COMMON GROUND CHURCH of the CMA: Recent Episodes
BRYAN FALTYNSKI
Joey Mulcahey on John 6 and Jesus' statement, "I came to do the will of my Father" and what this means for us.
Most of us could stand to improve our listening skills when it comes to relationships with other people. But what about our relationship with God? Do we really listen to Him? Hebrews seems to make it abundantly clear that it's paramount for a believer to pay closer attention to what God has to say.
Most of us could stand to improve our listening skills when it comes to relationships with other people. But what about our relationship with God? Do we really listen to Him? Hebrews seems to make it abundantly clear that it's paramount for a believer to pay closer attention to what God has to say.
God keeps His promises in Christmas. In this season of Advent we will consider how God fulfilled His promises in the birth of Jesus. We will also see why we have hope in the promise of a Second Advent.
God keeps His promises in Christmas. In this season of Advent we will consider how God fulfilled His promises in the birth of Jesus. We will also see why we have hope in the promise of a Second Advent.
Old Testament prophecy can be daunting, but it's good to lean into it to better understand God's hope for His people in the midst of difficult times.
Old Testament prophecy can be daunting, but it's good to lean into it to better understand God's hope for His people in the midst of difficult times.
Both Daniel and the Apostle John share a common experience - the unveiling of Jesus can be overwhelming to the human frame. Receiving the love of God requires a particular posture and many don't assume that posture until their human frame is overwhelmed. Daniel (and the rest of us) can experience God's love through His words, actions, and presence.
When reading Old Testament prophecy, it's easy to get lost in contriving "last days timelines." As interesting as that can be, we must make sure we aren't missing the message of a "right now heart change." In this chapter of Daniel we will see how his repentant heart was key to preparing the the promised days to come.
When reading Old Testament prophecy, it's easy to get lost in contriving "last days timelines." As interesting as that can be, we must make sure we aren't missing the message of a "right now heart change." In this chapter of Daniel we will see how his repentant heart was key to preparing the the promised days to come.
The chaos of life and upheaval of circumstances can be completely unsettling and unnerving. They don't have to be, especially when we realize God's uninterrupted presence in our lives. Jesus is Immanuel, "God with us," and He wants us to realize that at all times, He is at our side.
The chaos of life and upheaval of circumstances can be completely unsettling and unnerving. They don't have to be, especially when we realize God's uninterrupted presence in our lives. Jesus is Immanuel, "God with us," and He wants us to realize that at all times, He is at our side.
In Daniel chapter 7, the genre switches from narrative to apocalyptic literature. We will learn that such visions are recorded in the Scriptures, not to give us a distinct timeline, but to unveil the work of God in establishing His kingdom. In short, we learn that God gives us clarity for our faith by giving us the "big picture."
In Daniel chapter 7, the genre switches from narrative to apocalyptic literature. We will learn that such visions are recorded in the Scriptures, not to give us a distinct timeline, but to unveil the work of God in establishing His kingdom. In short, we learn that God gives us clarity for our faith by giving us the "big picture."
Daniel leaves an amazing footprint in the Scriptures. In spite of difficult circumstances, Daniel maintained his faith in God - which led to facing even more difficult situations. It's in this relationship that God demonstrates His faithfulness to His people.
Daniel leaves an amazing footprint in the Scriptures. In spite of difficult circumstances, Daniel maintained his faith in God - which led to facing even more difficult situations. It's in this relationship that God demonstrates His faithfulness to His people.
It can be a fearsome thing to be under the hand of the Mighty God. While Nebuchadnezzar was humbled in his pride, Belshazzar was unwilling to see his sin - like many of us. This section of the Book of Daniel hits right at home and reminds us all of the need to turn away from our selfish pride and accept the grace that God lavishes upon those who believe.
It can be a fearsome thing to be under the hand of the Mighty God. While Nebuchadnezzar was humbled in his pride, Belshazzar was unwilling to see his sin - like many of us. This section of the Book of Daniel hits right at home and reminds us all of the need to turn away from our selfish pride and accept the grace that God lavishes upon those who believe.
Due to Nebuchadnezzar's willful pride, God acted to "check his stride". This chapter offers a personal account on a king who learned the proper perspective of both himself and God.
Due to Nebuchadnezzar's willful pride, God acted to "check his stride". This chapter offers a personal account on a king who learned the proper perspective of both himself and God.
