The Birth of Jesus

Mike Woods

Luke 2

Regardless of the true day of Jesus' birth, we can live every day celebrating that He came to earth to rescue us from our sin, that we have a secure eternity, and that we can love others with the same generosity our Lord has loved us.

The Return of the King

Conrad Hilario

Revelation 19-20

When Jesus comes back and inaugurates the Millennial Kingdom, He will bring about true social justice, world peace and spiritual enlightenment. Nature will never again harm humans, and though mortal, the inhabitants will not suffer from sicknesses. All will celebrate with great joy. After the Millennial Kingdom closes, there will be one more rebellion which Jesus will snuff out and then comes judgment. Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire along with anyone who did not choose to ask Jesus to forgive their sins.

The Reign of David:Uniting the Nation

Scott Risley

2 Samuel 2-6

Although King David was far from a perfect man or king, we can learn from his rich emotional life. He openly expressed himself to God, acted on the teachings of the Word, kept his eyes on God not people, and he realized that people will respect a passionate, expressive person. Finally, he enjoyed being with God's people.

Loving God with All Your Heart

James Rochford

2 Samuel 5-6

Loving God with all your heart involves letting yourself display emotions. David's source of his passion was his deep trusting relationship he had with God. His wife, Michal, on the other hand kept aloof, allowed hard-heartedness to take root, leading her to develop a twisted narrative of David's joyous dancing before the Lord.

What Is God Like?

Dennis McCallum

Luke 15

Because Jesus' critics do not understand what God is like, He gives them three parables to challenge their wrong understanding. In the first two, He recounts the joy one feels when something valuable is lost and then found. The third is the parable of the prodigal son, which actually is about the grace and mercy the father has for not only his reprobate son who, after squandering his inheritance, returns repentant, but also for the ungrateful son who remained behind.

Three Responses to God's Goodness

Patrice McCormac

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Regardless of our circumstances, we are called to have three responses to God's goodness. First, we are challenged to rejoice always in Christ no matter how good or bad are the circumstances. It is a choice we make to see God at work in the midst of our circumstances. Second, we are to pray without ceasing. We are to have an ongoing conversation with God throughout the day. Third, we must give thanks in everything, but not for everything. We have only to look at the cross to see our source of thankfulness.

So, Is This the Christian Life?

Patrice McCormac

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Paul writes a letter to follow up his earlier visit to the Thessalonian church . He is pleased with Timothy's report of how they are doing but encourages them to excel still more in loving others. By living in such a way that outsiders see the great love we have for others, they are attracted to become followers of Christ themselves.

A Passion for People

Patrice McCormac

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

Paul demonstrates three principles that characterized his relationship with the Thessalonians. He was committed to spending face-to-face time with them. He was committed to their spiritual well being. And finally, he took great joy in their spiritual progress.

What Is It About this Church?

Patrice McCormac

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Paul writes to the Thessalonians to express his gratitude for their radical lifestyle for Christ and their decisive response to the Gospel. He thanks God for their work of faith, their labor of love and their steadfastness of hope. He recognizes God was at work in their community and He came in power and in the Holy Spirit. He rejoices that the word of the Lord sounded forth because they received the Gospel with joy and gave it away wherever they went.