Jeff Stevens

The message that James brings to believers starts to get more and more challenging as we dive into the text. In this case, James tells us to be doers and not just hearers of the word. Realizing the great work that Jesus has done in us, as we put off the old and put on Christ, helps us to understand what it means to be 'doers of the word.'

James encourages believers to ask God for wisdom. And that God will give wisdom 'generously and without reproach.' Walking through trials, growing in wisdom, boasting in the Lord or humbling ourselves; these are all a part of how the Lord is bringing us forth as His first fruits. In this lesson we learn not to be carried away by our own desires, but to go first to God for the wisdom to persevere!

James is a great book to study as a means of helping us to understand our response to a Holy God through our works. This study begins with an introduction, then moves into the first 4 verses. James sets the stage for his letter by making us understand that we must face trials with joy! Why? Because these trials are perfecting us, so that we will lack nothing!

The last message of the Christmas season has us looking at the magi who come from the east to find the King of the Jews. There is a lot of speculation about their origin, the timing of the visit or even the nature of the gifts they brought. But one thing is certain, they came for one reason, to worship the King of Kings! This is worship fit for a King!

This week we look at the Christmas story from the perspective of the Apostle Matthew. Matthew records the dream that Joseph has where he is told to keep his wife and raise her child and to name him Jesus. We are told that his is all in fulfillment of the Scriptures and that this child will be called, "Immanuel!" This amazing Christmas story reminds us of two important points: we can rely on Script...

Luke 2 reveals to us that the shepherds who were first to hear of the coming of Jesus, responded to that news. What did they do when they heard of the coming Messiah? What did they do when they finally saw the Messiah in that manger with Mary and Joseph? We can most certainly learn something from the response of these shepherds on that first Christmas!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the famous poem and now Christmas song, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." This Civil War era poem draws from the first ever song sung by the angels at the birth of Jesus Christ. This beautiful carol should remind us that in the midst of our Christmas celebrations, we are not just filled with joy for the coming of a baby, but for the coming of the Prince of Peac...

T-shirts, hats, and mugs are all plastered with these sayings that turn Jesus into a punchline. Jesus is most certainly our friend, but He is not our homeboy. Today we will examine Hebrews 1:1-3 to gain some insight on the qualities that Jesus possesses.

Today's culture is purposefully trying to lead people away from God. One way that this is done is through our identity. This study will show that God made us in His image, for a purpose, and for His glory. The Bible is crystal clear about how God made us, and who we are in HIM!

Mark Little shares an important lesson about the words that we use. And not just the words we use, but how we use them. As the church, we are expected to speak in a way that glorifies God. Let this lesson not just address our speech in the church, but out in plain view of the world as well.

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, can you hear her? This study from Proverbs 1 helps us to understand the important call to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of our Lord! It is essential that we are maturing in the faith, as that maturity will help us to bear good fruit!

Chad White walks the church through some very important lessons from the book of James. It is essential to understand that we do not work for our salvation. But our salvation generates a response that involves a desire to do good works. Chad walks us through practical actions of our faith.

In this final lesson from the Epistle to the Hebrews, we discuss that we worship God, knowing that He is the fulfillment of Scripture, the Great High Priest, the Author and Perfecter of faith. He is the only one who is worthy of our continued sacrifice!

Brotherly love in the church, hospitality, honor marriage and sexuality, not loving money, and remembering our leaders. These are all aspects of a believer's response to a Holy God! The Christian walk is more than just saying that we believe, it is also about doing what makes us holy.

This is a message of good news. We worship a Good God who has done all of the work for us. A God that we can rejoice in; because He has already brought us to Mt. Zion. He has already given us an unshakable kingdom! Let our walk and our worship reveal that we know this great hope!

The author of Hebrews shows us a descriptive comparison of Mt. Sinai to Mt. Zion. What a rich picture of the amazing grace that we have in Jesus Christ. A grace that comes without fear. The grace of the New Covenant, bought by our Lord and Savior.

God disciplines us because He loves us. This is an important message for all of us to hear. A Good Father wants what is best for His children; and that sometimes means discipline. Discipline that "yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."

When your faith waivers, when the weight and the sin tries to entangle you, remember what Jesus Christ has done for you on that cross. Remember what He endured for you, so that you will not grow weary!

In this 3rd and final study in our series, By Faith, we discuss the hall of heroes of the faith and how they knew there was a better promise. Chapter 11 has shown us that by faith we can have assurance, that by faith we respond and now we see that there is an amazing promise in Jesus Christ that we have to look forward to. Join us as we wrap up Hebrews 11.

By faith, believers respond to God. The author of Hebrews walks us through some of the Old Testament people who had times in their lives where their responses to situations are clear that they have faith in God. We are all called to a faith that shows an obedient response to God. By faith, we respond to a God who is faithful to us!

To start off this 3 part study, we are going to look at the definition of faith. Then after defining, we see how the author reveals that the "men of old," or Old Testament saints were saved by their faith, not by their works. But the main focus of this study will be so reveal how in our faith we can have assurance.

The author of Hebrews delivers a very tough message about God's judgement towards believers. Like a good Father, God wants what is best for us. But that does not come without punishment when it is due. We have a great reward in Christ Jesus. Because of that, we should have endurance that keeps us from willful sin.

The idea that Jesus Christ is a new and living way would have monumental for the Hebrew audience that heard this letter. But this is not just a letter that is applicable to those Jews who had converted to "The Way." This is an essential message to the church today. When we are saved by Christ, we also have a NEW AND LIVING WAY!

This study from Hebrews 11:11-18 dives into the idea of God writing the law on your heart and on your mind. What implications does that have for believers? Will you be a letter to from Christ to those who need it?

Hebrews 10 gives us some insight into God's plan to prepare the perfect sacrifice for his people. This study helps us to understand that God also has a will for us as well. God wants us to be transformed so can discern his will! That makes us ask the question: What is the will of God?