Calvary Bible Church-NH

Lamentations chapter 2 continues the writer’s reflection on God’s divine punishment of Jerusalem. The fall of Jerusalem was an act of divine justice, intended to repay a wayward people for their rebellion. It was also love, intended to chasten God’s people to turn them away from their sins. Through sufferings of defeat and exile, God’s people could finally learn not to place their confidence in kings or temples, but only in God Himself. “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves and chastises every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:6

This week, we have the privilege to hear from our keynote speaker and supported missionary Dave Spinale. We encourage you to pray for our missionaries and their families as they serve the Lord in their respective mission fields.

The book of Lamentations is read as reflective mourning over the destruction of the temple and the devastation of Jerusalem. The temple, a symbol of God’s covenant, was destroyed. The people had abandoned their relationship with God, departed from His Word, and transferred their trust from God to political allies and the temple itself. When God’s people abandon Him and depart from His Word, tragedy follows.

Mark 10:17-22 is filled with encouragements, and it’s also incredibly challenging. It reveals some huge realities of our walk with Jesus. Jesus is asking us to treasure Him above anything else. Is the Gospel your greatest joy? Is Jesus your treasure?

Nehemiah 13 brings us to the end of Nehemiah's account, but the work of restoration and renewal is far from over. After leading the people in rebuilding the walls and renewing their commitment to God, Nehemiah returns from a trip to Persia to find the people falling back into old patterns of compromise. This final chapter highlights a sobering reality: our spiritual vitality requires constant diligence and perseverance. Nehemiah's response shows us that spiritual renewal isn't a one-time event—it demands ongoing reform and perseverance in the face of challenges.

Nehemiah 10-12 helps us see that our life's passion will determine the purpose of our life and the person we become.  What specifically about your person, purpose, or passion do you need to rededicate to the Lord today?

Psalm 119:105 says “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Nehemiah 9 echoes this showing that the Word of God leads to spiritual restoration, acknowledging God's greatness and faithfulness, confessing failure and rebellion, and renewing commitment.

What comes to mind when you think of worship? In Nehemiah 7 and 8, we'll see that worship of God restores our spiritual vitality, raises leaders, reinforces identity, roots legacy, recalls truth, and revives community. Worship is the heartfelt expression of our remembrance of God's character and work.

In Nehemiah 6, we see Nehemiah facing intense opposition as he works to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. The enemy’s tactics shift from external force to subtle manipulation. The enemy’s goal is clear: to distract, discredit, and ultimately defeat Nehemiah. But Nehemiah’s responses offer a model for us in spiritual battles today. Spiritual battles can be exhausting and disorienting, but losing sight of who we are in God only amplifies the struggle. In this passage, we learn three critical ways not to lose ourselves in these battles.

We will have the privilege of hearing from our supported missionary from Senegal, Josh Bell, during our morning worship service. You won't want to miss hearing what God has laid on his heart to share with us!

William Gurnall wrote “We fear men so much because we fear God so little.” Do we fear God? Do we understand God's heart for justice? Do we trust in God's justice? Nehemiah chapter 5 shows us that God-fearing people accept the responsibility of confronting injustice and addressing sin, while doing so with courage and a commitment to righteousness.

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah reminds us that spiritual opposition will reappear in different ways in each generation; we must expect it and by God’s grace overcome it.

It is much easier to serve in the face of adversity when you are not alone. Nehemiah Chapter 3 offers us an exciting picture of what can happen when God's people come together. God's desire is for us to come together to accomplish our mission to Glorify God, Love People, and Make Disciples.

As servants of God, each of us have opportunity to Rebuild and Renew our character. To serve God well we must develop our courage, character and competency. Nehemiah illustrates these qualities throughout chapter 2 in his boldness in facing challenges, his integrity in seeking God's guidance, and his competency in planning and executing the rebuilding project. Nehemiah serves as a helpful model for effective and faithful service to God.

Because of God, you can experience a spiritual rebuilding and renewal. God offers bright hope, the hope of fresh starts and new beginnings. In Nehemiah, the people of Israel are given a fresh start. The challenge is following through on living in right relationship with God.

Today we will hear about the recent CBC Mission trips and the joy in receiving and sharing the Gospel.

