Immanuel is one of the most important names in the Scriptures. It means "God With Us." But what does it mean for us? What does it teach us about who God really is?
Brought In (Exodus 1:8-2:10; Galatians 3:23-4:7)
Adoption is not only a literal global need, but it is also the greatest spiritual need we have as humans as well. As we read the stories of Scripture we discover the theme of adoption pulsating off the pages, of how the God of creation did everything and spent everything to buy us back and make us part of his family. Listen in today as the most famous singular adoption story in the Bible is read, and how one of the greatest theological beauties is taught from the New Testament.
Before You Were Born (Jeremiah 1:5; Ephesians 1:1-14)
When did God first know you? It is a very different answer than when we first came to know God. Listen in today to a powerful exposition of one famous verse about the prophet Jeremiah, and how it applies to us today.
The God of gods (Psalm 82)
What kind of world do we live in? Psalm 82 is one of the places in Scripture that gives us a peak behind the curtain, to see a world that is more than we usually imagine. But we also discover within this Psalm the profound worth that humans have to God and a potential for real and lasting justice beyond our deepest hopes.
Tearful Hope (Psalm 80)
In times of tears and darkness, it is natural for humans to have soul-cries towards something or someone outside of ourselves who can restore us. Psalm 80 repeats this cry for "restoration" three times. What does this teach us about challenging times we go through, and does this even have something to teach us about where we place our ultimate hope? Listen in today and discover how Jesus Christ steps into that space we long to have filled.
Why the Church Can Work (Psalm 79)
The purpose of the church, or even religion itself, is often discussed in the modern world. As we listen to an admittedly "brutal Psalm" today in Psalm 79, what possible hope can we gather from Israel's defeat at the hands of Babylon in 586 BC? What we discover is a heartfelt reflection on something we admittedly misunderstand about God (his jealousy), something we love about what God can give (his forgiveness), and something we all cry for throughout the ages (his justice). But we learn something even more important - we learn about the community he is redeeming for the world and why it works still even today.
A Long Journey in God's Faithfulness (Psalm 78)
As we listen to the story of God's faithfulness over many generations read over us from Psalm 78, we find the encouragements to remember, believe, tell, follow. Listen in as we enter into Israel's history, and find its application to us today in the modern world as well.
The Most Important Thing About Us (Jonah 4:5-11)
What is the most important thing about you? As we arrive at the end of Jonah's epic story, we begin to finally see God reveal Jonah's deepest heart. What does Jonah care most about? Through the object lesson of a plant and worm, God not only reveals Jonah's heart, but ours as well. Along the way, we discover the most important thing about God too - that He loves humans more than we ever thought possible.
The Storm of Holy-Love (Jonah 1:4)
When storms come to us in life (pains, troubles, trials, etc.), often we are quick to ask "why?" But as we learn today from God's intervening storm in Jonah 1:4, there is something meaningful for us in the storms of life. Listen in today as we learn about God's character of perfect holiness and love, and how they meet us in grace in the storms of life, helping us to see Jesus clearly amidst the waves and wind.
Fleeing the Presence of the LORD (Jonah 1:3)
"Is God really good?" When we scan the pages of Scripture, we find this to be a theme that is repeated in a diversity of ways, by a diversity of people throughout history. In this second sermon in the 11-week series in the book of Jonah, listen in as Mike Lilley traces Jonah's response to God's call. Why does Jonah choose to flee the opposite direction? His refusal to obey exposes his sin before God, bringing about great personal cost. But, more so, what does it show us about God Himself? Is He good? Is there any hope for us as people who are "prone to wander" and "prone to leave the God we love"?
The Story of God & Evil (Jonah 1:1-2)
As we begin a new 11-week series in the Old Testament story of Jonah, we ask ourselves, who is the book of Jonah actually all about? Listen in today as we learn from just the first 2 verses about the heart of the pursuing God, the reality of evil, and how God uses a prodigal, flawed prophet to not only bring Good News to an enemy city... but also to change the heart of the man himself.
"And You..." (Colossians 1:21-23)
"FOMO" ("fear of missing out") is a common way some people today live out their life. As you listen in to Alan Vance preaching on the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ from Colossians 1:21-23, consider if this good news is something you would fear to miss out on. Living for Christ's Kingdom offers us the greatest possibility for true life - because it alone offers us reconciliation to God.
The Sleeping God (Psalm 44)
Do you ever feel like God is sleeping in public? David felt that way in Psalm 44. Listen in with us today as we learn how God is completely in control and at rest simultaneously, loving us even when He seems asleep.
Refuge (Psalm 91)
What do you run into in times of trouble? We all have places or things we run to to settle our nerves, to provide safety, and to escape. But what about for our deepest self, our soul? Listen in today to learn from Psalm 91 what God offers each of us as our refuge.
Worship, Thanksgiving, & the Goodness of God (Psalm 100)
Why is singing good for you? How can gratitude help you sleep? These are a few of the topics and questions addressed in this sermon on one of the most beautiful Scriptures in all of the Bible. But most importantly, this sermon from Psalm 100 address the ground for why worship even exists. The answer? Because God is good.
What To Do When Temptations Come (James 1:13-15)
What's the difference between a trial and a temptation? Temptations often are personal. Today in James 1:13-15, we learn from Scripture why we can never scapegoat God when we are tempted. Though we are all tempted, the origin of temptation actually comes from an often unsuspecting source. But God Himself is also the often unsuspecting Giver of exactly what we need when temptations do come our way.
Walking With God: Who? (Psalm 113)
This is the first of a 3-week mini-series, as we take a brief pause from our walk-through the book of Acts and now zoom in on what it means to personally "walk with God." This is the common image used throughout the Scriptures to describe people who are close to the heart of God, pursuing Him and being in His presence. But it's also the story of people who are being pursued by the loving and gracious God of the Bible, Today's first sermon in the series answers the basic question, "Who is God?" and gets into why walking with Him is even a good or desirable thing. Join us on this 3-week journey as we learn to walk with God in the modern world, with tremendous help from the ancient path trod by many faithful men and women before us.