The Trails Church

Philippians 1:9-11 is a little manual gospel-centered, church-edifying, God-glorifying prayer. Paul prays that the church would know God deeply and hold God as the center of their life together. This morning I would like to make Paul’s prayer for the church at Phillipi, “A Prayer for the Trails Church.”

In Mark 2:1-12, as Jesus speaks God’s Word, grants God’s forgiveness, and demonstrates His authority to rule God’s kingdom as He ushers in the New Creation, we will see three proofs that Jesus is the Savior worthy of all our trust. Because of this, then, our faith can find a resting place in Him.

The text before us today, at its heart, was originally a song that was meant to be sung by God’s people. And like any good song, this one has a good chorus. And while we might not know how the original melody sounded or what chords they used to accompany it, the message of the chorus rings out loud and clear. What I want you to see is that this song has a lot to teach us today–almost 2,000 years a...

Psalm 76 proclaims the victory of God over His enemies, the rescue of His people, and the praise that is rightly due His name. The psalm is marked by two Selahs, natural pauses that shape its movement.

This morning we’ll be in Acts 11:19-30. This is the founding of the church. This is where Antioch was born . This sermon is titled “Elements of Missions DNA”, because we see here, in the first year of the church’s life, 4 very simple things, that will later produce the missions maturity that Antioch is so well-known for. And my prayer for us, Church, is that our time in God’s Word today would summ...

Psalm 75 echoes much of Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2. There, Hannah rejoices over the birth of her son, Samuel. She praises the God who hears the cries of the humble and rules with perfect justice, themes that are all over this psalm. The difference, however, is that in 1 Samuel 2, Hannah is singing because God had already answered her prayers. She had just given her son to serve with Eli. In Psalm...

Psalm 74 is a corporate lament, sung and prayed by Israel in the midst of an unspeakable tragedy that has occurred at the hands of their enemies. And what I want us to see today is that these words were not just meant for a people 2,500 years ago. But that this psalm is just as useful and necessary for God’s people today, especially as we face suffering and hardship from the enemy. The solution th...

There’s an implicit question that first rolls off of the forked tongue of the serpent in Eden. And it was Adam and Eve’s response to this question that plunged all of humanity into a world filled with sin and death in Genesis 3. It is a question facing the people of God in every age: is God good? Psalm 73 explores this question by considering a particular struggle in the life of a believer: the te...

In Romans 1:18, we read that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness. In the final movement of the chapter (vv. 24-32), Paul unfolds what this wrath looks like in practice, in the hearts, minds, and lives of those who have exchanged the truth of God for a lie and, as a result, find every part of life disordered.

Proclaiming the good news of God. Preaching that the Kingdom of God has come near. Calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Mark articulated the mission statement of Jesus in just those two verses. So, fully aware of the threats of mission drift, we are going to look at a big chunk of narrative text that helps us understand the mission of Jesus Christ. And, in so doing, we will hopefully be d...

Romans 1:18-23 begins an extended and difficult diagnosis of the human condition. This presentation of the sinfulness of man begins right here in Romans 1:18.

Romans 1:17 continues to unfold why the Apostle Paul is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The good news is not only the power of God for salvation, it is also the revelation of the righteousness of God, a righteousness received by faith. These verses serve as a summary for the letter, outlining primary themes that follow: the gospel, God, righteousness, and faith. Each of these are doctri...

Galatians 2:20 holds one of the most beloved statements in the New Testament and for good reason. This verse teaches us not only how the Apostle Paul viewed himself but also shows how every true believer is to understand their life: in light of the grace of God given in Jesus Christ.