Maranatha Teachings

John 3:16 is perhaps the most widely used evangelistic verse in the New Testament. In light of John's entire Gospel, what does it mean to believe in Jesus? Join us as we examine John's exposition of faith and the various types of "believers" Jesus encountered and what he required of them and ultimately of us.

In this dynamic episode, we examine who "the least of these my brothers" (Matt. 25:40) are in light of the context of the entire book of Matthew. Give a listen as we discuss the benefits of reading aloud, review some of the history of how Scripture was published, and gain clarified insight into the meaning of Jesus's prophetic Olivet Discourse as recorded by Matthew.

In this dynamic session, we grapple with three very familiar verses and concepts: the fire baptism in Matt. 3:11, the cattle on a thousand hills in Ps. 50:10, and the thief in John 10:10. What do these verses mean in the paragraph and portion context of where they appear. If you like me learned these verses as proof texts of particular ideas, the answers may surprise you.

This episode begins an equipping series on improving our study of the Scriptures through contextual understanding. Using Dr. Craig Keener's helpful guide, The Bible in Its Context: How to Improve Your Study of the Scriptures, we begin to examine the pitfalls of building beliefs and understanding based on proof texts and word studies alone. Join us as we through contextual reading unravel the apparent contradiction between Romans 3:28 (one is justified by faith apart from the works of the law) and James 2:24 (a person is justified by works and not by faith alone).

In our concluding episode on the Apostles' Creed, we unpack the Christian hope contained in the declaration that we believe in "the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting." Join us in this lively, insightful, and powerful discussion on the realities of forgiveness, the transformative nature of the resurrection, and our eternal embodied future in a redeemed and renewed creation.

Regardless the number of denominations and multiplicity of houses of worship, the church of Jesus Christ is singular. He is the head and we are his body. We are called to eagerly maintain the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of peace. But why are there divisions and what is truly heresy? And why do we call it "church" anyway? Join us as we discuss the words in the creed, "I believe in . . . the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints."

In this episode, we look at the impact the creeds had on the canonization of the New Testament as we examine the Person of the Holy Spirit and his function within the Godhead.

Long before Tolkien put pen to paper, the mightiest king known to mankind promised to return. In the words of the Apostles' Creed: He will come to judge the living and the dead. Join us as we examine Christ's arrival for his bride and the renewal of all things and the implications these truth on our present lives.

Humanity has gone through numerous trials in the past two thousand years, replete with plagues, wars, famines, and natural disasters. The witness of Scripture is that during this same time, Christ has been seated at the Father's right hand in heaven and placed as regent of the universe. Is this just fancy or are things really getting better? What are the practical implications of Christ actively ruling the cosmos and the culmination of the history of the age? Join us as we continue to delve into the treasure trove of truths contained in the reality of Christ's ascension and exaltation.

In the resurrection, Jesus overcame the penalty for humanity's sin. In the ascension, Christ not only returned to his former glory, he also ushered in a new era for mankind. Join us as we follow the Master from his dramatic proclamation during the Feast of Tabernacles that he would pour out the Holy Spirit to his enthronement at the Father's side and see what was set in motion at the beginning of the session of Christ.

In the words of the Apostles' Creed:

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

In this episode, we set the groundwork for understanding what was declared and accomplished in the ascendancy and glorification of Jesus the Messiah. Join us as we travel from the gates of Hades to the Mount of God and all the way into the heavens.

Without the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, Christianity would collapse like a house of cards. Our preaching would be found false, our faith in vain, and our sins remaining. But he rose and is alive forevermore! Join us as we examine the reasons why the resurrection was necessary in our continued study of the Apostles' Creed.

In this powerful episode, we conclude our discussion of Christ's conquest over the realm of the dead and the impact it has for the community of faith. Join us as we delve deeper into the underworld and come out on the other side with the Victor.

What was the purpose of Jesus's descent into the underworld? Join us in this lively discussion of Scripture's description of the realm of the dead and the Old Testament saints' view of it.

Aside from the tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea, where did Jesus go during the three days and nights he was buried? The Apostles' Creed proclaims that he descended to the dead. Join us as we examine this doctrine and what it has meant for New Testament saints ever since.

In the powerful episode, we examine Jesus's defeat of the evil kingdom by way of the cross and how to walk in cruciformity, a life identified with and led by the cross.

In the words of the Apostles' Creed, Jesus "suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried." Picking up from our previous episode (The Scandal of the Cross), we delve into Jesus's proclamation of his impending death and the sign of the prophet Jonah. In this episode, we have slaughtered lambs, sacrificial doves, toppled temples, lifted serpents, and sea monsters, oh my.

