Devoted – The Word of God
God feeds and forms His people as the Spirit works through the Word — in the worship of the gathered church and in personal daily devotion — so that their hearts flourish in ever-deepening delight in Christ.
Acts 2:42
Devoted – Worship
Deep delight in God is not primarily cultivated through isolated spiritual practices but through the devoted corporate worship described in Acts 2:42, where the gathered church receives the means of grace that fuel and sustain our personal walk with God.
Acts 2:42
Devoted – The Spirit-Filled Life
Unlike Old Covenant believers who experienced the Spirit’s presence only occasionally and externally, every New Covenant disciple has been baptized with the Holy Spirit and is therefore fully equipped and empowered to grow in devoted engagement with the spiritual disciplines that deepen our delight in God.
Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4
Series Outline for Encountering Jesus – A Journey Through the Gospels
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.
Encountering Jesus the Risen King
John’s vivid, detail-rich account of the empty tomb and the risen Jesus is the testimony of a genuine eyewitness who wants every reader to encounter the same risen King who called Mary’s name that morning and transformed her grief into worship and witness.
John 20:1-18
Encountering Jesus the King of the Nations
From the palm-waving crowds of Israel to the Greek God-fearers seeking an audience with Jesus, Palm Sunday reveals that Jesus is not merely the King of Israel but the King of all nations whose cross will draw every people, tribe, and tongue into His eternal kingdom.
John 12:9-33
Encountering Jesus the Savior
When we encounter Jesus the Savior, the depth of grace and forgiveness we have received overflows into extravagant love and gratitude and changes how we see others.
Luke 7:36-50
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