Our next step in Revelation takes us to the heavenly throne room in Chapter 5, where John’s heart breaks over the sealed scroll—until everything changes when the Lamb steps forward. The new song of heaven bursts out, celebrating what Jesus has done. He has made us a kingdom and priests through His sacrifice. Here we see that unrestrained, joy-fille…

This week we will be studying Revelation 3:14-22 under the theme “A Letter to the Church in Laodicea.” It is in these verses that we learn how Jesus notoriously deemed Laodicea “lukewarm,” saying that if they did not repent, he would spit them out. Prosperity has a way of deceiving God’s people into believing in their own self-sufficiency. Christ c…

This week we will be studying Revelation 2:1-7 under the theme “A Letter to the Church in Ephesus.” Ephesus had been a pivotal congregation in the Early Church, but they’d lost their original love. It’s entirely possible for a Christian congregation (or individual) to check major boxes of doctrine and religious practice, but lose internal vitality.…

This week we will be studying Revelation 1:8-18 under the theme “Introducing the Alpha and the Omega.” This week we read the Apostle John’s introductory image of Jesus in heaven. John is overwhelmed. But the Lord tells him, “Do not be afraid,” because this all-powerful King holds the keys to our future. SERIES SUMMARY: The book of Revelation has fa…

This week we will be celebrating the Reformation, as well as concluding our series on David, studying 2 Samuel 12:1-25 under the theme “The Repentant Will Be Reconciled.” The first of Martin Luther’s famous 95 Theses states: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent’ (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentan…

This week we will be studying 2 Samuel 11:1-27 under the theme “The Proud Will Fall.” Here, we encounter perhaps the most notorious series of sins in the Bible. Amongst other things, we learn the power of sin to grow from a cell in our hearts to a monster that can ruin our lives. But we also learn that no murderer or adulterer is beyond God’s savin…

This week we will be studying 2 Samuel 9:1-13 under the theme “Kindness to Friends & Those in Need.” David had experienced the goodness of God, and he’d also made a vow reflecting that goodness to his friend Jonathan. So, when David had opportunity to do good to Jonathan’s family after Jonathan had passed away, he seized the moment. David’s kindnes…

This week we will be studying 2 Samuel 6:12-23 under the theme “When Your Family Won’t Support You.” As David matured as a believer, he sometimes found discouragement from those who should have been encouragers – like his wife, Michal. We’ll learn how to find joy and dancing in God even when the world is dragging us down. SERIES SUMMARY: The life o…

This week we will be studying 1 Samuel 24:1-22 under the theme “Doing Life HIS Way.” King Saul wanted to kill David. David’s friends wanted David to kill Saul. It was easy to rationalize. But David said, “I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.” David was committed to the will and grace of God more than justifiable hum…

This week we will be studying 1 Samuel 17:32-54 under the theme “Slaying Giants.” “David and Goliath” has become a proverbial term for underdog stories. But it’s actually less about our personal empowerment and more about the courage instilled in us when we recognize that a Greater David’s victory has become our own. SERIES SUMMARY: The life of Dav…

This week we’ll be studying 1 Samuel 16:1-13 under the theme “God’s Decision Process.” When it is time for God to choose a new king in Israel, he doesn’t just make an unusual choice, but a selection that wasn’t even standing amongst the reasonable considerations. This tells us something about how God operates, how we are to revise our decision-maki…

This week we will be studying Galatians 6:1-10 under the theme “Doing Gospel Good”. God works through each of us in a different way, and we are to examine ourselves and take responsibility for what He asks us to do. God also calls each of us to sow good, spiritual seeds in this life, so that the harvest may be reaped in our next, eternal life. SERI…

This week we will be studying Galatians 5:13-26 under the theme “Freedom to Fight Against Your Flesh." We are in a daily struggle against temptation and sin, and sometimes we feel like we are losing the struggle more than we are winning. Christ has claimed victory over these daily battles, freeing us from the desires of our flesh, and over the enem…

This week we will be studying Galatians 4:8-20 under the theme “Haunted by Idols.” The Galatians had been influenced by false teachers (Judaizers) who were leading them into a work-righteousness that was actually quite similar to their old paganism. Paul persuades them away from this error of religion through a combination of truth and love – perso…

This week we will be studying Galatians 3:1-14 under the theme “The Appeal and Failure of the Law.” We see here how proud humans are always tempted to plagiarize from God, attempting to give ourselves some level of credit for our salvation, righteousness, and blessings. But self-merit in God’s Kingdom will only cause spiritual sickness. SERIES SUMM…

This week we will be studying Galatians 2:11-21 under the theme “The Damage of Believers Forgetting the Gospel.” Paul illustrates this theme to the Galatians by telling a story of even the Apostle Peter acting out of line with the gospel and causing great pain. There is great transformation in not scolding ourselves, or others, but explaining how a…

This week we will be studying Galatians 1:3-12 under the theme “No Other Gospel.” Reversing the gospel is a primary mechanism by which Satan tries to steal confidence, hope, joy, and even salvation away from Christians. This lesson teaches the right order of the gospel. We’ll learn how to fight against an upside-down, perverted ordering of the gosp…

This week we will be studying John 15:9-17 under the theme “Dangerous Friendship.” As God has called us “friends,” and treated us as his greatest friend by laying his life down for us, we are also to go and do likewise – not as friends of the world, but as the best friends in the world. SERIES SUMMARY: "Dangerous Jesus" is based on a book by Kevin …

This week we will be studying Acts 2:42-47 under the theme “Dangerous Spirit.” After Pentecost, the Spirit of God worked mightily in the Early Church to produce a countercultural lifestyle amongst God’s people as they graciously did life together. SERIES SUMMARY: "Dangerous Jesus" is based on a book by Kevin "KB" Burgess. Today, we see a surge of p…

This week we’ll be studying Philippians 3:17-21 under the theme “Dangerous Citizen.” When Christians in this world forget that their citizenship is truly in heaven, they tend to have an unhealthy relationship with political power. Christian Nationalism has become an unhealthy development. This week we’ll learn the confidence that comes from knowing…

This week, we will be studying Luke 9:18-20 under the theme, "Dangerous Jesus." Jesus asked the question to his disciples and to us all, "But what about you? Who do you say I am? "Find out why the only thing more risky than getting Jesus right is getting Jesus wrong. SERIES SUMMARY: "Dangerous Jesus" is based on a book by Kevin "KB" Burgess. Today,…

This week we will be studying Revelation 7:9-14 under the theme “Christianity Is Necessarily Diverse.” As we close out our series on Urban Apologetics, we will look back at the doctrines we’ve covered, their implications, and applications for individuals and our church. We will also look ahead to the gathering of saints for worship in heaven, notic…

This week we will be studying James 2:1-5 under the theme “Does God Favor Some People Groups?” Why is it that the poor of the world have historically been more receptive to the gospel of Jesus than the wealthy? What exactly is favoritism and what does it look like to rid our lives of a “ME FIRST” approach to human relationships? This passage from J…

This week we will be studying Deuteronomy 10:12-22 under the theme “Christians Fight For Human Dignity.” In our annual Juneteenth celebration, we will acknowledge our country’s struggles with human dignity, study God’s approach to viewing one another based on how he views us, and seek steps toward preserving the dignity of all. This series is loose…

This week we will be studying Galatians 3:26-29 under the theme “Christianity…a Whitewashed Religion?” Regardless of earthly categories, all who believe in Jesus maintain the status as fully justified children of God. Unfortunately, Christians don’t always communicate that equality in the way we conduct our lives. We begin our new series by seeing …