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The Blood Cries Out
Genesis 4:1-26 | Once sin starts things get ugly. Sin unchecked gets brutal. From the story of the very first sin last week, we now see the evil escalate as the blood of a murdered man at the hands of his brother cries out before the Lord.
As the people multiply on the earth, the image of God does not. And this was not God's intent. What happens in this gruesome scene? How will God deal with multiplying people who are not multiplying His image? Where do we see His redemptive heart come out, and how is that good news for us?
The murder of a brother in Genesis 4 teaches us more about our own hearts and the heart of our redeeming God.
Genesis 4:1-26 | Once sin starts things get ugly. Sin unchecked gets brutal. From the story of the very first sin last week, we now see the evil escalate as the blood of a murdered man at the hands of his brother cries out before the Lord.
As the people multiply on the earth, the image of God does not. And this was not God's intent. What happens in this gruesome scene? How will God deal with multiplying people who are not multiplying His image? Where do we see His redemptive heart come out, and how is that good news for us?
The murder of a brother in Genesis 4 teaches us more about our own hearts and the heart of our redeeming God.
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Gruesome Sin and God's Grace
Genesis 3:1-24 | Genesis 3 is ugly. Humans rebel against God. That never goes well. Rebellion against God never makes life easier, better, simpler... it always makes life more painful.
As we watch the first-ever sin unfold this week, we will be able to glean important things we need to know about life in this broken world. Where does sin originate? How does sin work? How is sin defeated?
And yet in the midst of the ugliness of Genesis 3, there is beauty. We get the first glimpse of the gospel. Good news. It's there, so clear, all the way back in Genesis 3. An arrow of God's grace pointed perfectly at Christ.
Let's worship our way together through the gruesomeness of sin and the graciousness of our God.
Genesis 3:1-24 | Genesis 3 is ugly. Humans rebel against God. That never goes well. Rebellion against God never makes life easier, better, simpler... it always makes life more painful.
As we watch the first-ever sin unfold this week, we will be able to glean important things we need to know about life in this broken world. Where does sin originate? How does sin work? How is sin defeated?
And yet in the midst of the ugliness of Genesis 3, there is beauty. We get the first glimpse of the gospel. Good news. It's there, so clear, all the way back in Genesis 3. An arrow of God's grace pointed perfectly at Christ.
Let's worship our way together through the gruesomeness of sin and the graciousness of our God.
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Work + Rest
Genesis 2:1-25 | We can get out of balance so fast on the topics of work and rest. On one side, we can begin to worship work as God, instead of seeing work as worship to God. Out of a desire for more, to make a name for ourselves, or to run from other responsibilities in our life, we can become workaholics to our own demise.On the other side, we can tend toward laziness or complaining about work and fail to see what a good gift from God work is.
What should the rhythm of our week look like as it pertains to work and rest? What do I, as a Jesus follower, need to understand in order to honor God in my work? And just as importantly, how do we receive God's gracious gift of sabbath rest each week?
Let's seek a worshipful rhythm to our weeks of work and rest.
Genesis 2:1-25 | We can get out of balance so fast on the topics of work and rest. On one side, we can begin to worship work as God, instead of seeing work as worship to God. Out of a desire for more, to make a name for ourselves, or to run from other responsibilities in our life, we can become workaholics to our own demise.
On the other side, we can tend toward laziness or complaining about work and fail to see what a good gift from God work is.
What should the rhythm of our week look like as it pertains to work and rest? What do I, as a Jesus follower, need to understand in order to honor God in my work? And just as importantly, how do we receive God's gracious gift of sabbath rest each week?
Let's seek a worshipful rhythm to our weeks of work and rest.
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In His Image
Genesis 2:1-25 | The human being is unique to all other created things. Only the human was made by the very breath of God breathing life into his nostrils. Only the human being was made in the image of God. Humans (men and women) are made in a unique way with a unique purpose in creation.We must understand how God made us so we can understand what we were made for. In Genesis 2 we will look at 4 identity-defining truths for image-bearers. It is my prayer that these truths will free us into a rich and wonderful understanding of who we are and what we were made for.
