TELL. Training Leaders for Christ: Recent Episodes
TELL
We are called TELL. We are Training Leaders for Christ. Here you'll find inspirational messages bringing you closer to God. You can download our app to start entry level self-study courses, search for TELL Network in your App Store, or visit tellnetwork.org. After you finish entry level self-study courses, you can sign up to continue to study with an online instructor. We tell you God’s Word, so you can tell others!
This week we’ll be studying Psalm 95:1-11 to better understand the first of our four Vital Signs – “Worship.” All humans are designed for the purpose of worship, but the variance between us simply lies in whom/what we choose to worship. We need to see how God is above all other gods, worthy alone of our worship, and we’ll learn insights into the hows and whys of our corporate worship.
This week we’ll be studying Psalm 95:1-11 to better understand the first of our four Vital Signs – “Worship.” All humans are designed for the purpose of worship, but the variance between us simply lies in whom/what we choose to worship. We need to see how God is above all other gods, worthy alone of our worship, and we’ll learn insights into the hows and whys of our corporate worship.
Jesus loved a good party filled with lots of sinners. No, not to get wild and crazy but to give amazing mercy to anyone. You’re invited to attend, and then pay it forward.
Nobody wants to be a nobody. That’s a good thing, actually. The driving desire to be a somebody is part of God’s divine design. Just be sure that the somebody you want to be isn’t a fake identity.
When God tells a good man to stay married to an unfaithful prostitute, the Bible is teaching us about God loving the unlovable—like us.
This week we’ll be studying 2 Timothy 2:14-26 under the theme “Majoring in What Matters.” Christian witness can be negatively impacted by debating about things that don’t matter much, combining genuine Christian teaching with worldly philosophy, or simply by a lifestyle that doesn’t support our beliefs. In 2 Timothy, Paul provides practical advice for anyone who desires to lead others in faith.
Should you ask someone how you can help, or just stay near them but not say or do anything? Understanding love languages will help you do the right thing.
The trumpet you played in high school, encased and gathering dust in the closet, may just be a treasure chest. What if you played it again? Led a marching band? Played The Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl? God has a plan and purpose for us all. What’s yours?
Care under the good shepherd means suffering when life is unfair and seeing it as a blessing.
The hope we have in the resurrection gives us a state of inexpressible joy even when faced with trials and griefs.
When the circumstances of life cause you to waiver, stand firm on the promises of God and give thanks
We’re studying Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 under the theme of “The Parable of the Weeds.” This lesson teaches us something valuable about patience – why God’s timelines are necessarily different, and better than hours. It explains how spiritual growth is organic. It also helps explain a believer’s love of Jesus but frequent disappointment with Christians and churches.
This week we'll be studying Matthew 4:21-24, 38-48 under the theme of "Loving Enemies." Almost every society in history has advocated for demonstrating kindness, love, and generosity toward family and friends. Christianity’s unique teaching, however, encourages us to take a smack in the face from an enemy, while not running, not hitting back, and not enabling the wrongdoer to do it again. The Savior who took hell in our place teaches us that grace neither repays sin, nor permits sin, but pays for sins.
Our early summer series will be based on Tim Keller’s Making Sense of God: Finding God in the Modern World. As human beings, we cannot live without meaning, satisfaction, freedom, identity, justice, and hope. Christianity provides us with unsurpassed resources to meet these needs. Using the structure of Keller’s book, we’ll examine biblical texts that provide practical life resources for navigating a post-Christian society.
Doing good and praying are two easy yet powerful habits, especially when Jesus is an active participant—and exponentially when you join with others who are joining Jesus on his mission.
Job is the example for us of carrying our cross in a way that at peace no matter what happens.
How do you move from talking about Jesus’ mission to being on mission with Jesus? Seek, recognize and respond to what he is already doing in the lives of people you already enjoy.
The morals of Jesus’ parables, when put into practice, change our lives and make the world a better place. Those who listen carefully will find meaning even deeper than life-changing lessons. Life-giving miracles.
When overwhelmed with pain or a sense of powerlessness, remember dibs, delivered and done.