As we conclude our time in the book of Esther, we reflect on the lessons we've learned. God uses broken and unlikely vessels. God is sovereign and knows what is best for us. Evil will become a victim of its own devices. We must learn to navigate living as followers of God and living as good citizens in a pagan society. What a gift God has given us in the powerful reminder that God is working in all things. Like the Jews, we have much to delight in when we give attention to the person and work of God.

In this passage, we'll look at three lessons of God’s Justice in the Story of Esther: we will reap what we sow, ultimate justice awaits, and when God is for us, none can stand against us. When we truly understand God's sovereignty, it should have an effect on our daily decisions.

Chiastic structure is a literary device in which a sequence of ideas is presented and then presented in reverse order. For example, Ben Franklin said, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." The result is a mirror effect. At the climax of the story's structure, we see the reversal of events that bring life instead of death. Esther and Mordecai actively participate in the unfolding drama of Esther 5:1-7:6. Their courage, wisdom, and strategic actions demonstrate how God uses human agency to accomplish His purposes. We, too, have a role to play in God's grand narrative.

Each of us has the opportunity to reflect on God’s person and work in history and our own lives. Chapter 4 powerfully displays the dichotomy of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility.

In chapter 3 we read of the rise of the villain Haman and his plot to destroy the Jews. This story pictures Haman having all seven of the characteristics that Proverbs 6:16-19 says the Lord hates: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. The story of Esther is another reminder that the greatest of villains are no match for our Great God!

God's plan includes using imperfect people. In Esther 2, we'll see God's silent work, even though Esther and Mordecai had no knowledge that God would use them to save the Jews.

We need to understand that God is at work behind the scenes of history, our present, and our future. When we look at present times we may ask “where is God in our world? What is our responsibility in it all? Where is God when he doesn’t seem to be at work in my situation?” Esther offers us a great example of God’s quiet sovereignty and our responsibility to make righteous choices in our own life for God’s glory and our joy.

As we study the backdrop for the book of Esther, we get a big picture of the Sovereignty of God, and that He is always working His plan regardless of the geo-political chaos or the unfaithfulness of His people.

The Greek word mathētēs refers to a learner or student who is apprenticed to a teacher to learn from him. Simply put, the call to live as "Disciples" of Jesus is a life of learnership.

Conducting our lives amid social, mental, and spiritual battles requires the spiritual strength to do ministry. This spiritual strength comes from the Gospel, and it gives us the tenacity needed to stay strong in the storms of life.

God designed us to walk together so we may stir up one another to love and good works. Today, Pastor Kenny teaches us from the story of Ruth and Naomi that having to walk with others can be messy, but God's work is always worth it.

The mission to Glorify God, Love People, and Make Disciples is worthy of our sacrifice, because the mission is worth it.

Biblical principles empower our ability to reap what we sow. Today we'll look at four principles the Bible gives for generosity: giving systematically, proportionally, cheerfully, and generously.

Our stewardship should be a reflection of Christ's Lordship in our lives. Once we establish that the Lord owns it all our role becomes clear: our stewardship was meant to be used to serve Christ, His body, and to show a lost world the joy and contentment we have in owning nothing this world has to offer.

In our first sermon on what the Bible says about giving, we see that generosity is a gift from our generous God, and it's the outward expression of inward affections.

As we close our series in Colossians, we see that those who follow Jesus are called to grow in our communication, fellowship, and ministry.

Jesus' resurrection makes new life possible (get we can an amen on that?), and because of this new life, we're all on a journey together toward spiritual understanding and maturity as we follow Him. Everyone has a Next Step on their spiritual journey...what's yours?

We have Christ-Centered Responsibilities in our family and work life: in Christ we are responsible to have Harmonious Homes, and by offering ourselves to God through our work, we can reach others with the Gospel.

In the bustling rhythm of our lives, it's easy to lose sight of the profound truth that Jesus not only offers us salvation but also invites us into a transformative journey. As we delve into Colossians 3:1-17, we uncover the profound reality that above all, Christ has the power to reshape our lives, infusing them with purpose and meaning.

