The Grace of God

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

Paul could have responded to his attackers with defensiveness or despair. Instead, he chose compassion, because he remembered where he once stood. Having been transformed from persecutor to proclaimer, Paul knew that sharing his encounter with Christ wasn't about impressing others with his story, but about revealing God's pursuing love that can transform any heart.

From the series: Standalone Messages

God's love is unbelievable, undeniable, and unlimited. While we create rules and systems to fix ourselves, God's love reaches down to the worst of us. Romans 5:8 shows us something extraordinary: "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." That's not human love. That's divine, redeeming love.

From the series: Acts: The Church on the Move

Acts 15 represents one of Christianity's most pivotal moments—a debate that could have split the church forever. When some demanded that Gentiles become Jewish to be saved, the apostles faced a choice: compromise the gospel or risk division. Their response reveals the DNA of every powerful church: anchored in grace, united by truth, and sent in freedom. The result? A revival that continues to this day.

From the series: Summer in the Psalms

Psalm 145 calls us to generational worship, urging us to pass on praise and faith in God to the next generation. Our identity and hope are rooted in His grace, mercy, and steadfast love. True worship transforms us, fueling a legacy of faith that impacts both our community and future generations for Christ.

From the series: Late Summer in the Psalms

We will all worship something; it's just a question of will it be God or something else. As we go through our daily lives, we are called to turn our hearts towards Jesus and keep our mind on things above instead of letting the distractions of this world drag us down.

From the series: In the Beginning

In Genesis 45, we finally see Joseph reveal himself to his brothers. Instead of using his position and power to exact revenge on them, he instead forgives them and recognizes how God placed him in this position in order to preserve their lives.

From the series: In the Beginning

In Genesis 38, we find the story of Judah and his daughter-in-law, Tamar. In the messy circumstances, we see what happens when someone is taken advantage of for selfish purposes. Yet in spite of the mess, God is always sovereign and works all things together for His good and gives us hope.

From the series: In the Beginning

Imagine seeing an enormous staircase that goes from the ground up into heaven. Imagine angels walking up and down the staircase, and God standing above you telling you he will bless the whole earth through your offspring. This is how God appears to Jacob in a dream in Genesis 28.

From the series: In the Beginning

In Genesis 27, we see the story of how Jacob used deception to steal his brother’s blessing. Regardless of Jacob’s sin, and our sins, God still pursues us. It’s only because of His grace that we’re saved.

From the series: In the Beginning

Ever find yourself falling back into a sinful habit? In Genesis 20, we see Abraham doing this by repeating his lie about Sarah saying she is his sister, not his wife. We see the faithfulness of God even when we are not faithful.

From the series: In the Beginning

In Genesis 9, God gives mankind a second chance after the great flood. He establishes a covenant with Noah that there would never again be a worldwide flood upon the earth.

From the series: In the Beginning

In Genesis 5 and 6, we observe the increasing unfaithfulness of the generations following Adam and Eve. Their unfaithfulness ultimately leads to Noah and the flood, but through it all, we continue to see the faithfulness of God.

From the series: Romans: More than Conquerors

It can be easy to get into the mindset that we want God to come alongside us and do what we want. Instead, we should surrender our will to God and let Him flow through us to bless others in this world. Through that we can find true happiness and meaning.

From the series: Romans: More than Conquerors

In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul examines how salvation began with God’s people, the Jews. Through God’s kindness, Gentiles were grafted in, not because of anything we did, but simply by the mercy and grace of God.

From the series: Romans: More than Conquerors

God wants us to make a difference in this world and stand for truth, not just what is popular in the culture around us. The body of Christ can only be effective when we are working together on mission to serve the people around us.

From the series: Romans: More than Conquerors

The message of the Gospel contains tremendous power to transform our lives. When we share that message of hope with the world, we should do it through a spirit of love and compassion. We're not trying to win arguments; we’re trying to love those around us.

From the series: Romans: More than Conquerors

Does God harden people's hearts? Paul responds to this hot button question in Romans 9 and examines how the human heart responds to the sovereignty of God. It’s only because of the grace of Jesus that we have any standing before God.

