern that needed to be addressed. They were encouraged to remain faithful and not fear the adversity around them.
God is always there. We can always have hope in our Lord. And so hope is a wonderful thing and we see this in the Book of Job.
In the first chapters of Revelation, John writes to the seven churches in Asia. He recognizes the areas where they are healthy and points out areas where they are unhealthy. In this message, we examine the church in Ephesus.
There is great beauty and mystery in Revelation, and it is as a book of hope, not fear or confusion. When studying Revelation it's important to understand the original context that it was written. Before we can look forward we need to look back to understand the passages of the Old Testament that John is drawing from.
Revelation is a beautiful book written by the Apostle John. In Revelation, we see the weaving together of many Biblical themes culminating in the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
Today we have a special guest, Jay Holland. Jay shares on Psalm 88, a psalm of lament. The psalmist is pouring out their heart to God as they are facing tremendous difficulties and deep anguish in their soul. When we face pain and hardship, we can be honest with it and take it all to God.
Psalm 139 is known as the "Omni Psalm" that examines the omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence of God. It helps us understand who God truly is and how this knowledge should shape our lives to honor and glorify Him.
We will all worship something; it's just a question of will it be God or something else. As we go through our daily lives, we are called to turn our hearts towards Jesus and keep our mind on things above instead of letting the distractions of this world drag us down.
Today we share the vision for the future of Alpine Bible Church. Our county here in Utah is one of the most under-served areas when it comes to having a Biblical Church. As the church has grown through the years we've reach the point where we simply lack the space to effectively reach our community with the Gospel. The church is the people, not the building, but we the people need a place where they can meet together.
Worship is one way to evaluate the health of our relationship with God. In Psalm 95, the psalmist says true worship involves much more than just music; it involves lifting up our heart, mind, and soul to God.
"As a deer pants for water ..." is how Psalm 42 begins and is a common phrase we've probably all heard. The author of Psalm 42 is facing hardship and trials in his life, and he is pouring out his heart and soul to God in the words of the psalm. We will all face dark times in life, and when those difficult times come, we can find comfort and solace in the faithfulness of God.
A healthy life depends on a close and trusting relationship with God. We see how Joseph depended on God and trusted in God’s plan and purpose for him though it wasn’t always clear. Joseph did not lose faith in adversity, but rather looked to serve the Lord through the adversity. God was faithful, and we see this displayed in the life of Joseph. Though the actions of individuals in Joseph’s life (e.g. his brothers, Potiphar’s wife) were meant to harm Joseph, God used these events to bless not only Joseph, but nations. Genesis 50:20 (ESV)“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
The family is the first institution created by God. He calls us to guide and raise our families to honor Him. In Genesis 49, we come to the end of Jacob's life as he is surrounded by his family, and he gives blessings to each of his 12 sons who become the 12 tribes of Israel.
Today we are examining why God first gave the Ten Commandments to the people of Israel and the meaning they still hold for us today.
Today, we explore Genesis 48, focusing on the lessons from Jacob’s life. Jacob’s journey illustrates how blessings come from God’s grace, not our efforts.
When we face difficulties in life, how do we respond? Jesus calls us to be servant leaders, recognizing that all we have in life are blessings from God, and we should use them to bless others around us. We should put the needs of others ahead of our own. In Genesis 27, we see Joseph using his position of leadership to bless and provide not only for his family, but also for the entire nation of Egypt.
During different seasons of life, we encounter all kinds of circumstances, both positive and negative, but through all of them God is in control. In Genesis 46, we see Jacob and his family moving to Egypt. There they reunited with Joseph, and we see the fulfillment of God's promises to Jacob.
In Genesis 45, we finally see Joseph reveal himself to his brothers. Instead of using his position and power to exact revenge on them, he instead forgives them and recognizes how God placed him in this position in order to preserve their lives.
What happens to our faith when we face adversity? When life is going our way, it’s easy to say we’re putting our hope and faith in God. In Genesis 44, we see Joseph’s brothers facing great adversity that shows the change in their character since they sold Joseph into slavery two decades before.
How do we respond when presented with the truths of God? During different seasons of life our response can take different forms and change over time. This is what we see in the heart of Jacob as he responds to the news from his sons regarding Simeon and Benjamin.
There are circumstances in life that cause pain; times when relationships are damaged and forgiveness needs to take place. Joseph and his brothers, after 20 years apart, experience this reconciliation in Genesis 42.
In Genesis 41, Pharaoh has a series of dreams that disturb him. His cupbearer remembers how God used Joseph to interpret his dreams when he was in prison. God gives Joseph the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams and, as a result, Pharaoh places Joseph in charge of the entire land of Egypt to prepare for the upcoming years of plenty and years of famine.
