May 2021

Who’s That? – Joel

The message of Joel is about the coming judgment upon the Tribe of Judah. It is a message of God’s love and grace and compassion for his children, not of harsh punishment.    Watch Here



Who’s That? Uzzah

Uzzah was struck dead when he seemingly kept the Ark of the Covenant from falling. In reading the story, it seems like God was incredibly unfair, even cruel. But maybe there’s more going on in the story…   Watch Here



Who’s That? Jephthah

The story of Jephthah and his daughter is jarring and troubling.  Yet, there is something deeper happening than just a rash vow.  Jephthah callously tried to manipulate God and the circumstances to get what he wanted.  But, a sovereign God cannot be manipulated!   Watch Here



April 2021

Who’s That? Gideon

God was faithful to Gideon throughout his life, but not in the way we may think.  In spite of Gideon’s own fear, his own weakness, his own family conflict, his own doubt, and life’s overwhelming odds, God used him. Watch Here



Who’s That? Deborah and Jael

Jael was an ordinary wife. Yet in the mess of life, with questionable morals and motives, an ordinary person can be used by God to carry out his will.       Watch Here



Who’s That? Bezalel

The Holy Spirit filled Bezalel to design and craft a beautiful tabernacle.  This beauty reflects the beauty and splendor of God’s creation as he Tabernacles among us.   Watch Here  



Amen

This is what we believe, but what good is it? In believing this, we are united with Christ, experience his grace, and have everlasting life.   Watch Here



March 2021

Christian Life Eternal

The Bible’s description of heaven is staggering: reward, inheritance, blessing, feasting, security, no pain, no mourning, no disappointment, no sorrow, no fear. It is partially described as a lush garden, a beautiful city, a wedding celebration, unending light and unceasing worship – where each day will be better than the one before.   Watch Here



Christian Life Now

“The holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins.” The Church was God’s idea. It was not a mistake, but rather the church is called the beautiful bride of Christ. But what does it mean to confess that we believe in the church?   Watch Here



February 2021

I Believe in the Holy Spirit

The Apostles Creed: I Believe in the Holy Spirit   The Holy Spirit is God in us.  The hard work of becoming holy, the felt presence of God, and the new life we have is because of the Holy Spirit.   Watch Here



Jesus’ Return

Jesus Return The words of the Apostles Creed say, “From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.” The end of the story is already written. Jesus will return, just as he said. It will be a day of joy and sorrow when we fully realize our sinfulness and fully realize God’s […]



The Ascension

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God Almighty Jesus has not gone away but he is present in all of creation. We don’t ask like the disciples, “Where did he go?” Rather, we are assured he is in the presence of the Father for our benefit.   Watch Here



The Resurrection

On the third day he rose again from the dead The Apostle Paul stays that if the resurrection didn’t happen, then our faith is useless.  While a resurrection may seem implausible, the historical fact must be believed by faith.   Watch Here



January 2021

Suffering Servant

We continue our study of the Apostles’ Creed, looking at the phrase, ‘he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended into hell.”   Watch Here



God and Man

Our study of The Apostles’ Creed continues as we look at “he was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary.”   Watch Here



God the Son

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord   Watch Here



God the Father

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. When we say we believe, what do we mean?  What we understand about who God is and what he as done is vitally important to what be believe.   Watch Here



December 2020

The Gifts of the Magi – Myrrh

Matthew 2:1-12   The gift of myrrh was of great value and was significant and symbolic. The Magi’s gift of Myrrh was used to anoint priests and to be used to prepare bodies for burial. They came to worship him as Savior.   Watch Here



The Gifts of the Magi – Frankincense

Matthew 2:11, Hebrews 4:14-16   Jesus as High Priest   The gift of frankincense was of great value and was significant and symbolic. The Magi’s gift frankincense was a gift for diety, as it was used in burning at the altar. They came to worship him as God.    Watch Here



The Gifts of the Magi – Gold

Matthew 2:11-12, Psalm 2   The gift of gold was of great value and was significant and symbolic.  The Magi came to find the one who was born “KING of the Jews.”  They came to worship him as King.   Watch Here



Reorienting out Heart toward God

Matthew 6:5-14   Jesus teaches us to pray.  We call that The Lord’s Prayer.  But it’s for more than just reciting a quick prayer. This prayer reorients our heart toward God.   Watch Here



November 2020

What is Prayer?