Joining God's mission to make His Name known to all peoples can be a daunting prospect - especially if we don't feel sufficient in sharing Jesus with others. Many think the Apostle Paul was a powerhouse for the gospel, but he struggled just like the rest of us. Perhaps you can be a "powerhouse" too.
Jesus invites us into and sends out to the Mission of God. In this message we will see from the model of Jesus' first disciples how we can engage our culture lovingly and effectively with the good news of Jesus' kingdom.
At the beginning of the year, Common Ground Church reflects back on what God has done and prepares to launch into the unknown of what God can do in the future by being present with Jesus in the midst of our city.
Now that Christmas has come and gone, we might ask, "What difference did it make?" In this message, Pastor Evan will take us through the four-fold gospel to demonstrate how Jesus is alive and active everyday of our lives.
God is at work in the world and our lives, even when we can't see it. Many of the "problems" of life is simply a chapter of God's entire story to bring a good ending.
Waiting in dark circumstances is difficult. We might be tempted to take things into our own hands. In this installment of the Book of Ruth, we'll see a contrast between trying to accomplish a good thing the wrong way and taking action in a way that honors God.
If we don't know the entire story, we would be prone to come to the wrong conclusions. Even the darkest, dismal, and most difficult time of our life is only a chapter of God's Entire Story and He still has blessings to bring so that we will have blessings to share.
As Advent approaches, we turn to the Book of Ruth and see how God "connects the dots" to the Christmas story. As the narrative unfolds, we'll see Naomi as a woman with little hope for herself and little hope to offer others. God has a surprise for Naomi, and it's coming through a most unexpected source, a despised foreigner named Ruth.
There is no opt-out for this spiritual practice. Just as we should seek forgiveness from God on a regular basis, we should be willing to forgive others - regularly and continually.
In recent months, humanity has learned the costs of isolation and separation. In this message, we will see the value of community and speak to heart issues that will help us to do what the Word of God says.
To walk into a 'promised land' we must be a people of truth - wilderness periods are what God can use to develop us into that kind of people.
In a season of disconnection and isolation, community is vital. The church can provide an excellent opportunity to help people stay connected. Since Jesus's main work was relationship with people, we too, should make it our main work.
When one looks at the mess of this world we live in, it's understandably tempting to want to run away from it. However, Jesus doesn't give us that option. This final installment of the series will give Christ-followers the steps to lovingly engage a culture that doesn't love Christianity.
Romans 12:12-13 delves straight into a culture of independence and the need to shun a "lone-wolf" mentality when it comes to faith. Two things are clear: you need other people, especially in tough times; and other people need you, especially in tough times.
In Romans 12:9-21, Paul instructs Christians to avoid play-acting their faith. In this installment, we'll see teachings that confront the current narcissistic culture head-on.
A trademark helps identify something. Jesus said that the trademark of His disciples would be their love for one another. Romans 12:9-21 provides some markers to help us know we have the real thing and not a generic knock-off.
Much of the world today only gets to experience a "knock-off" version of faith. Peter's final challenge in 'living the good life' rests on standing firm in genuine grace.
In this installment of "Living the Good Life" from First Peter, pastoral candidate Evan Fowler shares what it means to be a shepherd, be an example, be humble, and to be sober and alert - all so we can better live the life Jesus died to give us.
Social media has really ramped up hostility and division, but mankind has always been susceptible to intolerance toward one another. More and more we see people taking a hard-line stand, being Pro ___ or Anti ___. Folks are willing to suffer for that stand, but are Christians suffering for the wrong reason? Simon Peter provides some answers for that question.
"Before and after" pictures should demonstrate a discernible change occurring. How different are our lives after trusting Jesus for our salvation? What should look different? This passage in First Peter gives pretty clear answers to those questions.
One thing we know about human nature is that we talk a lot about change but actually prefer to maintain the status quo or keep things "normal." Recent events will not allow us to do that. Though change might unsettle us within, it's vital that, like Jesus, we strive for change that brings peace - especially to those who may not be just like us.
How should the Christian respond to government, politics, and unjust leaders? Scripture provides an answer and an example but it might not be what we expect.
Throughout history, man has picked up rocks for many reasons: for memorials, for building altars, and sometimes to stone someone to death. This message will help us see one Rock (Peter) tell us about a Living Stone (Jesus) and how we can pick rocks to cast life, rather than death.
Salvation is a gift that we do not earn but is given to us that we would walk in good works. In this installment of the series, we will see that living a good life isn't what makes us right with God but is the result of when God's grace works in us.