When things aren't going well for us, where does our focus go? Do we turn inward and wallow in self pity, or do we turn to the Lord and trust that regardless of our circumstance, we can still be used of the Lord. In Genesis 40, we see that even though Joseph was thrown in prison, he uses the situation to find ways to serve others and honor God.
In Genesis 39, we see Joseph at a pivotal moment in his life. He's been brought to Egypt, and God has blessed him with a place of honor and responsibility in Potiphar's house. In this, he faces a number of choices that reflect where his priorities are. Will he give in to the temptations placed before him, or will he honor God with his life?
In Genesis 38, we find the story of Judah and his daughter-in-law, Tamar. In the messy circumstances, we see what happens when someone is taken advantage of for selfish purposes. Yet in spite of the mess, God is always sovereign and works all things together for His good and gives us hope.
Joseph was treated as his father’s favorite, which caused a lot of turmoil in his relationship with his brothers; to the point they beat him, stripped him of his coat of many colors, and sold him into slavery. In Genesis 37, there are many lessons for parents of things to avoid in how we raise our children.
In Genesis 35, we see Jacob entering the land of Bethel and the change happening in his heart and hearts of his family. In spite of all the circumstances, trials, and heartache of life, God is always faithful and desires a relationship with us.
In Genesis 34, we encounter the disturbing story of the assault of one of the daughters of Jacob. She was treated as an object for a man's own pleasure, instead of as a person created in God’s image with intrinsic worth and value.
In Genesis 33, Jacob finally meets his brother, Esau, after the turmoil of their prior relationship and many years apart. We also see how God has started to change and transform Jacob's heart in how he treats his family and those around him.
Do you ever feel like you are wearing labels that define you? Are those labels who you really are? Today, we examine who we are in Christ and come to realize we are more than just the labels we are given.
The resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. In today's message we see how to discover the enduring peace we can only find in Him.
In Genesis 32 Jacob hits rock bottom. His brother is pursuing him with 400 men, and Jacob is fearing for his life. Then he encounters God in the middle of the night and wrestles with Him, and Jacob’s heart is changed.
When envy and jealousy start to take root, all kinds of trouble will follow. We see this in Genesis 31 through the turmoil that happens in the lives of Lavon, Jacob, and their families.
If we let it, envy and jealousy has the power to destroy families and relationships. In Genesis 30, we see how envy causes all kinds of chaos and heartache in life of Jacob and his family.
Have you ever worked really hard for something only to have it taken from you in the end? This is what happens to Jacob in Genesis 29. He works for 7 years to marry Rachel only to be tricked in the end, as he finds himself married to her sister Leah instead.
Imagine seeing an enormous staircase that goes from the ground up into heaven. Imagine angels walking up and down the staircase, and God standing above you telling you he will bless the whole earth through your offspring. This is how God appears to Jacob in a dream in Genesis 28.
In Genesis 27, we see the story of how Jacob used deception to steal his brother’s blessing. Regardless of Jacob’s sin, and our sins, God still pursues us. It’s only because of His grace that we’re saved.
What will we do with the promises God gives us? That’s exactly the situation we see Isaac experiencing in Genesis 26. Will he follow the example of his father, Abraham, in placing his trust in God or will he turn away?
After the death of Sarah, Abraham marries again and has more children. Regardless of our circumstances in life, it’s important that we always put our trust in the Lord and his guidance for our life.
Chapter 24 is the longest chapter in Genesis and focuses on marriage, specifically how Isaac develops a relationship and eventually marries Rebekah. There are many lessons we can learn about marriage and how to love and honor our spouse.
Abraham and Sarah are getting advanced in age, and in Genesis 23, we read about the death of Sarah. They may have started life with a pagan background, but they turned their hearts to God and chose to honor Him with their lives. It’s not how you start life that matters but how it ends.
In Genesis 22, God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. After Abraham and Sarah finally have a son of their own, why is God asking for Abraham to sacrifice him? While this story is shocking, it ends by showing us how God provides and serves as a foreshadowing of Jesus.
How we respond to conflict is very telling about our relationship with God. At the end of Genesis 21, we see how Abraham responds in a moment that could have turned into a significant conflict, but instead became an example of acting selflessly and working towards peace.
God is always faithful to fulfill his promises, as we see with the birth of Isaac in Genesis 21. Even when Abraham and Sarah tried to control the situation, God’s timing is always perfect, and we can always trust in his promises.
The Magi in Matthew 20 were willing to sacrifice much in their desire to meet Jesus. They traveled for over a year to meet Him and presented Him with costly gifts. What are we willing to sacrifice to meet Jesus?
Ever find yourself falling back into a sinful habit? In Genesis 20, we see Abraham doing this by repeating his lie about Sarah saying she is his sister, not his wife. We see the faithfulness of God even when we are not faithful.