Genesis 2:1-25 | The human being is unique to all other created things. Only the human was made by the very breath of God breathing life into his nostrils. Only the human being was made in the image of God. Humans (men and women) are made in a unique way with a unique purpose in creation.
We must understand how God made us so we can understand what we were made for. In Genesis 2 we will look at 4 identity-defining truths for image-bearers. It is my prayer that these truths will free us into a rich and wonderful understanding of who we are and what we were made for.
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In The Beginning
Genesis 1:1-2:3 | "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." The greatest story ever told begins with these words: In the beginning...
Beginnings matter.
Understanding the beginning of the world matters.
Understanding how the world was created matters.
Understanding why the world was created matters.
And most importantly, understanding what the Creator created us for matters.
This Sunday, we embark on a major series through the book of Genesis. Like all good stories, we will start at the very beginning. We'll worship our way through the Creation account and why a right understanding of it matters deeply for our lives as created ones.
Check out our resource on the historical nature of the book of Genesis HERE.
Genesis 1:1-2:3 | "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
The greatest story ever told begins with these words: In the beginning...
Beginnings matter.
Understanding the beginning of the world matters.
Understanding how the world was created matters.
Understanding why the world was created matters.
And most importantly, understanding what the Creator created us for matters.
This Sunday, we embark on a major series through the book of Genesis. Like all good stories, we will start at the very beginning. We'll worship our way through the Creation account and why a right understanding of it matters deeply for our lives as created ones.
Check out our resource on the historical nature of the book of Genesis HERE.
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The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25–37 | Have you ever used the phrase “where the rubber meets the road?” It’s a fascinating idiom. It’s first credited to Firestone Tires in the 1950s, though it’s possible it was used earlier than that. It couldn’t have been too much earlier though, because the automobile manufacturers hadn’t been too concerned about traction or tires until around this point. Cars were getting bigger. Faster. More powerful. More maneuverable. Yet, all that power and engineering came to a single (or four) point(s) of contact - the tires. Literally everything about a car is channeled to where the rubber meets the road. If there’s a failure there - no amount of horsepower matters. In our final parable of this series, Jesus encounters a brilliant expert in the law. He knows everything that he’s supposed to know - and can parse it out at a moment’s notice. What Jesus will ask him next, however, will reveal whether he’s got it where it counts. He’s got the knowledge. But what happens when the rubber meets the road?
Luke 10:25–37 | Have you ever used the phrase “where the rubber meets the road?”
It’s a fascinating idiom. It’s first credited to Firestone Tires in the 1950s, though it’s possible it was used earlier than that. It couldn’t have been too much earlier though, because the automobile manufacturers hadn’t been too concerned about traction or tires until around this point.
Cars were getting bigger. Faster. More powerful. More maneuverable. Yet, all that power and engineering came to a single (or four) point(s) of contact - the tires. Literally everything about a car is channeled to where the rubber meets the road. If there’s a failure there - no amount of horsepower matters.
In our final parable of this series, Jesus encounters a brilliant expert in the law. He knows everything that he’s supposed to know - and can parse it out at a moment’s notice. What Jesus will ask him next, however, will reveal whether he’s got it where it counts. He’s got the knowledge. But what happens when the rubber meets the road?
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The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11–32 | The Prodigal Son...
Many of us are familiar with the story. And oftentimes as we read or recount this story, a lot of attention is put on the younger brother. His wasteful living. His lostness. His rebellion. His reckless and wild decisions. But what if the older brother is just as lost and rebellious as the younger brother? And what if the story of the prodigal son is not even primarily about the sons? What does this story have to do with my life today?
Let's get ready to hear from the Lord together through one of the most amazing stories Jesus told.
Luke 15:11–32 | The Prodigal Son...
Many of us are familiar with the story. And oftentimes as we read or recount this story, a lot of attention is put on the younger brother. His wasteful living. His lostness. His rebellion. His reckless and wild decisions. But what if the older brother is just as lost and rebellious as the younger brother? And what if the story of the prodigal son is not even primarily about the sons?
What does this story have to do with my life today?
Let's get ready to hear from the Lord together through one of the most amazing stories Jesus told.