From the series: Romans: More than Conquerors

In Romans 9, Paul deals with the complex issue of salvation and the sovereignty of God and how He is at work in all things.

From the series: Romans: More than Conquerors

As we look at Romans 7 we see warnings for Christians who lose sight of what a walk with the Lord is all about.

From the series: Standalone Messages

A special Christmas message about our Savior.

From the series: Romans: More than Conquerors

In our human nature, we can respond to God by either becoming rebellious and saying no to the rules, or becoming religious and trying to follow all the rules. Fortunately, Jesus gives us a third option though grace in a relationship with Him.

From the series: Romans: More than Conquerors

In Romans 6, the Apostle Paul talks about the newness of life that we have through Jesus. Through His sacrifice, we have been brought from death to life and made new in Him.

From the series: Romans: More than Conquerors

We are all doomed to spiritual death because of our fallen nature. But, through the free gift of grace in Jesus, we have been given spiritual life and hope for our future.

From the series: Romans: More than Conquerors

Romans 5 begins with a very pivotal word - therefore. In the first four chapters, Paul outlines the fallen nature of all mankind. He spends the rest of the book exploring the goodness and grace of God.

From the series: Romans: More than Conquerors

The beginning of Romans shows us the depravity of mankind. Today’s passage begins with the two most pivotal words in the Bible, “but now.” We come to understand that the grace of Christ is where we can put our trust and faith.

From the series: Jars of Clay

Why does the Apostle Paul choose to boast in his weaknesses? How many heavens are there? While these questions might not seem related, we discover their connection in today’s message.

From the series: Jars of Clay

Discusses the themes of grace in adversity, sacrificial serving, and faithful generosity, as taught by Paul. It emphasizes the importance of demonstrating genuine love through actions, especially in challenging times. Encourages believers to live generously and selflessly, mirroring Christ’s example, and highlights how such a lifestyle reflects a deep understanding of the gospel and enriches one's life.

From the series: Jars of Clay

In this passage the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of conflict and difficulties we can face in relationships with those around us.

From the series: Jars of Clay

We're beginning a new series in 2nd Corinthians and how God's power is made evident in our weaknesses. The Christian walk can feel like a struggle at time, but we can find strength by surrendering our weakness and struggles to Christ.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Today is Palm Sunday and we answer these questions: what is Palm Sunday, why does it matter, and what significance does it have to our faith today?

From the series: Esther: Such a Time as This

In Esther 6, we see the providence of God at work in directing King Ahasuerus to honor Mordecai and spare his life. The pride of Haman finally leads to his downfall.

From the series: Esther: Such a Time as This

In chapter 2, we are introduced to three complex characters. In the king, we see the lack of accountability in his attitude and behavior. We are also introduced to Mordecai and his cousin Esther as they are faced with choices of faith vs convenience.

From the series: Light the Dark

Do you have regrets in life? We all do, and when we consider John 21, we can be sure Peter had regrets about his denial of Jesus. But, Jesus responds to him with grace and brings healing to their relationship. We can confident that God’s grace is always greater than our regrets.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Delves into the story of Jacob and Esau, illustrating how deceit and theft can damage trust and relationships. Discusses the broader implications of stealing, not just in terms of material possessions, but also in terms of dignity, life, and honor. It emphasizes that everything belongs to God, and stealing reflects a lack of trust in God's provision.

From the series: Light the Dark

Is it ever okay to spit on someone? That's exactly what Jesus does to the blind man in John 9. This man was ostracized by the religious leaders and his community, but Jesus reaches out to him with love and grace.

From the series: Light the Dark

John 8 recounts the story of the woman caught in adultery. The religious leaders were trying to trap Jesus in a legal argument, but He cuts right through it and gets to the core issue.

From the series: Light the Dark

We examine Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 and the powerful message we can learn from this.

From the series: Pursuing God's Heart

Join us as we conclude our series on 1st and 2nd Samuel, Through this series we have examined how God worked in the life of David.