When people decide that they are entitled to do whatever their heart desires, you ultimately end up with sinfulness we see in Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18 and 19.
In Genesis 18, Abraham and Sarah respond with hospitality to strangers, who turn out to be the Lord and angels. They are told again of God's promise that they would bear a son, but Sarah laughs and scoffs at the idea.
God uses circumcision as a sign of the covenant that he establishes between himself and Abraham. It’s a reminder that our life should be fully surrendered to God.
The culture around us tries to shape us into its mold. Culture isn't necessarily bad, but it is when it comes into conflict with what honors God. In Genesis 16, we see Abram and Sarai bending to cultural pressures and making poor choices.
There can be times in life when we question if God hears us and our concerns. These are questions that Abraham raises in Genesis 15. In one of the most important passages of the Old Testament, God establishes his covenant with Abraham and promises that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars.
During a time of conflict and waring armies, we see Abraham honoring God and the people around him through his actions. What are some of the characteristics that make someone honorable?
What's great about Genesis is even though people continue again and again to fall flat on their face, it gives us hope because God doesn't quit on us. He is consistent in his nature that while we continue to fall away from the Lord and reject him, God is faithful.
Continuing our series on Genesis, in today's message Pastor Nathaniel uncovers the problem, the hope, the opportunity and the promise revealed to us in Genesis 11 & 12. Here the story of tower of Babel concludes and we encounter God's promise to Abraham and his response.
In Genesis 11, the prideful descendants of Noah built a tower to the heavens. This displeased God, and He scattered the people of Babel by confusing their language.
In Genesis 9, God gives mankind a second chance after the great flood. He establishes a covenant with Noah that there would never again be a worldwide flood upon the earth.
The first 11 chapters of Genesis cover a period of approximately 1,600 years. One of the events recorded in Genesis 7 and 8 is Noah’s flood, which is full of examples of God’s providence and foreshadows Jesus.
In Genesis 5 and 6, we observe the increasing unfaithfulness of the generations following Adam and Eve. Their unfaithfulness ultimately leads to Noah and the flood, but through it all, we continue to see the faithfulness of God.
In Genesis 4 we see how people's actions are a reflection of their heart. If their priorities are themselves, then they treat those around them as tools or property to be used for selfish purposes. But a heart surrendered to God will seek to honor God and bless the people around them; seeing them as created in God's image and deserving of kindness and respect.
In Genesis 4, we see the outpouring of the human heart in the actions of Cain and Abel. In one we see a heart of adoration and thankfulness to God, and in the other we see a heart of jealousy, anger and malice, leading to the first murder. And what's up with the mark of Cain?
It didn't take long before Adam and Eve began disobeying God in the Garden of Eden. Instead of coming before God to confess their sin, they sought to hide and cover themselves up in an attempt to be presentable before God. In thinking they could work their way back into God's favor, they created the first man-made religion.
In Genesis 2, God creates Eve as a companion to come alongside Adam. He then sets the foundation for marriage, the most intimate of human relationships, just before things go off the rails with the serpent.
In Genesis 2, God creates man and woman, each with value and uniqueness. We were created in God's image to have a personal relationship with him, and we reflect his creative nature.
Genesis starts with a tree and ends with a tree, starts with a garden, ends with a garden, starts near a river, ends near a river. You just see these themes tied together throughout Scripture.
While Psalm 90 is not first in the book of Psalms, it is actually the first psalm written, penned by Moses. He reflects on how God has always been faithful to His people, even when they were unfaithful to Him.
I’m Psalm 51, we see King David rejoicing in the power of God’s Word and its transforming power. The beauty of creation points us to God, but we truly discover who God is through His Word.
Can we always trust what our conscience tells us? What do we do with our guilt and shame? In Psalm 51, we hear the repentant heart cry of King David after he is confronted with his sin of adultery and murder.
There are times when we come to God with an attitude that we're owed all the good things of life. This is how the psalmist in Psalms 73 approaches God, but his heart is changed when he sees that the things of this world are fleeting and his only true refuge is in God.
In Psalm 63, we hear the heart of David; how he finds his ultimate satisfaction in God and seeks to praise God with all he does.
While most of the Bible is God speaking to people, in the Psalms, we find people responding to God and the circumstances of life. In Psalm 27, we see King David facing his adversities; a reminder to us that even though everything around us might fail, God will never forsake us.
We’ve just concluded our series on the book of Romans, and we've seen how the Apostle Paul responded to God's calling. How does that compare with how Jonah responded to God?
As we conclude our series on the book of Romans, Paul gives us warnings about people who might deceive us to follow a personality instead of Jesus. They take the gospel message and twist it to serve their own selfish ambitions. We need to weigh all things against the truth of the Bible.
