Grace in Louisville: Recent Episodes
None
Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26 | Andy Sabaka | Embracing the futility of the quest for satisfaction in this fleeting life is the only way to find joy in it.
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 | Andy Sabaka | Anchor your life in the fear of the eternal God and find joy in him while walking through this fleeting world.
1 John 4:9-10 | Andy Sabaka | God has been made manifest among us for our eternal salvation and joy. (A brief biblical theology of revelation/manifestation)
2 John | Andy Sabaka | Welcome truth and love into your life, but watch out for error and deception.
1 John 5:13-21 | Andy Sabaka | Know that you are a child of God, and walk in the powerful confidence of that knowledge.
1 John 3:19-24 | Andy Sabaka | Keep God's commandments so that you can stand before him and in him with confidence.
1 John 1:5-10 | Andy Sabaka | If God is light, what will those who walk in fellowship with him believe? And how will they live?
1 John 1:1-4 | Andy Sabaka | In this introductory sermon, we consider the book of John as a whole, including it's authorship, context, and message. We also look at the first four verses and try to understand what it means to have certainty about the eternal life that is found in Jesus.
John 16:16-33 | Andy Sabaka | Pursue and Proclaim the joy and peace that Jesus' work has given to us.
John 16:5-15 | Andy Sabaka | Confidently trust that the Holy Spirit will always be with us, convicting the world and confirming the truth.
John 15:18-16:4 | Andy Sabaka | Remember that the world will hate you so that you won’t fall away.
John 14:15-31 | Andy Sabaka | Don't let your heart be troubled if you are a child of God.
John 13:18-30 | Andy Sabaka | In the darkness of night, the love and control of Jesus can strengthen our faith.
John 13:1-17 | As those cleansed by Jesus, follow him in love and humble service to one another.
John 12:23-26, 37-50 | Andy Sabaka | Accept the cost of following Jesus, trusting in the reward that true belief brings.
John 6:41-71 | Andy Sabaka | Don't expect the truths of Jesus to be simple, but don't expect to find truth anywhere else.
John 6:22-40 | Andy Sabaka | Don't seek after earthly bread; receive the heavenly bread.
John 6:1-21 | Andy Sabaka | In the search for true life, Jesus is the only place we should look.
John 5:19-30 | Andy Sabaka | We must reckon with Jesus as the one who gives life and executes judgment.
John 3:22-36 | Andy Sabaka | Jesus is superior to all, therefore we must joyfully seek to see him increase as we fade to the background.
John 3:1-21 | Andy Sabaka | Humbly confess that unless you are born again, you will never believe in Jesus or walk in his light.
John 1:19-34 | Andy Sabaka | No Matter who we are or what we do, Jesus alone deserves glory.
John 1:1-18 | Andy Sabaka | The Word has come into his world to reveal the glory and grace of God so that all who believe in him can be called God's children.
Numbers 6:22-27 | Andy Sabaka | Receieve and give the blessing that come from God alone.
Ephesians 6:19-20 | Andy Sabaka | Pray that God would give gospel workers words and boldness.
Ephesians 6:16-18 | Andy Sabaka | Put on the whole armor of God so that you can stand firm.
Ephesians 6:14-15 | Andy Sabaka | Put on the whole armor of God so that you can stand firm.
Ephesians 6:10-13 | Andy Sabaka | Stand firm in the fight of faith, knowing who our enemy is and where our strength is found.
Ephesians 6:5-9 | Andy Sabaka | A Spirit-filled follower of Jesus submits to authroity as to the Lord and uses authority with the heart of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:5-9 | Andy Sabaka | A Spirit-filled follower of Jesus submits to authroity as to the Lord and uses authority with the heart of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1-4 | Andy Sabaka | A Spirit-filled home glorifies Christ as children obey their parents and as parents cherish their children.
Ephesians 6:1-4 | Andy Sabaka | A Spirit-filled home glorifies Christ as children obey their parents and as parents cherish their children.
Ephesians 5:22-33, Pt. 2 | Andy Sabaka | A Spirit-filled marriage displays the beauty of the gospel through humble submission and sacrificial love.
Ephesians 5:22-33, Pt. 2 | Andy Sabaka | A Spirit-filled marriage displays the beauty of the gospel through humble submission and sacrificial love.
Ephesians 5:22-33 | Andy Sabaka | A Spirit-filled marriage displays the beauty of the gospel through humble submission and sacrificial love.
Ephesians 5:22-33 | Andy Sabaka | A Spirit-filled marriage displays the beauty of the gospel through humble submission and sacrificial love.
Ephesians 4:12-16 | Andy Sabaka | God has given his church gifts so that we are able to grow in unity and love.
Ephesians 4:7-11 | Andy Sabaka | God has given his church gifts so that we are able to grow in unity and love.
Ephesians 4:1-6 | Andy Sabaka | Walk worthy of your calling as God's people by eagerly seeking the unity of the Spirit.
Mark 8:22-10:52 | Andy Sabaka | The path towards gainging power to protect our self-interests is the way of Satan, not Jesus.
Ephesians 3:1-13 | Andy Sabaka | In the face of opposition, have confidence in the truth and glory of the gospel.
Ephesians 2:19-22 | Andy Sabaka | Let you corporate identity as God's people take the place of importance that it should.
*Apologies for the poor quality of this recording.
Ephesians 2:11-18 | Andy Sabaka | The blood of Jesus draws us near to all of God's children.
*Apologies for the poor quality of this recording.
Ephesians 2:10 | Andy Sabaka | Walk in the good works that God in Christ has created us for and ordained for us to do.
Ephesians 1:19-23 | Andy Sabaka | Let us pray that God would give us a knowledge of Him and of all that is ours in Christ.
Ephesians 1:15-19 | Andy Sabaka | Let us pray that God would give us a knowledge of Him and of all that is ours in Christ.
Ephesians 1:11-14 | Andy Sabaka | Praise the Father, Son, and Spirit for the equal inheritance they have planned and guaranteed for us.
Ephesians 1:7-10 | Andy Sabaka | Praise the Father and Son for the riches of their grace lavished on us.
Ephesians 1:3-6 | Andy Sabaka | Praise the Father because of his eternal purposes in saving us.
Ephesians 1:1-2 | Andy Sabaka | God in Christ has made us a new people so that we might experience a new unity and walk in a new way.
Mark 1:35 | Andy Sabaka | Use the tools of time and place in developing a habit of prayer.
Isaiah 66 | Andy Sabaka | Tremble at God’s word now or be consumed by his wrath in the end.
Isaiah 65 | Andy Sabaka | Walk the path of faith in the Lord that leads to the forever rejoicing of the New heavens and earth.
Isaiah 63:7-64:12 | Andy Sabaka | Remember the Lord’s love, repent of sin, and boldly ask for help.
Isaiah 63:1-6 | Andy Sabaka | Don't forget the coming judgment that is a part of our salvation.
Isaiah 61 | Andy Sabaka | Rejoice in the year of the Lord’s favor that is here and is coming.
Isaiah 60 | Andy Sabaka | Fix your eyes on the future glory and reflect its blessings in the present.
Isaiah 59 | Andy Sabaka | In repentance and rest is our salvation, because only the Lord can rescue us.
Isaiah 58 | Andy Sabaka| Seek the true fasting and Sabbath resting that will bring God's blessing.
Isaiah 56-57 | Andy Sabaka | Faithful waiting yields the fruit of righteousness and welcome.
Isaiah 55 | Andy Sabaka | Come and enjoy the feast purchased by the Servant and seek the Lord while he may be found.
Isaiah 54 | Andy Sabaka | Sing for joy at the peace our promise-keeping God has brought us through the suffering of the Servant.
Isaiah 52:12-53:12 | Andy Sabaka | Behold the surprising work of the Servant who suffers for us and is exalted by the Father.
Isaiah 51:17-52:12 | Andy Sabaka | Wake up to God's amazing grace, and leave behind all uncleanness.
Isaiah 51:1-16 | Andy Sabaka | Listen to all the light that God will bring into our dark world.
Isaiah 50:4-11 | Andy Sabaka | Jesus is the Perfect Disciple - trust in him and follow in his steps.
Isaiah 49:14-50:3 | Andy Sabaka | In moments of doubt, rest in who God is to his people.
Isaiah 49:1-13 | Andy Sabaka | Sing for joy, because the Servant has been sent to bring to all people light and comfort.
