Why Corporate Prayer Matters
Over the past few weeks, I have been slowly walking through the book of Deuteronomy. Reading the ninth chapter, I was struck by how often God’s message to his people is counterintuitive to modern sensibilities. Chapter 9 brings us to the brink of a major event in redemptive history. The people of Israel are on the verge of...
Why Corporate Prayer Matters
Over the past few weeks, I have been slowly walking through the book of Deuteronomy. Reading the ninth chapter, I was struck by how often God’s message to his people is counterintuitive to modern sensibilities. Chapter 9 brings us to...
Everyday Discipleship with Teenagers
“Change starts with a conversation.” I heard this phrase a few years ago at church camp and it has stuck with me ever since. You never know what conversations will come up throughout the day or where a conversation may lead. Some conversations we walk away from...
The People God Uses
Have you ever felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit, urging you to speak up, act out, or pursue a calling that you have stifled? It could be a big endeavor, like full-time ministry, or a small nudge, such as sharing the Gospel with your waitress. In either case, we have a...
You Play an Important Role in the Church
“I’m not sure that I have a spiritual gift.” A friend told me this over coffee one evening - the kind of confession that comes from believing that you’re the only one who feels this way. I’m not sure she’s alone, though. It’s a common experience - to question what...
Don’t Reduce Your Relationship With God to a Checklist
This past Sunday, we looked at a shocking scene in Luke 4 where the people who knew Jesus best became the very first to attempt to kill him. They weren’t people from various walks of life with different worldviews. They were devout Jews in their own synagogue. They...
What is Lent?
Two of the most precious days in the year for Christians are Christmas and Easter. And both days are preceded by an extended season meant to prepare us for them. For Christmas, the season of preparation is Advent, a season in which our anticipation builds for the...
Our Marching Orders
Christian, what is the purpose of your life? In the gospels, we see a picture of Jesus’ purpose, and the end of each gospel especially gives us glimpse at how his purpose affects ours as his followers. If we carefully examine his final conversations with his...
Discipling Kids in the Daily Rhythms of Life
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives these final words to his disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” You might be wondering why I would...
Understanding Differences in the New Testament Genealogies
This past Sunday we looked the genealogy of Jesus as presented in Luke’s gospel. But Luke wasn’t the only writer to list out Jesus’ genealogy. Matthew did so as well in his gospel. And when we compare those two lists of names, there are differences between them. Some...
Understanding the Gospel of Luke
This weekend, we’re kicking off our new message series in the Gospel of Luke. We began the first chapter as we journeyed through Advent together in December. As we continue, we will see a beautiful account of Jesus’ ministry unfold. Walking through Luke’s gospel...