In chapter 16, the Apostle Paul expresses his personal thanks for others who have supported his ministry. It's a good reminder that serving is best done in community, using our gifts to serve the Lord together.
The body of Christ spans many different cultures, people groups, languages, and worship styles. Yet, through all of this diversity, we find great unity in Christ.
The Apostle Paul is encouraging us to carefully consider our lives to see if we are serving those around us and seeking to bless them. Even though we have freedom in Christ, we should be mindful of those around us.
The body of Christ is worldwide, and we see a lot diversity in cultural traditions and styles of worship. What beliefs do we need to hold to strongly, and what does this talk about meats and veggies have to do with our faith?
Is our love for God reflected in how we respond to the world around us? Are we going through life only seeking to serve our own wants and desires, or do we see our blessings as resources we can use to serve others?
In Romans 13, the Apostle Paul tackles the intersection of three hot button issues: religion, government, and taxes. These were created by God for the benefit of people and, as Christians, we're called to submit ourselves to the governing authorities in our society.
We get to the heart of Romans 12 and examine how we, as Christians, should respond to people and the circumstances of life. God calls us to respond differently than the world would, and through that, we bless those around us. And what is up with heaping burning coals ...?
Through the resurrection of Jesus we've been give a living hope, a new inheritance as sons and daughters of God that is eternally secure in Him.
It can be easy to get into the mindset that we want God to come alongside us and do what we want. Instead, we should surrender our will to God and let Him flow through us to bless others in this world. Through that we can find true happiness and meaning.
We examine the life of Abraham. Through his faithfulness to God, the entire world was blessed. Abraham was an ordinary man who ended up having an extraordinary impact by obeying God's commands.
In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul examines how salvation began with God’s people, the Jews. Through God’s kindness, Gentiles were grafted in, not because of anything we did, but simply by the mercy and grace of God.
God wants us to make a difference in this world and stand for truth, not just what is popular in the culture around us. The body of Christ can only be effective when we are working together on mission to serve the people around us.
The message of the Gospel contains tremendous power to transform our lives. When we share that message of hope with the world, we should do it through a spirit of love and compassion. We're not trying to win arguments; we’re trying to love those around us.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 10 that the gift of salvation is open to all who will simply receive it. It has nothing to do with our performance but with the work Jesus accomplished for us on the cross.
Does God harden people's hearts? Paul responds to this hot button question in Romans 9 and examines how the human heart responds to the sovereignty of God. It’s only because of the grace of Jesus that we have any standing before God.
In Romans 9, Paul deals with the complex issue of salvation and the sovereignty of God and how He is at work in all things.
Through Christ our future is made secure, and we can place our hope in that. God loved us so much that Jesus gave His life for us. This world will throw a lot of stuff at us, but nothing can ever separate us from the love of Jesus.
Jesus offers us the gift of being adopted as children of God and the ability to have a deeply personal relationship with Him. When the struggles of life threaten to overwhelm us, we can call, "Abba!" "Daddy!"
As we begin Romans 8, Paul examines the new life we have through the Holy Spirit. We are no longer slaves to our sinful nature; we have been raised from death to life.
In Romans 7, Paul wrestles with the tension believers feel between their fallen human nature and the work of Christ in their lives.
In our human nature, we can respond to God by either becoming rebellious and saying no to the rules, or becoming religious and trying to follow all the rules. Fortunately, Jesus gives us a third option though grace in a relationship with Him.
In Romans 6, the Apostle Paul talks about the newness of life that we have through Jesus. Through His sacrifice, we have been brought from death to life and made new in Him.
We are all doomed to spiritual death because of our fallen nature. But, through the free gift of grace in Jesus, we have been given spiritual life and hope for our future.
Romans 5 begins with a very pivotal word - therefore. In the first four chapters, Paul outlines the fallen nature of all mankind. He spends the rest of the book exploring the goodness and grace of God.
One of the best ways to gain someone's trust is to join them in their suffering. This is what Jesus has done for us — he found us in our sin and gave his life in order that we might have life through Him.
In Romans 4, Paul reflects back to the life of Abraham and quotes Genesis in describing him by saying, “He believed and it was credited to him as righteousness." We explore the deep meaning and depth of this seemingly simple phrase.
The beginning of Romans shows us the depravity of mankind. Today’s passage begins with the two most pivotal words in the Bible, “but now.” We come to understand that the grace of Christ is where we can put our trust and faith.
In Romans 2, the Apostle Paul examines the risk of "moralism” and comparing ourselves to others. This can lead us to feel like we are superior to others or cause us to diminish others to feel better about ourselves. Instead, we need to recognize we are all in need of the saving grace of Jesus.
In Romans 1, the Apostle Paul examines what it looks like when our hearts reject God and choose to worship ourselves instead of the God, the Creator of the universe.