Isaiah 44:24-45:25 | Andy Sabaka | Open your eyes to trust God's unexpected ways and your heart to share his unrelenting love.
Isaiah 43:22-44:23 | Andy Sabaka | Reject heartless religion, and return to the Lord, the only Rock.
Isaiah 41 | Andy Sabaka | As servants of the God who shapes history, we can confidently rest and work without fear.
Isaiah 37:21-38 | Andy Sabaka | Do not fear, but stand firm in faith and see the salvation and glory of the Lord.
Isaiah 33 | Andy Sabaka | In the face of unchecked evil and threats from all sides, we must confidently wait for the Lord.
Isaiah 31-32 | Andy Sabaka | In the light of who God is, what he is doing, and what he will do, we can see the blessings of trust, repentance, and obedience.
Isaiah 30 | Andy Sabaka | God's loving patience in the midst of our stubborn rebellion is a great mercy - receive it with gratitude.
Isaiah 28 | Andy Sabaka | Our only hope in life and death is the Unfading King and the Faithful Cornerstone. (God’s crown never fades, God’s word always accomplishes its purpose, God’s covenant never will be broken, God’s ways always can be trusted.)
Psalm 8 | Andy Sabaka | We image God by valuing and loving all people created in his image. Therefore, let everything have breath, and let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Psalm 8 | Andy Sabaka | When we care for creation, we glorify God and love our neighbor.
Psalm 137 | Andy Sabaka | We must wait for the fullness of our salvation with an honesty about our sorrow and anger, but also with an unshakable hope in God.
Psalm 137 | Andy Sabaka | We must wait for the fullness of our salvation with an honesty about our sorrow and anger, but also with an unshakable hope in God.
Esther 3 | Mark Pedrosa | "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
Andy Sabaka | Matthew 7:28-8:1 | Sermon on the Mount Summary and Conclusion. Joyfully submit to the authority of King Jesus and live by faith as true children of the Father.
Andy Sabaka | Matthew 7:24-27 | Build your life on the foundation of true righteousness.
Andy Sabaka | Matthew 7:13-23 | Walk down the narrow path that leads to life and beware of false prophets who would misguide us.
Andy Sabaka | Matthew 7:7-12 | Confidently request the goodness of the Father and indiscriminately give his goodness to all people.
Andy Sabaka | Matthew 6:25-34 | Don’t be anxious about earthly things, but trust your heavenly Father and seek after His Kingdom.
Matthew 6:19-24 | Andy Sabaka | Strive for the whole-hearted devotion to God’s Kingdom that makes Jesus our treasure.
Matthew 6:9 | Andy Sabaka | The Sermon on the Mount | Ground your prayers in who God is and who he has made us to be.
Matthew 6:16-18 | Andy Sabaka | The Sermon on the Mount | Fast because you long to see God glorified and receive his reward, not because you hunger for the praise of people.
Matthew 6:5-15 | Andy Sabaka | The Sermon on the Mount | Let your prayers be neither self-seeking nor thoughtless, but sincere and thoughtful.
Matthew 6:1-4 | Andy Sabaka | The Sermon on the Mount | In your personal righteousness, seek the praise and glory of God more than you crave the applause of people.
Matthew 5:38-42 | Andy Sabaka | The Sermon on the Mount | Choose to be wronged rather than to seek revenge.
Matthew 5:33-37 | Andy Sabaka | The Sermon on the Mount | As God’s Kingdom people, we must be marked by consistent truthfulness in our words and actions.
Matthew 5:31-32 | Andy Sabaka | The Sermon on the Mount | Don’t let your hard heart weaken the originally intended depth and commitment of marriage.
Matthew 5:27-30 | Andy Sabaka | Do whatever it takes to avoid the danger of sexual unfaithfulness.
Matthew 5:21-26 | Andy Sabaka | Acknowledge that all anger is dangerous to our souls, and seek to deal with it immediately.
Matthew 5:17-20 | Andy Sabaka | Because Jesus has fulfilled the Law, we as his followers must give it our full attention.
Isaiah 23 | Andy Sabaka | If you trust in the Lord rather than the wealth of the world, then the wealth of the kingdom will be yours.
Isaiah 21-22 | Andy Sabaka | Ruthless honesty about the weakness of ourselves and others leads us to trust in the One who will never fail.
Isaiah 19-20 | Andy Sabaka | Faith in Christ is the only firm foundation and all are invited to build their lives upon Him.
Isaiah 14:24-18:7 | Andy Sabaka | God is always working to lead us to trust in Him alone.
Andy Sabaka | Isaiah 11-12 | Let a vision of the Lord’s salvation lead you to trust and not be afraid, and to glorify and make his name known.
Isaiah 9:8-10:34 | Andy Sabaka | Humbly lean on the Lord, knowing that the lofty will be brought low.
Isaiah 7:1-8:10 | Andy Sabaka | If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.
Isaiah 6 | Andy Sabaka | If we would understand ourselves rightly, we must begin by seeing God clearly.
Isaiah 5:1-30 | Andy Sabaka | God's patience and love are great, and his judgment is just.
Isaiah 2-4 | Andy Sabaka | Let us walk in the light of the Lord as we anticipate the Day of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 | Jordan Doenges | As new creations in Christ, reconciled to God, by God, we are called to be ambassadors of the gospel.
Matthew 5:6 | The Beatitudes | Andy Sabaka | If our hearts are seeking for the righteousness only God can give, then our satisfaction is guaranteed.
Matthew 5:3 | The Beatitudes | Andy Sabaka | The poor in spirit are those who acknowledge their spiritual bankruptcy before God and therefore trust and depend on him alone.
Acts 27:1-28:16 | Andy Sabaka | God's goodness and steadfast love pursue His children and often overflow to those around us.
Acts 25:13-26:32 | Andy Sabaka | Cheerfully defend and proclaim the gospel in every situation to all people.
Acts 24:1-25:12 | Andy Sabaka | Strive to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
Matthew 7:7-11 | Joshua Cottrell | 5/19/19 | Jesus invites you to pray faithfully with the confidence that comes from having a faithful and holy Father.
Acts 22:30-23:35 | Andy Sabaka | 5/5/19 | Take courage – nothing can thwart God’s plans and purposes for his children.
Acts 21:17-22:29 | Andy Sabaka | 4/28/19 | Plan to be surprised by who opposes the gospel, who is used to further its spread, and by how God sovereignly orchestrates His will.
Acts 21:1-16 | Andy Sabaka | 4/14/19 | As we follow Jesus, we should expect difficulty and suffering, not only for ourselves, but also for those we love.
Acts 20 | Andy Sabaka | 4/7/19 | As we seek to love one another, we must remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 19:21-41 | Andy Sabaka | 3/31/19 | The shockwaves of true devotion to God's Kingdom will spread deep and wide.
Acts 19:1-20 | Andy Sabaka | 3/17/19 | Christ has come to be king over every part of our lives.
Acts 17:16-34 | Andy Sabaka | 3/3/2019 | We trust that the good news about Jesus is needed by, and able to reach every soul.
Acts 17:1-15 | Andy Sabaka | 2/24/19 | Submit to God and accept the word that He plants in your hearts, which is able to save you.
Acts 16:6-40 | Andy Sabaka | 2/17/2019 | True Christianity turns the world upside down.
Acts 15:22-16:5 | Andy Sabaka | 2/10/2019 | We are called to be gracious to one another, remembering that a gracious faith is not a simple one.
Acts 15:6-21 | Andy Sabaka | 2/3/2019 | We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, not by works of the law.
Acts 15:1-35 | Andy Sabaka | 1/27/2019 | When division threatens, followers of Jesus must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Acts 14 | Andy Sabaka | 1/20/2019 | The path of the faithful follower of Jesus always goes through trouble on the way to the kingdom of God.
Acts 13:13-52 | Andy Sabaka | 1/13/19 | The good news was and still is all about Jesus.
Acts 13:1-12 | Andy Sabaka | 1/6/19 | We can trust and expect that God will set apart servants and supply them with what they need.
Psalm 101 | Andy Sabaka | 12/30/18 | We can learn to say with King David, “With God’s help, I resolve to walk in His ways.”
John 1:18 | Andy Sabaka | 12/23/18 | If we want to know who God is, we must look at the Word. (Preached at a joint with Encounter Church.)