In this episode, we look at the cultural context of crucifixion and how Jesus's disciples and detractors would have heard and thought regarding his public execution. Join us for this sobering and empowering look at our Lord's sacrifice, the One who suffered under Pontius Pilate.

We continue our series on the Apostles' Creed based on Michael F. Bird's work in his book What Christians Ought to Believe. The Incarnation is the greatest wonder and mystery of this era of human history. God entered his creation in human form to save it. Join us as we delve into the fulfilled promise that is Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. (Along with Bird's work, I also am indebted to Robert P. George and Christopher Tollefsen and their book Embryo as well as O. Carter Snead's What It Means to Be Human.)

The first part of the Apostles' Creed states:

I Believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ,

his only Son, our Lord.

Join us as we discuss the deep theological truths of the incarnation of the Son of God and the revelation of the Father through the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

That the God we worship is the Creator of heaven and earth was a foundational tenant of the apostles of Jesus Christ. In this powerful sharing, we examine the encouraging implications that our heavenly Father is the Creator of all we see, including us. Furthermore, we find that the language of creation is the language of salvation. Finally, we look at the comfort trusting our faithful Creator brings.

In this episode, we examine faith, fatherhood, and fortitude. We look at the dynamics of an open, trusting relationship with God, what it means to have a loving Father, and how the all-powerful Creator of the heavens and the earth exerts his might for our complete redemption.

This episode begins our new series on the Apostles' Creed based on Michael F. Bird's book What Every Christian Ought to Believe. Join us as we examine the history and importance of Christianity's historical creeds, their impact on the biblical canon, and their importance and benefit for us today.

In this final episode of our series, we examine the healthy functioning of the body of Christ as its members use the grace bestowments of God in their midst. Along the way we explore purpose, identity, and functionality as individuals and as a community of faith. If you have ever received instruction on "motivational gifts" out of Romans 12, you'll be blessed to find that the text has richer truths to reveal to us than a personality battery.

Fear not, this is not a polemic against "new age" crystal faith or ESP practices! In this powerful episode, we take a fresh look at Romans 12:2 and what it means to have a renewed mind.

Sister manifestation to speaking in unknown tongues, inspired interpretation through the Spirit brings tongues out of the prayer closet into the congregation for the edification of all. Join us as we examine this simple and profound manifestation of the Spirit, how it is accessed, and how it is to be employed in the congregational setting.

In this episode, we continue our examination of the Holy Spirit manifestations listed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12. If you are curious about the phenomenon of "speaking in tongues" or are a seasoned charismatic, the information here may surprise you. We investigate tongues in light of biblical theology and the Deuteronomy 32 world view.

If you, like me, were taught that discerning of spirits had to do with identifying evil spirits and casting them out, this episode is for you. If you were taught that it had to do with keen insight in to human motivations and nature, this episode is for you. In fact, since the first letter to the Corinthians is for the church, we all stand in need of a clear Scriptural understanding of the grace endowment of discerning of spirits. Join us in this powerful and equipping sharing on a gift that the church desperately needs to embrace.

In this exciting episode, we look at the Apostle Paul's encouragement to the church to "earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy." Join us as we explore biblical examples of prophecy in action and learn the principles of spiritual utterance.

In this episode, we begin our examination of prophecy as an expression of the Holy Spirit's presence in and among God's people in the Old and New Testaments and the nuances of the term "prophet."

In this energetic episode, we move into the more "spectacular" manifestations of the Spirit. But first, we examine the firm foundation of our faith in the accomplished work of Jesus and God's gracious endowments sovereignly apportioned through his people.

In charismatic circles, the "word of knowledge" is spoken of much, confidently defined, and often illustrated through narrative examples in Scripture or personal anecdotes. But is the common understanding of this manifestation of the Spirit what Paul meant when he listed the "utterance of knowledge" in 1 Corinthians 12:8? Join us in this lively discussion and enlightening sharing as we search the Scriptures to find what this grace endowment truly is.

In this exciting episode, we begin our examination of the grace endowments classified by Paul as "the manifestation of the Spirit." The apostle begins his list with "the utterance of wisdom." Popular works have classified this manifestation as "the gift of wisdom," but what does the context of 1 Corinthians show this manifestation to truly be? Join us as we take this refreshing, textually driven view of this much ill-defined Spirit-empowerment.