Appreciate the miracle that you are a follower of Jesus and understand that He will equip you to be a fisher of people. God needs you to go fishing.
There is no such thing as a full-grown tree. The day a tree stops growing, it dies. There is no such thing as a full-grown person or a full-grown church, either. Is it as simple, then, as grow or die
IN THIS EPISODE, WE CONSIDER HOW, EVEN IN AN EVER-CHANGING WORLD, JESUS REMAINS THE SAME. WE LOOK TO HIS ABUNDANCE OF GRACE AND MERCY AND TAKE COMFORT IN A SAVIOR WHO REMAINS CONSTANT.
In this episode, we hear about the story of the Fox and the Hen and understand how it applies to an encounter with Jesus and the Pharisees. Then, we consider its implications in our own lives.
This week we will be studying John 13:31-36 under the theme “Loving One Another.” Prior to dying for their sins on the cross, Jesus gets down and washes his disciples’ feet. While both, in a sense, are what God’s people do for one another, the latter provides the more accessible daily option and the apologetic of humbly showing love.
This week we’ll be studying John 14:1-4 under the theme “Your Room in His House.” Jesus didn’t tell his disciples that they wouldn’t have troubles, but he did tell them to not let their hearts be troubled. He provided them with a resource that would let them face any opposition in life with courage.
Uncertainty is often the root of fear: Uncertainty of a new school year. Uncertainty of politics. Uncertainty of if we are loved. Uncertainty our our relationship with God. The devil chips away at our soul by creating uncertainty, which leads to hopeless unrest. However, in the Bible we have the certain promise of God’s forgiveness and eternal love in Jesus. Rest assured: Certain is better! 2 Timothy 2:14-26.
Even though God was interested in Saul, Saul was interested in other things. A Tale of Three Kings. “The Lord is my shepherd.” (Psalm 23:1) “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16) “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (Psalm 118:22) “The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand … You are a priest forever.’” (Psalm 110:1,4). “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing … you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead … You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:2,10,11) No giant problem, no diagnosis, no loss, no mistake in your life is bigger than God.“ They have credited David with tens of thousands … but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom.” (1 Samuel 18:8) Saul lost his throne in the kingdom of Israel because he saw it as his own kingdom, not God’s. David gained his throne in the kingdom of Israel because he saw it as God’s kingdom not his own. Jealous for Jesus more than you are jealous of others.
In regards to the Lord's Supper, don't be an idiot. The Lord's Supper is reverent union with God. We fellowship with God and each other. 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. August 22, 2021.
How can I be worthy to come and take God's masterpiece that is the Lord's supper? Let's have that conversation. 1 Corinthians 11:27-32.
Sometimes we fear what we don’t need to fear, but we don’t know that. God isn’t trying to spook or scare you. Saul was scared of the Philistines. (1 Samuel 13:5-7) “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” (1 Samuel 13:13,14) Do you believe God is stronger than … See what happens when God is the thick glass?
God has given us so many reasons to be grateful. Let's recognize his abundant blessings and give thanks!
This week we'll be studying a combination of Jonah 1:1-17 under the theme of "Jonah Runs From God." Jonah, a prophet of God, had a simple message to give to the city of Nineveh. But he refused to give it. Why? It wasn't the fear you might suspect. Rather, Jonah had a pride, and an idol, of religious nationalism that prevented him from loving humans the way he should. What does it look like for modern people to run from God? And what does God do about it?
This week we'll be studying Mark 10:1-12 under the theme of "God & Intimacy." Challenged by the Pharisees, Jesus gives a very candid response to a question about divorce, going back to God's design at Creation. Asking what God designs as opposed to what God permits is a very different aim. So, we return to God's design for marriage & singleness to see what leads to human prospering.
This week, we are celebrating the Easter message and examining its application far in our everyday lives.
This week we'll be studying Hebrews 12:4-13, under the theme of "Enduring Discipline." Throughout this series, we've said the Hebrews were new Jewish converts to Christianity, who were reconsidering the faith due to present hardship. As the author of Hebrews has made logical points to persuade them to not give up, his final major argument is that the hardship a Sovereign God allows in our lives is akin to a loving Father's discipline. It comes from a place of love. And it aims towards a place of our betterment.