John 1:6-13 | Andy Sabaka | 12/9/18 | We will never receive the Son of God unless we are born again.
John 1:1-5 | Andy Sabaka | 12/2/2018 | Because of who He is, Jesus is the only one who can save us.
Psalm 107 | Andy Sabaka | 11/25/18 | Consider the steadfast love of God to all who cry out to Him, and give Him thanks for it.
Matthew 5:13-16 | Coty Hoskins | 11/18/18 | Our work will glorify God when we are different and righteous.
Matthew 28:16-20 | Trevor Wallis | 11/11/18 | Because of the awesome authority of Christ, his followers have an awesome responsibility and have received an awesome guarantee.
Galatians 5:1-6 | Jordan Doenges | 11/4/18 | The law brings hopelessness, despair and death. But in God’s grace, faith in Christ has brought something far better: hope, freedom and life.
Matthew 1:18-25 | Nate Bishop | October 28, 2018 | Sin no longer rules over God's people, because God is with us.
Acts 1-12 | Andy Sabaka | 10/21/2018 | Though it may not be easy, through God's grace and power, we can do what He calls us to do. There is nothing better that we can invest our lives in.
Acts 12:1-24 | Andy Sabaka | Never doubt the supernatural power of God's ways and God's Word.
Acts 9:31-10:48 | Andy Sabaka | Because Peter helped open the door of the gospel to the Gentiles, anyone can be saved.
Acts 9:20-31 | Andy Sabaka | Growing as a follower of Jesus will take time, trials and the genuine love of God's people.
Acts 9:1-19 | Andy Sabaka | God is purposely pursuing particular people as He spreads his gospel and glory to the ends of the earth.
Acts 8:26-40
Andy Sabaka
Walk by the Spirit and you will be used by God in unlikely places and in unforseen ways.
Philippians 1:12-18
Jake Hightower
We are called to rejoice in the advancement of the gospel through our suffering.
Acts 7:54-8:4
Andy Sabaka
We serve a Savior and proclaim a message that is worth living and dying for.
Acts 6:8-7:53
Andy Sabka
Apart from God's work in us, we all will reject Jesus and the good news that He brings.
Acts 6:8-7:40
Andy Sabaka
The Lord does not dwell in temples made with hands, but in His redeemed people.
Acts 6:1-7
Andy Sabaka
Beware of being distracted from the central importance of the Word of God and prayer.
Acts 5:12-42
Andy Sabaka
Why does Christianity endure and even thrive in the midst of opposition?
Acts 4:32-5:11
Andy Sabaka
As God's people, we must continually seek total devotion to and transparent honesty with God and one another.
John 13:31-14:31
Andy Sabaka
As we turn again to this passage of Jesus teaching his disciples, we learn how to wait for his return, trusting in his plan and his power.
Preached at a joint service with Encounter Church of Louisville.
John 13:31-14:31
Andy Sabaka
As we wait for the return of Jesus, we trust His plan and power.
Preached at a joint service with Encounter Church of Louisville.
In these last verses of 2 Timothy, Paul urges his readers to never give up on the ministry of the gospel.
Coming times of difficulty should push us toward knowing God's work, God's Word and God's people.
In this passage of 2 Timothy, we are given marching orders for ministry: Be strong, entrust, suffer hardship and remember.
All Christians are called to fan into flame the gift of God so that we can fulfill the ministry He has given us.
All Christians are called to fan into flame the gift of God within them so that they can fulfill the ministry that God has called them to.
Peter continues to proclaim that Jesus is both Lord and Christ, and has been raised from the dead and is now exalted to the Father's right hand.
As Peter begins to proclaim that Jesus is both Lord and Christ, he presents the mystery of the cross, which was both ordained by God and carried out by human hands.
In the midst of the apparent confusion on the Day of Pentecost, Peter quotes from the book of Joel and says, "This that Joel prophecied is happening now," and thereby calls all Christians to live as the Spirit-indwelt and empowered prophet Jesus has made them into.
The goal of this sermon considering the account of the 10 days between Jesus’ ascension and the decent of the Spirit is three-fold: (1) To paint a picture of the scene in verse 12-14 (who was there and what were they doing), (2) To explain the importance of the actions of Peter and the others in 15-26 as they replace Judas, and (3) To provide a model for seeking God’s guidance as individuals and as a church. All of this calls us to remain rooted in the truth and follow God’s sovereign leading.
The final days of Jesus before his ascension and the Ascension itself teaches us that Jesus prepares and equips us as witnesses to the world.
In this introductory sermon to our study in the book of Acts, we consider the book as a whole and the call it gives to every follower of Jesus: Join in on the unstoppable, ever-expanding, Spirit-empowered spread of the good Word of Jesus to all people for the glory of God.
On this SOHLS, we seek to answer from Scripture the question, "Who are we?" In doing so we find that the Christian understanding of human nature is not simply true; it is also makes the most sense of our world and is part of what leads to the greatest blessing for all people.
As we close out our series in the book of Proverbs, we look at Proverbs 9 and the invitations to go to Wisdom's house or Folly's house. God's word through this illustration announces to us, "Don’t follow folly; listen to the life-giving voice of wisdom."
The angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased." Yet Jesus himself said that he did not come to bring peace on earth. Still, for those who will bow before him in faith, he brings peace with God, peace with all people, peace in our lives, and peace for eternity.
"The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway."
Psalm 136 calls us to thanksgiving and leads us into how to give thanks to God for who he is and what he has done.
In an introduction to our study in the book of Proverbs, we see that wisdom, beginning with a fear of the Lord, allows us to skillfully and rightly respond to life's situations.
In this last sermon in our series in the book of James, we learn that prayer is powerful and that it is always appropriate.
If we persist to pridefully boast in earthly wealth, then we will be humbled in the last day.
Submit to God by humbly living under his rule as the only lawgiver and judge, and the sovereign Lord of time.
This recording only contains the first 20 minutes of the sermon. A pdf of the sermon manuscript (rough draft)is below
We make peace with one another by making peace with God.
James tells us to seek the wisdom that finds its source in God, is characterized by good works and results in peace.
The profession of Christ without the practice of Christ is pointless and eternally perilous.
A doer of the Word is someone who preservers, remembers and acts, with a life marked by a controlled tongue, concern for the needy and a commitment to holiness.
Our series in the book of James begins with a look at the book, its author and its place in the New Testament. In the first verse, we see that James is writing to God's people, scattered in a hostile world who are looking for a new home.
As we step into the Garden of Gethsemane one last time during this sermon series, we learn that in the fight of faith, prayer is a vital weapon.
Jesus gives us the words to pray when we are at a loss for words. Through His example, we are taught audible, honest, trusting, bold, submissive and repeated prayer.
Considering Jesus' time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, we learn from him how to pray in the midst of the pain and the sorrow of life. Even before he speaks, we learn about the place of prayer, the ache for partners in prayer, the importance of solitude in prayer, and how our physical posture can help us in praying.
The day before Jesus enters Jerusalem, Mary of Bethany anoints his feet with a jar of expensive ointment. The response of Judas and the words of Jesus teach us what sacrificial worship looks like and call us to give all that we value most in devotion to Christ.
Rejoice in the beauty and purpose of creation and seek the rest that is its final goal.
As Ruth, Boaz and Naomi's story culminates and closes, we see that God Himself is the ultimate Redeemer of every hopeless person and every hopeless situation.
Ruth and Boaz remind us that we are to seek the Redeemer and His covering and wait for Him with confidence.
Through the lives of Ruth and Boaz, we see God in His providence providing for His people and pouring out His kindness to them.
The first chapter of Ruth finds Naomi suffering greatly, yet even in suffering there is hope.
Jim Tipton from A Woman's Choice Resource Center brings a message observing Sanctity of Human Life Sunday from Psalm 139:13-16.
Titus 3:8-15 | Andy Sabaka | As God’s children we are called to invest your lives in good works that profitable, not arguments that are worthless.
Titus 2:15-3:7 | Andy Sabaka | Remembering who we once were and how we were changed will transform how we live in the world.
The core message and miracle of Christmas is the incarnation of Jesus. But another miracle is that, for all of the reasons we have for rejecting Jesus as Savior and Lord, he has given us eyes to see him not as someone to push away but as someone to embrace and believe in.
