The Passover (Exodus): Very few things formed the identity of ancient Israel more than the story of the Lord's Passover. God brought divine judgment against Egypt and its gods in an unmistakable tenth plague. However, God also graciously made a way for salvation through the blood of a sacrificial lamb. Yahweh had done it. The Israelites were finall…

The Plagues (Exodus): The ten plagues in ancient Egypt represent a systematic victory over and judgment of the Pharaoh and gods of Egypt by the one true God, Yahweh. We are given many opportunities to humbly repent in life. But can anyone actually stand under the judgment of God? Yes, but only because of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Recorde…

Bricks Without Straw (Exodus): When God told Moses to tell Pharaoh, "Let my people go," Moses did exactly what God told him to do. But the suffering of the Israelites got worse, not better! The truth is, in a broken world, obedience to God’s word is no guarantee of short-term prosperity. But this doesn't mean that God has abandoned you or that no g…

The Burning Bush (Exodus): When Yahweh God sent Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses clearly had fears and doubts about his ability to do what God called him to do. Yahweh graciously (and patiently) provided his name, miraculous signs, and other help. But what would guarantee success? God promised, "I will be with you." Recorded on Oct …

Moses Flees to Midian (Exodus): Chapter 2 tells the story of Moses' birth and adoption into the Egyptian royal family, which seems to set him up to be the great deliverer of the Hebrew people. However, after his disastrous first attempt at helping his people, he was forced to flee to the land of Midian. Had he squandered his chance? Was this God's …

Slaves in Egypt (Exodus): This is the beginning of our series on the book of Exodus, called Journey to Freedom. Exodus is a story of liberation — of God working to rescue and redeem a people for himself, freeing them from slavery and leading them to the land he promised to the family of Abraham and Sarah. Exodus is also a picture of the Christian l…

Making Room in the Church: Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Because of his heart for people, Jesus was willing to be interrupted by Bartimaeus, Zacchaeus, and so many others. They believed in him, and he offered healing and forgiveness and changed their life into a testimony to the goodness of God. Jesus still seeks the lost today. Therefore, …

Making Room for People: We were made to enjoy deep, healthy, long-term relationships. But this world is broken, and relationships can be just as much a source of pain as anything. What can we do? We should take a risk and make room for more people in our hearts, homes, and lives. Why? The unexpected answer is found...at the end of the world. Record…

Making Room for God: What if Jesus wrote a letter to our church? In his letter to the church in the wealthy city of Laodicea, Jesus strongly warned about being lukewarm in their faith. These Christians were no different than the world around them. But this rebuke was coming from a place of love. "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock." Will they…

Ruth and Her Guardian-Redeemer (Ruth): In the stunning conclusion, Boaz legally becomes the guardian-redeemer, Boaz and Ruth get married, and a new baby provides redemption for Naomi. But the Lord was doing much more than providing a "happily ever after." As the ultimate Guardian-Redeemer, God was doing immeasurably more than anything they asked or…

Ruth at the Threshing Floor (Ruth): Character matters. In this broken world, will you find yourself in a compromising situation from time to time? Absolutely. What will you do? Will you compromise yourself and follow the ways of the world? Or will you trust in the Lord and honor him with your life and the commitment of your character? Recorded on A…

Ruth in the Fields of Boaz (Ruth): The Bible, from cover to cover, is a redemption story. Sometimes, the people of the Bible reflect the redemptive love that God ultimately gives through Jesus. How Boaz treated Ruth, a poor Moabite widow working in his fields, is a wonderful picture of the steadfast loving-kindness (hesed) of God. Recorded on Aug 1…

Ruth and Naomi (Ruth): When dealing with the tragedies of this broken world, it's hard not to let those bitter experiences define you. Due to a famine in Judah, Naomi's family moved to the foreign country of Moab. However, when Naomi's husband and both her sons died there, she decided to return home to Bethlehem. Unexpectedly, Ruth, one of Naomi's …

The Armor of God (Ephesians): Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. How can we stand firm and fight our spiritual battles? By putting on the full armor of God: truth, righteousness, the gosp…

A New Relationship to Power (Ephesians): Slavery in Ephesus in the first century AD was different than most people think of when they think of slavery today. Still, the imbalance of power meant the slave/master relationship was often the context for exploitation and abuse. This is the default way of this broken world. But how do power and injustice…

