The Vine Community Church

Jesus teaches on the joy of God in the salvation of the sinner. In contrast to the self-righteous grumbling of the scribes and pharisees, God loves to seek out sinners and rejoices when they're found.

One of the most difficult concepts for many Christians to embrace is the sovereignty of God. When one considers the ramifications of this doctrine, many grow cold, lose heart, or even become antagonistic. However, the way Scripture portrays God's sovereignty is that it is the occasion for joy and hope. In this psalm, we see this reality on full display, as Israel has just suffered a humiliating de...

Ten images of images of the Christ-child.

There is a great cost to following Jesus. Following Him requires us to be willing to relinquish family, self, and stuff as first priority. He is Savior, but also Lord, demanding full allegiance and preeminence in our minds, hearts, and lives.

Five reasons to trust God in times of fear.

Jesus tells a parable that would've been received as ridiculous and ludicrous, but to expose the impossibility of a self-righteous person entering the Kingdom. It comes as judgment upon the religious leaders of Judaism, but a warning to religious people in general.

Self-righteous pride kills the soul, but humble dependence saves the sinner. Jesus teaches the way up is by first going down. The humble will be exalted.

Satan's greatest tools have always been false teachers and false religious systems. They bind and trap people from the true path to heaven. Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of such leaders and demonstrates His power over Satan's greatest tactic.

We are constantly inundated with a message that begs us to place our hope and trust in things that are doomed to fail us. Despite the temptation to trust in mankind, this broken and fallen world, or the promises of this world, the message of the psalmist is crystal clear: God alone is worthy of our trust. In this psalm, David provides three key reasons why we are called to place our faith in God a...

In this psalm, David brings the people into worship of God by drawing out three fundamental ways God displays His grace to mankind: He is Savior, He is Sovereign, and He is Sustainer. Thus, the reflection of the psalmist is clear, in that God is deserving of our worship. As we think of these attributes of God today, the same truth rings through to us. God truly is all of these things and more, and...

Two motives cause Jesus to remain faithful to the cross: His conviction of the word and compassion for the sinner. May this be the motive for every Christian's faithfulness as well.

Jesus teaches who will be included into His Kingdom and who will be excluded. Jesus is the narrow door, but we must possess the key.

John begins his letter to beleaguered Christians by proclaiming the message of Jesus.

Psalm 19 is popular among biblical Christians because God reveals himself through natural revelation in Psalm 19:1-6 and then as if that is not enough reveals much more through his special revelation in Psa. 19:7-11, a section of the Psalm that details the attributes, characteristics, and benefits of His Word, in other words, the work of God’s Word in the heart of the believer. Pastor Bruce will f...

Overview of 1 John

Are only a few being saved? That is the question posed in this text. Jesus' answer is penetrating and difficult. Yet, for those who have eyes to see and a heart to believe, it is life. There is only one way to heaven. It is narrow, but clear. They way is open, but you must find the right door.

To the world, God's kingdom seems insignificant and invisible, but it's coming is inevitable. Jesus encourages His disciples not to lose heart. His purposes will be accomplished in time. The Kingdom of God may not look as many presume it to look, but it's coming is sure.

There is only one answer to the brokenness of a fallen world -- Jesus Christ. Our lostness in sin is unfixable and permanent. However, there is One who can straighten it. The beauty of Christ's person never grows old, and this passage gives another wonderful picture of what God has accomplished through His sympathetic work. For the one who knows their need, Christ mercifully draws near to redeem t...

Jesus illustrates the need to repent with a parable. God's patience is great, but time is of the essence. For no one knows when it will be their final hour. The Lord calls for self-examination to see if our life bears true fruit in keeping with repentance.

What is the purpose of calamity in the world? How do we make sense of evil and suffering by the hands of wicked men and natural disaster? Is God just in these things? Is He trying to send us message? Is all of it merely judgment against unchecked wickedness? And is there something more we're supposed to know? Jesus responds to these questions in a powerful way.