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The Parable of the Great Banquet
Luke 14:15–24 | This week we are in Luke 14:15-24. We'll focus on the Parable of the Great Banquet and how the banquet is an invitation from Christ. This invitation is not to be ignored but acted upon. Christ calls us to say "yes" as well as share the invitation with others so that they may come to experience this great banquet with Christ.
May we all be full with more of Him.
Luke 14:15–24 | This week we are in Luke 14:15-24. We'll focus on the Parable of the Great Banquet and how the banquet is an invitation from Christ. This invitation is not to be ignored but acted upon. Christ calls us to say "yes" as well as share the invitation with others so that they may come to experience this great banquet with Christ.
May we all be full with more of Him.
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Color Me Love
Dr. Charles Ware joins us to give a message called "Color Me Love."
Dr. Charles Ware joins us to give a message called "Color Me Love."
The Parable of the Talents
Matthew 25:14–30 | Imagine you’re a teenager. Your mom has just left you at home alone for the weekend and you’re in charge of the house. You can’t believe you finally get to decide for yourself what to do. The possibilities are endless! Mom has just a few chores for you. Of course, you can decide when to do them, but they will obviously need to be done before she gets back. What’s your first move? Do you get right to the chores? Do you go off and have a good time and hopefully remember in time? Or do you just decide to forget about it and hope you don’t get into too much trouble? We’d all probably agree which of those is the most responsible choice. We’d probably also agree that we wouldn’t all have chosen that one! But what do you think you would choose today? And what does that have to do with your faith in Jesus? Join us this week as we continue our study in the parables with “The Parable of the Talents” from Matthew 25.
Matthew 25:14–30 | Imagine you’re a teenager. Your mom has just left you at home alone for the weekend and you’re in charge of the house. You can’t believe you finally get to decide for yourself what to do. The possibilities are endless! Mom has just a few chores for you. Of course, you can decide when to do them, but they will obviously need to be done before she gets back.
What’s your first move? Do you get right to the chores? Do you go off and have a good time and hopefully remember in time? Or do you just decide to forget about it and hope you don’t get into too much trouble?
We’d all probably agree which of those is the most responsible choice. We’d probably also agree that we wouldn’t all have chosen that one!
But what do you think you would choose today? And what does that have to do with your faith in Jesus? Join us this week as we continue our study in the parables with “The Parable of the Talents” from Matthew 25.
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The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
Luke 16:1–13 | This week we will begin a 6-week journey into the parables of Jesus by digging into the Parable of the Dishonest Manager found in Luke 16:1-13. This parable may be one that you have read several times and yet still don’t fully grasp. But when we are finished, it is our prayer that the way we view the money and possessions that God has entrusted to us will be forever and eternally changed.
Luke 16:1–13 | This week we will begin a 6-week journey into the parables of Jesus by digging into the Parable of the Dishonest Manager found in Luke 16:1-13. This parable may be one that you have read several times and yet still don’t fully grasp. But when we are finished, it is our prayer that the way we view the money and possessions that God has entrusted to us will be forever and eternally changed.
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Finding Contentment In An Upgrade Culture
Ecclesiastes 5:10–20 | There was a day where you didn’t get something new until the last one was broken? I know, I know, it sounds crazy but it’s true. You didn’t wait in line for a new phone while holding a perfectly good phone. You didn’t buy a new computer until, well, the one you currently had couldn’t even turn on anymore. But this is a way of the past. Welcome to the upgrade culture. And while there are many blessings of constant improvement and upgrades, what if we live life in a constant upgrade way? I argue it breeds deep discontentment. In this last week of Ecclesiastes we look at the blessing of accepting the lot in life to which God has assigned us. It doesn’t mean we can’t long, and yearn, and strive, but it does mean that instead of constantly focusing on what we don’t have, we live with a peaceful thankfulness for what we do. So, we set out to be free from the tyranny of always being after new and bigger and better and bolder and different and instead seek to heed what Solomon has to say about the joy to be found in what God has entrusted to us right now.
Ecclesiastes 5:10–20 | There was a day where you didn’t get something new until the last one was broken? I know, I know, it sounds crazy but it’s true. You didn’t wait in line for a new phone while holding a perfectly good phone. You didn’t buy a new computer until, well, the one you currently had couldn’t even turn on anymore. But this is a way of the past. Welcome to the upgrade culture.