A New Kind of Home (Ephesians): Kids are great! But parenting is hard. What happens when you apply the gospel to the relationship between parents and children? How can parents shepherd their kids? How can adult children honor their parents when carrying wounds from their upbringing? There are many lessons here for everyone. Recorded on Jul 14, 2024…

A New Kind of Marriage (Ephesians): Do you want a better marriage? Or do you want to be better prepared for marriage in the future? God's word provides power and wisdom for two to become one. Is this easy? No! But it can be beautiful as two people grow together in unity, love, and maturity over time. Plus, marriage can be a picture of the gospel fo…

Following a New Way: How can we learn to navigate the rough terrain of life? Not by following the ways of this world. Becoming a Christian puts you on a new path — the way of Jesus — where we learn to walk in the way of love, goodness, righteousness, truth, and wisdom. This is the way. Recorded on Jun 30, 2024, on Ephesians 5:1-20 by Pastor David P…

To Be Made New: What does it mean to "put off your old self" and "put on the new self?" This hopeful calling is about experiencing the whole-life transformation God envisions for you. No longer having to follow our emotions and desires alone, anyone can learn this new way of life according to the truth that is in Jesus. Recorded on Jun 23, 2024, on…

So That The Body Of Christ May Be Built Up: Did you know you're needed for the ministry of the church? Even if you aren't on staff or are a leader? You are! The whole church, equipped by leaders through the ministry of the word, is called to do the works of ministry. By speaking the truth in love, the whole body grows in unity, maturity, and love u…

Keeping the Unity: Unity in the church (or any close relationship) doesn't just happen. It takes work...and lots of it! In the church, our union with Christ means we ought to have unity with each other. But staying united takes loads of humility, gentleness, and patience. This is not easy; is it worth it? Absolutely. Recorded on Jun 9, 2024, on Eph…

The Presence of Christ: What would be the best thing for you? How about for the people you love? To have the spiritual power that comes from a growing knowledge and experience of the love of Christ. To be rooted and established in his love. And that his presence would be real to you in your inner being. Recorded on Jun 2, 2024, on Ephesians 3:14-21…

The Wisdom of God: If God is all-powerful and perfectly wise, how could he allow suffering to exist? People have always wrestled with this question, many Christians as well. According to the manifold wisdom of God and through the suffering of Christ, we can approach God with freedom and confidence in our time of need. Suffering is not the end of th…

A New Temple: Separation from God and from other people can be hopelessly painful. But the gospel destroys all barriers and puts to death all hostility. Why? Because God is building a new temple, made up of all kinds of people, whose lives are built on Christ and aligned with his word. Recorded on May 19, 2024, on Ephesians 2:11-22 by Justun Hart.O…

Saved By Grace: What does it actually mean to be “saved” in a Christian sense? The Biblical picture of life in this broken world is bleak — that apart from Christ, we are spiritually dead. Is there any hope? Yes! The gospel says that because of God's love and mercy, salvation is offered as a gracious gift to be received by faith. The gospel changes…

Incomparably Great Power: Do you want to grow in your faith, no matter what your circumstances are? You need to understand what you've been given in Christ. Paul prays the Ephesians would know the hope of their calling, the riches of their inheritance, and the incomparably great power they have been given in Christ. Recorded on May 5, 2024, on Ephe…

The Gospel for the Ephesians: Why should we worship? Paul opens his letter to the Ephesians with a doxology, or a call to worship, in response to the cosmic scope of God's plan in Christ. When we see the loving work of the Father, Son, and Spirit, from eternity to eternity, saving and transforming adopted sons and daughters in Christ — how can we h…

Jesus and Peter: John ends his gospel with a beautiful story of restoration. In the shadow of the cross, Peter had utterly failed Jesus — when Jesus most needed a friend. How would Jesus respond to him? With shame? Or punishment? Instead, Jesus restored Peter in friendship and his calling as an apostle and shepherd of his people. Once again, in lov…

The Miraculous Catch (A Bonus Sign of Harvest): Have you ever wondered why you are here? Have you ever wondered what meaning or purpose there might be for your life? In the story of the miraculous catch, Jesus revealed that we are invited to join his work in the world — and there will be a great harvest. He doesn't need us, but he wants us. And not…

How to Struggle with Doubt: Have you wondered, does God really exist? Can we really trust what the Bible says? Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Every believer, at certain times in life, will struggle with doubts. But Jesus didn't punish or shame his followers for their questions or doubts. The story of Jesus and Thomas reveals how we might deal…