As we step into Part 3 of our Statement of Faith, today we look at creation itself. What do we believe as a church about our world? What is our role in it?
Our Covenant: We Trust (Proverbs 3:5-6)
As we finish our second section of our Statement of Faith on the Word of God, today we learn together the practical application of that for our daily lives. What does it actually mean for us to trust the Scripture?
Our Covenant: We Love (Matthew 22:34-40)
As we finish our first section of our Statement of Faith on the Triune God, today we learn together the practical applications of what that means for us as a church. What do we desire to covenant together towards? What does it really mean to love God?
We Love the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-26)
Who is the Holy Spirit? Is it like the “force” in Star Wars? No. Listen in today to learn about the beautiful, life-giving third Person of the Trinity that knows us as a real person and empowers believers to live lives of fruitfulness.
We Love Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-11)
Jesus Christ is the center of the Christian faith. Seems obvious. But why? What must we know about Him? And what effect does that have on the rest of human life? Listen in today to a fastball right down the middle on the person of Jesus.
We Love the Father (Psalm 103)
The Bible uses the image of God being our Father. What does that really mean? Why is it important? Listen in today as we explore the beauty of God’s heart for us.
We Love the Trinity (Matthew 28:16-20)
Who are we? As a church here in Salem, today we begin a year-long journey through our refreshed Statement of Faith. We begin today with the “love behind all love” — the Trinity.
Divine Friendship (John 15:12-17)
Friendship is one of God's greatest gifts to the whole world. There is nothing like a close friendship. But where does friendship come from? Who is the greatest, first friend? Listen in today as we learn together about God's initiative to create and pursue us as humans as true friends.
A Fitting Close in Praise (Psalm 145)
The only way to conclude a summer in the Psalms is to close in praise! This is what the Psalms really are all about, because that is what all of life - from beginning to end - is all about. Listen in to learn the ABCs of praise from Psalm 145.
God as Protector (Psalm 121)
As we approach the fall and a new season, where are you looking for your help? Psalm 121 is a beautiful, well-known Psalm that talks about looking up to the mountains for help. But the Psalm is really directing someplace further. Listen in today to discover more about where our true help is found.
Who is God Really? (Isaiah 8.5-22)
Immanuel is one of the most important names in the Scriptures. It means "God With Us." But what does it mean for us? What does it teach us about who God really is?
Brought In (Exodus 1:8-2:10; Galatians 3:23-4:7)
Adoption is not only a literal global need, but it is also the greatest spiritual need we have as humans as well. As we read the stories of Scripture we discover the theme of adoption pulsating off the pages, of how the God of creation did everything and spent everything to buy us back and make us part of his family. Listen in today as the most famous singular adoption story in the Bible is read, and how one of the greatest theological beauties is taught from the New Testament.
Before You Were Born (Jeremiah 1:5; Ephesians 1:1-14)
When did God first know you? It is a very different answer than when we first came to know God. Listen in today to a powerful exposition of one famous verse about the prophet Jeremiah, and how it applies to us today.
The God of gods (Psalm 82)
What kind of world do we live in? Psalm 82 is one of the places in Scripture that gives us a peak behind the curtain, to see a world that is more than we usually imagine. But we also discover within this Psalm the profound worth that humans have to God and a potential for real and lasting justice beyond our deepest hopes.
Tearful Hope (Psalm 80)
In times of tears and darkness, it is natural for humans to have soul-cries towards something or someone outside of ourselves who can restore us. Psalm 80 repeats this cry for "restoration" three times. What does this teach us about challenging times we go through, and does this even have something to teach us about where we place our ultimate hope? Listen in today and discover how Jesus Christ steps into that space we long to have filled.
Why the Church Can Work (Psalm 79)
The purpose of the church, or even religion itself, is often discussed in the modern world. As we listen to an admittedly "brutal Psalm" today in Psalm 79, what possible hope can we gather from Israel's defeat at the hands of Babylon in 586 BC? What we discover is a heartfelt reflection on something we admittedly misunderstand about God (his jealousy), something we love about what God can give (his forgiveness), and something we all cry for throughout the ages (his justice). But we learn something even more important - we learn about the community he is redeeming for the world and why it works still even today.
A Long Journey in God's Faithfulness (Psalm 78)
As we listen to the story of God's faithfulness over many generations read over us from Psalm 78, we find the encouragements to remember, believe, tell, follow. Listen in as we enter into Israel's history, and find its application to us today in the modern world as well.
The Most Important Thing About Us (Jonah 4:5-11)
What is the most important thing about you? As we arrive at the end of Jonah's epic story, we begin to finally see God reveal Jonah's deepest heart. What does Jonah care most about? Through the object lesson of a plant and worm, God not only reveals Jonah's heart, but ours as well. Along the way, we discover the most important thing about God too - that He loves humans more than we ever thought possible.
The Storm of Holy-Love (Jonah 1:4)
When storms come to us in life (pains, troubles, trials, etc.), often we are quick to ask "why?" But as we learn today from God's intervening storm in Jonah 1:4, there is something meaningful for us in the storms of life. Listen in today as we learn about God's character of perfect holiness and love, and how they meet us in grace in the storms of life, helping us to see Jesus clearly amidst the waves and wind.
Fleeing the Presence of the LORD (Jonah 1:3)
"Is God really good?" When we scan the pages of Scripture, we find this to be a theme that is repeated in a diversity of ways, by a diversity of people throughout history. In this second sermon in the 11-week series in the book of Jonah, listen in as Mike Lilley traces Jonah's response to God's call. Why does Jonah choose to flee the opposite direction? His refusal to obey exposes his sin before God, bringing about great personal cost. But, more so, what does it show us about God Himself? Is He good? Is there any hope for us as people who are "prone to wander" and "prone to leave the God we love"?