Be Angry and Do Not Sin - The Imprecatory Psalms

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The "imprecatory" psalms - the psalms of anger against injustice - are rarely read or preached on in church. This is unfortunate because they are a gift: Spirit-inspired words to voice righteous indignation about the very real evils in the world. Paul calls on us to be truthful -- to "BE ANGRY, and do not sin." These psalms allow us to do this, with humility (recognizing our own sinfulness), and to give our anger to God to handle it in his way and his time.

  • Scriptures Used: Psalm 58 and Romans 12:14-21

The Psalms: God’s Language for Calling Out our Souls - Psalm 1:1-6

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The Psalms were the official hymnbook of God’s people for over 1500 years. Today, they provide language that take us where we would not (and perhaps could not) go -- giving us new reasons to be thankful, to praise, to have faith in trials, to lament and to pray against injustice and oppression. They are God’s language for calling out our souls.

  • Scriptures used: Psalm 1:1-6; Matthew 7:12-29

Building Together: Lessons from Ezra and Nehemiah

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The story of Ezra and Nehemiah are great lessons for how to build. They provide powerful lessons about who God is, and who we are to be as we minister in the church and world. This message will focus on the sovereignty of God, how we deal with opposition from within and without, and the importance of God’s glory as our final goal.

  • Scriptures used: Ezra 3:8-13; John 17:10-23

Faith in God - Confidence and Assurance in the Unseen

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August 11, 2019

Deacon Scott shares how Hebrews 11:1-16 relates to our lives of attempting to faithfully follow God in the midst of uncertainty, feeling foreign, and trusting in God’s promised eternal hope.

  • Scripture Used: Hebrews 11:1-6, Luke 12:32-40

  • Meaningful Conversation Starters:

    Is faith in God intriguing, promising, and hopeful for you, or does it just sound like daydreaming or madness?


    Is your faith in … your faith? Or is your faith in God and His faithfulness.


    Do you have faith that God can use what you have to offer?


    Is it sometimes easy to be discouraged or frustrated and wonder if God really is in your life? If He really is going to reveal His will to you as you seek after Him?



That They May Be One

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Just prior to departing from the disciples after their last supper together, Jesus prayed for the unity of those who were believing in Him. He prayed to the Father that "they may be one, as we are one." Why? So that the world may know Jesus was sent by the Father and know the Father's love.

  • Scripture used: John 17:20-26

  • Meaningful Conversation Starters: Is the unity of the Church a gift of God, or something we work towards, or is it both? What are some practical ways we demonstrate, or live out, our unity in Christ?

A Different Gospel

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There is a "different gospel" that many are preaching -- prosperity gospel, universalism, progressivism (relativism), and so forth. Jesus tells us to be wise and shrewd. Paul warns the church about those who will come and ravage the flock. We must safeguard our families, friends, the church, etc while at the same time interacting with different ideologies graciously and sensitively. 

  • Scripture used: Matthew 7:15-23; Jude 1:1-8, 17-23




Waitlisted

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Have you ever been in a season of life where you’re waiting? Maybe you feel as if life has passed you by and that God has forgotten that you’re still on hold. The good news is that God has not abandoned you and His deep compassion is available for you.

  • Scripture used: Genesis 18: 1-15; Mark 9:14-29

  • Meaningful Conversation Starters: How am I waiting for God? What am I learning in my waiting season?