This week we'll be studying Mark 9:42-50 under the theme of "Sensitivity to Sin." You've perhaps noticed that "sin" is not exactly a word that gets much usage in modern society. That's largely because our culture no longer fully believes in the basic concept. But Jesus takes sin and hell very seriously. Furthermore, he's not only concerned about our personal purity, but the influence our lives have on impressionable "little ones" in our midst. The bigger caring for the smaller has always been the pattern of a God of grace.
This week, we are reflecting on Palm Sunday and answering the question "Who is this riding on the donkey?"
This week, we look to the Parable of the Lost Sheep and consider what that tells us about God and his love for us.
When do you take down your Christmas decorations? This might just convince you to never take them down again.
Jesus' sacrifice replaced the entire Old Testament system and fulfilled are their imageries. When we take in his body and blood we are intimately connected to Him and proclaim His love. Communion Conversations: Bread, Wine, Body and/or Blood?
This week we'll be studying Numbers 21:4-9, under the theme of "The Bronze Snake." Almost 40 years into Israel's wilderness wandering, they're still struggling with the issue of grumbling. As a result, God allows a uniquely appropriate consequences, an experience that does physically what the Israelites have been doing spiritually in their grumbling. He also offers a unique and foreshadowing solution - looking to a snake lifted up on a pole.
Pastor Davison looks at Joshua 1:1-9 and explains why we can have full confidence in Christ.
If God really forgave us just like we forgive others, what would happen? If we forgave others just like God forgives us, what would happen?
One of the most common struggles with prayer is what to say after, “Dear God.” It can sound like a list of silly demands. And the really big stuff is so monumental we sometimes don’t know where to begin. Help is here.
Do you find life (or God) is unfair? Meet Jonah. The prophet who was called to preach repentance to a wicked city thought God’s patience was too long and his grace too abundant. Yet, it wasn’t until God taught Jonah personally about his patient grace toward the prophet that Jonah understood God’s love for the lost. Christians today who wonder about God’s fairness and the lost will find the personal grace they receive from God is the same grace God wants them to extend to their neighbor and the world.
Paul has taught us in this letter that our salvation was God's plan executed by Jesus (Ch 1), and it's based on grace, which forms the basis of the Church (Ch 2). In Ch 3 he explains implications of grace in our relationships. Grace causes the Jew to love the Gentile and vice versa. Grace is an absolute "mystery" to the world and therefore the defining characteristic of Christ and his Church.
The unreal story of the rich man and poor Lazarus teaches us that the word of God is awesome!!
In a crowd of people if you hear your name, there’s this urge to go and hear what’s being said. God loves hearing his name and discovering what you have to say to him, or about him, in prayer.
This lesson will clear up for so many of us why we see the divisions we see in the world. Spiritually speaking, sinful pride leads us to naturally create "dividing walls" that we deem lesser than us, to try to establish our own identity. But those of us who are "in Christ" are given unique resources to break down dividing walls of society as Jesus has broken down hostility for us.
Prayer doesn’t begin, or end, with any person or our performance. Prayer is powerful, meaningful, and effective because God our Father promises it.
God is incredibly excited about His Word because it works and because it makes us his partners in life.
While John 3:16 might be still the most famous verse in the Bible, the reason Pastor James ended up theologically in the place that he did is as much due to this section from Ephesians 2 as anything. Paul here counters anyone who wants to plagiarize credit from God by making their conversion, their salvation, or their life about anything other than God's undeserved goodness and love. Our old identity is dead. Our new identity rises, by grace, in Christ Jesus.
We learn from Judas that contrition is only half of what we need. We also need faith in God’s love.
We have the opportunity to say "thank you" to God for all of his blessings to us through our financial offerings to the church, which support His work here on earth. Today's message is based on Exodus 35:4-19.
John teaches us the marks of true believer are: 1. to believe Jesus was the God/man savior. 2. to believe the word of God is objective truth. 3. to love all people like Jesus does.
