Monday, November 25, 2019

Exodus 20:18-21 “Draw Nearer”



When God visited the Israelites on Mt. Sinai, this was the beginning of God drawing near to humanity and the beginning of the reversal of the separation that began after the Fall. The people are called to draw nearer to God at the foot of the mountain, but they choose to stay at a distance. God came down from heaven again in Jesus Christ, in a way that we no longer need to fear drawing nearer to Him. The question is, are you staying at a distance or drawing nearer?


Monday, November 18, 2019

Judges 16:4-22 “Samson & Delilah”



The opening chapters of Genesis tell us that it is not good for man to be alone. Humans need human companionship. But when we begin looking for someone or something, rather than God, to make us complete and whole, our whole world comes tumbling down. It is in Christ alone that we find our identity. Anytime we seek our fulfillment from someone or something else, we can expect to be disappointed. But when we find our fulfillment in God, it brings life and health to our relationships with others.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

John 18:28-40 “Lessons from the Land: Jerusalem”



We all have to make choices. Pontius Pilate did not believe Jesus deserved death, but he chose what was easiest to appease the crowd. Jesus would have liked to avoid a painful death, but he chose to follow God’s path to the cross knowing that it would ultimately bring about the redemption and joy of the world. These two choices are ever before each one of us.


Monday, November 4, 2019

Matt 21:23-32 “Lessons from the Land: The Temple”



After Jesus enters Jerusalem to the acclamations of the crowds, he enters the Temple and cleanses it. The religious leaders ask him by what authority he does this. In this message we’ll talk about the Temple, Jesus’ claim to replace the Temple, and our new identity as God’s Temple. How are Jesus’ followers called to be different from the religious leaders Jesus challenged in the Temple?