Where you place your hope determines the actions you will take. This truth requires us to take a good hard look at the object of our hope and to seek the most reliable source for it. That search should lead us to consider Jesus.
We cannot choose each and every circumstance of our life but we can choose the attitude in which we face them. As we begin our exploration of First Peter, let us consider how we might live the good life (in God's estimation) during bad days.
Our walk with Jesus to Golgotha began with a story of two gardens. Both leaves and thorns grow in gardens and both are used to weave crowns. What crown are you wearing and how can faith in Jesus make a difference?
The resurrection of Jesus made all the difference in the world - and it can make all the difference in your life as well.
It's an amazing thing that on a Sunday, all the people of Jerusalem hailed Jesus as their long awaited King and then on Friday, replaced Him with another man ... all so Jesus could replace us for the payment of all mankind's sins. What else might the story of Barabbas reveal about the heart of Jesus and the condition of mankind?
Pontious Pilate was supposed to be the final authority under Caesar in Judea. That meant he was supposed to keep things under control. Yet his encounter which Jesus on the way to Golgotha demonstrates how out of control he was ... and we are.
The question, "Is there enough evidence to "find you guilty" of being a Christian? comes to the surface in this message. Job Goodale presents a Scripture-enriched glance at Jesus' trials before the High Priest and Herod.
Is our trust placed in God or in our own ability? As we consider Simon Peter's denial of Christ, we can learn that we always have a choice when it comes to where we place our trust.
Who is the villain in the Passion story? It's easy to point the finger at Judas Iscariot, but what if we saw the parallels between Judas and our own selves? As repellent as that sounds, it's a necessary point to consider - because we need to know what options we have when we are found unfaithful to the Lord.
As we follow Jesus in His approach to Golgotha, we are reminded that it begins in a Garden. In fact, everything began in another Garden. Justin Gwinn takes us through a fascinating look at both Garden and even teases us with a third. The main thing is to see God's unshakeable resolve to be with us.
John Mark was more a tag-a-long than a disciple during Jesus' ministry. He eventually became a disciple that became a disappointment to the Apostle Paul, but thanks to the discipleship process, also became a man "useful for ministry" in Paul's eyes. No one's discipleship story is finished ... as long as there is still breath - even yours.
Strap in for a marathon-length message on "doing the work of an evangelist" and "fulfilling your ministry." We might be surprised to find out what that actually looks like. Even so, it's a charge for every disciple of Christ and part of God calling us to His heart.
What does it take to endure whatever life throws our way? In this message, we learn through the example of Paul and his instructions to Timothy a good pattern for patience and longsuffering.
Whether young or old, being a disciple of Jesus means learning how to handle the Word of Truth carefully - and the best place to start is by understanding what is meant by the "word of truth."
The biblical model of evangelism and discipleship involve every believer doing their part to help another person take the next step of obedience with Jesus. In Paul's letter to Timothy, we find excellent instruction on how that should be one.
What is discipleship? We can answer that question by looking at the relationship between Paul and Timothy. In this series, we'll explore a pattern that has been laid down to help us recognize that discipleship isn't so much systematic or a program, but rather informal but intentional within the landscape of intimate relationship.
Entering into a new year provides an opportunity for a church to review its vision and to seek God to clarify that vision in the coming year. This message is more of a talk with Common Ground Church about entering 2020.
This world is weary with hate. It's humanity's standard procedure to devalue others based on their failings. The gift of Christmas in Jesus teaches us to value people in an entirely different - unworldly- way.
Darkness is often equated to misery. Perhaps that is why angels came at night to bring good news to some shepherds. The gift of Christmas is God turning our nights into day.
During Advent we celebrate the Incarnation and the Hope and Peace that Jesus brings to a weary world. Herein we find a Savior who can relate to humanity's distress and despair. (NOTE: If you also listen to Mary Haan's testimony from the This is My Story series, you will have a fantastic intro to this message.)
Sometimes we can get 'spiritually near-sighted' and miss how salvation work ... and especially how grace works in us and out of us. The apostle Peter reminds us of that grace and the character qualities is produces.
Modern-day idolatry can be subtle ... and it can be the thing that stunts our growth in a relationship with Christ. In this message, we will see how the things we worship are the things we often become.
What if our walk with God has gone flat because we feel like we've disappointed Him so greatly that He's done with us? Sounds like a great time to revisit the wonder of God's grace.