This week we'll be studying Acts 27:1-44 as we worship under the theme "Trusting During the Storms." In one of the longest, most action-packed accounts of Paul's ministry, we learn the secret of finding calm in the middle of the storms of life. Paul's hopeful testimony is encouraging to everyone else in the boat. And we learn how Christians today can be a source of otherworldly optimism in a turbulent world.
We just say what God says! Say it with sincerity, with the power to change lives and with gospel competence.
At the end of the Book of Acts, Paul gets bit by a poisonous snake. Why is life so tough on this missionary? And why is life so tough for us? The answer appears to be that God is not simply trying to make us comfortable. He's trying to make us great, instruments of divine strength that are useful to building his Kingdom. It's an honor to be redemptive agents that cary the truth and love of Jesus our Savior.
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend. But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Proverbs 27:6
Your experiences matter to God and others. Not a single one is wasted, ever, but used by God for good.
Staying connected to Jesus in His word and sacraments is the only way anyone of us can bear the fruit God looks for.
The Triune God had a plan for us before time even began. He knew us. He loved us. He chose us. And this was not because we were already holy, but to make us holy. This comes when we allow the Spirit to lead us to live, not for an identity, but from our new identity in Christ.
At what moments in your life have you been most fully alive? What fascinates you? What do you really love to do? Delight in your heart. Like God does!
At the center of all biblical doctrine is Paul’s Letter to the Romans. And at the center of Romans is the notion of gifted “RIGHTEOUSNESS,” perhaps the most under-comprehended, under-appreciated teaching of the Bible.
What is the power behind Christian love? Anyone can love and serve their neighbor. So what makes a Christian any different than a good-doer?
Every human wants acceptance, love, and appreciation. In this world, we’re convinced we’ll have to work for it. The Apostle Paul would call that life pursuit-our “boast.” If we achieve what we’re working for, we become proud, if we fail, we hate ourselves. Both are dangerous. But what if there was a way to feel valid, without being arrogant? Can we be humble in success, but also content even after failure? The gospel offers a solution. The solution was for Abraham, and David and the apostle Paul teaches this through the study of the book of Romans 4:1-8.
Are you doing what you were made to do? Most people are more aware of their weaknesses and deficiencies than their strengths and abilities. Get to know your God-given abilities, and how you can serve in your sweet spot.
In Romans chapter 6, Paul addressed the attitude that if Jesus paid for our sins, our sins must not matter anymore. Now, in chapter 7, he’s moving into teaching us how to better fight temptation. All Christians struggle with sin. But all Christians are also given a supernatural power to overcome. And the long-term answer to winning more battles is not merely in asserting greater willpower. We’ll look at a lesson on “War With Self” as we study Romans 7:14-25.
The Apostle Paul is shifting from making the radical statement that we are saved by grace (NOT performance or pedigree) through faith in chapters 1-4 to now teaching about how that impacts our present lives in chapters 5-8. This week we’ll learn 4 distinct and amazing implications of the Christian gospel as we worship under the theme “What Justification Brings” and study Romans 5:1-11.
Celebrity life has its limits, but there is a greater fixer upper who wants a closer relationship with you.
The Apostle Paul has clearly established that salvation comes as the gift of Christ Jesus, not through pedigree (who you are) or performance (what you do). The natural response for some listeners was to say, “Well, I guess what I do in my life doesn’t make any difference then. Are you saying my sins don’t matter?” Paul is directly addressing that logic and it’s supremely practical. Paul confronts everything you’ve ever been disgusted with in yourself or others in licentious, lukewarm, standardless Christianity. And he teaches us that if we are “United to Christ” we become instruments of righteousness.
The Bible calls it God’s big secret. It’s a recipe. Have you tried it? Only if somebody has shared it with you.
In Romans 6, Paul is helping us work out the implications of “Justification” (i.e. God declares us “not guilty” of our sins because of Jesus’ work. That means eternal salvation! But what does it mean for my life RIGHT NOW?) If my sins don’t detract from my salvation, do they even matter? If good works don’t generate salvation, then why bother? Paul anticipates that logic and responds by giving us a lesson on what it means to be “Slaves to Righteousness” in Romans 6:19-23.
