Turner Christian Church: Recent Episodes
Turner Christian Church
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written:…
Luke 4:1-4 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” The Obstacle: Fixing It We live with the belief that EVERY problem MUST be fixed……
Jesus committed time to doing NOTHING . ( 5:15-16 ; Exodus 16:29 , 20:8-11 ) Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath;…
We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that…
Light vs Darkness (5:1-20) Be light: follow God’s WILL instead of the WAYS of darkness. 3-7 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse…
Congregational Unity ( Eph. 4:1-6 ) Our first calling is to build LOVING , united CONGREGATIONS . 4:1-3 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort…
Sermon Points Christians need to be FAITHFUL to Jesus and rooted in his LOVE to fulfill their mission. 3:14-19 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his…
The Problem Human beings are caught in a cycle of sin, ANXIETY and DEATH . v. 1-3 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, How are we already dead? We think Paul is talking about a spiritual reality, but that’s not it. He’s talking about the fact that mortality works back into our lives…
The Letter from Jesus Imagine you are part of Ephesus Christian Church Rich, prominent city Pastors: Paul, Timothy, John (last apostle) Received three letters that would end up in the Bible Your pastor, who is in jail, sends you a letter What they are doing right: They work hard They cannot tolerate…
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ” Why would God lead us into temptation? When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil,…
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ” What is Jesus talking about? Why the three terms? The Debts of Israel Deuteronomy 15:1-11 ; Lev. 25:8-13 ; At the end of every seven…
What is our “Daily” bread? Give us today our daily bread. This seems like the easiest part to interpret, except that we don’t actually know what “daily” means. There are three possible interpretations, and they are all Biblical. Give us today the bread we NEED to SURVIVE . The whole Israelite community…
The Prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray: One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give…
As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves—but Jesus kept sleeping. When Jesus saw a large crowd around him, he gave the order to go to the other side of the sea. A scribe approached him and said, “Teacher,…
They recognized God’s POWER and ORDER in creation around them. Psalms 93 , 29 , 104; The Lord reigns! He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed, enveloped in strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken. Your throne has been established from the beginning; you are from eternity. The…
Job’s Situation There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of complete integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. His estate included seven thousand sheep and goats, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female…
DEATH is a ravenous monster that CONSUMES everyone and everything. Ecclesiastes 1:14 ; 9:2-3 , 11-12 ; Numbers 16:31-33 ; I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind. Everything is the same for everyone: There is one fate for the…
The dragon stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads. On its horns were ten crowns, and on its heads were blasphemous names. The beast I saw was like a leopard, its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. The dragon…
As I mentioned in the beginning of this series, my original plan had been to preach through the visions of Revelation, but I realized that we need a ton of background in order to understand the imagery. Now that we have studied dragons, we are ready to examine the Great Red Dragon. This will help us…
They came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasenes. As soon as he got out of the boat, a man with an unclean spirit came out of the tombs and met him. God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem. They treated Abimelech deceitfully, so that the crime against…
Pharaoh created ORDER for Egypt by inflicting CHAOS on the Israelites. Ex. 1:8-16 Gen. 4:10-24 A new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. He said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and powerful than we are. Come, let’s deal shrewdly with them; otherwise…
Humans invent dragons to represent the CHAOS in our world that we cannot CONTROL . Examples: Canaanite Mythology: Yam (the sea); Tunnan (sea dragon); Lotan (giant serpent); defeated by Baal Babylonian Mythology: Tiamat (the deep sea/salt water) defeated by Marduk If you keep bogies and goblins away from…
Jesus was not the king that the PEOPLE of Jerusalem wanted. Mark 15:7-12 John 19:13-16 There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion. The crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do for them as was his custom. Pilate answered them, “Do you want…
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord his God and did not humble himself before the prophet Jeremiah at the Lord ’s command. He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar who had made him swear allegiance…
Josiah took over for his UNFAITHFUL father when he was still a CHILD . 2 Chron. 34:1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. When Josiah became an adult, he launched a campaign to return JUDAH to GOD . 2 Chron. 34:3-13 In the eighth year of his reign,…
Manasseh REVERSED his father’s policies and REBUILT the high places. 2 Chron. 33:1-4 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the Lord ’s sight, imitating the detestable practices of the nations that the Lord had dispossessed…
Hezekiah REVERSED his father’s policies and REOPENED the Temple. 2 Chron. 29:1-11 Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the Lord ’s sight just as his ancestor…
Uzziah started strong, ruling WELL under good ADVICE . 2 Chronicles 26:3-5 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the Lord ’s sight just as his father Amaziah had done.…