Titus 2:1-10 | Andy Sabaka | The gospel lived out in the church community makes godly living possible for all of God’s children.
Titus 2:1-14 | Andy Sabaka | The gospel makes godly living possible for all of God’s children. In these verses, Paul helps us see the good works all of God's children are called to and the way that faith in the gospel empowers and instructs us in godly living.
Titus 1:5-16 | Andy Sabaka| God graciously gives the church leaders transformed by the gospel who boldly proclaim the gospel. Elders are called to be marked by character that cannot be questioned, instruction that values sound doctrine, and confrontation that exposes lies.
Titus 1 | Andy Sabaka | The book of Titus teaches us that the gospel is powerful enough to transform the worst of people into godly members of Christ’s church. It is a clear call for us to trust the gospel to do the work of salvation and sanctification.
Our greatest allegiance is to King Jesus and his Kingdom, and, as we stand with him, we stand with the weak and the needy.
In this third sermon on the Church and the State, we talk about why we should seek to see a Christian ethic promoted within our society and that the way to live in a society in which people disagree with our convictions is to be filled with grace and truth.
Who we are as God’s people determines our purpose and practice in this earthly kingdom. We have been called by Jesus to be free servants and exiles, and that status determines how we respond to the governing authorities and why we respond in those ways.
As we seek to be clear about the relationship between Christians and the State, Paul provides a clear command: Live in subjection to the governing authorities. He then helps us to see why and how, as well as if this is always the case.
As Jacob and Joseph face death, they show us how faith in God's sovereign hand frees us from fear and enables us to see how he turns all things for good.
As Jacob speaks of what will be true for his sons and their descendants in the future, we see that what we do matters, but what God can do matter more.
As Jacob nears his death, he seeks to bless his sons and grandsons in significant ways. His blessings reveal that he has learned two significant truths: God's promises are certain, and God's ways are surprising.
Joseph blesses his family and all of Egypt, Jacob blesses Pharaoh, and as God’s children, we are called to be a blessing to others and to rejoice in the blessings of God.
When we can’t see the future or when we question the past, we can trust that God lovingly leads his children.
As Joseph reveals his identity and forgives his brothers, he teaches us that trust in God's sovereignty is foundational to forgiving others and receiving the forgiveness of others.
As Joseph continues to test his brothers honesty and compassion, Judah steps to the forefront and shows that these men have been changed by the grace and conviction of God, and reminds us that change is possible, even for dishonest, uncompassionate people like us.
When Joseph's brothers arrive in Egypt, he keeps his identity hidden and begins to test their honesty and compassion. They teach us all to welcome the light of conviction into our lives.
In chapter 41 of Genesis, Joseph goes from being in prison in Egypt to being second in command under Pharaoh. We learn with him that when God raises us up, he does it in his time for his glory.
An episode in Joseph's life where he helps two men by interpreting their dreams shows us that as God works to accomplish his great purposes for the world, he is building character in his people, and that when it comes to character building, there is no substitute for experience.
The nearness of God will always be our good, no matter what is happening around us. Joseph lived his life before the face of God, and because of that, he submitted to sovereignty and walked with integrity.
In a difficult and jarring chapter of God's Word, we see that sin's deep roots can only be pulled from our hearts by a breakthrough of God’s grace. Judah and his sons' sins are despicable, Tamar is an unlikely heroine, and everyone points us to the salvation found in Jesus.
As Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery as a means of crushing his dreams, we see their wickedness, Joseph's integrity, and the way that nothing can thwart God's sovereign plans as he works in the "meanwhile" of our lives.
Here at the beginning of the Joseph narrative, we see men struggling to understand God's purpose and plan for their individual lives. As we watch them, we learn how to think about the specific purposes of God for each of us in light of his greater purposes in the world.
As the narratives focus on Jacob comes to a close, we learn that full devotion to God brings blessing while also equipping us to faithfully face difficulty and death.
One of the darkest events in the lives of the patriarchs helps us answer the question, "How do we respond to injustice and evil in a way that honors God?" Jacob and those around him model all the wrong ways; Jesus in the work of the gospel shows us the way to honor God in the face of evil.
As Jacob and Esau meet after 20 years apart, we see a beautiful picture of reconciliation, a confusing act of deception, and a testimony to the faithfulness of God to do all that he says he will.
Jacob, though headed in the right direction, is not ready to enter the Promised Land in faith. So God meets him and wrestles with him. The account is strange, yet it is much like our walk of faith and shows us that God will often cripple our strengths to strengthen our trust.
Fear is a part of everyone's life, but how do we deal with the fear and anxiety and distress that fill our hearts and minds? Jacob shows us positive and negative ways to face our fears. In this sermon we see that we can fight fear with the truth of God’s presence and the power of prayer without resorting to our own plans.
As Laban pursues and catches Jacob, we see three ways and two reasons why God protects his people.
God calls Jacob, in the words of Psalm 46:10, to "cease striving and know that I am God." We learn with him that God often sees our affliction and delivers us and that God reminds us of our allegiances and turns us.
As Jacob, Leah, and Rachel all look for satisfaction in various relationships, they teach us that no human relationship can satisfy the deepest longings of our souls.
Like he does with Jacob, God will not cease to pursue us with blessing, even while he reveals the sinful circumstances we have not settled. Our life as God’s children is marked by the simultaneous blessing and discipline of our Father.
As Jacob steps into an unfamiliar place, God meets him and promises to be with him. Jacob responds by trying to cut a deal with God. How will we respond when God meets us?
On this Easter Sunday, we spent time think on the truthfulness of the resurrection of Jesus, the necessity of faith, the transforming power of the resurrection for those who believe, and the beauty of the gospel masterpiece.
In a story with no hero, we learn how not to pursue God's blessing. In Isaac and Esau we see the way our love of things or people can cloud our vision, and in Rebekah and Jacob we see how we can resort to manipulation or deception to seek God's favor. In all of this, God is working for our good and his glory, calling us to faith.
As we journey with Isaac from fear to faith and famine to feasting, we are called to trust God's promises to bless us with provision and the gift of his presence.
In a moment, Esau makes a decision that will mark him for the rest of his life. We learn from his character and actions that we should value the things of God far above the things of this earth.
When Rebekah inquires of the Lord why her pregnancy is so pain-filled, God informs her of the strife that will exist between her sons and of the fact that the younger of the two was the chosen seed of promise. In this message we wrestle with God's sovereign choice of who to bless, ultimately rejoicing in his purposes exercised for his glory.
When Isaac and Rebekah could not have children, Isaac prayed... for 20 years! In this first sermon back in the book of Genesis, we look at the first 24 chapters of Genesis and then learn from Isaac how to persevere in prayer, find the fruit of faith, and give God glory.
As Jonah makes clear his anger regarding God's mercy being extended to the people of Nineveh, God merciful helps Jonah and us see how foolish it is to love ourselves, only those like us, and temporary gifts more than the souls of others.
As Jonah receives a second chance to obey God, he brings a message of judgment to Nineveh, which results in their surprising repentance and a lavish display of Go'd's mercy towards them.
As we hear Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish, we learn that God's mercy delivers believers from despair to thanksgiving despite the corruption of the heart.
As we begin our series in the book of Jonah, we get a glimpse into the human heart - our foolishness and callousness - and the heart of God - his relentless pursuit of sinners and the wideness of his mercy.
One of the roots of the acceptance and promotion of abortion in the world is the belief that children are not a blessing and a cause for joy, but an inconvenience and a cause for sorrow. On this Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, we come against this idea with the biblical truth that every child is a gift given by God that should be received with joy.
Having talked about the core truths of the gospel, we took time this week to think on the truth that when we repent and believe in Christ, we are not only united to Him, but also to his people. We considered the corporate nature of salvation, the blessings of the local church, and then reminded ourselves of our church covenant and all that it call us to do and be for one another.
Having just considered the core truths of the gospel, this week we spent time thinking on our union with Christ in his death and resurrection and how that changes the way that we live. We thought on the reality we must believe, the mentality we must have, and the brutality with which we must fight for holiness.
When we understand who God is, who we are, and what Christ has done, the next question we must answer is, "Now what?" In this message we consider how we are to respond to God's good news, and the answer is in repentance and faith.
In this third message on God's Good News, we consider how who Jesus is and what he has done makes salvation possible in the light of God's holiness and our sinfulness.