What's your relationship like with your siblings? Does God care about your relationship with your siblings? He didn't create that relationship unintentionally.
In Romans, Paul teaches that the good news of Jesus is the only one-size-fits-all solution for humanity. The gospel is the thing that the pagan world desperately needs. The bad behaviors in society come when people suppress the truth of God and exchange it for a love of created things. Here, Paul teaches about another form of idolatry – a religious idolatry. Consequently, though they tend to be shocked by this revelation, religious people need the gospel just as much as the pagans. Paul will expound on this truth as we study Romans 2:17-29.
Humanity’s greatest need is reconciliation to the God we’ve rebelled against. Last week, the Apostle Paul told us that this reconciliation cannot come through man’s work, but only through Christ’s gift. This week, Paul adds the thought that the pagan world is not inherently interested in this “good news” of Jesus. This world inherently knows the truths of God, but suppresses those inconvenient truths, choosing to worship created things rather than a Creator God. And this idolatry drives all the bad behavior we see in the world, including our own. As we study Romans 1:18-25 this week, however, we’ll see what God does to solve the problem.
Showing mercy to the marginalized means you are good. But receiving mercy from them—and from Jesus—means you are even better.
When you know that you are loved by God, it changes you, your relationships and your family.
Jesus liked kids. Loving and kind, he welcomed them and their families with open arms. Jesus wants all of us, especially dads, to like kids, too. More than that, to be like kids ourselves.
We think we’re good at multi-tasking, but we’re not actually multi-tasking. We are switch-tasking. At some point, we must say no, but how?
After explaining our justification (Romans chapters 1-4), and our the initial natural reactions of our flesh to that justification (Romans chapters 5-7), the Apostle Paul is now going to teach us about how to lead a “Life by the Spirit” (Rom. 8:5-17). This involves a radical redefining of WHO you are and WHAT you do in life.
Hostility is heating up in our world whether in politics, racial segregation, immigration solutions, or even in church! This one thing is able to break hostility and build harmony.
The world is full of life coaches of every stripe: leadership, business, fitness and health. But finding a Christian mentor who makes life about Jesus gives the world a vertical relationship that radically changes horizontal relationships.
Before-and-after pictures can demonstrate an incredible amount of work on a project, or a person. What would your spiritual before-and-after pictures reveal? God already knows!
Change the way you view your bosses (and teachers) as the gospel changes your attitude toward work.
Even Jesus experienced grief, but it didn’t stop him from serving others. It actually helped him, and it helps us.
Christ is greater than your memories. Exchange the lesser for the greater and press on toward the goal.
Ants, popsicle sticks and students’ school pictures teach us lessons about church life.
Being in a strange place around people you don’t know is among the most uncomfortable positions in life. Yet, that’s the position God calls believers to enter into with the gospel. Strangers may have a completely unfamiliar view to life than believers, but God wants even them to be familiar with Jesus, his Son.
Have you ever been bullied? Has your child ever been bullied? It’s happening a lot more than you realize, especially in your soul.
Paul’s first half of his letter to the Romans is considered, by many scholars, to be the most foundational of Christian writings. The Apostle Paul is the primary human agent that God uses to record the New Testament. The Apostle Paul lays out the essence of the gospel in the most comprehensive form. This week, we hear Paul stating that he is not “ashamed” of the gospel, we’ll be looking at the natural offense the message of Jesus is to human flesh, which is further proof as to why we need this gospel.
When it’s too dark for you to walk safely, or read a label, you just shine a brighter light. God shines an even brighter light. Be sure you can see it, and then be it.
God's purpose for the church is to grow us into His Son's likness and to give us a place to bless the growth of others.
Jesus was intentional, loving, and kind when responding to those who interrupted him in his daily living. How interruptible are you?
God’s App for enemies is grace. With it you get His blessing and it brings your enemies to God.