In life, it can feel seemingly impossible to keep a Godly perspective. When we face tensions, we often try to control everything, when what we really need to do is turn our cares over to God.
When God gets ahold of your heart, he transforms your life. When we truly recognize what God has done for us we will respond by loving and serving those around us.
Why does the Apostle Paul choose to boast in his weaknesses? How many heavens are there? While these questions might not seem related, we discover their connection in today’s message.
Today we examine Godly leadership. Each of us has the opportunity to influence those around us. Sometimes we can become fixated on what we think our calling is, but are we following our own ideas or submitting to God’s plan for us?
The Apostle Paul talks about his meekness in serving the Lord, but what does Godly meekness look like? It might be a little different than you think.
Having a lot of things in life doesn’t equate to happiness in life. We tend to find our identity in our stuff, but Paul wants us to understand that true wealth comes from serving others.
What is true Godly generosity and how does that express itself in our lives? In 2nd Corinthians 8, the Apostle Paul reflects on the church Macedonia and their giving hearts.
In today's passage the Apostle Paul tackles the issue of conflict in relationships. This is a fact of life that we all face. During conflict we can reflect on the power of the Gospel and how it can transform our relationships.
When the Apostle Paul says, "Do not be mismatched with unbelievers" what does he mean? Is he just talking about marriage? Today, we examine a larger point he’s making about our position in our community.
The Apostle Paul reflects on how we will face all kinds of adversity in the Christian walk, but that God is faithful and will provide us with the endurance through His grace.
God has a mission for us in this world, to connect and serve those around us, like Jesus did. As we remain on mission for Him, we have a place to rest in His security, so we can withstand whatever the world throws at us.
2 Corinthians 4:13–15 reminds us that we will suffer because of the Gospel for the glory of God, but He will not allow us to be crushed.
Do you feel like you never quite live up to religious expectations? That if you could just work a little bit more you can be good enough? The Apostle Paul confronts this way of thinking and reminds us that we can only find true freedom in Jesus.
The sense of smell can invoke memories and emotional reactions. In today's passage Paul reminds us of how we are to be the pleasing aroma of Christ in this world. We need to be people of sincerity, sharing the love of Jesus with those around us.
In this passage the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of conflict and difficulties we can face in relationships with those around us.
When you live for Christ, there will be people who don't agree with you and criticize you for your faith. How do we respond to our critics? We need to plant our roots deep into Jesus.
We're beginning a new series in 2nd Corinthians and how God's power is made evident in our weaknesses. The Christian walk can feel like a struggle at time, but we can find strength by surrendering our weakness and struggles to Christ.
One of the most important aspects of our faith is the Resurrection. We can have confidence that Jesus has not only defeated the power of the grave but that He did it on our behalf that we might find new life in Him. It is finished!
Today is Palm Sunday and we answer these questions: what is Palm Sunday, why does it matter, and what significance does it have to our faith today?
The book of Philemon is a personal letter from the Apostle Paul to Philemon. In addition to words of encouragement, Paul is asking them to forgive and welcome back Onesimus who he is sending back to them. It also serves as an encouragement for us to forgive others as Christ as forgiven us.
In Esther we see the origins of the Jewish celebration of Purim. It is intended as a reminder of God's faithfulness and deliverance in the midst of adversity. When God is for you, you always have a reason to celebrate.
The story of Esther shows us the alternative to embracing the hand of God as He moves in this world is death. But, we can find life through Him who gave His life on our behalf.
In our study of Esther, we've learned that selfishness leads to sin and suffering. Haman and the king were willing to exterminate the Jewish people to serve their own needs. The book of Esther offers the opportunity to contrast their selfishness with the picture of a godly leader.
We've reached the point in the story where Esther will reveal that she is Jewish and put her life on the line. She exposes Haman's plot against the Jews and his desire to eliminate them.
In Esther 6, we see the providence of God at work in directing King Ahasuerus to honor Mordecai and spare his life. The pride of Haman finally leads to his downfall.
In Esther 5, we see Queen Esther approaching the king with humility and honor in her desire to save her people, the Jews. Meanwhile, Haman, one of the king's officials, is filled with pride, and his anger burned towards the Jews.
With the king's decree ordering the death of all the Jews, Esther and Mordecai are faced with a crisis that could cost them their lives. We see them turning to trust in the Lord to save them.
What does it mean to "wait for the Lord?" In Esther 3, we see how selfish intentions and pride can cause chaos in all aspects of life.
In chapter 2, we are introduced to three complex characters. In the king, we see the lack of accountability in his attitude and behavior. We are also introduced to Mordecai and his cousin Esther as they are faced with choices of faith vs convenience.
In Esther 1, we see King Xerxes so wrapped up in himself that he makes a drunken, foolish decision. Instead of putting his wife's needs first, he choose to demoralize and shame her. Today, we contrast this against the example of what a godly marriage should look like.