In this second week thinking about God's Good News, we considered the reality of sin, seeking to answer three questions - what is sin, who has sinned, and what are the consequences of sin. This is the bad news we must hear and believe before we can understand the good news of salvation.
In this first sermon walking through the core truths of God's good news, we consider what we need to know about God to understand his message of salvation - that he is the creator, he is our creator, he is good, and he is holy and righteous.
In the midst of our desire for more and more, Scripture teaches us how to be truly content and find more joy with less stuff.
Within the call to enjoy all of God's good gifts to his glory, there are cautions and tensions. Yet those fences are given by God for our good and the increase of joy.
How do we as physical/spiritual beings rejoice in God and his gifts? Is there a divide between the sacred and the secular? Am I to enjoy the things of this earth or seek to free myself from them? In this first sermon on "The Stuff of Earth and the Glory of God," we seek to emphasize the clear call to enjoy all that God has given us in this world with hearts full of thanksgiving and gratitude.
As we wrapped up the book of Luke, we considered Luke's overarching message - that Jesus is the Savior of the world and the Lord of all, and that we are called to submit to him as such and join the worldwide proclamation of the good and certain news about Jesus.
As Jesus ascends into the clouds, he fills the hearts of all true disciples with worship and joy. How can the departure of Christ be good news? That's the question we seek to answer in this message.
As Jesus verifies his resurrection for the disciples, he foreshadows the future for all who believe in him and calls his followers to go to all nations as witnesses to the good news of the gospel.
Jesus, resurrected and revealed, brings comfort and clarity in the midst of our sadness and confusion.
Luke's account and the reactions of the women, the disciples, and Peter give us certainty about the truth of the resurrection and reveal our deep need for Jesus to not be dead.
In Joseph of Arimathea and the women who followed Jesus from Galilee, we are given witnesses both to the fact of the death and burial of Jesus and to what faith looks like in the midst of darkness. We have much to learn from them all.
As Jesus dies, we witness three divine and supernatural events, followed by three responses of the shocked witnesses. Here also Jesus teaches us how to entrust our lives to our Heavenly Father, even as we take our last breath.
This prophecy of Isaiah takes us into the very heart of the Christian faith, foreshadowing all that Jesus would accomplish through his death and calling us to respond with repentance and faith.
As David suffers, he teaches us how to pray in the midst of pain. We also see in this psalm a glimpse into the pain and suffering of Christ on the cross.
A man named Simon is pulled from the crowd to bear Jesus' cross and thereby reminds us of the nature of true discipleship. Jesus tells those weeping for him to weep for themselves and their children and thereby warns us of the certainty of God's judgment on the guilty.
As Luke continues to tell the story of the day Jesus was tried and crucified, we see the events from the perspectives of Pilate, the Roman governor, and Barabbas, a convicted criminal. In the events that surround them we see a beautiful picture of the gospel.
Luke goes to great pains to show that the trials of Jesus were a sham and that he was innocent of any crime. Here we walk through Luke's portrayal of the trials of Jesus and ask why it is so important that Jesus be proven innocent.
As we celebrated Matthew's ordination, we paused to hear Peter's instruction to the elders he was writing to in 1 Peter.
We we look at Peter and his denial of Jesus, we see ourselves. How did Peter, the Rock, get to the place where he would deny even knowing Jesus, and what can we learn from him?
There are times when it seems that God is silent and the darkness is in control. Jesus teaches and shows us how to live and pray with faith even in the dark days that will certainly come.
Jesus, as he teaches the disciples, helps us to see that true greatness is found in following him down the path of humble, sacrificial service. He also reminds us that he has led the way through his own example and that he will strengthen us as we submit to him.
Joel Velasco shares through the life and testimony of Paul what it looks like to know Christ and live with him as Lord of our lives.
Jesus gathers with his disciples to celebrate the Passover meal and transforms its symbolism to point to the salvation that is found in his broken body and shed blood. In this sermon we pause to reflect on the significance of Jesus' words and actions, as well as the depth of the symbolism he introduces to this meal.
We see in this passage that the schemes of Satan, the betrayal of Judas, and the work of Satan are all under the control of God, who is working out and working all things for our good.
Jesus assures us once again of the certainty of his return and gives us instruction on how to live in light of that certainty.
As Jesus describes the destruction of Jerusalem and then his return, he shows us that there is no refuge in any man-made building or religion, but that Jesus will be the only sure place of salvation when the world ends.
Jesus, in answering the questions of the disciples, gives us insight about the final days before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and before his return. He encourages all believers of all ages that nothing can ultimately harm us.
Through the negative example of the scribes and the positive example of a poor widow, Jesus reminds us that God sees all and calls us to serve God with genuine hearts that are filled with compassion and generosity.
After a series of questions directed at Jesus, Jesus asks his own question of the crowd, and reveals that he, the Messiah, is greater than anyone or anything they could imagine.
In an attempt to make Jesus look like a fool for believing in a future resurrection, the Sadducees ask him a question. But rather than being shown to be foolish, he reveals his wisdom as he speaks with authority from the Scriptures and from his own divine knowledge on the certainty and realities of life after death.
How do we submit to the authority of God and the authority of earthly governments? As the religious leaders try to trap Jesus, he answers that question with a simple statement: Give to Caesar what is Caesars, and to God what is God's.
What will happen if we reject God's rightful authority over us? Jesus tells a parable that highlights God's abundant mercy and patience, yet one that also shows that there will be a day of reckoning for all who spurn Gods rule.
Jesus displays his authority as prophet, priest, and king, which prompts the religious leaders to ask what or who has given him that authority. Jesus' response helps us see that we all should submit to the authority of Jesus, and the response of the religious leaders reveals why our hearts often rebel against his rule.
What is the purpose of the church? This passage from Colossians helps us see that the church is called to proclaim the mystery of Christ in deed, as we joyfully suffer for the sake of others, and in word, as we admonish and teach one another. This passage helps us clarify our goal as a church and calls us to work hard through the strength God provides.
Easter is not simply the celebration of an event; it is the celebration of Jesus, specifically his person and his work. But it is a celebration only for those who united with him in his death and resurrection. And if we are united with Christ, we have much to celebrate!
In some of the last moments before his crucifixion, Jesus calls us to love one another for the glory of God by giving an example of self-sacrificial love. He shows us that his every act is an act of love towards his disciples.
In Daniel 2, we watch a young man trust fully in a sovereign God. Daniel is an example of faith and courage, and we are also reminded that God is the King over all the earth, who will one day bring all earthly kingdoms to nothings.
Since chapter 9, Luke has been pushing us towards Jesus entrance into Jerusalem, and here in 19:28-44, we watch as Jesus enters into the city as King. Yet there is still opposition, and he weeps the rejection he knows is coming. In all this, we are called to bow the knee to this glorious Lord and King.
As they get closer and closer to Jerusalem, Jesus tells a parable that calls us to faithfulness and submission to him as King while we await his return. Our response to Jesus' absence is rooted in what we think about him.
In this passage, we meet Zacchaeus, a tax collector who was seeking for Jesus and for who Jesus was seeking. We see the rejoicing and the repentance that come into our lives when Jesus enters in.
As Jesus again tells of his coming arrest, mistreatment, death, and resurrection in Jerusalem, the disciples are completely blind to these things. They then meet a blind man who seems to understand who Jesus is better than they. In all of this, we see ways that we can be blind and how faith is the key to sight.
Jesus continues to reveal that the people we expect to be in the kingdom of God may not be, and those we would never expect to are the ones who enter in. Here we learn that it is those who come with childlike faith that are saved, not those who trust in themselves or their riches.
In a parable of comparison, Jesus speaks a word to all of us who often trust in ourselves and treat others with contempt.
John the Baptist helps us see that for the Christian, Jesus must always be increasing and we must always be decreasing.
Paul calls us to stand firm in the truth of the gospel as we fight against the spiritual forces that would drag us away from faith in Christ. We also focus on the place of prayer in the advance of the gospel.
On this Sanctity of Human Life Sunday we look to see how Psalm 10 can help us rightly pray through this difficult issue.
Prayer is an act of faith - it pleases God because it affirms that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who seek after him. The hope of this sermon is to stir us our hearts to pray.
Jesus gives us a parable about an unjust judge and a persistent widow intended to spur us on to pray always and not lose heart. We learn that prayer is an act of faith, and what we believe about God will determine how consistently and persistently we pray.