A franchise player can help a team win championships. A highly talented coworker can help your company exceed expectations. Jesus is on your team and at work in your everyday life, for success even through storms.
Friends are a gift from God. They are founded in love, made to last, are for the the benefit of the other and for your own benefit.
When it comes to witnessing, an area where many Christians get stuck is in debating peripherals – aspects of the sanctified life God intends for his people. In reality, the most important point of discussion is “Did Jesus rise?” Our willingness to submit to his will all hinges on whether or not he’s God. The Apostle Paul is excellent about always staying on task and we too can learn how to stay focused in spiritual discussions as we study Acts 13:26-44.
In Acts Chapter 11, after hearing three stories of conversion, we start to understand that the gospel is moving full force out into the Gentile world. Perhaps the best example of that is the church in Antioch under the leadership of Barnabas. Studying that location and that guy will give us a fantastic insight in how the Holy Spirit seeks to work through his churches in the city today. This week’s message comes from Acts 11:19-30.
Peace. Forgiveness. Joy. Who doesn't want more of those? Every time you are afraid, listen to Jesus' words, look at his wounds, and believe in them. You will experience more peace, forgiveness, and joy in your life.
The Book of Acts tells us a great deal about conversion. Conversion is an essential part of Christianity. And while in one sense, our hearts are converted only once, in another sense, as our sinful unbelief it’s perpetually being fought by the Spirit, our hearts are continually converting. Saul of Tarsus, who turns from persecutor of Christians to famous missionary is perhaps the most famous conversion in history and there’s a ton to learn as we study Acts 9:10-19.
Spouses reflect the relationship between Jesus and the church He died for: a self-sacrificial love that enjoys the blessings of friendship, intimacy and offspring.
"Family" is a core value that we celebrate this Sunday. By God's blessing, we are glad as children in God's family, in our own families, and in our church family.
Jesus’ words are written so that we know he is the Christ and his ministry has power to give life.
We will explore and learn that wherever life leads us, Jesus is leading life. Today is a lesson about faith and fishing.
The Book of Acts tells us the story of the Early Christian Church. By and large, what the Spirit of God moved the early Christians to believe and do would seemingly fully apply to us still today. This includes things like gospel proclamation, conversion, discipleship, communal love and healing. In the second quarter of Acts, we see numerous stories of conversion that should shape the way we understand Christianity, and inspire us to deeper discipleship, particularly extending ourselves into the lives of those drastically different from us. This week, we find an early church leader (Philip) evangelizing a highly talented, but spiritual lost foreigner (an Ethiopian eunuch.) There’s much to learn as we study Acts 8:26-40.
We examine a fascinating account from Acts 14:8-21 in which the pagans in the city of Lystra don’t know what to make of Christian missionaries Paul and Barnabas. In fact, after witnessing a miracle, they start worshipping them as gods. This week we’ll examine what we can learn from this for our own witness.
Treat yourself like God does. You are his special creation, His dearly loved child, a sinner who needs help and a saint who has a unique impact.
Caregiving requires such energy, especially for a long time. Fatigue is real, as is frustration. Jesus calls himself your perfect caregiver. Never fatigued or frustrated. The Good Shepherd.
Sheep are among the most dependent creatures on earth. They cannot defend themselves. They are prone to sickness and disease. They make poor choices. Yet Jesus uses sheep to talk about people and describe God’s loving relationship with humankind.
Jesus enters a scene of death, loss and disappointment. He himself weeps. But there is more going on here, and changes the entire picture to a scene of life and restoration.
First in our “Relationships” series we examine what God’s word has to teach us about our relationship with Him. Our relationship with God is simple, life-changing and challenging all at once.
Will we be married in heaven? It’s not a question to which a simple “YES” or “NO” is a sufficient answer. It’s complicated. But it’s also beautiful. And it’s practical. That’s what made it a great test question when the Sadducees presented it to Jesus. His answer is paradigm-shifting. And in the process, Jesus exposes the real issue with the Sadducees, which is one that we unwittingly struggle with just as much. We’ll find out how to leverage the promises of heaven in our daily lives this week as we examine Matthew 22:23-33.