From the series: Pursuing God's Heart

Even when we fail and feel like giving up, God's love and mercy is always greater. Join us as we continue to examine the life of David in 2 Samuel.

From the series: Pursuing God's Heart

When we fail, there are some common mistakes we make in trying to make ourselves right before God. But instead of running or turning away, we need to turn to Him.

From the series: Pursuing God's Heart

This week we are examining the sins of David with Ba thsheba in 2 Samuel 10-11 and how we can find hope even in our failings.

From the series: Pursuing God's Heart

This week we are examining 2 Samuel 9 and how to fight loneliness.

From the series: Pursuing God's Heart

We examine 2 Samuel 7 and the desire of David to build a temple for God, but how God's desire is for connection with his people.

From the series: Pursuing God's Heart

Join us as we continue our journey through the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. This week are examining how David brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem and then broke out his dance moves.

From the series: Pursuing God's Heart

Learning how to forgive can have a life-changing effect on our life. We examine David's example from Samuel 26 and his interaction with King Saul.

From the series: Pursuing God's Heart

We are looking at Samuel 15 and how the grace of God has changed us. We can let go of our failures and the things that want drag us down and destroy us.

From the series: All In

This week Peter wants us to understand the power of Christ’s kingdom and the important identity he gives to those that belong to his kingdom. God reminds we can live out our new identity we find in him no matter the circumstance we face.

From the series: All In

Life can be a struggle. Sometimes things don't go the way we hoped. The world is full of stress and chaos. But even in the midst of it all, Jesus is always there and we can have victory in Him.

From the series: Kingdom Come

We examine how to deal with life's regrets. Will your regrets lead to tragedy and death or to life and freedom in Christ?

From the series: Kingdom Come

We look at the life of Noah and how you can see God's grace at work even through the flood.

From the series: Standalone Messages

We look at God's word to see how the simple phrase, "But God ..." can be so tremendously powerful.

From the series: Christmas 2018

Explores the themes of guilt and grace in the context of the New Year. It emphasizes the importance of confronting and understanding guilt through a biblical lens, and the transformative power of grace in overcoming personal shortcomings. Encourages a fresh start in the New Year, focusing on spiritual renewal and the role of faith in achieving personal and spiritual growth.

From the series: Christmas 2018

Explores the true meaning of Christmas beyond material gifts. It reflects on personal anecdotes and biblical narratives to illustrate how Christmas represents God's pursuit of humanity and the gift of grace through Jesus Christ. Emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting this gift, highlighting how grace can transform lives. Encourages embracing a lifestyle that acknowledges and celebrates the true essence of Christmas every day, beyond the seasonal festivities.

From the series: Greater

Delves into the biblical concept of Zion, contrasting it with Mount Sinai. It explores the meanings of these two symbolic locations, emphasizing Zion as a metaphor for God's presence and grace in the New Testament, in contrast to Sinai's representation of law and judgment. Highlights the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, where Zion signifies a spiritual journey towards a deeper, grace-filled relationship with God.

From the series: Greater

Focuses on Jesus as the ultimate High Priest. It explains how Jesus' role transcends traditional priesthood, highlighting His unique position as the mediator between God and humanity. Delves into the Old Testament priesthood and contrasts it with Jesus' eternal priesthood, emphasizing His ability to fully understand and sympathize with human weaknesses. It encourages believers to approach Jesus confidently, as He provides both mercy and grace in times of need.

From the series: Greater

Focuses on staying faithful to God amidst life's challenges and emphasizes the importance of not becoming spiritually callous or indifferent, particularly during difficult times. Encourages us to maintain a passionate and vibrant faith, drawing strength and inspiration from Jesus Christ. It delves into the need for believers to keep their hearts tender towards God, ensuring their spiritual growth and resilience in the face of adversity.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Explores the Book of Micah, focusing on God's requirements for His followers: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. It emphasizes the importance of living out these principles in daily life, reflecting God's character through actions, especially in how one treats others, including the vulnerable and disadvantaged.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Explores the concept of contentment in a Christian's life. It addresses the challenge of overcoming envy and jealousy, emphasizing the importance of finding satisfaction and joy in what one already has. Uses biblical references and personal anecdotes to highlight the necessity of gratitude and trust in God, rather than focusing on material desires or comparing oneself to others. It encourages listeners to cultivate a heart of contentment as a key aspect of spiritual well-being.

