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
The Gift of God’s Word
God has given us His Word, the Bible, to feed us, guide us, point us to Christ, and show us how to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him and for our good.
Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Scripture and Tradition
Jesus taught that Scripture alone is the final authority for God’s people; therefore all traditions and extra-biblical teachings and practices are helpful only when they clarify, support, uphold, and submit to the Scripture.
Mark 7:1-13
The Good Builder
When we pursue Christ, we can withstand the storm, be cleansed from our sin, and grow wise as we become more like Him.
Matthew 7:24-27
A Growing Kingdom
In the parables of the seeds, Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God begins small and seemingly insignificant, but it will certainly grow until it becomes great and fruitful through the power of God and His Word.
Mark 4:26–34
Concealed and Revealed
The parable of the sower, the seed, and the soils teaches the secret of the Kingdom of God – that it has broken into the world in the Person, teaching, and work of Jesus, that is rejected by many, but that the Word of Jesus will bear great fruit in the lives of those who hear and embrace it.
Mark 4:1-20
The Sower, the Seed, and the Soils
The parable of the sower, the seed, and the soils teaches the secret of the Kingdom of God – that it has broken into the world in the Person, teaching, and work of Jesus, that is rejected by many, but that the Word of Jesus will bear great fruit in the lives of those who hear and embrace it.
Mark 4:1-20
The Parables of Jesus
Jesus often taught in parables to uncover the surprising mystery of God’s Kingdom to those who would listen carefully and humbly respond, but the same parables hardened and judged those who refused to listen and receive His Word.
Mark 4:1-12
The Priorities and Practices of the King
Disciples must imitate the priorities and practices of Jesus – personal prayer, the study and proclamation of God’s Word, and gathering with God’s people for public worship. Any helpful ministry can only come by attending to these priorities and practices first.
Mark 1:35-45
The Sovereignty of the King
In a single day, Jesus displays His Sovereignty as He teaches with authority, exercises total control over demons, and heals sick people completely.
Mark 1:21-34
A Father’s Final Charge to His Son
Church leaders are called to preach the whole Word of God, never altering it to suit the desires of others, so that they may faithfully fulfill their call.
2 Timothy 4:1-5
The Power of God’s Written Word
The Bible is God’s written Word so it is powerful to point us to salvation through faith in Christ and to thoroughly equip us to discern truth from error, share the Gospel with others, and form our character in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Listen to the teaching Look at the […]
Fighting the Good Fight for the Faith – Part 1
To protect a local church from false teaching, leaders must work hard to teach the truth, focusing on the great doctrines of God’s Word and avoiding useless controversies, and back up their teaching with the power of a godly life.
2 Timothy 2:14-26
The Invisible War
There is an invisible war between God’s angelic forces and the forces of Satan which is related to and affects the visible rise and fall of human kingdoms and the plight of God’s people, but God’s Sovereign Plan will be accomplished in the end!
Daniel 10-11 (Daniel 10:1-11:4)
Exile Prayers
In light of the experience of the exile and his visions of the future, and built upon biblical teaching regarding God’s covenant and the end of the exile, Daniel turns to God in an intense time of prayer – praising God, confessing the sin of God’s people, and crying out […]
History and the Word of the Sovereign God
Daniel was given a vision of two future kingdoms and an evil ruler who will desecrate God’s Temple and persecute God’s people, but he saw God intervene to destroy the persecutor and deliver His people, for the Sovereign God rules over the kingdoms of mankind.
Daniel 8:1-27
The Way – Meditating on God’s Instruction
Those who walk the way of Jesus Christ embrace God’s Instruction, meditating on His Word day and night so they understand and obey it, knowing this is for their own good.
Psalm 1
Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone
The Scriptures provide satisfaction for the Christian soul.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
He Is There and He Is Not Silent
The fundamental reality is that God exists and He is speaking to us through creation and the Scriptures, and we are called to respond in prayer and personal relationship with Him.
Psalm 19
God's Unexpected Work and Word
Things won’t always work out the way we think they should, but God uses every circumstance for his maximum glory, and our maximum good.
Matthew 11:2-15
The Central Message of the Bible
Question 3: What is the central message of the Bible?
Answer: The central message of the Bible is that God is bringing glory to Himself through the Person and work of Jesus Christ as He creates and redeems a people in whom He lives by His Spirit so that they will glorify and enjoy Him forever.
John 17
Our Instruction Manual: The Bible
Question 2: Where do we learn how to glorify God and enjoy Him forever?
Answer: In His Word, the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
God’s Penetrating Word
God’s Word is living and active, and it penetrates to our deepest recesses to expose and judge and to point us to Christ, our Great High Priest.
Hebrews 4:12-13
The Question of The Bible
The Bible is God’s infallible revelation to humanity, and therefore it can be trusted as a firm foundation for belief and life.
2 Peter 1:16-21
A Biblically Based Church
We are seeking to build a church whose life, ministry and mission are built upon the firm foundation of God’s Word, the Bible.
1 Peter 2:4-10