When Jesus' enemies arrested him, they showed up with force. He showed them a little force of his own, only to prove that he would come willingly to the cross. Not by force, but by choice.
The Bible is filled with irony at its most crucial moments. When God becomes human at Christmas, he’s born in a barn, lower than most humans. When Jesus conquers Satan on Good Friday, it’s not the blood of enemies, but his own blood being poured out. When Jesus rises on Easter Sunday he appears first to women, who don’t legally qualify as witnesses. When God the Spirit evangelizes about Jesus at Pentecost, he does so through Peter, the guy who most famously had denied Jesus. Our salvation is thoroughly ironic, right down to the fact that we are saved by grace, not by works. All that said, I might argue that the event which most clearly teaches this irony, and the subsequent confusion of mankind, is that which takes place on the weekend prior to Holy Week – Jesus Coming as a King into the Holy City. We’ll learn what this teaches us and how to use it this Saturday as we study Matthew 21:1-11.
Jesus message for us is constant and unchanging. He still loves us, still takes care of us and still has holy work for us to do.
Have you adjusted to daylight savings time yet? More light means getting more done. As the Light of the world Jesus changes your darkness to accomplish his work in you, for you and through you.
A fallen human heart struggles to ascribe value to the right things. We are, by nature, misprioritizers. Since the word “worship” comes from the Old English “worth-ship” (meaning, to ascribe value), we should assume that without the guidance of God’s Word, we’re continually struggling with worshipping the wrong things. We need Word & Sacraments to aim us back in the right direction. Jesus offers a profound teaching on the nature of priorities through two very short parables which we’ll study from Matthew 13:44-46.
Nutritionists tell us that “enriched” wheat flour isn’t all that rich, actually. It’s stripped of nutrition, and it’s in more bread than you think. Jesus says, “I am the Bread of Life,” and promises real, lasting nourishment.
What is God like? He's like a father who loves all of his children equally and unconditionally and he wants all of his children to love each other the way he does.
Trial memberships end. Guest passes don’t provide entry into every room. Introductory rates automatically get expensive. Jesus says, “I Am the Gate,” and provides full access to God.
A fallen human heart struggles to ascribe value to the right things. We are, by nature, misprioritizers. Since the word “worship” comes from the Old English “worth-ship” (meaning, to ascribe value), we should assume that without the guidance of God’s Word, we’re continually struggling with worshipping the wrong things. We need Word & Sacraments to aim us back in the right direction. Jesus offers a profound teaching on the nature of priorities through two very short parables which we’ll study from Matthew 13:44-46.
We sing and talk a lot about love in church, but what happens when we go home? Jesus calls believers to be active in love. Pastor Dan preaches on his famous new command: “Love one another. As I have loved you.”
A fallen human heart struggles to ascribe value to the right things. We are, by nature, misprioritizers. Since the word “worship” comes from the Old English “worth-ship” (meaning, to ascribe value), we should assume that without the guidance of God’s Word, we’re continually struggling with worshipping the wrong things. We need Word & Sacraments to aim us back in the right direction. Jesus offers a profound teaching on the nature of priorities through two very short parables which we’ll study from Matthew 13:44-46.
When someone wrongs us, we naturally want to exact revenge or at least hold the relationship in a stalemate until feelings are restored. The unconditional love of God breaks this mold because while we were still God’s enemies, he didn’t wait for us to make the first move. His love compels us to love even the unlovable and treat them as God treats us: with unconditional love.
A fallen human heart struggles to ascribe value to the right things. We are, by nature, misprioritized. Since the word “worship” comes from the Old English “worth-ship” (meaning, to ascribe value), we should assume that without the guidance of God’s Word, we’re continually struggling with worshipping the wrong things. We need Word & Sacraments to aim us back in the right direction. Jesus offers a profound teaching on the nature of priorities through two very short parables which we’ll study from Matthew 13:44-46.
Pastor James shares insights in light of God's Word about the subject of judgment. Is it our job, or God's job to judge others. God always provides reasonable evidence for us to see his wisdom and love.