As we begin our new series on the book of Esther, we see King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) throwing a massive party that lasted 180 days. This party was about indulging in every pleasure imaginable. We can observe that the kingdom this king is building is all about his own glory. What type of kingdom are you building in your life?
Though the Word of God we have in the Bible, we can see that words can carry tremendous power. Our words can be used to uplift or tear down those around us.
As we look forward to a new year, we take some time to examine our hearts to see if there is one thing we could do to grow closer to Jesus in 2022.
As we wrap up our study of the book of John, we hear Jesus saying, "Follow Me.” Join us, as we examine what it looks like to successfully follow after Jesus.
Do you have regrets in life? We all do, and when we consider John 21, we can be sure Peter had regrets about his denial of Jesus. But, Jesus responds to him with grace and brings healing to their relationship. We can confident that God’s grace is always greater than our regrets.
After his resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples bringing them a message of peace in the midst of their chaos. Thomas had a hard time accepting what he was seeing, but Jesus is gracious with him.
We examine what makes the resurrection the pivotal point in all of human history, and the hope we can discover through it each and every day.
We dive into the symbolism and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy found in the death and burial of Jesus. We also rejoice that this isn’t the end of the story, as we know He rose from the dead.
What Jesus is saying to us is that the plan for which he came has now been completed. Jesus came to this world to give his life as a ransom for many. The cost for your life so that you could have a relationship with God for all of eternity. Jesus paid it all.
Every day we're faced with choosing who we will follow. We can rest our lives on the solid truth of Jesus, or the world around us and the shifting sands of culture and relative truth.
In John 18, Jesus refers to himself a number of times as, "I am He". There is a lot of meaning packed into this short phrase.
When the troubles and pain of life are upon us, it can be overwhelming. But it's important to remember the hope we have in Jesus.
When we align our lives with Jesus, we will face conflict when it comes to the things of this world. In this passage, Jesus reminds us that we shouldn't be surprised when we face adversity but know that he has provided the Holy Spirit to help us.
Jesus demonstrates the power of genuine leadership in John 13. He does this by putting people before before position, and treating everyone with humility, compassion and love.
When our soul feels troubled we need to remember these five important truths to find peace in a troubled world.
Jesus creates quite a stir when he enters Jerusalem in John 12. Have you ever stopped to consider why? Here's a hint: it's not until you find something worth dying for that you find something worth living for.
In John 11 we see Jesus demonstrating the glory of God in raising Lazarus from the dead.
At the end of John 10, Jesus made a simple statement that enraged the crowd around him, and they picked up stones to kill him. This statement remains critical to our understanding of who Jesus truly is.
Is it ever okay to spit on someone? That's exactly what Jesus does to the blind man in John 9. This man was ostracized by the religious leaders and his community, but Jesus reaches out to him with love and grace.
In John 8, Jesus points out that we are slaves to sin, but we can all find freedom, truth and meaning in Him.
When Jesus said "I am the Light of the World" in John 8, this struck a nerve with the religious leaders. There is so much significance in that phrase that it would have sounded like a thunderclap to the people of Israel. His words affirmed Him as the Messiah.
John 8 recounts the story of the woman caught in adultery. The religious leaders were trying to trap Jesus in a legal argument, but He cuts right through it and gets to the core issue.
When it feels like the world around us is falling apart, Jesus stands as the absolute source of truth and light in the midst of chaos, confusion, and shaky foundations.
There are seven different feasts that are celebrated by the Israelites in the Bible. We examine the significance of each and how Jesus is the fulfillment of them all.
After the feeding of the 5,000, the crowd had a number of questions for Jesus that are telling about where their priorities were at. His response pointed them to be satisfied in Him and lay aside their selfish desires.
When the disciples get caught in a storm at night on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus teaches us all the importance of keeping our eyes on Him and not letting fear drive us.
The Resurrection changed everything. Jesus became the Passover lamb and defeated the power of sin and death.
When Jesus feeds the 5,000, he's not only filling their stomachs, he's also delivering a strong message to all of us about the sufficiency we can find in Him.
When we face conflict in life, how do we respond? In John 5 we get an example of Jesus in conflict the religious leaders and how he approaches it with a heart of compassion and truth.
When Jesus heals the sick man at the pool, he's not only transforming this man, but giving us all an important message.
We are joined by a special guest, Pastor Peter Sewakiryanga of Rock Hill Church and Kyampisi Childcare Ministries in Kyampisi, Uganda to talk about the work he is doing to rescue children from child sacrifice in Uganda. The items discussed are of a graphic nature and may be disturbing to some listeners.
What happens when tragedy strikes our loved ones? These are the circumstances facing the official's son at the end of John 4 and we see Jesus touching this man's family.
