Spring Training
Spiritual health and growth require practicing spiritual rhythms – periodic seasons of stripping away some things to give greater focus to seeking God through prayer.
Luke 4:1-2, 14
Series Outline for The First Songs of Christmas
The Gospel of Luke contains five songs by key participants related to the coming of Jesus that first Christmas, each of which contains rich theological truths to renew our minds and shape our hearts as we prepare for Christmas.
Simeon’s Song of Freedom (Nunc Dimittis)
The song of the angelic choir announced that Christ had come to bring glory to God and peace to the people of Earth.
Luke 2:8-14
The Angels – Song of Glory and Peace (Gloria et Pax)
The song of the angelic choir announced that Christ had come to bring glory to God and peace to the people of Earth.
Luke 2:8-14
Zechariah’s Song of Prophetic Praise (Benedictus)
After a season of silence and deep meditation, Zechariah erupted is a song of praise for God’s saving work, which had been prophetically promised, and was now coming to fulfillment with the birth of John who would prepare the way for Jesus the Messiah Who would save God’s people.
Luke 1:67-79
Mary’s Song of Exaltation (Magnificat)
Worship is focused on God and His Gospel, is formed and filled by the Word of God, and arises from personally experiencing God’s faithfulness to His people through the ages.
Luke 1:46-55
Elizabeth’s Song of Joyful Blessing (Beatitude)
Those who delight in the supremacy of Jesus will believe the Word of God and receive the joy of God’s deepest, richest blessing.
Luke 1:39-45
Leaving Success for Significance
In our journey through life, we often find ourselves at crossroads where we must choose between pursuing worldly success and embracing a higher calling. The story of Simon Peter’s encounter with Jesus by the Sea of Galilee offers a powerful illustration of this pivotal moment.
Luke 5:1-11
Fast From, Feast On
Following Jesus’ pattern of fasting and feasting, abstaining from food and activities to feast upon the Presence of God, is key to experiencing a flourishing life.
Matthew 4:1-4; Luke 7:33-34
When Less Is More
True abundance is not found in a life full of distractions but in one that has reduced activities to allow time to listen to Jesus speak.
Luke 10:38-42
Christ The True and Better King
Jesus is the True and Better David, the Great Shepherd-Warrior-King Who cares for, protects, delivers, and rules over God’s people, working out all things to God’s glory and their good now and into eternity.
Luke 1:30-33; 68-75
The Good Portion
We can be distracted by many things, even good things, but fellowship with the Lord should always be our top priority.
Luke 10:38-42
What is the Lord’s Supper?
This teaching covers question 78 of our catechism. The Lord’s Supper is the sacramental meal Christ commanded all believers to eat, in which the death of Christ for our salvation is represented in the breaking of the bread and the pouring out of the cup, and through which the believer spiritually feeds upon Christ, giving thanks to God as the elements are received in faith.
Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16
The Humble King
Jesus is the Humble King, the One Who is truly and fully God but came as a lowly human to save us.
Luke 2:8-14
The Advent of Peace – It’s an Inside Job
Peace comes from within through the strength that Christ provides, not from our external circumstances or possessions.
Luke 8:22-25
The Church – God’s People on Mission Together
Question 71: Are Christians only called to be part of the universal Church?
The Church has been given the Spirit to empower us to be on mission together, taking the Gospel forth and displaying the love of God to others from our location to the ends of the earth.
Luke 4:16-19; Luke 24:45-49
Blessed to be a Blessing
All Christians are blessed by God to be a blessing to others.
Luke 5:1-11
The Elder Brother’s Trouble
The elder brother in the parable mistakenly thought that success, life and joy was found in attempting to keep the rules rather than in relationship with the father, who he misunderstood and disdained.
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
The Younger Son’s Story
The younger son in the parable mistakenly thought that his identity and joy would be found through self-discovery and self-indulgence apart from the father’s presence and will.
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
The Father’s Heart
The father in the parable displays the merciful and gracious heart of God towards those who are lost.
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
We Fail Jesus, Jesus Does Not Fail Us
Jesus does not, will not, fail us, he holds us through all our trials. He pursues us and holds our relationship with him. NOT US! Him!
Luke 22:31-34, 54-62
The Advent Promise Received (Candlelight Service)
We should receive the salvation offered in Christ with joy and faith, praising God and spreading the good news to others.
Luke 2:1-20
Where the Lambs Are Kept
Lowly, unclean shepherds first heard and saw that the Lamb of God had come and would take away our sins so that all could be restored to God.
Luke 2:8-15
The Work of Mission:Evangelism and Mercy Ministry
Our mission includes both evangelism and mercy ministry, meeting both the spiritual and physical needs of people.
Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:18-19
The Story : Redemption and Forgiveness
The Christmas story celebrates Christ’s coming as the Lamb of God to redeem us from our sins so that we might be forgiven.
Luke 1:76-79; John 1:29