From the series: Jonah

Discusses Jonah's journey with God, focusing on his anger and insecurity. It highlights God's compassionate nature and how Jonah's attitude towards Nineveh reflects his own heart's condition. It emphasizes God's interest in heart transformation over behavior modification, using Jonah's story to illustrate the importance of aligning one's heart with God's nature and will.

From the series: Recovery Road

Focuses on the story of Hosea and Gomer, using their relationship as a metaphor for our relationship with God. It emphasizes the theme that in our brokenness and sin, God still pursues us with love and grace. Highlights the importance of understanding our identity in God, and how our insecurities often lead us towards idolatry. It stresses that true healing and recovery come from embracing our identity in Christ, understanding His sacrificial love, and recognizing that we are valued by God, not because of our actions but because of His grace.

From the series: Recovery Road

Delves into the complex relationship between God and the people of Israel as depicted in the book of Hosea. It illustrates God's unwavering love and commitment towards a wayward Israel, using the metaphor of Hosea's marriage to Gomer, a prostitute. Highlights themes of redemption, love, and forgiveness, emphasizing how God continually reaches out to his people despite their rebellion and sin, offering restoration and a renewed relationship.

From the series: Recovery Road

Interprets the biblical story of Hosea to highlight God's persistent love and grace towards humanity despite their unfaithfulness. Emphasizes how Hosea's marriage to Gomer symbolizes the relationship between God and Israel. Underscores the idea that God's love remains steadfast even when people stray, and it demonstrates this through Hosea's journey of marrying a woman of harlotry as directed by God, reflecting His pursuit of a wayward Israel.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Focuses on the themes of pride and judgment as depicted in the book of Obadiah. It addresses how pride led to the downfall of Edom, emphasizing the need for humility and reliance on God. Encourages introspection and a shift from self-centeredness to a Christ-centered life, illustrating the importance of repentance and God's grace for all people, regardless of their past actions.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Discusses the book of Philemon, focusing on themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and Christian duty. It examines the relationship between Philemon, a slave owner, and his runaway slave, Onesimus, who becomes a Christian. Explores how the Apostle Paul mediates between them, urging Philemon to forgive and accept Onesimus as a brother in Christ. Highlights the transformative power of Christian love and forgiveness in overcoming social barriers and personal grievances.

From the series: Red Letter Day

Palm Sunday marks Jesus's entry into Jerusalem amid great fanfare. Exploring Luke 23, the crucifixion unveils the darkest yet victorious day, fulfilling Biblical prophecies, and the profound fulfillment of Jesus's sacrifice for us on the cross.

From the series: Habakkuk

Habakkuk's journey from desperation to embracing God's glory amidst adversity. It highlights Israel's detachment from God and Habakkuk's struggle to find God's presence and plan in his challenges. The text emphasizes the importance of drawing near to God and the discovery of God's glory in transforming one's heart.

From the series: Move Past

Explores the importance of forgiveness, emphasizing it as a choice and a reflection of Christ's love. It discusses the challenges and necessity of forgiving others to move forward, using biblical passages to underscore the transformative power of forgiveness in personal growth and relationships.

From the series: Move Past

Highlights the universal experience of facing temptations and emphasizes that enduring temptation strengthens one's relationship with Jesus, showcasing the glory of Christ. It reassures believers that God provides strength and a way out during temptations, encouraging us to see these challenges as opportunities to affirm our faith and reliance on God.

From the series: Outlasters

Discusses Timothy's challenge to make a difference in a world opposed to God's message, emphasizing strength in God's grace and the importance of godly examples and mentorship. It underscores the impact of living and sharing one's faith boldly and compassionately, drawing on the early Christian martyrs as inspiration for standing firm in faith despite persecution and leaving a lasting impact on the world.