Much hay is made of the list of gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, especially (though not exclusively) in charismatic circles. In this episode, we examine this list in context of this letter to the church in Corinth and the structure of Paul's argument in the chapter to better grasp not only the problem he was addressing, but the point of what he was saying. Join us in this lively and informative session.

In this episode, we examine how understanding biblical genres helps us make better sense of what God is telling us through the Scriptures. Springboarding from our last session, we follow Paul as he returns to Judea and Antioch and observe the arrival of Apollos in Corinth and the circumstances that brought him there. These insights from Acts prepare us for the content of 1 Corinthians and the context for the Apostle Paul's discussion of the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12.

In this exciting episode, we examine Paul's second missionary journey and the Macedonian call that ultimately led him to Corinth. This session in our Living in the Outpouring series provides some of the historical and biblical background to the church in Corinth that Paul planted and the recipients of the letter we call 1 Corinthians. Join us as we take this fascinating journey through the ancient world with the apostle and what it teaches us today.

Have you ever wondered about "spiritual gifts" or taken a "spiritual gifts" test? In this episode, the third installment in our Living in the Outpouring series, we begin to examine the textual layout of the gift listed by Paul in his letters and compare them to the common arrangements made when these gifts are taught. The findings are encouraging and surprising. Join us as we begin our dive into God's Gracious Endowments.

In this challenging episode, we examine the implications of Jesus claiming his body as the temple and why it is that God does not dwell in temples made with human hands. This truth is what Stephen confronted his accusers with and informs our understanding of what it truly means to have a renewed mind.

This episode kicks off Season 6 of the podcast with our new series, Living in the Outpouring. We begin with the outpouring on Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit amplified and changed the community of disciples Jesus had at his ascension. Join us as we examine the Scriptures and share testimonies of about the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit.

In this episode, recorded on 12/30/24, we look at the impact of the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. God's purposes are show in the outcome: people repenting and coming to Christ and the development of a transformed community that cared for one another sacrificially. This episode is our final installment in the Acts 2 - Pentecost series and caps off the fifth season of our podcast.

In this episode, recorded on December 23, 2023, we examine the incarnation narratives in Scripture and various artistic representations of the Christmas story. Were the gospel writers aiming for the modern ideal of historical precision or theological truth? Join us as we delve into the inerrancy of Scripture.

In this episode, recorded during the 2023 Christmas season, we examine Peter's Pentecost message in it's Scriptural and cultural context. Why was it that those who heard his message were "cut to the heart"? Why of all his prophetic options did he choose to quote Joel and David? What was he proclaiming to the crowd was the reality of Jesus the Messiah? Join us as we dive into the wonder of the Scriptures to see the answers.

To the skeptics who accused them of being drunk, Peter declared that what they were witnessing was the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy about the outpouring of the Spirit in the last days. Join us in this next session in our series Acts 2 - Pentecost as we examine the significance of "the last days" in the Old Testament and gain a deeper view of prophetic fulfilment in biblical theology.

In this episode, we continue our Acts 2 - Pentecost series, looking particularly at Acts 2:5-13. Who were the peoples assembled in Jerusalem that witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of tongues? What was the theological messaging in their listing? Join us as we examine the textual evidence that ties the day of Pentecost to the Babel narrative in Genesis 11 and what it means for us, the new covenant people of God.

The day of Pentecost was the birth of the New Testament church, the body of Christ, the Temple of the living God. How does its establishment compare with the inauguration of the Old Testament shrines? Join us as we look at the attendant signs on the day of Pentecost and how they resonate with the appearance of the glory of God in the Old Testament.

In this fourth installment of our Acts 2 - Pentecost series, we examine the who and where of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

In this episode, we examine the disciples' activity in the intervening days between the Lord's ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Though we live in the age of the outpouring, we can learn much from the apostles as they prepared for the coming of the promise of the Father. Join us as we examine the impact of unity on our prayers and how the Father answers the Lord's prayer. [This is installment 3 of 9 in our Acts 2 - Pentecost series.]

In this second installment of our Acts 2 - Pentecost series, we look at the promise of Pentecost and how Jesus's disciples and contemporaries understood the implications of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as spoken about by the prophets. Join us as we examine the vital need of the Spirit's presence and power to carry out our mission to make disciples of all nations.

In this introductory session to our Acts 2 - Pentecost series, we examine Jesus's post-resurrection encounters with his disciples and his promise to send the Holy Spirit from the Father. Along the way, we discuss the nature of Scriptural inspiration, the character of Christ, and the Hebrew Bible's context for the outpouring of the Spirit.

