Encounter at Illinois State University / ISU

Moses has an Encounter with a holy God through the burning bush.  How do we make ourselves more aware of God’s movement in our own lives?   (Ex 3:1-10, I Kings 19:11-13, Job 33:14, Rom 1:20, Heb 4:12, Jn 16:13, Col 3:16, Mk 1:35, Lk 5:15-16, Matt 14:13, Luke 6:12-13, Matt 14:23, Matt 26:36-39, Matt 4:1, Zeph 3:17, Is 30:21)

When we try to force God’s hand, bad things happen.  If we have the faith to wait on His timing, we’ll get to see His power at work instead of our own.   (Ex 2:11-25, Ex 1:1, Num 32:33, James 1:14-15, Col 3:5, Rom 8:13, Gal 5:24, Rom 6:6, I Peter 2:24, Ex 14:14, Ps 130:5-6, Ps 37:34, Is 30:18, Is 40:31, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:13, Jn 14:3, Rom 12:2, Prov 3:5-6, Ps 130:5-6)

It may feel like God is distant in the MICRO-transactions of our lives.  But we know through the Word that He is constantly using everything to further His incredible META story.   (Gen 15:13-14, 2 Peter 3:8, Josh 21:45, 2 Cor 1:20, Deut 7:9, Matt 5:17, Heb 8:1-2, I Cor 5:7, Heb 9:20, Matt 27:51, Gen 12:1-3, Gen 22:8, Gen 21:12, Gen 49:10, Jer 23:5, Matt 1:1-17, Rom 8:28, Matt 5:45, I Peter 5...

Because we have been saved by grace, we are called to live a life of loving others even when it’s hard.   (Luke 10:25-37)

God calls us not only to meaningful connection with Him, but also to each other.   (Gen 1-2, I Cor 12:12-20, Col 3:12-13, John 17:11, Eph 3:6, Ecc 4:9-12, Acts 2:42-47, John 13:35, Heb 10:24-25, Ps 133:1)

Our life in Christ takes us into spaces of deep intimacy.  It is far more than knowing about Him.  It is knowing Him.   (Is 41:10, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 23:4, Matt 28:20, Gen 28:15, Jn 10:14, Matt 7:22-23, Ps 139:1-2, Ex 33:17, Gen 4:1, Is 40:26, Prov 4:20-21, Ps 141:1, I Jn 1:1, Prov 34:8, Jn 15:5)

Fall Retreat Session 4 – Sunday AM   (John 20:24-25; Jeremiah 29:13-14; Matthew 7:7; Proverbs 27:17; John 6:67-69)

Fall Retreat Session 3 – Saturday PM   (Daniel 3:19; Daniel 3:22; Daniel 3:24-25; Daniel 3:28-29)

Fall Retreat Session 2 – Saturday AM   (Ecclesiastes 3:1; Esther 4:13-14; Esther 1:16; Esther 1:19; Esther 2:7; Proverbs 16:4; Psalm 139:13-16; Esther 2:20; Esther 4:15-17)

Fall Retreat Session 1 – Friday PM   (2 Kings 5:1-14; Luke 7:11-19; Matthew 14:22-33; Luke 5:12-13)

In our Jesus-following life, we must recognize that He is the ultimate source for truth in this world. (Matt 16:24-25, Gen 1:27, Jn 18:37-38, Prov 14:12, Is 46:9-10, Is 55:9, Ps 86:11, John 14:6, John 17:17, John 3:30)  

While there are many false motives that may lead us to faith, there is only one that sustains our faith. (2 Cor 5:14-15, I Cor 2:2, I Jn 4:10, Matt 18:21-33, Ps 136, Jer 31:3, I Jn 3:1, Rom 5:8, Eph 3:17-19)

1 Peter 2:9 reminds us that followers of Jesus are God’s chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and His treasured possession. This sermon explores what it means to live out that identity, moving from passive consumers to active representatives of Christ in the world. (1 Peter 2:9)

Peter gives us a reminder that our true home is heaven.  If that’s true, how do we go about living in a place that isn’t our home? (I Peter 2:11-12, I Peter 2:4, Eph 2:19-22, Gen 15:13, Ex 2:22, Matt 8:20, Rev 21:3, Jn 1:1-5, Jn 1:14, Jn 13:15, Jn 17:13-18, Matt 5:13, Matt 5:14)

We come to God as living stones of a house, built on the cornerstone of Christ. You’re building a life this year. Pay attention to where you build it, what you’re building with, and the foundation you’re building on. And why. ( I Peter 2:4)

Paul’s “defense” in Acts 22 provides a beautiful glimpse into how we can share Christ with others.  One of the most powerful ways to share the Gospel involves knowing our own story and speaking it. (Acts 22:1-16, I Peter 3:15-16, I Jn 4:10, Rom 8:5-6, Pr 14:12, Is 53:6, Matt 16:24, John 9, Acts 1:8)

In the end of Acts 18, we see Apollos teaching in a way that doesn’t fully represent the Gospel, and Priscilla and Aquila take him aside to help sharpen his gifts and help him become exactly who he needs to be. Proverbs tells us that “wounds from a friend can be trusted.” What does the Bible say about confrontation? How do we handle speaking difficult and tender truth? (Acts 18:2...

When Paul arrives in Athens, he is invited to share the story of God with a very different group of people.  What lessons can we glean from Paul on what it means to interact with people who are completely unfamiliar with Jesus? (Acts 17:16-34, John 17:14-18, I Peter 2:9-12, Phil 3:20, Matt 26:53, Luke 19:10, Matt 5:14-16, John 1:14, Rev 21:3)

Do we know the scriptures well enough to know when things are said that aren’t true? Do we examine the Scriptures to see if what we hear is true? What is our source of Truth? How do we understand it? (Acts 17:1-15)

Paul and Silas, beaten and thrown into prison, sing their songs to the Lord.  What does this teach us about the difference between pleasure, happiness, and joy? (James 1:17, Acts 16:16-40, James 1:17, Rom 15:13, John 15:9-11, Gal 5:22)

We think of idols as remnants of ancient civilizations, and yet each of us has a heart that is quick to produce them.  How can we recognize this worthless form of worship for what it is? (Isaiah 44:9-20, Acts 14, Ex 32:19-20, Ps 144:2, Ps 139:1, Ps 56:8, Jer 31:3, Col 3:1-5, I Cor 11:1, Ps 121)

The people of God earnestly pray for Peter and he is miraculously rescued from prison.  But how do we live in a world where we do not always see an immediate healing or resolution when we pray?  Dr. Cedric Williams joins us for a conversation where we explore how this overlaps the world of mental health. (Acts 12:1-17, Matt 7:7-8a, James 5:16, Matt 17:20, 2 Cor 12:7-10, John 16:33)

Barnabas might not be a flashy superstar in the New Testament, but his strong influence in Paul’s life is a great reminder of how we help others become who God has called them to be. (Acts 11:19-30, Acts 4:36, Acts 9:27, Acts 12:25, Prov 27:9, Gal 5:22ff, Matt 7:1-5, Acts 15:36-40, Gal 2:11-15, 2 Tim 4:11)

Winter Retreat- Session 4- Sunday AM

Winter Retreat- Session 3- Saturday PM