The Increase

It's a question you’ve probably heard before:  Isn’t the Bible full of errors?   Many people today are skeptical about the Christian faith because they’re skeptical about the Bible’s truth or trustworthiness. So how can you answer this question? How do we know we can really trust the Bible?   

It's one of the most popular objections to Christianity. With evil being so dominant in today’s world, is this proof that God doesn’t exist— or that He’s powerless or unloving?  What can Christians say about the problem of evil? How does the Bible shine light on this difficult subject? 

When Jesus tells the story of a lost coin and a woman’s desperate search for it, what can we learn about pursuing people who are far from God? How should you view those friends, neighbors, and co-workers who are still far from faith?   (Lost and Found, part 2)

In Luke chapter 15, Jesus told three of His most famous stories. But these stories weren’t about entertainment value— they were meant to teach dynamic spiritual truth. So what are some of Jesus’ perspectives when it comes to spiritually lost people? How might you need to adjust your attitudes and actions when it comes to reaching wayward people?  (Lost and Found, part 1)

It's one of the most heart-warming examples of “amazing grace” in the Old Testament. King David initiates a meeting with a disabled man that would forever change the man's life. As we consider this true story, how does it illustrate God’s grace in your life and mine?  *Communion Message 

Not long ago, a woman named Jennifer survived a tornado’s terrible fury by clinging to a tree outside her Alabama home.  In today’s secular world that swirls with false teachings and religious frauds, how can you stay spiritually safe?  (Jude: Fight for the Faith, Conclusion)

Whenever we heard the word “villain”, we typically think of the bad-guy character in a book, TV show, or movie. But when Jude wrote to Christians, he wanted us to know that there are real-life villains to contend with who are corrupting true Christianity. How can you spot these religious villains in today’s world?  (Jude: Fight for the Faith, part 4)

In that famous movie The Wizard of Oz , Dorothy and her friends expose the mighty Oz as a pretender and a fraud. As we look at Jude’s letter, how does he pull back the curtain on false teachers? As a Christian, what red flags should you look for when it comes to false teachers in today’s world? (Jude: Fight for the Faith, part 3)

Not long ago, a North Carolina couple was attacked outside their home by a wild bobcat. In that moment, they were forced to fight.  In Jude’s opening verses, he urges Christians to fight for Christianity; to protect it from false teachers who would damage or destroy it.  So what does this fight look like for you? ( Jude: Fight for the Faith , part 2)

Jude was one of Jesus’ half-brothers, and a powerful defender of Christianity. He even wrote one of the letters of the New Testament. But in his early years, Jude was a doubter and a skeptic. So how did a doubter turn into a defender?  What hope is there for your agnostic or atheistic friends coming to faith in Jesus?  ( Jude: Fight for the Faith , part 1)

If you’re learning something new or doing something for the very first time, common sense says to have someone teach you or coach you along. So what can you learn about doing ministry from an experienced Christian like the Apostle Paul?  What is the right way to do ministry for Jesus? (JESUS+Me, conclusion) 

If you’re going to be successful in your mission for Jesus, then you need to listen closely to the vital details that Jesus wants you to know.  How can ordinary people like you and me spark a spiritual revolution? (JESUS+Me, part 3)

In a lively conversation with two sisters, Jesus reveals three incredible insights that can help moms (and everyone else) overcome the burdens of busyness. How can stressed-out, burned-out, worn-out moms recover their sense of balance and joy?   (Mothers Day 2022) 

If you could sit with Jesus on a park bench for just one hour, what questions would you ask Him? Good interviewers know how to ask good questions. So if you unleashed the best questions, what would Jesus tell you about your mission in today's world?  (JESUS+Me, part 2) 

Ask an average Christian about the mission of the church, and you’ll get a variety of answers about launching churches, showing love, and meeting needs. But what is the primary mission of the church? What does it mean that we’re “sent” by Jesus? (JESUS+Me, part 1)

If you uncovered an expensive treasure at your local Goodwill or thrift shop, you would do your homework to authenticate that item as the real thing. As we look at Jesus’ resurrection, how do we know it’s really authentic? How do we know it wasn’t a setup or a fraud?  (Easter Sunday 2022)

When Jesus made His way into Jerusalem, He knew that the religious elites were out to get Him. So what made this journey so dramatic? What was the mood of the moment, and how were the disciples feeling?  What feelings and responses should this event stir up in you? (Marked Man, part 1)

Over the past two years, we’ve all been living in some stressful times, from Covid outbreaks to race riots to killer gas prices and now war in Europe. Are you feeling stressed out? How can you take your finger off the panic button, and find some genuine peace?    

When Jonah preached in Nineveh, a mighty revival swept across the city. But Jonah wasn’t glad, he was mad!  So what did God do to reshape Jonah’s heart? And what challenging questions might God ask you, as He reshapes your attitudes and actions?  (The Runaway, part 5: Conclusion)

When Jonah finally preached in Nineveh, the results were shocking. Without a doubt, God moved mightily in this mighty city. So what does this Scripture reveal about the Lord’s character? And where does your character need to be shaped and changed? (The Runaway, part 4) 

When God appointed a giant fish to swallow Jonah, this presented Jonah an opportunity to reflect on his life and his relationship with the Lord. What led to Jonah's spiritual breakthrough?  What places might God bring you to, in order to see you have a change of heart? (The Runaway, part 3)  

When Jonah boarded a ship trying to run away from God, he had no idea that God was about to get his attention in a big way.   So as we continue Jonah’s story, how did God get his attention?   How might God be trying to get your attention regarding spiritual things? (The Runaway, part 2) 

Runaways are pretty common in today’s world, but can you  imagine one of God’s servants saying a hard “no” and attempting to run away from Him? What massive mistakes did Jonah make? And what valuable lessons can you apply to your spiritual life?  (The Runaway, part 1)

In American TV and movies, the good guys often face a bomb that will explode unless they defuse it correctly.  Spiritual gifts are so powerful, but use them with the wrong attitude the church is going to get hurt.  So what is the ultimate attitude that empowers your spiritual gifts? (WIRED, conclusion)

For many Christians today, the topic of spiritual gifts seems really confusing— like a bunch of tangled up extension cords. So how you can find some clarity and get rid of the confusion on spiritual gifts? (WIRED, part 3)