Psalm 27   We have been given an innate desire to connect with something bigger than ourselves.  Pascal called this the “God-shaped void.”  We were made to function our best as people when we are in relationship with our creator.  That happens through prayer.   Watch Here



More Than Just a Job

Work is more than just getting a paycheck. If all things are to be for the glory of God, then where God places us to work should be for his glory. Work shapes us and we can shape it.      Watch Here



Discerning Yourself and Your Calling

Exodus 31:1-5   What are you going to be when you grow up?  In figuring that out, each should discern how God made each of us and we’re interested in.  That’s when work fits, instead of giving us fits!   Watch Here  



“Work” is not a 4-Letter Word

Genesis 1:26-2:1   God created work for Adam and Eve and called it very good. Work is part of God’s design for our lives. But, sin corrupts all things, including work, and it becomes tiring. But, as Jesus transforms our lives, he can transform our work as well.     Watch Here



October 2020

Dealing with Divisive People

2 Timothy 2:22-26, Titus 3:9-11   What do you do when someone is trying to rope you into an argument? Into taking sides? And how do you deal with the person who constantly sows division?   Watch Here



The Proper Use of Scripture

2 Timothy 3:10-17   The Bible is for planting seeds in the hearts of people. Sometimes, though, people use the Bible as a Weapon and verses as bullets to shoot at those we disagree. One is good for building up, one is good for tearing down.  How do we best use God’s Word?   Watch […]



Principles for Disagreeing

Romans 14   How do we deal with disagreements among one another? In the middle of a divisive issue in the church in Rome, Paul reminds us to follow the example of Jesus, who loved, welcomed, and put others first.   Watch Here



September 2020

Reacting to “Those” People

Matthew 5:43-48   There will be people that we will disagree with, sometimes strongly. That’s reality. But how do we react and interact with those who we don’t see eye to eye? We are called to love and pray for them!   Watch Here



A Humble Heart

James 1:19-21   In divisiveness, what is the posture of our heart supposed to be?  It should be humility – listening before spouting off our pre-decided opinion; seeking understanding; realize that relationships are more important than being right.  Is this the posture of our hearts?   Watch Here



Conflict in the Church

Acts 15:36-41 Conflict is nothing new in the church today.  It was present in the early church with its leaders that walked with Jesus.  It is healthy to admit that conflict in the church is expected. What lessons can we learn from Paul and Mark that will help us deal with it?   Watch Here



Life Lessons

2 Samuel 22   At the end of life, when looking back at the good and the bad, we can still see that God was at work.  David saw 4 important lessons that he learned 1) when things are uncertain, God is our only security, 2) when things are dark, God is our light, 3) […]



August 2020

The Consequences of Sin

The consequences of David’s sin was huge – he lost his son at birth, as God said he would; his family fell apart morally; Absalom, his son, rebelled against him; his leadership was lost. How do we face the consequences of our sin?   Watch Here



What a Mess!

 Samuel 11:1-12:14 The Bible never flatters those who are used by God.  David really messed up.  And he messed up in how he handled it.  But then, we mess up too, and mess up the clean-up.  Covering up, excusing, or justifying sin never works in dealing with it.  The only thing that does is repentance. […]



When God Says “No”

2 Samuel 7   What happens when we have a dream for our life and God says “no”?  David had the desire to build a Temple for the Lord.  The Lord said no, that was not for him to do.  What do we learn from David in how to deal with that?   Watch Here