In this passage, the apostle Paul addresses the Colossian church, warning them against false teachings. These teachings emphasized external rules, rituals, and self-denial as a means to righteousness. However, Paul emphasizes that true transformation comes from a heart changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, not mere adherence to regulations. To combat deceptive philosophy, we must cling to Christ-Centered convictions.

Christ is all you need to be spiritually alive. Christ is our confirmation, our divine liberator, and our victory.

Last week we were challenged to examine how we have organized our life in light of Jesus’ preeminence. This week, Paul moves into a personal testimony of how he has been changed by this revelation in his own life.

Jesus is above all. Only Jesus can transform us from darkness to light, and apart from Him we are alienated enemies of God. As we study the preeminence of Jesus, we need to ask ourselves....does Jesus have first place in our lives?

As we begin our study in Colossians, we see three responses to Jesus being over all: celebrate, pray, and live as one who is redeemed.

You are responsible to follow Jesus. But what is a disciple of Jesus, why does it matter, how does one live as a disciple, and what is Calvary's role in helping you?

Judgment & Accountability and Forgiveness vs. Accountability can be hard tensions to balance. However, when we recognize our own sin and need for Jesus, judgment yields gracious accountability.  When we focus on the forgiveness we've been given, accountability goes from wanting revenge to wanting good for the other person.

The great spiritual battle comes down to two kingdoms in conflict: the Kingdom of God vs the Kingdom of Self. Only a clear view of God's unending grace can make you love God's Kingdom more than yourself.

Sometimes, things don't make sense to us, and we don't understand what God is doing. Today, we are reminded that God desires to shape us (not destroy us), God reserves the right to deal with us His way, and that God can and will deal with rebellion against His sovereignty.

Scripture frequently presents us with tensions. It offers truths that seem to push and pull on one another. Tension is often a negative word, but tension isn't always an indicator that something's wrong. The more God stretches us, the more he can use us, and the more we will delight in Him. Embracing these healthy tensions leads to spiritual wisdom and fulfillment.

Our plans might be motivated by good intentions and appear to be righteous, but they may still not line up with the Lord's will. Our best response to God's "no" is to say "yes" to what he has for us instead.

Christmas is about God fulfilling a promise woven into the Old Testament: He will be with us, and that's what we celebrate.

On this Christmas Eve morning, we see the responses to the miraculous birth of Jesus our Savior, and how His birth provides hope for our past, present, future, and eternity.

Join us as our Elders will have a special panel discussion sharing how Christmas offers us hope for our present affliction.

Join us for our special Christmas play!

As we begin the season of Advent, where we celebrate the first coming of Jesus, we see that the "peace on earth" that Jesus was born to bring was not political, relational, or internal peace, but rather peace WITH God.

As we finish the story of Joseph, we see how God is faithful, how He empowers faithfulness, and how His faithfulness provides great blessing. Whether or not we understand our circumstances, everything that comes to us in this life is meant for our ultimate good.

Reconciliation is a work of God for His glory and our benefit, and it can never be achieved without transformation. As we continue the story of Joseph, we'll see how Joseph's family is an example of the peace brought by our reconciliation with God.

The consequences of sin can weigh us down or pave the way for repentance and forgiveness, leading to true transformation. Here we'll see how Joseph's brothers desperately needed the transforming power of grace (though they did not know it), which led to reconciliation.

It's Missions Conference weekend at Calvary Bible Church! This morning is a message from our keynote speaker, Craig Cassel, who serves on the Mentoring Oversight Team for Ethnos360 training the next generation of missionaries.

Joseph's high view of God caused him to understand that God is sovereign over all rulers, and so he remained faithful to God despite worldly influence. Even through the hard times, Joseph moved forward with his life embracing the lessons and gift of suffering, all to the glory of God alone.

A high view of God will strengthen our spiritual reflexes amidst trials and tribulation. Joseph knew that God has perfect timing, that God is worthy to be trusted, and that God's process is perfect, and this high view of God gave Joseph confidence to turn to God as his natural response.

In a fallen world, sin and injustice are inevitable, and none of us are exempt from being sinned against. However, knowing that God is with us gives reason and support to flee temptation and walk in righteousness. As we see in Joseph's life, doing the right thing may still lead you to experience burdens or suffering, but we can do the right thing because God is with us.