And while there are many blessings of constant improvement and upgrades, what if we live life in a constant upgrade way? I argue it breeds deep discontentment. In this last week of Ecclesiastes we look at the blessing of accepting the lot in life to which God has assigned us. It doesn’t mean we can’t long, and yearn, and strive, but it does mean that instead of constantly focusing on what we don’t have, we live with a peaceful thankfulness for what we do.
So, we set out to be free from the tyranny of always being after new and bigger and better and bolder and different and instead seek to heed what Solomon has to say about the joy to be found in what God has entrusted to us right now.
More from this series:
Life Together: The Blessing of Relationships
Ecclesiastes 4:7–12 | The best mentors and coaches in my life say this often, “Remember, love people.” People are a gift from God. Relationships are a gift from God. Companionship is a gift from God. This week we continue fleeing from seeking ultimate meaning in riches, work, and pleasure and we look back to the simple things God gives us to enjoy in this life lived in the fear of Him. You know one of His greatest gifts to us? Other people. Let’s talk this week of a life lived in the enjoyment of the companionship He has brought to us.
Ecclesiastes 4:7–12 | The best mentors and coaches in my life say this often, “Remember, love people.” People are a gift from God. Relationships are a gift from God. Companionship is a gift from God.
This week we continue fleeing from seeking ultimate meaning in riches, work, and pleasure and we look back to the simple things God gives us to enjoy in this life lived in the fear of Him.
You know one of His greatest gifts to us? Other people.
Let’s talk this week of a life lived in the enjoyment of the companionship He has brought to us.
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The Beauty In A Day
Ecclesiastes 2:24–26 | The Lord has filled our days with beautiful things to enjoy. And when we are freed from the pursuit of finding meaning for our life apart from God, we are freed to enjoy the beauty in a day that He gives us. This week we are going to let Ecclesiastes instruct us to slow down and enjoy the beauty in each day God has given us. This really could be a game-changer for how we take in the scenery of our life each day.
Ecclesiastes 2:24–26 | The Lord has filled our days with beautiful things to enjoy. And when we are freed from the pursuit of finding meaning for our life apart from God, we are freed to enjoy the beauty in a day that He gives us.
This week we are going to let Ecclesiastes instruct us to slow down and enjoy the beauty in each day God has given us.
This really could be a game-changer for how we take in the scenery of our life each day.
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Meaningless, Meaningless, All Is Meaningless
Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:26 | Ever read Ecclesiastes?
Next question: Ever read Ecclesiastes and been encouraged after?
This Sunday, as we regather as a church, we begin a four-week series in Ecclesiastes called "What Matters." It seems on the surface that Ecclesiastes' message is nothing matters. But Ecclesiastes is actually a gift from God to teach us what DOES matter and to not look for ultimate meaning for our lives in non-ultimate things.
Hasn't the COVID season been one of stripping away some of the things that we thought really really mattered? Hasn't it revealed how quickly some things we thought to be ultimate and untouchable were really pretty fleeting and fragile?
Let's regather this month and learn together from God's word what actually really matters.
Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:26 | Ever read Ecclesiastes?
Next question: Ever read Ecclesiastes and been encouraged after?
This Sunday, as we regather as a church, we begin a four-week series in Ecclesiastes called "What Matters." It seems on the surface that Ecclesiastes' message is nothing matters. But Ecclesiastes is actually a gift from God to teach us what DOES matter and to not look for ultimate meaning for our lives in non-ultimate things.
Hasn't the COVID season been one of stripping away some of the things that we thought really really mattered? Hasn't it revealed how quickly some things we thought to be ultimate and untouchable were really pretty fleeting and fragile?
Let's regather this month and learn together from God's word what actually really matters.
More from this series:
Spiritual Leaders, Humility, and Being Watchful
1 Peter 5 | We close out our series in 1 Peter this week with an important look at 3 crucial topics: spiritual leaders in the church, humility in all of us, and living watchful with the devil on the prowl. I think we would all readily agree that these are three areas of life we want to hear what God has to say.
