Encountering Jesus the Servant
In a world that worships power, Jesus rules a Kingdom where His disciples are called to descend with Him into costly servant-hood – for this is the mark of true greatness.
Mark 10:32-45
Encountering Jesus the King Who Came to Die
To encounter Jesus the King is to follow a crucified Messiah — and to take up a cross of your own.
Mark 8:31-38
Encountering Jesus the Messianic Son of God
Jesus challenges us to answer who He truly is—not merely a prophet or teacher, but the Messianic Son of God Who builds and sustains His Church and restores us to relationship with God.
Matthew 16:13-20
Encountering Jesus the True Rest
In contrast to the pressures of life, false gods, destructive sins, and crushing legalism that create unrest, Jesus offers Himself as the true rest—calling us to learn from Him and experience the peace that comes from His presence.
Matthew 11:28-30
Encountering Jesus the True Son of God
Jesus is the True Son of God Who withstood Satan’s temptations and obeyed God to save us and help us to resist Satan.
Matthew 3:16-4:11
Fed and Formed by the Word of God
Believers, families, and churches are fed and formed by the reading and teaching of the Word of God.
Nehemiah 8:1-8
Shaping a Humble, Quiet Soul
God invites us to hope in Him by shaping souls that are characterized by humility and quiet calm.
Psalm 131
Understanding the Sacraments
A sacrament is a special symbol given by God to His people that, when received in faith, serves as a sign and seal of His promises to us, functions as a means of grace to strengthen us, and through which we testify of our faith in Him and His promises.
Romans 4:11; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; Romans 6:3-4
Series Outline for Christmas Surprises
The story of the first Christmas, recorded in Matthew 1 and 2, is full of surprises, each of which reveals an aspect of the Gospel that still has the power to amaze us today.
Christmas Surprises
The story of the first Christmas, recorded in Matthew 1 and 2, is full of surprises, each of which reveals an aspect of the Gospel that still has the power to amaze us today.
Matthew 1-2
Surprise Worshippers
In a stunning Christmas surprise, the Magi – pagan scholars skilled in religious texts, dreams, and the stars – become the first Gentile worshipers of Jesus, foreshadowing God’s plan to call followers from every nation.
Matthew 2:1-23
Surprise Reactions
In a surprising twist, the news about Jesus unmasked three responses still common today: Herod’s hostile fear, the religious leader’s complacent indifference, and the Magi’s joyful worship.
Matthew 2:1-18
Surprise Pregnancy
Jesus’ miraculous conception confronted Joseph and Mary with a scandalous, faith-testing situation that required radical obedience, revealing how God fulfills His ancient promises through the most surprising means.
Matthew 1:18-25
Surprise Family Tree
Matthew’s genealogy presents Jesus as the royal Son of David, the promised Seed of Abraham who will bless all nations, and the Savior who redeems a family tree—and a world—marred by startling sin and scandal.
Matthew 1:1-17
Series Outline for Ancient Words, Living Faith – The Nicene Creed
Far from being ancient, irrelevant, lifeless words, the Nicene Creed crystallized the essential teachings of Scripture and remains the vital foundation for a living faith in the modern world.
We Believe – In the Living Tradition
Christians are called to uphold the living apostolic tradition—not as empty ritual, but as the unchanging truth received with a faith that is alive, growing, and joyfully obedient to God’s Word.
Matthew 15:6-9; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15 (ESV)
We Believe – In the Local Church
All Christians are called to be part of local churches where they are led and cared for by elders, worship God, learn the Scripture, receive the sacraments, pray together, serve one another, and carry out the Great Commission together.
1 Corinthians 1:1-2
We Believe – In God’s Church
Christians believe in God’s one Church, which is composed of all who believe in Jesus Christ, is set upon the foundation of Jesus Christ laid by the apostles, and is built through the ages by the work of the Spirit to be the dwelling place of God in the earth.
Ephesians 2:19-22
We Believe – In the Trinity
Christians believe in the Trinity – the one true God eternally exists as one God in Three Persons – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct Persons, but are one in being, power, and glory.
Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
We Believe – In the Deity of Christ
Christians believe that Jesus is the One True God, our Creator and Redeemer, Who became human for us and for our salvation.
John 1:1-18
Series Outline for Redeeming Love – The Book of Ruth
Through the intertwined stories of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz, the Book of Ruth reveals how redeeming love—both human and divine—transforms devastating loss into unexpected hope, foreshadowing the ultimate redemption found in Christ.
Redeemed By Love
The book of Ruth concludes with a beautiful picture of redemption through love, as Boaz and Ruth are united in marriage, Naomi’s emptiness is filled with an heir, and God’s greater plan unfolds through the lineage that leads to David—and ultimately to Jesus.
Ruth 4
Restoration Through a Kinsman-Redeemer
In his willingness to serve as a kinsman-redeemer, Boaz points forward to our true Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus, who redeems, frees, protects, and defends His people.
Ruth 3
A Glimmer of Hope
God creates a glimmer of hope for Naomi and Ruth through three means: His providential orchestration, Ruth’s diligent work, and Boaz’s redemptive kindness.
Ruth 2
Through the Bitter Valley
When suffering comes into our lives, it is hard to see God’s purposes clearly, but He will bring us through the bitter valley to restore our hope.
Ruth 1