It's easy to desire to do a good thing but just as easy to do it the wrong way. Often we default to our own way of thinking or understanding but soon find out that's no way to attempt the Christian walk. Perhaps one reason we find our spiritual life dull is because we've forgotten to live it according to God's instructions.
When we begin to focus on what God has done for others in a way that we envy them, it's easy to miss the presence of Him in our own lives. The psalm-writer, Asaph has some helpful words for us when that happens.
Routines are good, but sometimes they can turn into a rut. The worst kind of rut is a spiritual one, where we begin to take God for granted and treat the holy as common. Holiness is when heaven intersects with earth. Learn how we can identify holy things and appreciate them for the purpose God has given them.
So many get wrapped up in being 'good enough' for God that they make faith more about them and less about God. This message about prayer helps us to seek more of God and less of me.
When disillusionment and fear lead to isolation, we might be tempted to reconnect with God by expecting Him to make a power play similar to someone else's experience. God instead whispers to our souls in a way that draws us back to community.
There are two kinds of fear ... the healthy kind that gets you moving and the destructive kind that makes you act irrationally. In this message, we'll see how similar we can be to Simon Peter on one of his worst days yet have hope for even better days to come.
When faith begins to dwindle and our relationship with Jesus seems like it has diminished, what can we do to reignite and refresh our passion for Christ? The series "Rekindled" will look at several instances when God burned something out of someone and burned something into that person as well. We start with Moses at the Burning Bush.
In the hectic upheaval and pain of life, God is in control and brings good news no matter how bad things might look.
It's easy for us to think the way we've always done things is the best way, but that's not necessarily so. The text reveals that the old way was a ministry of death and condemnation. God always had a plan for something new - a ministry of the Spirit, life, and righteousness.
After nearly two weeks working alongside Envision and Bright Lights Academy, the Fagerland family along with Doug & Dawn Diehl and Justin Gwinn share about relationships built and potential future impact in that area.
The Book of Joel is a difficult one to place in a timeline but it serves very well as a summation to all the minor prophets. Joel rehashes the them of a coming Day while calling the reader back to the heart of YHWH, the only saving God.
How does God make His name great among the nations? He uses a scattered, battered, and tattered remnant of His people who choose the narrow hard road that leads to life. Malachi, like the other prophets warns of judgment for unrepentant disobedience, but he (like the other prophets) also share God's promise for healing and restoration.
Edom and Israel were family and as such, they were to love and protect one another. Obadiah brings a scathing rebuke for exploiting Israel during the Babylonian siege. Proud as they were, their downfall was on the way. Look into this short book with a sharp bark and consider the drastic results when we are governed by pride.
When we only see a troubled world, it's easy to talk ourselves out of starting a good thing. Hard times always surround good ministry. If we wait for a "perfect time", we will only wait to the end our our lives. Learn from Haggai to see that anytime can be God's time.
The journey from doubt to faith is often found during difficult circumstances and in those times it's not uncommon to struggle with God "making sense." Follow the prophet as he wrestles with the evils of his world and God's sovereignty and character.
Our human perspective is a backward glance. We see things most clearly in hindsight. The mission of the prophets was to fix our perspective forward and to trust that God's goodness, even during difficult circumstances is leading to a great ending.
We all have a Hosea Story because we have all been betrayed, back-stabbed, or blind-sided at one time or another ... by someone who is close to us. Even God has a Hosea Story and we are all part of it in one way or another.
Sometimes, when we anticipate the "Day of the Lord," we get it wrong. Amos helps us to understand that as Christ followers, we must help turn the world upside-down before the Lord shows up to upend the whole world.
The story of Jonah is about more than a big fish. It is the story of a man who thought he knew better than God, challenging us to consider whether Jesus is Lord of our ups and downs.
Paul encourages us in the final chapter of First Corinthians to have more than a "whatever" attitude, where God is treated like a mere legend or fable.
Jesus warned in Matthew 24:10-14 that the love of many will grow cold. Paul begins his closing argument with the Corinthians to turn their hearts outward toward others. This is a timely message to rekindle the heat in our own hearts.
The power of the resurrection is not just for "there and then" but also for "here and now." What we do with this life, right now, matters for all of eternity.
The Corinthian church was far from perfect, yet that would not hinder Christ's declaration to build His church and prevail. They just needed to understand a few things about spiritual gifts. In this chapter, we can learn how to be a part of God building a church.