In this episode, we look into the transformation of the heart brought to the redeemed by the Holy Spirit and how it enables us to walk in the heart of the law: to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. In the powerful meditation on love, we gain deep insights into the character of our God and the image in which we were created.

In this powerful episode, we traverse the waters of the Exodus and follow its streaming theme through the prophets to the ultimate fulfillment of the promise of the Father to pour his Spirit out on all flesh. Along the way, we gain greater context for the ministry of John the Baptist, Christ's accomplishment on the cross, and the "already but not yet" gathering of all the children of Israel on the day of Pentecost.

In this sharing, we reflect on the significance of Jesus breathing on his disciples and saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit." House churches are organic gatherings, replete with dialogue, testimony, and the ambient sounds of infants playing and the agape meal being prepared. Join us in this heartfelt discussion about our need to be continually filled with the life of Christ.

Water flows as a theme throughout the Gospel of John. Join us as we examine being born of "water and the Spirit" and the promise of living water from Jesus, the only source of eternal life.

What does it mean to trust in His name? How are we to advance His kingdom through the use of His name? How has Jesus placed His name in us? In this final session in our Battle Lines series, we discuss the spiritual warfare of evangelism and review the theology and significance of the name of the Lord.

In this powerful episode, we examine how it was that the Son of God entered a rebellious world and defeated all the powers of darkness through His obedient death. Join us as we discuss how Jesus dealt with and rectified the rebellion of Genesis 11 and how He reigns as King of kings.

Demons are rare in English Old Testaments, yet once Jesus comes out of the wilderness, demons and the demonized confront him at every turn. Why do we find such a proliferation of demonic and evil spirit appearances in the New Testament? Aside from casting them out in the course of his earthly ministry, how did Jesus address the corruption demons cause? In this lively and powerful episode, we lift the language veil on Old Testament evil spirits and dive into the New Covenant answer for the rebellion of Genesis 6, the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven by Jesus, the Spirit of truth that leads us in paths of righteousness.

In this powerful message, we discuss the gospel in creation, the symbol of the serpent in the wilderness, and our Lord's defeat of the evil on the cross.

Having examined the impacts of the three rebellions in the early chapters of Genesis, in this episode we begin to unpack how Jesus delivers us from the consequences of sin. Return to the garden with us as we discuss the woman's deception by the serpent, the man's transgression against the covenant of God, and Jesus's rescue of us from death to give us life eternal.

One of the grandest building projects of the ancient world, the Tower of Babel, was disrupted through direct divine intervention. What would cause God to come down and stop man from building? Though massive, it wasn't its size or height. The Great Pyramid of Gaza is substantially larger on both counts and still rises above the desert floor today. Something of greater importance was at stake. God's response to humanity's rebellion in the plain of Shinar resonates throughout the rest of Scripture. Join us as we discuss this third rebellion, its impact on mankind, and its resolution in Jesus.

In this episode, we examine the second major rebellion in the book of Genesis, the cohabitation of the sons of God with the daughters of men. Who were these "sons of God" and how is it that their actions necessitated the blotting out of mankind and animals from the face of the earth? Join us as we grapple with these questions and the implications their answers have for us today.

In this episode, we dive into the first of the three rebellions of Genesis 1-11 and examine the identity of the serpent, the nature of God's foreknowledge and its impact on man's free will, and the surprisingly few instances Adam's sin is mentioned in the Old Testament.

In this powerful episode, we examine God's commitment to His word and the lengths He went through (and will go through) to bring His declared purposes to pass. Join us as we examine the significance of being made in God's image to ultimately be transformed into the image of Christ.

In this thought provoking episode, we discuss the cultural context of Genesis 1, its polemic intent, and the process of Scriptural interpretation in our examination of the implications of God making man in His image.

In this packed episode, we examine the language of creation and its intentional illustration of God's dwelling place. Join us as we look into the intricate structure of Genesis and meditate on what it means to be the temple of the living God.

In the introduction to this new series, we look at the principles and difficulties of divine communication through the lens of Jesus's interaction with Nicodemus in John 3. Along the way, we learn about how God encodes messages to us, principles of Scriptural interpretation, and the witness of the cosmos.

In this episode, we review the significance of the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) in Scripture and in second temple Jewish culture. Along the way, we delve into the connections between the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was outpoured and the tower of Babel where the nations were disinherited. We land on the Spirit's cry in our hearts of "Abba! Father!" and what that signifies for us.

