Love: A John 3:16 Christmas - John 3:16-21

A John 3:16 Christmas is one that doesn’t break you bank account, but breaks your heart with the extravagance of God’s love.

Joy: God’s Pain Management - John 16:16-24

While I may not be able to choose the circumstances of life, I can choose joy.

The Necessary Ingredient To Making Christmas - Matthew 5:9

The advent of the Prince of Peace was anticipated by Zacharias (Luke 1:67-79), fulfilled by Jesus (John 16:33), and is to be fulfilled in us (Philippians 4:6-9).

Pentecost: Promise, Power, Possibilities - Acts 2:1-13

The Day of Pentecost birthed the church and gave her the power necessary to accomplish her task.

The Great Commissinon: The Church’s Mandate - Matthew 28:16-20

While doubt may be a haunting presence in the faith journey, there are some things we should never doubt.

The Resurrection: His and Ours - 1 Corinthians 15:35-48

For the implications of Christ’ resurrection to be truly appreciated requires the re-imagination of never before considered possibilities.

The Crucifixion: A Dark Time of Why - Matthew 27:45-46

The collision of life of faith ultimately brings us to places so dark that we are overwhelmed by a sense of abandonment.

The Transfiguration: An Illuminating Moment - Matthew 17: 1-9

The transfiguration of Christ is a foundational event that confirms, affirms, and informs.

The Incarnation: There Goes The Neighborhood - John 1:1-18

The coming of Christ is the central event in history; portraying for humankind the clearest portrayal of who God is, his plans and purposes.

The Law: God’s Prescription - Exodus 20

What boundary lines are to any field of athletic competition so is God’s Law to the human community.

The Exodus: Escaping Your Egypt - Exodus 1-12

Out of every circumstance and situation that seeks to enslave us, God faithfully delivers us to a place of promise.

Re-Creation: The Calling of Abraham - Genesis 12:1-9

The call of Abraham becomes a prototype for all who are called to faith and service.

Babel: An Unsettling Experience - Genesis 11:1-9

While human instinct is for a settled and sentimental existence, God labors to create in the community of faith an unsettled existence driven by a missional task.

The Flood: Never Again - Genesis 6:5-9:17

We must bracket our questions of curiosity and set them aside lest we miss the true meaning to be found in the flooding of the world with God’s grace.

The Garden: Falling Forward - Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-10

Theologically, Genesis 3 is often interpreted in terms of temptation and fall.  Pastorally, the issues are much different.

BEGINNINGS: Creator, Creation, Creature

The Genesis creation account is important because of who and why, not how and when.

DANIEL: A Vibrant Faith In A College Town - Daniel 1

While many think faith and reason collide in the halls of academia, Daniel’s life comes to say otherwise.

EUTYCHUS: The Patron Saint of Sermon Sleepers

From the patron saint of those who sleep in church we can actually learn some ways to stay awake in church.

MALACHI: When God Says Close The Church Malachi 1:10

Are we not shocked to find there is a point at which God grows tired of our going to church.

HABAKKUK: When Faith Comes Hard- Habakkuk 3:17-19

When the crises of life arrive, faith offers a unique response.

HOSEA: Stumbling Your Way To Renewal - Hosea 14

No matter how far you have fallen, the longing of God is for your return.

HEZEKIAH: Setting Your House In Order - Isaiah 38:1-5

Death is an inevitable reality that must be embraced if life is to be lived fully.

ELI: Parenting For Results - 1 Samuel 2:12-17

Eli’s hands-off approach to parenting resulted in adult sons that scripture describes as “worthless” (v.12).   His errors are both identifiable and avoidable.

COMMUNION: Our Declaration of Dependence - Galatians 5:1

Galatians 5:1

JEREMIAH: Awakening The Champion Within - Jeremiah 1

Within each of us is a champion for Christ waiting to be awakened.

JONAH: What Even A Whale Cannot Stomach - Jonah 3:10

Instead of being a man of noble reputation, Jonah is one that not even a whale can stomach.

Dangerous Worship - Isaiah 1:10-20

Who would ever imagine church being such a dangerous place.

ESTHER: For Such A Time As This - Esther 4:14

For such a time as this becomes the affirmation of God’s presence in his seeming absence

JOB: Life Goes On - Job 1

Out of our greatest tragedies can come the most unexpected renewal.

EZRA: Hands On Faith - Ezra 7

The keys to the hand of God resting upon a person’s life are revealed in the life of Ezra.

JOSIAH: Going By the Book - 2 Kings 22:1-13

The model for a life lived well is to be discovered in God’s word.

MARY & MARTHA: Distinctive Spiritual Types - Luke 10:38-42

We each have a unique spiritual type that enhances the rich diversity of the body of Christ.

Love Each Other - John 13:34-35

What should be the defining characteristic of Christianity? Jesus answers that question - the  sacrificial love that Christians are commanded to have for each other.

SOLOMON: Be Careful What You Ask For - 1 Kings 3:1-15

Asking whatever you want of God sounds inviting, but it can be a dangerous question.

DAVID: Over And Under Estimating - 1 Samuel 17

The tendency is to overestimate what we fear while underestimating ourselves.

BALAAM: Saddled Vision - Numbers 22:21-35

Imagination is vital to an understanding of faith that goes beyond one’s experience and understanding.

CLEOPAS: A Resurrection of Understanding - Luke 24:13-35

Apart from scripture, Jesus, and the community of other believers faith becomes just another “thing” in our lives.

Elisha: Re-Visioning Your World - 2 KIngs 6:8-23

Either the circumstances of life shape our view of things or our view of things shape our circumstances.

ELIJAH: Getting Up From Getting Down - 1 Kings 19

Elijah needed God’s help in getting up from being down.  If depression can come to prophets then none of us are exempt.

Absalom: Hanging Between Heaven and Earth - 2 Samuel 13:20-29; 14:28-33; 15:1-10

Everything in the narrative of Absalom’s life is the story of the long-term continuing effects and ultimate consequence of a vengeful spirit.

Pharisaism: The Religion of Some People - Luke 18:9-14

Grace withheld is a grace that has not yet been experienced.

Rahab: A Strange Bedfellow - Joshua 2, 6:22-25

Rahab is but another reminder that what God’s story of salvation is being accomplished not on the backs of flawless saints but flawed sinners saved by grace.

When Right Is Never Right - Judges 13-16; 21:25

Right is never right when we are doing what is right in our own eyes.

Crave - 1 Peter 1:22 - 2:3

To have a heart hunger for God and the things of God we must first become a follower of Christ

Gideon: Could It Be You? - Judges 6:1-40

In a world that promotes and idolizes the perfect look, we are left wondering if there is any  room for imperfection.

Joshua: The Expectation of Free Will - Joshua 24:14-15

After many conquests the greatest final battle is internal—whom will you serve.

Achan: The Fallacy of Secret Sin - Joshua 7

The ripple effect of private sin reaches the farthest shores of our lives.

A New Normal - Isaiah 60:1-6

In a world where the only true constant is change, the one common denominator for the people of God is a faith that shapes our views, attitudes, and reactions.

The Reorientation Of Faith - Jeremiah 31:7-14

Faith is akin to a rhythm that moves us from one place to the next.