Joash’s grandmother SEIZED the throne, but his aunt PROTECTED him. 2 Chron. 22:10-12 When Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs of the house of Judah. Jehoshabeath, the king’s daughter, rescued Joash son of Ahaziah from the king’s sons…
Jehoshaphat built up Judah's DEFENSES --and their DEVOTION to God. 2 Chron. 17:1-9 His son Jehoshaphat became king in his place and strengthened himself against Israel. He stationed troops in every fortified city of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father…
Asa ruled over God’s kingdom FAITHFULLY for ten years. ( 2 Chron. 13:2-7 ) and he reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Micaiah daughter of Uriel; she was from Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. Abijah set his army of warriors in order with four hundred thousand fit…
Solomon ruled faithfully over God’s kingdom. ( 1 Kings 3 , 6 ) At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask. What should I give you?” And Solomon replied, “You have shown great and faithful love to your servant, my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness,…
What Went Wrong? One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. So David sent someone to inquire about her, and he said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hethite?” David sent…
The Rebellion Against the Philistines The Philistines had Israel under occupation They had garrisons in Israelite cities They restricted weapons in Israel Saul was elected to lead a rebellion He was appointed “leader” He ruled in secret, from his home He fought off the Ammonites first Saul launched his…
Why Kings? God made human beings to rule. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” Night will be no more; people will not need the light…
“Begin as you mean to go on, and go on as you began, and let the Lord be all in all to you.” ~Charles Spurgeon The beginning of the story of Jesus is important because God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He always begins as he means to go on. This is why it is important that, like Mary, we…
Peace for the Disciples Death disturbed their faith in the authority of Jesus. So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.” Jesus explained to them that God was still in control . (11:4) When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory…
Why did the woman touch Jesus? She had faith that God would fulfill his promises through Jesus. ( Isaiah 35:3-6 ) Strengthen the weak hands, steady the shaking knees! Say to the cowardly: “Be strong; do not fear! Here is your God; vengeance is coming. God’s retribution is coming; he will save you.” Then…
The Puzzle of the Sinful Woman: Why Did She Weep? 1. She knew she needed forgiveness to be whole again. (v. 36-39) Then one of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining…
We are all looking for peace ( whole ness, rest , fulfill ment) Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! The angels claim that peace has been here all along ( Luke 2:14 ) Before COVID, 9/11, Jim Crow laws, two world wars, the holocaust, the great depression, the Spanish…
The Church is a bag of mixed nuts . The church includes all kinds of people. ( Col. 4:10-11 , 15 ; 3:11 ) Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), and so does Jesus who is called…
Context: Paul is calling the Colossians to stay loyal to Jesus and the resurrection way of life . Paul’s Final Instructions: Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Be…
Two Perspectives One advocates for traditional hierarchies and conservative family values . One advocates for complete liberation and independence for each person . Paul’s teachings fit with neither one. Paul teaches less powerful Christians to live within the power structures of their society. Wives,…
Colossians 3:10–17 (CSB) You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on…
Therefore... You died with Christ to the "elements of the world”—you are no longer dominated by your mortal nature . ( Colossians 2:20 ) If you died with Christ to the elements of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: You have been raised…
Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. What is Anagnosis? Anagnosis is reading something out loud , usually publically. Anagnosis is different from preaching or teaching . Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. After the…
How were the Colossians dead already? They were mortal—condemned to death and irrelevance . And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. They were enslaved by the powers that controlled the meaning of their…
The Situation in Colossae Paul is arguing against those who seek fulfillment outside of Jesus Christ. Why Can I Only Find Fulfillment in Jesus? You have already acknowledged that Jesus is Lord . (v. 6-7) So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and…
Why is Paul Suffering? Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for his body, that is, the church. For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— Bringing them before the chief magistrates, they…
[The “Colossian Heresies”] Gentiles were used to worshipping multiple gods to hedge their bets . Jews were used to encountering God through the Temple —and the Law of Moses . Paul’s goal is to encourage the Colossians to invest their lives in Jesus alone . [The Hymn to Jesus] He is the image of the invisible…
Paul wants the Colossians to be skilled at building a worthy , godly life. The Lord also spoke to Moses: “Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft to design artistic…
How did the Colossians bear their fruit? 1. Epaphrus announced the Good News about Jesus. “God has raised this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this. Therefore, since he has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you both…
Christians are not EXILES passing through—we are COLONISTS spreading a new kingdom. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,…
Christians are not EXILES passing through—we are COLONISTS spreading a new kingdom. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,…
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world…