We examine Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 and the powerful message we can learn from this.
Our human nature struggles with pride and getting an inflated view of ourselves. But as John 3:30 says, "He must increase, but I must decrease" and we discover the strength of humble faith.
We're all familiar with John 3:16, but have we ever really taken the time to examine what Jesus is telling us in this section of the Bible?
Jesus goes a little crazy on the sellers and money changers in the temple. We examine his response and how that applies to us today.
Today we are examining Jesus' first miracle when he turned water into wine at a wedding feast and the lessons we can learn from that.
In the midst of all the chaos and turmoil of the world around us, we are reminded that we need to keep our focus on Jesus.
Being wise is not just knowing what the right thing is, but it is having the resolve to do it.
Today we are examining Luke 2 and three events that took place after the birth of Jesus and what they mean to us now as believers in Him.
Join us as we conclude our series on 1st and 2nd Samuel, Through this series we have examined how God worked in the life of David.
How to find self control when all you want is vengeance. Join us as we continue to examine the life of David in 2 Samuel.
Even when we fail and feel like giving up, God's love and mercy is always greater. Join us as we continue to examine the life of David in 2 Samuel.
When we fail, there are some common mistakes we make in trying to make ourselves right before God. But instead of running or turning away, we need to turn to Him.
This week we are examining the sins of David with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 10-11 and how we can find hope even in our failings.
We examine 2 Samuel 7 and the desire of David to build a temple for God, but how God's desire is for connection with his people.
Join us as we continue our journey through the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. This week are examining how David brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem and then broke out his dance moves.
Learning how to forgive can have a life-changing effect on our life. We examine David's example from Samuel 26 and his interaction with King Saul.
This Sunday we are discovering how the Lord finds us when we are struggling in the desert.
This Sunday we will discover what the Lord used to help David through some very difficult years. This same resource is available to us today.
This week we are going to be studying 1 Samuel 18. We'll learn how envy destroys the soul but that we can find freedom.
The world spins trying to define, change, and redefine truth, but how do we determine what the truth really is?
We've all heard the story of David and Goliath, but do we fully understand it's lessons? This week we're diving into 1 Samuel 17 and discovering how we can be faithful in adversity.
This week we are jumping into Samuel 16 and how God choose David to lead the people of Israel.
We are looking at Samuel 15 and how the grace of God has changed us. We can let go of our failures and the things that want drag us down and destroy us.
We're starting a new series, "Pursuing God's Heart". This week we are examining the prayer and actions of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1-3. She chose to dedicate her life to the Lord despite the ridicule around her.
What does it mean to say, "Thou shalt not murder"? And is there more to that statement than taking of someone's life? We dive deep into this commandment.
We are going to be looking at the struggle of life through the hope of eternity. As Peter brings this letter to a close, he encourages us to "...take your stand." This concludes our study in 1st Peter.
The Bible calls the devil, "a roaring lion" who would like nothing better than to get us to take our eye's off of Jesus and the new life and hope He provides.
We are continuing our study in 1st Peter and examining what characteristics you will find in a godly leader. Peter gives us a detailed list in 1 Peter 5.
Together we will learn how to Advance in Adversity, despite the obstacles before us and the challenges that confront us.
During these unprecedented times we are living in, it can difficult knowing how to respond in a godly manner. We are continuing our study in 1 Peter.
With all the pressures and enticements of this world, choosing to follow Jesus can sometimes look a little bizarre. We continue our discussion in 1 Peter and learn how we can be a blessing to the world around us without being overwhelmed by it.
In a world that can seem evil and cruel, what brings the healing we need? We continue our discussion in 1 Peter 3 and discover....The Cure To Every Injustice.
This week as we discover how to be blessed and enjoy life despite evil and adversity as we continue our study through 1 Peter.
Did you know your relationship with God is impacted by the way you treat others? We will examine how the Lord wants to use you to influence your marriage and relationships as we continue our series in 1 Peter.
Government ... how should we respond? The answer helps us examine our spiritual health as Christians. We are continuing through our sermon series “All In” from 1 Peter. Together we are learning what it means to live for the Lord through any circumstance.
This week Peter wants us to understand the power of Christ’s kingdom and the important identity he gives to those that belong to his kingdom. God reminds we can live out our new identity we find in him no matter the circumstance we face.
How do we respond to the chaos of life? During these unprecedented times, it can seem like every day is more difficult that the last, but God wants to work through our circumstances to draw us closer to Him.
Got problems? Nobody likes them, yet we all have them. What if we allowed God to use our problems to refine us, rather than to crush us? This week we examine how God works through the difficulties we face.
Life can be a struggle. Sometimes things don't go the way we hoped. The world is full of stress and chaos. But even in the midst of it all, Jesus is always there and we can have victory in Him.