It is easy to look at dysfunction in our lives and think that God is absent. As we begin this new series on the life of Joseph, we will see how we can trust a faithful and sovereign God.

Join us as we discuss the Life of Joseph in our sermon series "Forged in Faithfulness"

As we close our study in Galatians, we see that our freedom blesses us with the responsibility to care for one another as a committed worshiping community. Finally, Paul reminds us to not boast in ourselves, but rather the person and work of Jesus.

There is a spiritual war happening inside every believer, but thankfully, The Spirit empowers us to resist the flesh, The Spirit produces fruit in our lives, and The Spirit helps us to see others as God sees and thus love as He loves.

If you make the law your identity and you succeed, it will go to your head. If you make the law your identity and you fail, it will crush your heart. Thankfully, we are no longer slaves to the law but are now free to walk in the Spirit.

A human work will only get human results, thus leaving us in bondage. However, we can be confident in God's promises and rejoice that His saving grace is sufficient for our journey.

We are living out a spiritual war against the devil in a fight to believe truth over lies. We need to live solely in the person of Jesus (who is The Truth) and as children of freedom, so that God may produce the life of Christ in us.

The Gospel of freedom promises adoption into God's family. In Christ we are welcomed into God's family of Grace, and our identity as God's child is a springboard into this new life with God's family.

Legalism is self-reliance, which is slavery because we will never be able to do enough to justify ourselves. Obedience to God comes as a result of faith, not as a means of salvation. We must transfer our hope from ourselves to the finished work of Jesus Christ.

The law declares we are guilty, but Christ declares we are free.  Righteousness begins and ends with taking our place as a sinner, utterly in need of God's justifying grace, and our common need for this justifying grace can humbly unite us. The true meaning of freedom is to live the life Christ created us for, free from sin and shame.

As we begin our study in Galatians, we see that Christ alone offers true spiritual freedom and empowers us to live as messengers of freedom in a world that desperately needs hope and redemption.

In our individualistic society, Church membership is often quickly dismissed as unnecessary or an obstacle for people to experience God’s love. As we understand what God has called us to be as a church, we will quickly realize that Scripture lays out clear examples of a committed God welcoming believers into a committed family. A temple has bricks. A flock has sheep. A vine has branches. And a body has members. Church membership is not simply a record of a box we once checked or a sentimental feeling. It should reflect a living commitment.

Disciples of Jesus grow in maturity as they are shaped by His presence and Word. Let’s be a church that grows personally and corporately as we enjoy the power of His Word, the comfort of His presence, and Hope of His promise.

As God's people, we are called to remember and proclaim Jesus' work and person as our identity.

As God's called out people, we have an identity to live from, a community to belong to and a way of life to live in.

Our God invites us to be a gathered people who delight in His presence. This morning we will look at the early Church as they responded to the message of the Gospel and experienced God’s presence in the form of His Spirit TOGETHER. There is much for us to know, think, feel, and do as we seek to understand what it means for us to BE church.

This Sunday please join us for a special service to honor Pastor John and Melody Talley for their faithful service to our Lord and to us at Calvary over the last 23 years.

As we study III John and close the series on John's epistles, we see how faithfulness is defined, applied, and illustrated, and how we are supposed to be faithful both as individuals, and in cooperation with the global Church.

This morning we study II John. Though John's second letter was only thirteen verses, his message was succinct and clear: walk in the Truth, and watch out for false teachers.

As we close our study in I John, we see that our spiritual victory has been secured graciously by Christ and our access to God ensures we have the power to live that victory daily within a body of believers who are committed to glorify God in all they do, to love each other, and to make disciples of all nations.

What is love? Many in society will say "affirm me, don't hurt me!" However, as we study this passage, we'll see the truth about love: its foundation, definition, and the type of love God demands from us.

The spiritual life cannot be lived without biblical truth to guide us, but that truth is under attack! In our study today, we'll see that experiences are not to be our guides in pursuing God's truth; only the Word of God can guide us to His truth. When we guard and are guided by the truth, we will find the biblical community needed for spiritual victory in the battle for truth.