Instead of trusting in God’s grace, the Israelites tried to control their fate through spiritual and military power. But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight…
The constitution is a great example of using force to contain anxiety. "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves…
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown…
There are many voices (even in the CHURCH ) offering us different paths to full, ABUNDANT life. There is only ONE WAY that comes from God; all others are FALSE . “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.…
After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. As the first redeemer caused manna to descend… so will the latter…
Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John—although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar,…
Jesus makes some big claims about bringing us new life—in the here and now. but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent…
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I…
When Abraham failed to love his neighbors, it was because of his FEAR of DEATH. Fear of death made him SELFISH and SUSPICIOUS of his neighbors. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely…
Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. Abraham lied about his wife (AGAIN!), and Abimelek accidentally…
The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. “My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go…
Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.” “ ‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed…
The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I…
At the time when Amraphel was king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goyim, these kings went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). All these latter kings…
Abraham RECOMMITTED to God. So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where…
Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill…
One day, a long time ago, God called a man out of Babylon and commanded him to go share a blessing with the world. What followed was a series of adventures--and misadventures--as God's people made their first attempts at their grand mission: to love their neighbors.
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and…
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and…
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Question #1: What must I do to Inherit Eternal Life? “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and…
For the Time Being Well, so that is that. Now we must dismantle the tree, Putting the decorations back into their cardboard boxes -- Some have got broken -- and carrying them up to the attic. The holly and the mistletoe must be taken down and burnt, And the children got ready for school. There are enough…
The Story of Jesus In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Before Jesus was born, there was the VOICE of God. The VOICE is the part of God that talks, acts and CREATES. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.…
The Shepherds And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” “There is glory for God in…
The Background of the Magi The magi were powerful Gentile ATROLOGERS. They served foreign KINGS (probably PERSIAN) They served a foreign GODS (probably ZOROASTRIAN) Their goal was to PREDICT and INFLUENCE the future. When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the…
Joseph’s Journey Joseph was a SON (& HEIR) of David. Joseph was PASSIONATE about the LIBERATION of Israel. Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Because Joseph her husband was…
Mary’s Journey: Mary was a POOR, ANONYMOUS teen-aged girl. God sent Gabriel to announce that Mary had a PRIVILEGED CALLING in his plan. Mary’s Calling: Give birth to the Messiah—OUT OF WEDLOCK. Travel to Bethlehem—at 9 MONTHS PREGNANT. Deliver the baby in someone else’s LIVING ROOM. Try to PARENT the…
Zechariah’s Journey Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. Zechariah was a RIGHTEOUS…
Dinner in Jerusalem They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. The disciples doubted that Jesus had really been RESURRECTED. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish,…
The Encounter at Emmaus The two disciples met JESUS on the road, but they couldn’t RECOGNIZE him. but they were kept from recognizing him. but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. They didn’t RECOGNIZE Jesus…
The Last Supper Jesus had spent his ministry using his presence at meals to TRANSFORM people. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it…
The Ruler and the Tax Collector You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was…
Decoding the Parables Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Jesus is speaking to a mixed audience of PHARISEES and SINNERS. Jesus is responding to the Pharisees’…
Who gets a place at the Table? The Pharisees prioritized RULE-KEEPING over COMPASSION . Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. The Pharisees were consumed…
What is necessary? Martha generously invited Jesus and his disciples into her home —and to her table . As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. Martha became distracted , worried , and upset about all the things she had to do.…
Tim Long from Turner Retirement Homes is preaching this week, as we look at the first Gospel meal where Jesus himself is the host--with over 5000 guests!
Why do we eat with Jesus? Simon saw the meal as an opportunity for prestige and score-keeping . He threw a banquet, but not out of love for Jesus . Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet…
Why Study the Meals? Meals play an essential role in human relationships , in church fellowship , and in Jesus’ ministry . Dinner with Levi Jesus wanted to be close to sinners. After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to…
What is the Sending? A blessing “ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’ A prayer When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced…
Why do we dedicate so much time for the sermon? In a world where you can watch a sermon from almost any preacher anywhere in the world online, why do we spend valuable time on preaching? Especially when the sermon isn't very good?