Jesus teaches us that the kingdom is here and the kingdom is coming. As he describes what the kingdom is like now and how it will come in the future, we are called to faithfulness while we wait.
On this Christmas Sunday, we considered 5 ways to meditate on the coming of Jesus at Christmas time: - Take time to ponder the beauty of the incarnation. - Stare into the darkness of the world Jesus enters. – Be reminded that nothing is impossible with God. – Let Christmas be unsatisfying. - Let Christmas be a call to worship and praise.
In Luke 17, 11-19, Jesus heals 10 lepers, but only one returns to thank him. The return of the one, a Samaritan, and the failure of the other nine to give thanks helps us not only see the nature of true gratitude, but also of saving faith.
Jesus describes what it looks like to live with one another as members of his kingdom - how our our holiness has to do with the entire community, our forgiveness is a reflection of him, our power comes from faith, and our status is that of an unworthy servant.
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus helps us to see that death reveals true riches and the truly rich - it reveals the coming great reversal, the necessity of compassion in the now, and the hardness of the unbelieving heart.
If we are in children of God and part of his Kingdom, then he lays claim on all that we have and calls us to faithfulness, devotion, and integrity with all that we have been given.
In the parable of the dishonest manager, Jesus encourages us to be shrewd with our money - to invest it in something that will last forever, namely friends.
While the elder brother seems so different from his younger brother, Jesus helps us see how similar they are, and how even the apparently righteous older brother needed a Savior. This closing scene exposes the Pharisee in us all and the greatness of God's grace.
The Prodigal Son, Part 1. A long look at how far the prodigal son fell into sin reveals how lost we really are apart from Christ. And in light of that lostness, the welcome of the father reveals how extravagant the love of God is.
God invites us to join him in rejoicing over the rescuing of the lost. These two parables tell us something about how God accomplishes salvation, what God rejoices in, and they offer us an invitation to join him in rejoicing and in causing him to rejoice.
Jesus makes it clear that the call to follow him is a call to complete commitment. He then answers two questions for us: what does that complete commitment look like? and is following Jesus worth the cost?
Jesus describes the banquet of the Kingdom of God and reveals that some who have been invited will choose to not attend, while others who we would assume are excluded are welcomed in.
In God's Kingdom, selfishness never gets us what we want. Rather if we desire to keep the Law, we must love other. If we want to be honored, we must be humble. And if we want to be rewarded, we must be generous.
Living in light of the control and compassion of Jesus will make us bold and confident throughout all of life and will let us rest in the love and kindness of our Savior.
In response to the question, "Will the saved be few?" Jesus asks us, "Will the saved be you?" He helps us see that those we expect to be saved may be cast out of the kingdom while those we expect to not enter in will be there. In light of these surprises, we must strive to enter in through the narrow door of the Kingdom.
Jesus encourages us that, while our efforts may appear small and insignificant, the simple acts of compassion and mercy we do in the name of Jesus have far reaching and transforming effects.
As we celebrated 10 years of Grace Fellowship Church, Pastor James, the first pastor of GFC, reminded us of the wonderful truth that the Lord keeps us and surrounds us with his help.
Suffering is inevitable for all people, but it is also indispensable for the Christian, because suffering is one of God's great means of making us more like Jesus. Romans 8:18-30 helps us to see how we can thrive and find joy even in the pain and difficulties of life.
Habakkuk closes out his prophecy with a song - a song of the majesty and the greatness of God that, if we know it, will make it possible for us to sing even in suffering.
Jesus says that tragedy in the world should not cause us to question the sin of those who suffer but should lead us to repentance. And while judgment will certainly come on those who do not turn in repentance and faith, God is full of patience and kindness.
Jesus calls the crowds and us to not miss the truth of his coming - the year of the Lord's favor - and the chance to settle our debts with him before it's too late.
Jesus explains the core of his mission as the casting of fire on earth and his submission to the baptism of the cross, and he is clear that this mission will bring division, even in our closest relationships. Judgment is coming; division is inevitable.
Jesus calls us to be ready for his return, and through three parables he answers three questions: (1) Why should I be ready? (2) How can I be ready? and (3) Who should be ready?
Jesus, in the midst of his discussion of money and possessions, calls his followers to not worry but to instead seek his kingdom.
Jesus calls us to guard against a covetous confidence in money and possessions and to instead be rich towards God by treasuring his kingdom above our own and giving to those in need.
Jesus reminds us that there is a day of revealing coming - a day when all will be made known. And if that is true, it should change how we live our lives. The passage tells us, "All will be revealed, so be afraid and do not fear."
Jesus has some harsh words for the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, exposing the religious hypocrisy that blinds them. The passage asks us, "Are you blinded by hypocrisy?" and helps us see that we need to be changed from the inside out rather than be preoccupied with outward religion.
Jesus responds to those who are looking for more signs before they will believe, showing that the signs given are sufficient and clear, and that the truth of God, when welcomed, fills us with light.
Jesus teaches the principle that the exit of evil must be followed by the entrance of good - there is no such thing as moral neutrality.
In the great battle between good and evil - between God and Satan - neutrality is not an option. Jesus reminds us that his presence in this world means that there is a full-on attack against Satan and the powers of darkness, and he calls us to join him in this fight.
How we understand our relationship with God has everything to do with if and how we pray. Jesus encourages us to pray with boldness and faith because God is our friend and father.
When Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray, he gives us a pattern of prayer that helps us to continually realign our hearts to the heart of our Father, calling us to constant submission and dependence.
On this Easter Sunday, we looked at Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians, where he makes it clear that if the resurrection of Jesus is not true, then the Christian message is a joke and so is the faith of every Christian. But Jesus has been raised, and so there is much to rejoice in, both now and in the future!
Just before his betrayal, arrest, trial, and death, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper with his disciples. On this Good Friday, we meditated on the meaning of the bread and the cup from Mark 14.
On the second anniversary of our church's move to a new neighborhood, we reflected on the why of our move and the purpose of our church. We said that our task is to lift up Jesus for the glory of God and allow him to draw people to himself.
What is necessary to love God? Like Martha in Luke 10:38-42, many of us have a long list in mind, but Jesus praises Mary for finding the one thing that is necessary - listening to Jesus.
Through the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus helps an expert in the Law understand what is necessary to gain eternal life and what it looks like to love our neighbors as ourselves. In the midst of the parable he also helps us see that he is the Great Samaritan who meets us where we are and shows the greatest love of all to us.
We get a glimpse into what fills Jesus with joy and are challenged to find our joy in the same thing, namely that God hides himself from the wise and understanding and reveals himself to little children.
As the 72 return, they rejoice in the powerful ministry they were a part of in Jesus name, and while Jesus rejoices with them, he encourages them to find their true joy in the fact that their names are written in heaven.
As Jesus gives instructions to the 72 about their mission of proclaiming and bringing the peace and nearness of the kingdom, he teaches us how to respond to those who receive us and those who reject us.
As Jesus sends out the 72 out, tells them of the plentiful harvest of souls and calls them to pray for labors and to go themselves in faith, with urgency, recognizing the opposition, and with a message of peace.
A Samaritan village, James and John, and three would be disciples reveal the sobering reality that if we misunderstand Jesus' mission and his call to discipleship, he may pass us by.
Jesus corrects the disciples, helping them and us see that in the kingdom of God, it is is the humble who are the greatest and give glory to God. True humility welcomes all, hinders none, and gives glory to God.
After coming down from the mountain, having seen the majesty of God revealed, Jesus and the disciples are confronted with the dark realities of the world. Yet even in the darkness, Jesus brings light.
Since Luke 8:22 we have been asking and answering the question, "Who is Jesus?" In this passage Jesus reveals who he is, and God himself answers the question with final authority. Then, in light of who Jesus is, God gives us a clear command: Listen to Jesus.
Jesus calls us to follow him by denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following him, but such a call seems to go against our desire for joy and satisfaction. Yet we find that to follow Jesus is to find the fulfillment of our deepest desires in the most unlikely of places.
Abortion is a sin that goes against God's created order and exalts human wills and glory above he will and glory of God. Yet, in a culture of death, hope is found in Jesus, the child of promise, and Christians should call upon the name of the Lord for help.
Jesus polls the disciples about the crowds opinion on his identity, and then he asks them, and us, the most important question we will ever face: "Who do you say that I am?"