In this episode, we look into the faith of the father of faith, Abraham. His responses to God's promises and the Lord's strengthening of his faith are a great encouragement to us as we walk in trusting relationship with our heavenly Father. Join us as we journey with Abraham from faith to faith.

This episode is the closing message of our God with Us series. In it, we jump forward into the halls of heaven to hear the saints singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb and jump back to the celebration in Exodus 15 after the crossing of the Red Sea and Moses's song of warning in Deuteronomy 32 before the children of Israel cross the Jordan. Join us in this epic look at redemption and the triumph of our King, the King of kings, Jesus Christ.

Having laid much groundwork for a deeper understanding of John 10 in Parts 1-6, we return to the start of the chapter for an exercise in reading the Scripture in context. All of us are used to reading verses in certain ways. In this sharing, we ask "who is the thief in John 10:10?" and "who was Hosea prophesying to when he said, 'I will say to Not My People, "You are my people"'?" (Hosea 2:23; Romans 9:25). Along the way, we examine the important role inheritance plays as a theme in Scripture.

When the Jews said they were going to stone him for making himself God, Jesus asked, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods'?" In this lively discussion, we delve into the meat of Jesus's argument to his contemporaries and highlight a major theme in Scripture's revelation of redemption's history. I am deeply indebted to Dr. Michael S. Heiser and his life's work on the divine council in Scripture. Psalm 82 launched him into a supernatural understanding of the Scripture. For an extensive exposition of these ideas, see his book The Unseen Realm.You can find a PDF of his paper I referred to in the teaching (and which forms much of the backbone of this message) by clicking on its title: Michael S. Heiser, "Jesus' Quotation of Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34: A Different View of John's Theological Strategy."

In this episode, we discuss the incarnational nature of scriptural revelation and the Torah's telegraphing of the Word made flesh. Recorded on an iPhone, an amber alert unfortunately shut the Voice Memo app down about midway through the teaching. Even so, great content was captured in the twenty-five minutes of recording we have. Enjoy.

Two months after healing the man born blind during the Feast of Tabernacles celebration, Jesus is back in the Temple for the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah). The Jews demand to know from him plainly if he is the Messiah. His response is a clear claim to divinity, "I and the Father are one." In the face of their stones, he doubled down on their blindness to the Scriptures by saying, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods'?" Join us as we delved into this rich narrative and learn of our Lord's courage and love for his sheep and the cosmic conflict we are a part of.

After healing the man who was born blind, Jesus confronts the spiritual blindness of the religious leaders. Declaring himself the good shepherd, he prophesies not only about his pending sacrifice but also about the ingathering of the Gentiles. Join us as we continue to examine Jesus's divine claims to his contemporaries and his comforting words to his sheep.

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into John 9, in particular Jesus's question to the man he had healed of blindness, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" Join us as we examine this term and its significance in the Old Testament.

During the Feast of Dedication, Jesus's contemporaries demanded to know if he was the Messiah or not. The coda of his answer was, "I and the Father are one." Join us as we look into the narrative preamble to this confrontation in John 10 and follow Jesus's divine actions and statements.

What do Jonah and Jesus have in common? The answer may surprise you. Join in on our Resurrection 2023 fellowship as we discuss the greatest event in human history through Matthew's writing, Jesus' preaching, Jonah's ministry, and John's Revelation.

The meek, Jesus promised, shall inherit the earth. But what does meekness mean? Unfortunately, English lacks a singular term that truly conveys its essence. But our Lord is meek and through His Holy Spirit, grows meekness in us with His power. We've uploaded this episode after only light editing so the listener can get a sense of what it is like in an organic church when Scripture is taught, discussed, and applied. This takes longer than average 30 minute Sunday sermon, but it is well worth the time.

"Well done, good and faithful servant" is something we all desire to hear at the end of our race. The Lord rewards faithfulness. Thankfully, we are not left to our own devices to live out our faith. He empowers us through the Holy Spirit to continue in His ways. Join us as we learn of God's faithfulness to us and how He grows that fruit within us.

We serve a faithful Creator who made all things good. When man, who was born and only knew a very good environment, decided to disobey God and eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, his knowledge of evil became experiential and his capacity for innate goodness died. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father is the giver of good gifts. Through His Holy Spirit, He nurtures in us His goodness that we may bless the world.

Those brought up in their Christian faith with the King James Bible as their text know this fruit as "gentleness." But Christians brought up on more modern versions are given "gentleness" for what the KJV calls "meekness." This synonym knot gives us a glimpse of the intertwining of the qualities of the fruit of the Spirit. Join us as we dive deeper into what the Greek text terms as chrestotes, "usefulness, moral excellence, goodness expressing itself in deeds." Come taste the fruit of kindness.

