If there is a God and He is near to us and He desires to walk with us, how do we even do that? Psalm 1 shows us 3 ways NOT to walk with God. But it also gives us one beautiful picture of blessing for the person who "delights in the law of the Lord." Listen in for this finale of our 3-week sermon series "Walking With God" and learn with us from the ancients (today Micah, John, and Jesus) how we might practically walk with God in our modern world.
Walking With God: Where? (Psalm 42)
"Where is your God?" This is the adversarial cry in Psalm 42 that is repeated twice. In today's sermon, we learn from the ancient path in Genesis, Jeremiah, and Zephaniah that God is remarkably "WITH" us. Join us as we investigate the location of the God whom many in the world seemingly can't seem to find. The remarkable truth that we unpack is that, on the contrary, God has been the One pursuing us in love the whole time.
Walking With God: Who? (Psalm 113)
This is the first of a 3-week mini-series, as we take a brief pause from our walk-through the book of Acts and now zoom in on what it means to personally "walk with God." This is the common image used throughout the Scriptures to describe people who are close to the heart of God, pursuing Him and being in His presence. But it's also the story of people who are being pursued by the loving and gracious God of the Bible, Today's first sermon in the series answers the basic question, "Who is God?" and gets into why walking with Him is even a good or desirable thing. Join us on this 3-week journey as we learn to walk with God in the modern world, with tremendous help from the ancient path trod by many faithful men and women before us.
The Church: Sent (Acts 13-14)
At the core of the Church's identity is the idea that it has been "sent out" into the world. This week's sermon focuses on the various "places" that make up how the Church is sent - the place of change, the place of sending, and the place of mission. Listen in as we discover together how the joy of a heart changed by Jesus explodes into the world, fueled by mission and released with grace and purpose.
The Church: Little Christs (Acts 11:19-12:25)
What is a "Christian"? This may seem like a silly question to ask because it has an obvious answer. But as the first followers of Jesus Christ are identified by this title for the first time in Antioch in Acts 11, it's good for us to pause and think deeper about what this means. So join in today as we learn the 13 things that the text tells us "Christians" are. But more than simply memorizing those 13 things, we learn deeper today that "Christians" are nothing more or less than those who image Christ, and become little versions of Him in our world.
The Church: Uncommon (Acts 10:1-11:18)
The story of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10-11 is told 3 separate times throughout those chapters. Because it's told three times, it must mean we need to really listen well to what is being told through that story! This sermon is about a clarion call to the global Church for all times - "God shows no partiality" (Acts 10:34) and the Church is for Jews and Gentiles. Listen in as we learn about what makes the Church uncommon in world always, and how the Olympic Games and NBA Finals give us examples.
The Church: Never Too Far (Acts 9:1-31)
It's amazing how one person can make such an impact. In today's famous story, we learn about Saul of Tarsus' well-known conversion on the road to Damascus. But even deeper, we see the ever-extending grace of God at work in powerful ways. Join us today as we feel and experience the Pursuer God, relentlessly and extravagantly changing the course of history by transforming one man. And He uses His Church to do the good work!
The Church: Scattered For a Purpose (Acts 8)
After the martyrdom of Stephen in Acts 7, the Church is scattered away from Jerusalem and into the rest of the region because of intense persecution. At first glance, this seems to be problematic for the advance of the Gospel. But as we peer into Acts 8, quite to the contrary, we read two extraordinary stories: one with a magician and one with an Ethiopian - both of whom come to faith in Jesus through the obedience of Philip to the call of the Holy Spirit. In today's sermon, Alan Vance focuses on the story of the Ethiopian eunuch and the power of God's Word to change lives... at any point and in any place.
The Church: Servants in the Story (Acts 6-7)
How can the Church be of use in the modern world? This is a question many have begun to ask in recent decades. With so many humanitarian aid agencies, NGOs, non-profits, and a rising spirit of volunteerism, what possibly can the Church add? In today's sermon, we look at how the early Church remarkably responded - in a posture of humility and with a passion for the Grand Story - to a rising need in their community. We learn about the origin of a vision for "deacons" and what their important role is in the life of the Church. What we see through these deacons - with the light shining ultimately on the bold & gracious person of Stephen, is that the Church exists as the ultimate Servant People, with the One Story that can bring lasting hope to the world.
