The Cross and the Crown

The heart of Paul's letter to the Philippians is found in chapter 2:5-11. As grace bookends the letter, prayer insulates it as the advance of the gospel takes center stage in the aim of the Christian walk. 

In this 2nd part of our introduction to Paul's letter to the Philippians, we see the sovereignty of God at work in the building the church. From Daniel 7 to Revelation 5, how does Acts 16 and the founding of the church at Philippi work into God's plan of reaching the nations. 

Imagine Paul, on the verge of penning his letter to the Philippians, looking back a decade prior to the founding of the church. Imagine the thoughts and joy that flooded Paul's heart as he retraced his steps in Philippi. Acts 16 gives us a stirring account of Philippi's first converts that is a glimpse into understanding the intense emotions poured out by Paul toward the believers there. 

With Ephesians 1:7 (In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,) as our banner verse, we will examine the question: "What does it mean to be redeemed?"

With Ephesians 1:7 (In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,) as our banner verse, we examine the question: "Why do we need redemption?"

With Ephesians 1:7 (In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,) as our banner verse, we answer the question: "Who is our Redeemer?"

In this episode, Kolby, Cory, Landon and Dustin tackle questions from the audience. 

What does it mean to be a healthy church? Looking into Paul's letter to the Philippians, Cory explains how the gospel that drives us into the arms of Christ unites us hand in hand with one another, transforming us into the image of Christ our Savior. 

"If God is sovereign, we are absolutely immortal until we finish the work that God has given us to do." As Cory, Kolby, Landon, and Dustin examine evangelism, Cory offers golden quotes for the glory of God. 

How are we to live as individual members of a larger body? What are the positive and negative consequences when we engage and disengage from the body?

In session 2 of Nights of the Roundtable, Kolby, Landon, Cory, and Dustin discuss the importance of preserving the gospel. How do the 5 Solas give us practical guardrails for the faith? Sometimes they even say smart things.

The Church that God is building has been delivered from the bondage of slavery to sin and is tasked with proclaiming the excellencies of the One who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

The beginning of a three-year journey into praying for every people group across the world finds its footing in part 10 of our study through the spiritual disciplines. In Ephesians 3:14-21, we see a picture of a suffering missionary in chains. But, no  earthly chains have the power to bind an immortal soul that has been set eternally free in Christ. Thus, we go as Christ came and Paul followed, co...

In this first session of "Nights of the Roundtable," Kolby, Landon, Cory and Dustin discuss Landon's sermon: "What is the gospel?" Is it as Landon stated, that "God sees you (the believer) now in the work of Christ, and He is conforming you into that image, so that there will be a day that you look like the place you stand in." If this is really true, should we expect the world to be changed by th...

We've all heard the Church called many names (some better and some worse). But what does God call it? 

In this concluding message on discipleship, Kolby Russell wonderfully reminds us of the simple and beautifully profound truth found in Colossians 1:28-29: "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." In this message, Kolby brings out 5...

C.T. Studd once said: "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." How do we weave and leverage our stories of redemption in sharing the gospel? How do we make the most of the time we have been given for the glory of God? Paul, in Acts 25 and 26 gives us an excellent example of how we can use our personal stories, brimming with failure and brokenness, to point a bro...

What spurs and drives the prayers of Paul? What are those prayers rooted and grounded in? How do these prayers change the main motivations of our own prayers?

What is the Great Commission? Is it optional for us as believers? In this next installment of our sermon series through evangelism, Kolby Russell confronts us with the Church's call to grow and expand the Kingdom of God through the power of God for the glory of God, leaving us with the question: "How will you respond to such an amazing call?"

As we have God's voice to us in His Word, we have God's ear in prayer. The blessing of prayer is founded in the truth of our blood bought access to God, not simply as our Creator and King, but our loving Heavenly Father. 

In Acts 17, we see Paul establish a pattern in his evangelism that clings tightly to the gospel in the midst of persecution, rejection, and acceptance. We find ourselves surrounded by competing worldviews today. In this message from Landon Key, we are confronted and comforted by the the confidence, commitment, and genuine concern of Paul for those whom God has placed in his path. 

As we share the gospel of God, who shall raise those who are dead in sin to life? We find in Scripture that the Holy Spirit is necessary for this work of regeneration. It is by His power that men are cut to the heart and made new. 

Memorization fuels meditation for the glory of God. As the Word floods our minds, the Word floods our heart through meditation as we grow in intimacy with Christ and in conformity to Christlikeness. 

What does evangelism mean? What does evangelism look like? As Cory dives deep into this topic, we find a depth of beauty at the heart of the gospel that compels us to urgently and lovingly share the good news of Jesus Christ. We also find practical footing in the misconceptions about what evangelism means, while leaving us joyously encouraged to run headlong into the world and deliver this marvelo...

Paul delivers a clear and concise definition of the gospel in the opening verses of 1 Corinthians 15. In Galatians, Paul fiercely defends the gospel against distortions of legalism and antinomianism. We see the beauty of the battle cry of the Protestant Reformation come alive in Galatians, as Paul reminds his readers then and today of the beauties of salvation that is by grace alone, through faith...