Growing and Witnessing

JKrue leads us through James 1 to begin our newest Bible Study series on the book of James. He challenges us to view the trials of our lives with joy as they lead us to Christ. 

The author of Hebrews pauses in the middle of his letter to warn his readers of the possibility of apostasy and to encourage us to walk in holiness. Specifically, he tells us to have the same diligence in pursuing the knowledge of God and the full assurance of hope until the end as we do in serving the saints out of love for God and for others.

In our final study of our bible study on 2 Thessalonians, Buzzy helps us to understand Paul's teaching to the church regarding the importance of staying focused on working for the kingdom of God and the betterment of society to keep us out of trouble. 

Jesus taught his disciples how to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world by being different from the world around them. Particularly, we are to be different in our purity and different in our actions. The examples he gives of how we are to be different challenge our commitment to him. 

The author of Hebrews challenges us to fight against the temptation to be lazy in their faith and ignorant in their understanding of the things of God. These twin temptations lead to spiritual immaturity and potential apostasy. The answer is to keep watch on ourselves and pursue a greater understanding of the things of God. 

Jesus is your high priest. What does that mean? Great question. We answer in this sermon from Hebrews 4:14-5:10. Join us.

Jesus fulfills the Law of God. But, how does he do it? Great question. He does it completely in his life, death, and resurrection. His fulfillment of it enables us to fulfill it as well because he lives in us through faith. Join us as we think through what this means for us. 

John walks us through the first chapter of Paul's second letter to the Church in Thessalonica. He uses three subheadings: gratitude, persecution, and the Day of the Lord. It's all interconnected and helps us understand the purpose of suffering and hardship. 

If you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. For today is the day of salvation. If you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. For today is the day of salvation. 

This is a discussion of 1 Thessalonians 5 from our Wednesday Morning Bible Study. May it encourage you. 

Christians are to be salt to the earth and light to the world because God has made us His children through His grace. 

Jesus is the founder of our salvation. What does that mean? It means that he is the one who makes the salvation Christians enjoy possible. He pioneered the work of God's grace by conquering death for each of us. Join us as we think about what this means for us.

We are blessed because we live in a relationship with God, and that blessing is an objective reality. It cannot be changed. It does not depend on our perspective nor experience nor feelings. 

Paul gave the Thessalonians instructions for waking in holiness and for offering comfort to one another in God's grace. We discuss them and their application to us. 

The author of Hebrews begins his letter telling his readers about the way that Jesus explains to us who God is and what His will is for our lives. He tells us that Jesus reveals God to us by His spoken word, by His works and miracles, by fulfilling His Father's testimony, and by the effects of His life and resurrection in the lives of His followers. 

This is the first message in our new Wednesday Evening Bible Study Series on the Sermon on the Mount. We take note of the first 3 beatitudes.

Celebrations are often times for renewal and revival. That was certainly the case for the ancient Hebrews as they gathered to celebrate God's amazing works of grace in their history. Psalm 81 was written for this occasion and challenges us to be doers of the Word and not just listeners.

The prayer of Psalm 80 is for God to restore Judah to himself in His grace. They had turned away from Him and were suffering the consequences of their actions. But, they boldly approached His throne of grace and mercy hopeful that He would restore them to Himself. That is what our loving shepherd does.

Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians is full of hope and encouragement. They needed it given that they became a congregation is some of the most difficult circumstances of all the early congregations. Acts 17 tells of a riot that followed the conversion of the young Christians as well as the continued persecution they experienced. No wonder they hoped in Christ's return.

How do you respond to hardship and difficulty? Do you get angry? Do you blame others? Do you question God's goodness? These questions are important because they cause us to think through how we approach and deal with the challenges and hardships we face in this life. Psalm 79 gives us some great wisdom and instruction that will enable us to cope with regular challenges properly.

In the 11th video of our summer study series on the Westminster Confession of Faith, we work our way through chapter 10 titled -- "Of Effectual Calling." This short chapter is essential to our understanding of how God calls us to Himself and makes that calling effectual to our lives for salvation in Christ. Without the Holy Spirit making the appeal of the gospel effectual to our lives, we would ne...

Why do we do what we do as a congregation? Why do we emphasize teaching our youth and children about the glory and the grace of our God? Why do we care so much about the children of our church? The answers to these questions are in this sermon from Psalm 78. Join us as we work our way through it.

Chapter 9 of the Confession explains the reality of man’s free will. While many opponents of the Westminster Confession’s theological system accuse it of denying free will, nothing could be farther from the truth. The Confession safeguards true human liberty and responsibility in light of God’s sovereignty. 

Psalm 77 is a hymn that is meant to help us work through our emotions when the dark mood hits us. The Psalmist expresses his feelings beautifully, but he also offers hope to us as he lists the commitments of his faith. The light of God is often seen through the commitments of faith in our lives. Join us as we work through the faith commitments of Psalm 77 and apply them to our lives.

Chapter 8 of the Westminster Confession of Faith explains how it is possible for us to live in relationship with God given that we are sinners and under the wrath and curse of God. Our only hope is in Jesus, the mediator of God’s covenant of grace with his elect.