the Cross Orlando

After Easter, the chronological Bible series continues into the book of Acts, focusing on Acts 11 and how the early Jerusalem church, which had held everything in common, was scattered by the persecution that began with the stoning of Stephen, spreading the gospel as far as Antioch.

This Easter message, timed to land on the resurrection chapter of the chronological Bible series, focuses on Matthew 28 and the women coming to the tomb, recounting the details of Jesus' crucifixion and burial and inviting hearers to receive the resurrection as good news.

As the chronological Bible series approaches Easter, this Palm Sunday message focuses on Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem in Luke 19, where he accepts the crowd's praise and declares that even the stones would cry out, reflecting on the fickleness of the hearts that cheer him and soon abandon him.

Building toward Easter in the chronological Bible series, this message examines the teachings of Jesus through the three parables of Luke 15 (the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son), emphasizing that Jesus taught in parables to drive people to action and a way of living rather than mere belief.

A guest speaker continues the chronological Bible series through the first two-thirds of Jesus' ministry, focusing on John 4 and Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, highlighting the theme of God in Christ coming into the mess to meet people.

The chronological Bible series crosses into the New Testament with the birth of Jesus, focusing on John 1 and "the Word became flesh" and on Luke 1's account of Gabriel announcing Jesus' birth to Mary, reflecting on the incarnation as an act only God could accomplish.

Nearing the end of the Old Testament in the chronological Bible series, this message tells the story of Esther and the Jews who remained in Persia under King Xerxes, set against the broader account of the return from exile and God's continued offer of protection to his people.

The chronological Bible series turns to the return from exile, focusing on Ezra 1, where God stirs King Cyrus of Persia to send the exiles back to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, with reflection on the surprising fact that not all the Israelites chose to return.

The chronological Bible series enters the Babylonian exile, recounting Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refusing the king's food, and turning to Jeremiah 29 where God promises through Jeremiah to restore Israel after seventy years.

The chronological Bible series reaches the fall of the kingdoms, as Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar conquers Judah, and the message returns to the Sinai covenant of Exodus 19 to explain that Israel's exile came from breaking the "if you obey my voice" conditions of that covenant.

A guest speaker continues the chronological Bible series with the story of King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18-19, as Judah faces the Assyrian king Sennacherib's invasion and Hezekiah brings the enemy's threatening letter before God in prayer.

Around the halfway point of the chronological Bible series, this message on God's messengers focuses on the prophets Elijah and Elisha, recalling Elijah being taken up in a whirlwind and turning to Elisha warning Israel's king of Syria's attacks in the divided kingdom.

The chronological Bible series covers the division of the kingdom after Solomon, recounting from 1 Kings how Jeroboam leads the ten northern tribes away from Rehoboam, who keeps Judah and Benjamin, and how Jeroboam sets up rival worship in his new kingdom.

The chronological Bible series reaches King Solomon, focusing on 1 Kings 8 and his building of the temple to house the Ark of the Covenant, reflecting on Israel's golden age and on church as something believers are rather than a place they go.

This Christmas Eve message reflects on Luke's nativity account, noting how the story of Jesus is rooted in real history with its mention of Caesar Augustus, Quirinius, and taxes, and connects Bethlehem as the town of David to the chronological series' arrival at Samuel anointing David in 1 Samuel.

The chronological Bible series reaches 1 Samuel, telling of Hannah's prayer, the boy Samuel's calling, the corruption of Eli and his sons Hophni and Phinehas, and Israel's demand for a king in 1 Samuel 8, which God says is a rejection of his own kingship.

Continuing the chronological Bible series in the period of the judges, this message walks through the book of Ruth, situating Naomi's family's move to Moab against the origins of the Moabites and Israel's history with them.

Week seven of the chronological Bible series enters the period of the judges, recalling Joshua's charge to be strong and courageous and turning to Judges 2, where Israel forgets God after Joshua's death and the angel of the Lord moves among the people.

Week six of the chronological Bible series covers Israel's wilderness wanderings, the twelve spies sent into the promised land, and the people's fearful refusal to trust God's promise, drawing on Numbers 11 and comparing their rejection of a scandalously good gift to the gospel.

Week five of the chronological Bible series brings Israel to Mount Sinai, recalling God revealing his name "I am" at the burning bush, the plagues and exodus from Egypt, and the people's fear as God's presence descends on the mountain to give the law through Moses.

Week four of the chronological Bible series reaches the theme of deliverance, following Moses to the burning bush in Exodus 3 where God reveals his name, and reflecting on how God, after working unseen through Joseph, again speaks directly to humanity.

Week three of the chronological Bible series tells the story of Joseph beginning in Genesis 37, his father Jacob's favoritism, the coat of many colors, and his dreams, set within the larger narrative of how God works through Abraham's line to restore creation.

The second week of the chronological Bible series moves through the patriarchs in Genesis, focusing on Abraham, the Abrahamic covenant of land, offspring, and blessing, and his faith in building an altar and worshiping God in anticipation of a promise he could not yet see fulfilled.

This message launches a 31-week journey reading a chronological synopsis of the Bible from now through Easter, beginning with Genesis 1 and the creation account, and reflecting on humanity's longing to understand the beginning and how the story was given through Moses.

Continuing the series on the value of life, this message centers on 2 Peter 3:8 and Peter's letters, asking what it looks like to be found living peaceful, pure, and blameless lives as God's people while awaiting Christ's return.