In Mark 12, Jesus gives us two ways to measure our spiritual health and maturity - our love for God and our love for others.
Christmas is about the miracle of Jesus, the Lord of Creation and the Lord of Salvation, coming to earth as a human.
What does True Generosity look like, and how is the generosity of Christians to be different from that of all people? 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 helps us see 7 characteristics of the kind of generosity that should mark follower of Jesus.
Care for the neediest of society is not an optional aspect of godliness and righteousness, but is at the core of who Christians should be because it is at the center of who God is in his righteousness and justice.
John, a college student in our church, shares scriptural motivations for taking the good news of the kingdom to the ends of the earth.
Matthew, a seminary student in our church, shared from Hebrews 13 that to follow Christ is to join him in all he does, including suffering, applying the truth to all people and to the missionary task in particular.
Jesus feeds the 5,000, proclaiming that he is the Messiah who provides and makes full - that he is the bread of life who alone can satisfy.
As disciples of Jesus we are sent to proclaim and bring the good news of the kingdom of God in the power and authority he has given. It is a task that calls for urgency, selflessness, dependency, and opposition.
Astounding things happen at the intersection of Jesus' power and our faith. This last part of Luke 8 helps us see the need to believe, despite obstacles to our faith, and it reveals Jesus power over disease and death.
As we continue to answer the question, "Who is Jesus?" he shows his absolute power over demons and the unseen world. We also see that no one is beyond his saving power and that those who have been changed by him are called to tell others how much he has done for them.
Jesus shows his power over creaton as he calms a storm on the Sea of Galilee. Through his question for the disciples, "Where is you faith?" and the question of their hearts, "Who is this man?" we find that our faith increases as we know more fully who Jesus is. And if Jesus is with us, and he is who he says he is, then nothing can shake us.
Jesus exhorts us to take care how we listen to the word, because it is those who hear the word and do it who are truly members of God's family.
Through both a real life example and a parable, Jesus tells us that the fruit of the word planted in our lives is determined by the soil of our hearts.
As Jesus dines with Simon the Pharisee a sinful woman astonishes everyone and gives Jesus the opportunity to teach us that those who are forgiven much, love much.
Doubt crept into John the Baptist's mind when Jesus did not meet his expectations of the Messiah, but Jesus helped him see that he was better than John could have expected. The Pharisee's expectations became demands, such that they were unwilling to come to Christ in repentance and faith.
Jesus meets a widow who has just lost her only son and responds with compassion and power - the same way he responds to us in our times of deepest sorrow and need and they way we should respond to others.
Jesus heals a centurion's servant and teaches that in his kingdom it's not who you are, who you know, or what you can do that makes you worthy, but who you place your humble faith in.
Jesus closes out the Sermon on the Plain with a strong warning. He teaches us that if we claim he is our Lord and King, then we will do what he says.
Jesus helps us see that unless we are changed in our essential nature - unless we are given a new heart - we cannot walk in his ways. But if we have been changed, then we can and we must.
Love and mercy flow from our lives when we see the love and and mercy we have been shown and the love and mercy we still need every day.
Jesus calls his disciples to a radical love that extends to all people, including enemies, and displays to the world the greatness of God's love and mercy seen in the gospel.
Jesus begins the Sermon on the Plain by making it clear that in the value system of his kingdom, those who the world despises are the ones who are truly blessed.
As Jesus chooses the twelve, heals with power, casts out demons, and preaches of the principles his followers are to live by, he makes it clear that, while rooted in the Old Covenant, his kingdom is a kingdom unlike anything else.
Jesus reveals that the heart of the Sabbath is found in both loving God and loving others, and that those two commands are never in conflict.
In the call of Levi (Matthew), Jesus caps off a series of encounters with the outcasts of society and lets the grumbling Pharisees know that he did not come for those who think they are righteous but for sinners who know they need to repent.
When a paralytic is brought to Jesus, he gives him what he really needs - the forgiveness of sins - and then proves that he has the authority to grant such forgiveness by healing him.
When a helpless leper comes to Jesus, he is fully confident that Jesus is able to cleanse him, but is he willing?
Jesus performs a miracle close to Simon's eyes and heart when he causes a miraculous catch of fish. Simon sees his sinfulness in light of Jesus' majesty, and Jesus pronounces forgiveness and transformation on Simon's life.
As Luke describes a day in the life of Jesus, it becomes clear that Jesus is filled with phenomenal power - powerful teaching, power over spiritual darkness, power of disease, a power rooted in dependence on the Father, and a power that is open to all who will believe.
At the beginning of Jesus' ministry, he returns to his hometown and makes two things clear: who he is and the reality that all must respond to his claims.
Pastor Henry offered us a meditation on John the Beloved, who life and example calls us to follow him as he followed, loved, and obeyed Christ
On the 1 year anniversary of moving to our new location, we reflected on the grand, world-changing mission God has called all believers to by remembering some of the truth we find in the book of Acts.
Easter is a day of victory for the Light over the darkness, and it is in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus that God calls us out of the darkness and into the kingdom of His Son, the Light of the world.
The cross of Jesus shows us clearly the depth of our sin and the great depth of God's love.
Why was Jesus baptized as he began his ministry? For many reasons, but ultimately for his great glory and to accomplish our salvation.
John models a life of humble boldness that points to Christ, proclaims the whole gospel, and confronts sin.
John's message of preparation is one we need to hear today just as his original hearers did: true, fruit-bearing repentance is necessary for approaching Jesus.
In this passage, as well as the infancy narrative as a whole (chap. 1-2), Luke helps us see that Jesus was obviously human, and, astonishingly, God himself.
In the words of Simeon's song and prophecy, we find that Jesus changes everything, and he does so by both uniting and dividing people.
Psalm 1 reminds us that the righteous saturate themselves with the life-changing word of God.
Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna remind us that it is in our faithful walks with the Lord throughout the everyday tasks of life that God brings blessing and uses us for his glory.
At the birth of Jesus we see the glorious collision of the human and the divine, bringing us the greatest news possible: that we can have peace with God.
What is God's heart towards abortion - the destruction of his unborn image bearers? We need to know God's heart so that we as his image bearers can model his heart well to the world around us, and Exodus 34 tells us that we should show forth God as the life-giver, as merciful, gracious and forgiving, and as just and righteous.
Zechariah exalts God for send the Messiah to visit and redeem us, raising up a horn of salvation so that we might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness all our days.
At the birth and naming of Elizabeth and Zechariah's baby, it becomes very clear that this is no ordinary child - rather he is a gift of God's mercy who will prepare the way for the Messiah who will forgive sins.
As we look towards a new year, let us resolve to abide in Jesus - to abide in his word, in prayer, and in love for others, so that we might know him better and draw all our strength and life from him.
Elizabeth and Mary show us that when we see God rightly magnified and ourselves properly humbled, then we will experience true joy when we realize all that God has done for us in Christ.
Mary shows us that the miracle of Christmas is one that we receive as little children - with wide-eyed wonder and wholehearted trust.
We can learn much from this narrative of Zechariah's encounter with the angel Gabriel - two of those lessons are the power of prayer and our need to repent of disbelief.
As we begin our series on the Gospel According to Luke, we find that, among other reasons, Luke wrote that we could be certain that Jesus is the Savior of the World.
As we close out our look at the life of Abraham, we are reminded once again that the story of Abraham is not the story of Abraham's greatness but the story of the greatness and faithfulness of the God of Abraham.
In this beautiful story of the coming together of Isaac and Rebekah, we are reminded that God providentially leads us in all things because of his steadfast love towards us.
As the story of Abraham begins to close, he is faced with the reality of death, and helps us see that in the darkest of days and even in death, God can be trusted.
The occasion of Isaac's birth affirms that God is 100% trustworthy, and his fulfillment of his promises leads Abraham and Sarah, and should lead us, to lives of obedience, joy, and a renewed desire to remove all threats to God's plans and purposes.
Abraham slips into his old pattern of disbelief and puts the fulfillment of God's promise to he and Sarah is great danger. But God the Protector accomplishes his purposes in the midst of Abraham's failures.
As we run into Lot one more time, we learn lessons about our own drift into sin and callousness towards evil, as well as God's goodness to us on behalf of Christ.
As Abraham interacts with God and intercedes for Sodom, God is seen as a God of justice and righteousness who also loves to show mercy on the behalf of the righteous.