Have you ever experienced a day that changed everything? A moment when you knew life would never be the same? Resurrection Sunday—the day that brought hope for all of mankind for all of eternity. The day that changes everything! We examine the most extraordinary event in all of history, and the way it touches each of us personally.
We kick off our new series, "All In". Jesus gave it all for us and we'll be examining how we can learn to we live “All In” for Him.
We'll be diving into Psalm 42 to discover how to put our hope in God, even in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty of life.
How can we obtain an attitude of gratitude during trying times? We discover the answer in Psalm 136.
We have a special guest speaker, Tim Conway, who spoke at this weekends Men's Retreat. We're diving into the importance of repentance and the hope we can find in it.
We examine Psalm 55 and how to handle fear. When we encounter fearful or stressful circumstances, do we fight, run in flight, or turn to God in faith?
We are continuing our study in the book of Psalms. Today we look at Psalm 25, which is a psalm of lament and waiting on the Lord. It's also a reminder that Jesus has already won and we have victory through Him.
We're kicking on a new series today, "Revive", looking at the book of Psalms. We discover how joy can be found in all aspects of our lives.
Today we're concluding our series, "Kingdom Come" on the major themes of the Bible. We're jumping into book of Revelation and examining the message of hope it contains.
We examine John 14 and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And what does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?
We examine how to deal with life's regrets. Will your regrets lead to tragedy and death or to life and freedom in Christ?
We'll discover how "Out of Egypt" and "baptized in the Jordan River" and "forty days and forty nights" are connected and what on earth they are talking about. We've seen these things mentioned in the Bible about the life of Jesus.
We look at the role of prophets in the Old Testament and ask, do we still need prophets today?
We dive into the book of Joshua and learn what happens after the walls of Jericho are knocked down and how that impacted the future of the nation of Israel.
We look at the book of Numbers and the nation of Israel as they begin their journey into the Promised Land.
We look at the Passover Lamb from the book of Exodus and how it gives us a foreshadowing of Jesus.
We are examining the life of Joseph. How he overcame the circumstances of his life and obtained hope instead of despair.
Lincoln Huseby dives into The Beatitudes in Matthew 5 and examine the things that all of us desire.
We look at how the lessons learned from the Tower of Babel are still relevant today. We are continuing our series on the big themes of the Bible, "Kingdom Come".
We look at the life of Noah and how you can see God's grace at work even through the flood.
We look at walking naked, talking serpents and other weird things from Genesis 3. We're continuing our series, Kingdom Come, on the big themes of the Bible.
We begin a new series, "Kingdom Come," exploring the big themes of the Bible. And what better place to start than at the beginning.
This prelude to our new series, "Kingdom Come" and learn what it means to "Rosh Hashanah Like a Lion"
We examine 1 John 5 and discover what it means when it talks about "water, blood and Spirit."
We're continuing our study in 1 John, and discovering how we are called to love one another.
Join us as we continue our study of 1 John and how we can in abide in the Father's love.
We continue our study in of 1 John and discovering how God's love is demonstrated in our lives.
We look at God's word to see how the simple phrase, "But God ..." can be so tremendously powerful.
We look at how to examine spiritual influences in our lives, as part of our series on 1 John.
We look at how to handle conviction in our lives, as we continue our study in the book of 1 John.
We continue our series on the book of 1 John. Today we are looking at how we can have a Godly influence on our community and culture.
Join us as we continue our study in 1 John and learning how to grow as disciples of Christ.
We recently were asked a great question concerning the death of Jesus and what happened to him after his death. Did he go to hell for three days? Where was Jesus? I think the quick answer for that is: no. Jesus did not go hell. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, in John 19:30, he ...
I want to answer a really important question that is near and dear to our hearts, especially depending on the season of life to you may be in. You may have lost someone recently and maybe you’ve even thought of the question, will I see them again or will I recognize them in eternity when ...
We recently had asked of us a great question about Jesus as he’s being crucified. In Luke 23, he looks at the thief beside him and says, “You will be with me this day, in paradise.” Where is paradise? What is paradise? I think the Bible gives us a clear definition of what paradise is. ...
Just want to take some time, with you, to explain one of the most important questions that we could answer for you in your relationship with God and that’s just simply answer the question, how do you know you have a relationship with God? This is foundational for what life is all about. If God ...
One common question we often hear is, “Has the Bible been preserved or has it been perverted over generations?” Sometimes people will use something that we refer to as “the telephone game.” We are in the 21st century now and the Bible was finished at the end of the 1st century. So how do you ...
As an evangelical Christian, Biblical Christians, born again Christians, whatever you want to call us, a lot of people are under the impression that we are required to believe in the Trinity because the Council of Nicea told us to, or something like that. That’s actually not why we believe in the Trinity. We believe it ...