The love of God expressed in Ephesians 3:14-21 is BIG. In this extravagant prayer by Paul, we see that there is a measurelessness to God's love for us, and that not only makes us feel known and loved, but it should also spur us to pray similarly BIG prayers to God for others. Listen in today as we learn a few BIG prayers to pray for the city of Salem.
Serving (Ephesians 3:1-13)
Why is serving so important to understanding the gospel? Listen in today as we hear about Paul's specific call to serve, how & why we all can serve, and then how we can serve the city of Salem together.
Everyone (Ephesians 2:11-22)
What changed when Jesus died on the cross? As we listen to Paul's teaching in Ephesians 2:11-22, we realize that everything has changed because now truly all people are invited into the story of redemption. Listen in today as we learn about the dividing wall that has been knocked down and what that means for you and me today.
Grace (Ephesians 2:1-10)
Grace is what Christianity is all about. Why is it so important? What is grace? How does it change everything about how we love our neighbors around us? Listen in today and hear Paul's electric unveiling of the gospel of grace.
Praying for Others (Ephesians 1:15-23)
Perhaps the most tangible way we can spiritually love our city is by praying for other people. But how do we do that? What do we pray? Listen in today as we learn how the apostle Paul prayed for the people around him.
Spiritual Blessing (Ephesians 1:1-14)
What does it mean to "love this city"? That's the question we're going to be asking & answering throughout this new series in the book of Ephesians. Today, we zoom in on the reality of the amazing spiritual blessings we have received through faith in Jesus and, more importantly, what the purpose of receiving them is. In short, we are blessed only so that we can be a blessing to others as well.
Peace Over Division (Luke 2:22-38; Colossians 3:12-17)
We live in a divided world, both on an individual level and as a larger society. Why is this the case? What can prevent it? These are important questions, but not the ones that the birth of Jesus ultimately answers. When God became human in the person of Jesus, he instead answered another question - how can peace come in the midst of division and restore beauty and unity to us? Listen in today to this Christmas Eve sermon and find the hope of peace for you.
Peace Over Evil (Matthew 2:1-23; Romans 16:19-20)
The biggest overarching problem facing our world continually is the presence of evil. How do we live in a world of evil? What is the better story that can reshape the way we live forever, even in the face of evil around us? Listen in today as we hear the story of Herod the King from the birth of Jesus story, and hear the apostle Paul's strong assurance of what is yet to come.
Peace Over Fear (Luke 2:8-21; Philippians 4:4-7)
In the Christmas story, the shepherds were terrified when the angels appeared to them announcing the birth of Jesus. Likewise, each of us can find ourselves full of fear throughout our lives. But as the angel told the shepherds to "Fear not" and that "peace on earth" was coming, so too is the peace of God offered to us. Listen in today as we learn more about how to face fear in our daily lives and find the peace of God to be everything we need.
Peace Over Anxiety (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; Philippians 4:4-7)
What can possibly help resolve the rampant anxiety that nearly everyone in the world goes through? As we listen to the classic birth of Jesus story once again - today through the lens of Mary and Joseph - we will see that anxiety has always been part of the human story. But there also is an antidote that the Bible teaches us about. What does Jesus teach us about anxiety, and how does the peace of God profoundly work into our deepest selves to cure the anxious heart and mind?
World Peace (Luke 1:67-80; John 10:34-39)
Most everyone thinks world peace is a good thing. But what exactly is real peace for the world? As we walk into the Christmas season together we will learn the depths of the peace of God offered in the person of Jesus Christ. Today, listen to Jesus's challenging words on what he came to bring, and how it really is a profound peace like no other.
Everything Sad Will Come Untrue (Ezekiel 37:1-14; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58)
Perhaps the greatest surprise of the gospel of Jesus is the promise of the end of the story. What happens when we die? Does this life we're living now matter at all? Listen in as we investigate the greatest of surprises, the promise of glorification.
Don't Give Up (Job 10; Philippians 2:12-18)
If the goal of the Christian life is to become more and more like Jesus, how do we do that, especially when life gets really hard? The New Testament leads us to a surprising recurring teaching - perseverance. Listen in today as we learn together how to persevere in life.
The First Days of the Rest of Your Life (Romans 6; Galatians 5:16-26)
After believing in Jesus, you are changed immediately forever. But what is the goal and purpose of your life then going forward? Listen in today as we lean into the biblical theme of sanctification, and what every day for the rest of your life should be like.
One (John 15:1-15; Galatians 2:20)
When you dress up for Halloween, you get to walk around & take on that identity for a short time by wearing a costume. That concept gets us halfway to understanding the full totality of what it means to have union with Christ. Listen in today as we learn more about one of the greatest theological truths in the Scriptures and why it is life-changing for us today.
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.
The Beautiful Courtroom (Isaiah 6; Romans 3:21-26)
A courtroom can only be beautiful if you know you're going to walk out with a verdict of "innocent." In life in general, how do we know how we will be found on the final one day of judgement? Listen in to find one of the greatest surprises of all - how sinners become righteous and free forever.
Impossible Birth (Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 3:1-21)
Our first birth into this world is an utter miracle. But is that the greatest miracle in life? What do we do when we feel the great need, deep within us, to change. Listen in today as we listen to two voices from the Scriptures describe what change the heart can go through that radically changes everything.
The Walking Voice (Genesis 3:1-24; Matthew 11:28-30)
What is the call of God? When does he call? Why does he call? Who does he call? Listen in today as we learn about the heart of God from the very beginning of the Bible, and hear the explicit call of Jesus Christ himself for us today.
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.