“An Easy Yoke” Text: Romans 7:12-25a Pastor Jon continues our journey through the book of Romans with a look at this often-misinterpreted text. While Paul is identifying the struggle of sin, he is not giving us permission to live in the struggle, nor is he suggesting that “wretchedness” is the normal condition of the Christian.…
“Alive in Christ” Text: Romans 5:20-6:11 In Romans 6, Paul calls us to be dead to ourselves, and to come alive in Christ. This truth shapes the way we live, the ways we relate to one another, the ways we utilize money, and even our wishes and dreams for our lives. When we get Jesus…
“Pentecost: A Holy Interruption” Text: Numbers 11:24-30; Acts 2:1-21 Pastor Jon explores several of the ways in which God interrupts our lives: to call us from sin, to bring us back where we need to be, to interrupt our religious routines, and to put us to use in the Kingdom of God. As we celebrate…
Take Heart Text: I Peter 3:13-17; 4:12-19; John 16:33 As we hear stories of religious persecution around the world, we are reminded of some of the “famous last words” of Jesus – “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.” Pastor Jon shares some modern stories of martyrs,…
“Taste and See” Text: I Peter 2:1-10 We continue our journey through the Easter Season with a closer look at I Peter 2:2-3. What does it mean to “taste and see that the Lord is good”? We crave pure spiritual milk. We grow up into our salvation. We help others discover where to find the…
Living Hope I Peter 1:3-9 Journey with us through the Easter season with a study on the book of First Peter. This letter helps us understand how the resurrection shapes the ways we live and interact with the world today. Today we explore what it means to have a “Living Hope,” and how this hope…
Transitions 7: From Denial to Forgiveness John 21:1-19 Having journeyed with Peter on Thursday night, we are now invited to join him as he finds reconciliation and restoration. Confronted with our own fears, failures, disappointments, doubts, and even denials, we understand the dread that Peter may be experiencing. And yet, we discover that Jesus values…
Transitions 5: From Death to Life Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11:1-7, 38-44; Romans 8:6-11 Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones helps us to understand the power of God’s Spirit. We are reminded that there are no situations that are beyond all hope, and Christians are invited to see the potential of God’s work…
Transitions 3: From Despair to Hope Text: Exodus 17:1-7; John 4:1-24; Romans 5:1-11 Water is an essential component of human life… and Living Water is an essential component of our spiritual lives. Pastor Jon looks at two familiar scripture lessons about water, exploring the transition from despair to hope. As God’s love is poured into…
Transitions 1: From Sin to Righteousness Text: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11; Romans 5:12-19 As we enter into the Lenten season, we begin a series on the transitions brought about in our lives because of the person and work of Jesus. This week, we focus on how sin entered the world through Adam, but righteousness…