We say we believe that nothing is impossible with God, but we are still tempted to laugh with doubt like Abraham and Sarah when God says he will do the incredible. Genesis 18:1-15 shows us God's love and power and lovingly rebukes us with the question, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
In Matthew 6, Jesus gives us a wonderfully practical model for prayer - a model we can easily apply as we seek to be more disciplined and God-focused in our prayer lives.
How do we follow the repeated command in Scripture to walk worthy of God and our calling? 1 Timothy 6:11-12 gives us four commands as the answer: flee, pursue, fight, and seize.
As God again confirms his covenant to Abraham, we learn that God will do all that he says he will without any help from us, but that he will change us at our very core in the process.
Genesis 16, through the failures of Abram and Sarai and the fleeing of Hagar, reveals the wonderfully comforting truth that God sees and hears his children wherever they are.
When God appears to Abram in a vision, Abram and we learn that we can trust God completely because his word is sure and his promises are rooted in who he is.
Lot's decision to separate from Abram and reside near Sodom leads to both he and Abram getting tied up in the affairs of some foreign kings. But when God gives victory to Abram, he is faced with a choice - how will he, and how should we, respond to the victories God gives?
Having returned from the fiasco in Egypt, Abram now must deal with a conflict between he and his nephew Lot. Having learned his lesson, Abram responds in faith and models how we should deal with the conflicts that occur in our lives.
In Genesis 12 we find Abram both walking in faith and faithlessly trusting his own wisdom. We find encouragement that Abram is much like us in these ways, but even more encouragement in the unfailing faithfulness and sovereignty of God as he is always working for our good and his glory.
As the effects of the Fall continued to spread throughout the world, God called Abram to leave his home so that he might be blessed and be a blessing to the whole world. This is the introduction to our sermon series, "The God of Abraham."
The presence of our all-powerful and loving God throws fear and anxiety out the window.
The core of the Christian life is found in our union with Christ in his life, death, and resurrection.
Moving from a discussion of Colossians 1 & 2 that tells us who we are in Christ, we learn in chapters 3 & 4 that who we are then determines what we do.
John describes two amazing days in Jesus' ministry that entailed the feeding of the 5,000, him walking on water, and a difficult teaching - all of which emphasized his call to believe in him as the source eternal life.
Who are you? Colossians 1 and 2 answers that question by focusing on who Christ is and reminding us that since we are in him, who he is is who we are.
Paul closes out the book of Galatians by distilling it's message down to one paragraph, focusing on the truth that the only boast we have before God is the cross that has made our salvation possible.
Since it is true that what we will reap is based on the actions and attitudes we sow, we should not be deceived nor should we lose heart in doing good.
As much as we might think walking in the Spirit would be easiest to do on our own, in isolation from others, Paul helps us see that the fruit of Spirit is produced in the midst of community.
If we have been redeemed by Jesus, then we have been given new desires. But how do we kill the deeds of our old nature that seem to keep cropping up and allow the fruit of God's Spirit to blossom in our lives?
The fight of faith is against legalism and license as we seek to walk by the Spirit in the freedom Christ has given us through his life, death, and resurrection.
Paul describes the motives and tactics of enemies of the gospel and calls us to stand firm against them.
What will happen if we do not stand firm in the freedom of the gospel? And how can we stand firm in that freedom?
Even in the midst of doing all the right things, people and churches can slowly lose their first love - their love for Jesus. If that is happening or already has, how do we return to that first love?
We should be shaken to the core with a holy fear and with joyful expectation at the truth that Jesus has sent us just as he was sent by the Father - in the power of the Spirit with the authoritative message of the forgiveness of sins.
Mark walked us through the Biblical narrative, landing in Ephesians to remind us that God has called his people to one primary purpose - to reflect his glory in all spheres of life.
The story of Jesus' life, death and resurrection is truly the greatest story ever told - because it is true and because if we will believe it, God will give us new life in His name.
Others in history may have suffered a horrible death by crucifixion, but none of them were the Son of God.
The reason that God has created the world, including us, is for his glory – for the spread of his name to the ends of the earth. As we live for the glory of God, we are called to immeasurable joy, but we are called to that joy through the path of laying down our lives as Jesus did.
[NOTE: The audio for this sermon starts late and is missing a chunk in the middle.]
The natural drift of our hearts is towards the pride – and the slavery – of legalism, which is seeking acceptance and right standing before God through what we do rather than through what Christ has done. But we are not salves to such living; Christ has freed us from legalism.
As Paul reflects on how they had received the gospel and the fact that they were now rejecting it, he reveals his pastoral heart and models the truth that a leader who loves you labors for your good and God's glory, not theirs.
At just the right time, God sent Jesus to the earth to redeem those under the weight of the Law and to adopt them as sons and daughters. If this is true, and the Spirit says to all children that it is, then why would we ever return to being slaves to sin and law?
Since we are all children of God through faith in Christ, baptized in and clothed with Christ, and children of Abraham because of Christ, all reasons for division are gone.
After Paul seemed to have made the Law completely unnecessary in light of the promise made to Abraham, Paul shows us the real purpose of the Law is not to provide a means of salvation but to reveal our sin and drive us to Christ.
We are reminded in this section of Galatians 3 that God’s work of salvation is not rooted in our good works but in the unchanging character and irrevocable promises of God.
(Note: The sound quality is poor at the beginning of this recording, but improves about 3 minutes in.) In this last sermon from John 3 and 4, we see Jesus' encounter with a Gentile nobleman and are reminded that we do not follow Jesus because of what he can give us but because of who he is.
As with Nicodemus, Jesus brings the life-giving message of the gospel to all who cross his path, regardless of who they are.
Has our familiarity with John 3:16 caused us to cease marveling at God's love? This message takes a look at the first part of John 3, revealing how we are much like Nicodemus and how great God's love for us is.
In Galatains 3:10-14, Paul continues to make clear the message of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, saying that Jesus became a curse for us, taking the curse due to us for our sin, so that we might receive the blessings promised to Abraham and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The promises of God have always been, from Abraham to now, received by faith, which allows all nations to be children of Abraham and receive the blessings of God's promise to him.
As we finish looking at chapter 2 of Galatians, we find the wonderful truth that a Christians is a person who has been united with Christ in His life, death, and resurrection, and that we are now freed to walk by faith in that truth, allowing Jesus to live His life through us.
Merry Christmas! We took time Christmas morning to learn from the shepherds how we should respond to the announcement that the Savior, Jesus, has come.
We take a moment this Christmas season to consider the responses of Zachariah and Mary to their angelic visits and ask what our response is and should be to the miracle of Christmas.
We close out the narrative portion of Galatians by looking at an astonishing scene in the history of the early church: Paul publicly confronting Peter about his hypocrisy. What was the issue and what can we learn from it?
We continue to look at Paul's autobiography in the first part of Galatians, and we are reminded of the need to clarify the gospel and to then cooperate with others to see it spread.
In these verses of Galatians 1, Paul makes it clear that the gospel is divine, not human in origin, and in defending that truth, he helps us see that the message of salvation in Jesus gives glory to God alone, both in Paul's testimony and in the testimony of all believers in Jesus.
As we look at Galatians 1:6-10, we are reminded of the threat of forsaking the gospel and thereby deserting God. In this sermon we consider 3 dangers that can lead us down the path of forsaking the truth of the gospel.
This is the first message in a series through the New Testament book of Galatians. It is both a brief exposition of Galatians 1:1-5 and an overview of the entire book, focusing on the themes of the gospel's authority, justification by grace alone, the freedom of the gospel, and the glory of God in salvation.
Daniel Harman, leader of Cru at the University of Louisville and father of four children, two of whom are adopted, joined us on Orphan Sunday 2011 to speak about our spiritual adoption as children of God and the call of God for us to care for orphans.
In our final sermon on the "one anothers" of the New Testament, we talk about the blessing and responsibility of confessing our sins to one another and praying for one another.
Paul continues to walk us through the way Colossians 3 calls us to live with one another in light of who we are in Christ.
In our second sermon on the one anothers of the New Testament, Paul takes through Colossians 3:1-11, where we see that any good in us or in our church is only because of our union with Christ.
In this first sermon in our series through some of the "one anothers" of the New Testament, we consider Jesus' command for his disciples to "Love one another."