1 Peter 5 | We close out our series in 1 Peter this week with an important look at 3 crucial topics: spiritual leaders in the church, humility in all of us, and living watchful with the devil on the prowl.
I think we would all readily agree that these are three areas of life we want to hear what God has to say.
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Entrusting Our Souls While Doing Good
1 Peter 4:12-19 | Peter has spent a lot of ink equipping these Christians for suffering and encouraging them in the midst of suffering. And this week, we get a goldmine for practical equipping for seasons of suffering. We will focus in on 1 Peter 4:19 and together we will be equipped for any suffering we are in now or will be in one day. You won’t want to miss what God has for us from His word this week!
1 Peter 4:12-19 | Peter has spent a lot of ink equipping these Christians for suffering and encouraging them in the midst of suffering. And this week, we get a goldmine for practical equipping for seasons of suffering.
We will focus in on 1 Peter 4:19 and together we will be equipped for any suffering we are in now or will be in one day. You won’t want to miss what God has for us from His word this week!
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Just Passing Through
1 Peter 4:1-11 | We are told again and again to remember that this world is not our home. It’s hard when the world shouts so many messages to make this world our home.
So what do we do?
In this week’s passage, we get some help to know how to live in this world as we pass through to the next. Tune in Sunday for 3 Characteristics of the Christian Traveler.
Let’s be equipped to live “just passing through...”
1 Peter 4:1-11 | We are told again and again to remember that this world is not our home. It’s hard when the world shouts so many messages to make this world our home.
So what do we do?
In this week’s passage, we get some help to know how to live in this world as we pass through to the next. Tune in Sunday for 3 Characteristics of the Christian Traveler.
Let’s be equipped to live “just passing through...”
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Faith Under Fire
1 Peter 3:8-18 | You will come under fire for your faith at some point. It’s not a matter of if, but when and how often.
You’ll take an unpopular, biblical stand and people won’t like it.
Some of your family may mock you for becoming a “Bible-thumping, Jesus person.”
Some people simply won't like you because of your faith.
You may even travel to parts of the world where you are at a higher risk solely because of being a Christian.
We will, if following Christ, come under fire for our faith.
So...are you ready for it? Do you know how to respond when your faith is under fire?
In this message, we look at four Godly responses when our faith is under fire. Don’t miss this time of equipping from God’s word.
1 Peter 3:8-18 | You will come under fire for your faith at some point. It’s not a matter of if, but when and how often.
You’ll take an unpopular, biblical stand and people won’t like it.
Some of your family may mock you for becoming a “Bible-thumping, Jesus person.”
Some people simply won't like you because of your faith.
You may even travel to parts of the world where you are at a higher risk solely because of being a Christian.
We will, if following Christ, come under fire for our faith.
So...are you ready for it? Do you know how to respond when your faith is under fire?
In this message, we look at four Godly responses when our faith is under fire. Don’t miss this time of equipping from God’s word.
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A Word To Husbands + Wives
1 Peter 3:1-7 | God invented marriage. He said it was supposed to be really good. And yet not enough of His people would describe their marriage as "really good." So let’s have Him change that. Let’s get after pursuing the marriage He has called us to. And that happens as husbands, empowered by the Holy Spirit, heed the commands God has called them to. And it happens as wives, empowered by the Holy Spirit, heed the commands God has called them to. This week, God has a word for husbands and wives. Let’s see what He has to say. P.S. Not a husband or wife? Thinking of tuning in elsewhere this week? There is rich stuff in this passage for every man and woman. You don’t want to miss it!
1 Peter 3:1-7 | God invented marriage. He said it was supposed to be really good. And yet not enough of His people would describe their marriage as "really good."
So let’s have Him change that. Let’s get after pursuing the marriage He has called us to. And that happens as husbands, empowered by the Holy Spirit, heed the commands God has called them to. And it happens as wives, empowered by the Holy Spirit, heed the commands God has called them to.
This week, God has a word for husbands and wives. Let’s see what He has to say.
P.S. Not a husband or wife? Thinking of tuning in elsewhere this week? There is rich stuff in this passage for every man and woman. You don’t want to miss it!
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