What happens when a church's conduct is out of step with the gospel? The only thing that ever changes anything is God's love ... period. That makes it essential for a church to discern whether it's brand of love is either Christ-like, or Corinthian.
Everything has an essential. If we understand what the essential aspect of a Christian is, than we will know what the essential aspect of a church is.
In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul gives a warning to not repeat the failures of Israel but to press forward in a way that is best for the welfare of others.
To help the believers in Corinth understand his point from the previous chapter, Paul demonstrates his passion for people to hear the gospel by voluntarily surrendering his rights and privileges for the benefit of others. We should ask ourselves, what would it take for the gospel to be made known in every corner of our city?
If we have no regard for the welfare of others, then we have no regard for Christ's love. This compelling statement should move us to ask, "What would I be willing to give up for the love of my brother or sister in Christ?"
This is the story of Doug, a gentle soul who has faithfully served Jesus for nearly 40 years.
Chapter 7 of 1 Corinthians is a complex text, but so are relationships. In this message we will take a deeper look at how our relationships, difficult as they are, matter in our faith in Christ.
When the church become commonplace, it ceases to be a holy space. In 1 Co 6, it is demonstrated that the believers' private sins were becoming their public identity.
The phrase, "United we stand; divided we fall," has permeated human history. In 1 Corinthians chapter 5, we will begin to see the hidden costs of spiritual independence and arrogance within a church body.
A church might go one of two ways - the way of the Pharisee which leads to legalism, favoritism, and judgmentalism, yielding death and violence ... or ... it can go the way of Jesus, promoting grace, humility, and forgiveness, yielding peace and restoration.
A temple declares the glory of the god it represents - the god who dwells within it. How doe you understand the temple of the Holy Spirit which God is building with living stones upon Christ the foundation? Take a peek into 1 Corinthians 3 and build with God.
Strangely enough, the Holy Spirit which was given to unify Christians has become a dividing point amongst Christians. For instance, some refer to the Spirit as "it", some as "Him." This message tackles the direct link between our relationship with the Holy Spirit and the gospel of His kingdom being spread in this world.
In the upside-down kingdom of Jesus, there are many things that He calls us toward that the world sees as foolish, weak, and often downright stupid. Yet those are the things that bring strength, power and dignity. How upside-down are we?
Selfishness is a prevalent characteristic of adolescence. In this message we will take a look at the link between the prevalent culture and the church of Corinth and begin to see how selfishness created chaos - even in the church.
The fall of mankind into sin led to abundant death. How can one know the joy of abundant life? By knowing the right shepherd.
Grumbling and complaining originates in the chest - in Hebrew literature, the place where your soul dwells. Jesus came to change what happens in that region.
Humanity has been wrecked by the desire to possess truth but rejecting the truth that can only come from God. Jesus came to bring us the truth we've rejected and free us from the false truths we have possessed.
Truth is reality and hope based on anything other than reality is simply hype. Jesus came to affirm what He has seen, heard, and experienced and as His followers, we should own the mission to do the same.
Most relationships are often ambiguous in their definition - which fosters the idea of having a relationship without commitment. This can never be so with Jesus who sets definitive parameters when it comes to following Him.
What does a "Jesus Encounter" look like? As we explore the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus, we'll find a second reason for the Incarnation and discover if the patters for our life follow Jesus, Zacchaeus, or the grumbling crowd.
How do you live your life - Under God, over God, from God, for God, or with God? The answer depends on how we understand Christ's relationship with the Law.
What is the purpose of the Law in the age of Christianity? Understanding why God took on human flesh helps us understand the tension between Law and Grace.
Habakkuk saw evil everywhere, and he was angry about it and wanted God to do something about it ... then he had to deal with the surprising way God dealt with that evil. Our perspective of Jesus has a lot to do with how we respond to the evil we see in our times.
It could be that God would prefer that we bring a charge against Him than to be indifferent to the brokenness of the world as a whole and ourselves as individuals. Psalm 89 causes us to consider, "Is it God's promises that are broken or us?"
A lot of us remember being scared of the dark when we were kids, but what do you do when you run into adult darkness? Psalm 77 lays out a process that helps develop a perspective of faith.
When life makes no sense, in our human frailty we try to make God make sense ... and that tends to make things worse. Asaph gives us a clue on how to get a grip on faith when faith doesn't want to make sense.
Psalm 68 lays out the "triumph" of God. Like a parade, the Psalm honors Him, demonstrates His victory, and shows Him as a King marching out to war. What we have to decide, is how we are going to react to this parade.