The Church: Changed by Grace (Acts 4:31-5:42)
The best definition and evidence of the of the Church is "grace." As we listen to a story today that causes fear in the early Church, we see that God takes seriously the genuineness of our actions done in His Name. But He also abundantly pours out His grace on His Church, empowering and changing them into a beautiful outpost of hope and care for our broken world. Listen in today as we explore the two evidences of grace, and the one lurking danger of grace in the story of Ananias and Sapphira.
The Church: Bold With the Gospel (Acts 4:1-31)
There may be nothing more scary for the modern day Christian than the admonition to "share your faith" with others. But when we look at the early Church, particularly at John and Peter in Acts 4, we see a unique flavor of Gospel boldness. It's not a burden, but rather a belief. Listen in as we learn about how to unlock a boldness that is freeing, and not forced. The short answer? Genuine time with Jesus - the only way to true life.
The Church: In Jesus' Name (Acts 3:1-26)
In today's Scripture, a remarkable event occurs... and it's not the healing of a lame beggar! Rather, "in Jesus' Name" Peter and John bring this man and all the onlookers more than they expected. Listen in today as we see how the power of the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth brings about more than we ever could have dreamed or imagined... even more than eternity. "God is on the move!"
The Church: Unique in the World (Acts 2:42-47)
The earliest Church must have looked really strange in the Roman Empire. Selling their houses and meeting together every day? Giving generously to the poor and the outcasts? All this (and more) is what makes the Church unique in the world. Listen in today to learn more about how these earliest believers in Jesus uniquely came together to form a fellowship that would change the world forever.
The Church: On Whom God's Spirit Rests (Acts 2:1-41)
The story of the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost is both astounding and confounding. What is happening in this unique story in history? Listen in today as we learn how God delights to use His Church for His purposes, by "resting" Himself on the Church.
The Church: Organized for a Purpose (Acts 1:12-26)
As the earliest disciples await the coming of the promised Holy Spirit, a clear question emerges - "What now???" It is in this in-between passage - after Jesus' ascension and before the Holy Spirit's coming - that the Church begins to be organized. In this sermon, we learn that the Church can best and most freely witness to a watching world when it is organized under God’s clear leading.
The Church: Empowered for a Purpose (Acts 1:1-11)
"God is on the move!" As we begin a new series in the book of Acts, we see two primary actors emerge: The Holy Spirit and the Church. These are God's two primary agents of action in spreading the gospel of Jesus all around. Today we look at the introduction, and see how the Church is empowered for a specific purpose. Join us on this journey through Acts as we come to understand what the Church is to be in the world today.
The Shepherd's Fish (John 21)
What does a Shepherd do with fish? Approaching John 21, we find a beautiful story of the resurrected Jesus encountering His disciples with a reminder and a vision for their lives. Join us for this wrap-up sermon on our month-long missions conference, "All for Jesus" as we see what God has in store for His church going forward into the future.
An Epic Thirst (John 4:1-26)
Jesus' famous encounter with the woman at the well in John 4 is a well known story. This week, Stephanie Clark (CEO of Amirah, Inc.) brings this poignant story to life in our modern day by teaching it through the lens of her work of rescuing women from the enslavement of human trafficking in New England. This story is a deep encouragement to all of us looking for true life and living water.
Are you thirsty?
Jesus: The King (Mark 16:1-8)
What is a King? As Jesus' tomb is found empty, Mark 16 gives us a surprising look into Jesus being crowned as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Journey with us to discover with us how the resurrection of Jesus Christ crowns Him as the One True King.
Good Friday | Jesus: The Sacrificed Savior (Mark 15:15-41)
Sacrifice. On the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice for humanity. The disgraced become the embraced. Listen in as we see those Jesus embraces while on the cross. Which does your soul identify with on this day?