Why do we collect money when we gather? Is it a tax? Are Christians obligated to give 10% to the church? What about the other 90%? This Sunday we're talking about the Collection and the role it plays in our worship of God.
How should we view the Lord's Supper? Is it a serious, somber, individual thing? What if the Lord's Supper is a celebration? What if it's not supposed to be quiet and personal and guarded, but a joyous shared event? Join us this week as we dig into the meaning of the Lord's Supper!
What are "The Prayers of the Church?" How are they different from all the other prayers we offer, at home and in church? What difference do they make? Join us as we dig into the Biblical practice of "The Prayers!"
Why do we confess our sins in the worship service? Especially if God has already forgiven us when he saved us? Does it mean anything when we tell each other, "Your sins are forgiven"? Join us as we dig into the role of confession and reconciliation in our worship!
Have you ever wondered why music is such an important part of worship services? Is it just because we like to sing? Or is there a more meaningful reason? And when we sing, are we just making a pretty sound? Or are we doing something bigger and more powerful?
What exactly is "worship" When we are "called to worship," what are we being summoned to do? And why does our worship matter?
Join us this Sunday as we begin a sermon series on the worship service--why do we do the things we do on Sunday morning? This week we begin by asking, why do we gather in the first place?
As more and more people start following Jesus, he gathers his disciples on a mountaintop to deliver the most famous sermon ever given. In that sermon Jesus will cast a vision for the people of God that will change humanity forever...
Jesus begins sharing the good news that God is on the move again, but his message comes with a warning: time is running out!
After his baptism, Jesus goes out into the wilderness to face a test: is he really the Son of God, or will he fall to the same temptations that defeated all his ancestors?
After centuries of waiting, a new prophet steps out of the wilderness and announces that God is finally ready to restore Israel. But this prophet is just a messenger for someone even greater…
Back in the capital of Persia, a Jewish woman and her cousin struggle with living faithfully in a foreign land. Then a surprising turn of events gives them a chance to save their people from extinction.
Seventy years after the destruction of the temple, a group a Jews return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and the City. But will they do any better than their ancestors at following God?
When King Manasseh leads Judah into a final rebellion against the God of Israel, God declares the Covenant broken. It will take several generations, however, for the blow to fall….
After the Northern Kingdom is destroyed, King Hezekiah of Judah faces a deadly threat to his kingdom and is forced to make a difficult choice.
King Ahab rejects God completely and tries to replace him with Baal. Then a man steps out of the wilderness to confront Ahab in the name of the God of Israel.
God calls a man named Jeroboam to lead a rebellion against Solomon’s son. But how can Jeroboam lead a country whose God lives across the border?
King David leads Israel in finally completing the conquest, and God responds with an amazing promise. But even David isn’t perfect….
After Saul’s failures, God chooses a shepherd named David to be the new king. Saul, however, has other ideas.
The Israelites demand a king from God, and he appoints a man named Sul. But is he the kind of king they need, or just the kind they want?
The Israelites’ disobedience reaches new extremes, so God takes drastic measures by sending his own presence into exile.
As the Israelites fail to live out God’s Plan, God uses a widow from an enemy nation to show them what Godly love is supposed to look like.
The Israelites finally settle down in their own land. In their hurry to end the wars, however, they make a bad decision that will have consequences for the rest of their history.
Joshua takes over for Moses and leads the Israelites on a controversial mission: to clear the Promised Land of all its current inhabitants.
God leads the Israelites toward their promised home, but the Israelites start to have second thoughts.
God’s presence moves from the mountain down to the new Tabernacle, and the Israelites learn what it costs to represent God to the world.
God calls Moses up the mountain to receive the instructions for Israel’s mission, but down in camp trouble begins to brew.
God’s presence reappears on Earth and sends Moses on a mission to save the Israelites from slavery and bring them to his holy mountain.
Abraham’s family tries to fulfill their extraordinary mission while struggling with all the ordinary temptations.
God’s plan takes a surprising twist as he calls one family to take on the mission of restoring his design to the whole world.
As the floodwaters recede, humanity is given a fresh start- but quickly fall back into old patterns.
Cast out of the Garden, the descendants of Adam and Eve set out to build the first city to protect themselves--no matter the cost.
The first human beings get to work in the Garden of Eden, but soon face a test that will decide whether they follow God's plan or their own.
The story begins. God creates the universe out of nothing, and populates it human beings--creatures with a surprising function in the universe