Who does God establish? The downtrodden and marginalized. Who does He scatter? The powerful of this world. Where do you need God to show Himself as mighty, powerful, and awesome in your life? See how Psalm 68 describes a God we often forget.
It's not in the tumult and great noise in this world that we recognize God, but in the quietness of our own souls.
When we see how David handled the lowest point of his life, we can be better equipped to walk through it ourselves. It all begins with knowing who God is and who we are in Him.
Some days life can seem overwhelming. In Psalm 3, we see the worst day of David's life and how he found refuge in a relationship with God.
The Gospel tells the story of God's greatness and glory as He reveals Himself to the nations ... and He invites us to tell the story, broken as we are.
Ever feel like you're stuck in a revolving door of brokenness? Or sometimes we find the landscape has changed much and not for the better around us and it makes us wonder how we ever got there. Nehemiah 13 presents a lesson on how only God can break the cycle of mankind's ruinous history.
What does worship look like? When you are worshipping, would someone be able to tell by watching you or listening to you? This message helps us see the cycle of joy that only God can produce.
Have you ever considered that God has purposely placed you in your city, neighborhood, school, job, etc. in order for you to seek the good of that location on His behalf? Nehemiah chapter eleven will help us to consider what kind of neighbors we might be.
So often, we think we can fix ourselves because no one else is there to help us ... then Jesus shows up and tackles the mess we made.
Do we make healthy promises to God or are we unbalanced toward obligation and self-dependence. This chapter serves as a good reminder how much we need a savior beyond ourselves.
It's "two-for-one" Sunday! Two messages combine to delve into the issue of how seriously do we take the words of Jesus.
What role does history play in our lives of faith? This message will take a look at the various ways we look at the past and identify one realistic and healthy way that God uses our past for our good.
The story of Nehemiah is about much more than building a wall - it's about God restoring His people to His Passion for the nations. The first step of that restoration was changing their attitude about His Word.
What's a good barometer for spiritual life and service? Knowing one's limitations and gifting is crucial for living a full and meaningful life.
Know your enemy; know his tactics; know your defender. They say that 'knowing is half the battle.' This message will help you to know what to know when God's desires for you are challenged.
We are quick to respond if injustice is inflicted upon ourselves, but how do we react when we see others suffer injustice? The fifth chapter of Nehemiah helps us see a patter that can be imitated because it was perfected in Jesus.
What does it take to stop you? In entering into any God-sized project, opposition will come from God's enemy. How unstoppable are you? As unstoppable as whatever you trust to save you.
Nehemiah 3 gives us a fantastic portrait of what it looks like to work together with one mission, and to show people the reality of God.
We all have voices telling us what to do, our own, our authorities, the ones we lead and serve, the naysayers and adversaries, and God. The question is: which voice is loudest? How can we be sure to listen to and obey the voice of the Lord?
We will never pray like we should until we are first broken in our hearts for the culture that surrounds us.
Are we patiently yet passively waiting for Jesus to return or is He patiently and actively waiting for us to obey? See how God who is beyond the limits of time, works within time to fulfill His passion through His church.
Do we really believe God's promises? Do we take Him at His Word or could it be possible that we merely mimic faith with a twist of resentment?
Guest speaker, Colby Harris takes us into 2 Peter to see how we must be on guard lest our worship become misdirected.
Standing firm in our faith requires discernment so that we are not misled by false teachings. Do we recognize the falseness of the very popular "consumer gospel"? Listen to learn more.
What was the basis of the apostle Peter's assurance about his relationship with Jesus? What is yours? Dig in for a deeper look about what the Bible isn't and what it is.
What determines who we are? Is it our feelings or desires? Maybe we find our identity in what we do or what we can produce. Have you ever considered that your identify is founded by God?
From a cross to a throne, a crown of thorns to a crown of glory, we see Jesus our King. Look into the end of rejection to the beginning of a great mission to the end of all things and the beginning of all things made new. Two brief sermons present Jesus the Dying King and Jesus the Eternal King.
Sometimes, in doing a healing restorative work within us, Jesus introduces new brokenness along the way.
How do we reconcile that sanctification is both positional and experiential? Peter, who had moments of walking on water mixed with moments of sinking, sheds some light on the crises of sanctification.
Jesus is an exclusive Savior providing a salvation that can be universally applied. How do we articulate to a particularly inclusive culture that Jesus is the only way to a relationship with God?