In an age of lightning communication, instant gratification, and immediate satiation the need for patience may seem obsolete. But the Christian life is impossible without it. He who said, "Behold, I come quickly" also said "Occupy until I come." Patience isn't simple waiting in silence. It's being about the kingdom business with the right attitude of heart regardless of opposition. Join us as we examine this characteristic of our Heavenly Father and how He works it in us through the Holy Spirit.

Peace means different things to different people: freedom from worry, absence of war, lack of conflict, a litmus test for next steps, and even the symbol for a counter-cultural movement birthed in the 1960s that is with us even today. But how does God define peace and, more importantly, how do we His people walk in it? Join us for this powerful message from the heart of our Heavenly Father as we learn of one of the pillar principles of His kingdom.

Joy is a hallmark of God's kingdom (Rom. 14:7) and provides the necessary strength for the work of the saints (Neh. 8:10). Join us as we plumb the depths of God's joy well and learn how to abound in rejoicing by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God is love and He gave us a spirit of power, love, and self-control. In this message, we look into love's origin and outpouring and how the Holy Spirit grows this fruit in us.

In the beginning, God gave man every herb bearing seed and every tree bearing fruit for his food. These two crops, grain and fruit, were created in a way to teach man about the nature of God and how He would express Himself through mankind. Join us as we delve into this powerful meditation.

In this opening message of our series on the fruit of the spirit, we examine the how waking by the Spirit and bearing His fruit leads us in the innocence of Jesus.

In this final message in our series on Romans chapter eight, we wade in and dive down into the wonders of God's everlasting love for His people.

Foreknowledge and predestination, God's sovereignty and man's freedom of will are weighty subjects worthy of deep contemplation. The truth of their realities offer us great encouragement and practical paradigms for a victorious life. Join us as we examine God's destiny for our lives.

Scripture tells us plainly that life is trying. Experience tells us all is not well. Hope tells us all will be. Join us as we examine how the Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God, comes along side us in prayer to carry through hard times into the realization of the good purpose of God.

In Christ, none of our suffering is pointless or without reward. In this second message in our series on Romans 8, we look at the reality of suffering and God's promises to us in the here and now and for hereafter. 

The Apostle Paul defined the Christian's struggle succinctly when he wrote, "when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand." In this first message in our series on Romans 8, we examine our recreated identities and how the Spirit empowers us to live right in our life for Christ.

No one gets through this life unscathed. How do we respond when tragedy touches us? In this message, which begins with an encouraging prophetic word, we examine the sovereignty of God in life and death and Jesus as the resurrection and the life. Our Father hasn't freed us from suffering in this life, but He has given us great hope to carry on.

One of the great tensors of the Christian life is the dynamic pull between the hope of our future redemption and its present reality. The Lord leads us over this tight rope through the encouraging admonition to behave now as He has promised to fully make us then. He asks us to walk in the resurrected mentality of being dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Join us as we delved into this truth and its powerful impact on our daily lives and the lives of those around us.

Shortly after the fall, Adam and Eve hid behind a tree when they heard God walking through the garden. In sin, they had lost the revelation of the true omnipresence of God. In this message, we examine the encouraging and exciting realities of God's omnipresence, His abiding presence, and His manifest presence.

From the broken house of Jesse came King Jesus as prophesied centuries before. Isaiah saw his full anointing in the seven-fold Spirit of God. John the Baptist proclaimed that God had given Messiah the Spirit without measure. In this sharing, we examine these aspects of the Spirit of God and what they tell us about our Lord and our life in the Spirit.

After calming the Sea of Galilee, Jesus came to shore in the Gadarenes; an area bound in fear because of the demoniac there. Join us as we discuss Jesus' impact in one man's life and how it affected the entire region.

Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matt. 4:19). In this message, we look at how Jesus modeled evangelism for his disciples and empowered them to deliver people from darkness.

War is confrontational combat. In this challenging message, we examine the impact warfare language has on our outreach efforts. Scripture tells us the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. Join us as we discuss some of the polarizing issues of our day and Jesus' heart in addressing them.

At a word from Jesus, Peter dropped is nets in the water after a fruitless night of fishing and nearly sunk his boat. Back on shore, Jesus told him, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." Join us as we do a bit of night fishing, shining our lights to dispel the darkness and call people to Jesus.