Historic Five Fundamentals of the Faith

 a. Inspiration and inerrancy of the scriptures

 b. Virgin birth and deity of Christ

 c. Substitutionary/vicarious atonement of Christ

 d. Bodily resurrection of Christ

 e. Literal second coming of Christ

We have been given a clear commandment from God to love one another. This is something we are all familiar with, but what does it really mean to love in truth? Social evidence of God’s love can be seen all around us if we take the time to look. We must look beyond the words of love and focus on the actions that demonstrate true love, as commanded by God. Today we will explore how to love one another in a way that honors God and reflects his love for us.

If we think we can be God's children and live our life (or parts of our life) the way we want, we are either totally deceived or completely foolish, but as we'll see today, a consistent and regular encounter with God and His truth can have no other effect on you except to change you!

As we begin our exposition of I John, we see that the dilemma for humanity is that the character of God impacts our relationship with Him, not the other way around. This means that being exposed by the light of a holy God is scary in that it reveals our sin but is comforting because our advocate, Jesus Christ, is there to forgive and cleanse us from all our sin.

Today we begin a series in 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John by reading the letters together, and taking a look at the general background and theme.

As we close our study in the Gospel of John, we see how the disciples had stepped back, which led to utter failure. Yet, their stepping forward and trusting Christ led to huge success. We too must step forward and follow the lead of our Savior who gives life and power to live life.

The importance of the resurrection of Jesus cannot be understated. Paul says that without it, our faith is futile, and we're still in our sins (1 Cor 15:17). As we study and celebrate the resurrection, we give glory to God that this was written so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we may have life in his name.

Tonight we reflect on our Savior, Jesus, and His great sacrifice on the cross on our behalf.

As we study the passage where Judas betrays Jesus, we see that our kingdom values will be tested by our circumstances and demonstrated by our actions during those circumstances. When we focus on the wrong kingdom (like the disciples did), our actions will lead us down the wrong path, but Jesus never lost sight of the will of the Father and His mission to bring salvation full and free to all who put their faith in Him.

The central theme of this chapter known as the High Priestly Prayer is Jesus' desire for the Father's glory and the disciples' welfare. Jesus prayerfully intercedes like a high priest to carry the needs of the people to the almighty God. Some read this prayer as though it were rather gloomy. It is not. It is uttered by One who has just affirmed that He has overcome the world (16:33), and it starts from this conviction. Jesus looks forward at the cross but in a mood of hope and joy, not despair.

As we continue in Jesus' teaching to His disciples, we see that a life without God leads to overwhelming sorrow, but Jesus offers eternal joy for our present tribulation.

As we continue learning from Jesus' teaching to His disciples, we study the Holy Spirit's role in the life of the Eleven, the world, and the lives of believers today.

The world still rejects Jesus and His followers, but we can accept this rejection because Jesus models how to endure it, the Holy Spirit strengthens us to follow and bear witness to Jesus, and God promises acceptance.

Jesus gives two pictures of what it is to be His disciple in Chapter 15. Last week examined the picture of believers as branches who have the privilege of sharing His life and the responsibility of abiding. This week we will examine the picture of believers as friends. Friends of Jesus have the privilege of knowing the will of God and the carrying the responsibility of obeying it. After squabbling over their significance and position Jesus once again reminds His disciples that spiritual friendship with Him is more valuable than their own autonomy.

In chapter 15 Jesus taught His disciples the importance of abiding in Him. He dealt with their relationship to Himself, to one another, and to the world around them. This morning we will focus on His use of the vine and branches metaphor and explore what it would be like to live a life connected to Jesus.

We all need help. Jesus' disciples knew they needed help to navigate the spiritual challenges that surrounded them and awaited them in the future. In the ongoing conversation in the upper room Jesus continues to provide them assurances of God's provision for them and shares of a Helper to come who will help them do great things.

This morning we examine Jesus’ response to His concerned disciples at the news of His impending departure. Jesus comforts them with one of the most beautiful pictures of heaven with clear instructions on how to get there and how we can live in the way of Jesus.

In John 13, Jesus continues to instruct His disciples as part of His private ministry, preparing them for their future benefit when He has gone to heaven. Knowing that they will need to believe that God is worthy of their future sacrifice, Jesus shows His example of glorifying God and loving people.