From the series: Soul Detox

Explores the story of Louis Zamperini, as depicted in "Unbroken," to illustrate a tortured soul's journey from despair to redemption through God's grace. Highlighting the struggles with PTSD, depression, and anger post-war, it demonstrates how Zamperini found healing and forgiveness through a transformative encounter with God at a Billy Graham crusade.

From the series: Christmas Collision

Emphasizes Jesus's mission to destroy sin and the devil's work, providing life and reconciliation with God, stressing God's patience and desire for all to repent and be saved.

From the series: Joy in the Broken

Discusses how the grace of God operates amidst life's complexities and messes. Emphasizes that grace is present because our lives are inherently messy and broken, and God's grace is what brings transformation and redemption.

From the series: One Another

Discusses the importance of serving others within the Christian community, emphasizing that serving is a demonstration of love and a reflection of God's intentions for human relationships. It argues that service should not be a burdensome duty but a joyful expression of faith, inspired by the freedom that comes from grace.

From the series: Live Free

Discusses the importance of understanding the liberty found in Christ, as highlighted in Galatians. It emphasizes that Jesus has set believers free from the bondage of religious laws and works. Explains that the law was given to reveal human sinfulness and the need for a Savior, not to provide a means for achieving righteousness. Believers are encouraged to live in the freedom and grace offered by Christ's sacrifice, recognizing that their acceptance by God is based on faith, not their own efforts.

From the series: Live Free

Paul shares his transformation from a strict follower of Jewish traditions to a devoted servant of Christ. He highlights his initial dependence on religious rules and human approval, which robbed him of true joy and freedom in Christ. After encountering Jesus, Paul emphasizes the importance of seeking God's approval over man's, experiencing a supernatural change that shifted his focus from external religious practices to an internal relationship with Christ, driven by grace rather than works.

From the series: Live Free

Emphasizes living by grace, as discussed in Galatians. It highlights the centrality of grace in the Christian life, contrasting it with religious legalism. Paul stresses that grace, not human effort, is the foundation of salvation and spiritual growth. This grace leads to peace with God, freeing believers from the need to prove their worth.

From the series: Rethink Church

Paul discusses how believers should live for Christ despite struggles, using his own experience of a "thorn in the flesh." He emphasizes the importance of relying on God's grace, which is sufficient for all weaknesses and difficulties. Paul highlights that God's power is made perfect in our weaknesses, encouraging believers to find strength in their dependence on Christ and to live out their faith with humility and perseverance.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Discusses how believers can keep from losing heart amid life's challenges by focusing on the mercy and goodness of Christ. Highlights the importance of surrendering to Jesus, embracing the new heart given by God, and walking in the light of His grace.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Examines the story of Jonah and the whale, highlighting themes of God's mercy, sin, and repentance. It emphasizes how Jonah's disobedience affected others, the necessity of radical action to address sin, and God's readiness to listen to cries for help. Underscores that sin impacts those around us and stresses the importance of aligning with God's will, illustrating this through Jonah's eventual compliance and God's continued mercy even when Jonah was in the depths.

From the series: Ephesians

Emphasizes the contrast between our sinful state and God's grace. Paul describes the severity of sin, stating we were dead in our transgressions and deserving of wrath. However, the pivotal "but" introduces God's mercy and love, explaining that through grace, we are saved and made alive with Christ. This transformation highlights the importance of recognizing sin to appreciate the profound impact of God's grace and salvation.

From the series: Unbelievable Christmas

Discusses the complexities of Christmas and emphasizes the true meaning of the holiday: God's gift of Jesus to humanity. It highlights the grace and love inherent in this gift, contrasting it with the commercial pressures of the season. Encourages embracing the spiritual significance of Christmas, focusing on God's grace and the joy of receiving Jesus as the ultimate gift.

From the series: Jonah

Explores the story of Jonah, focusing on the prophet's reluctance to obey God's command to preach to Nineveh. Despite Jonah's eventual compliance, his heart remains prideful and self-righteous, as shown in his anger when God spares Nineveh. Highlights the dangers of self-righteousness, emphasizing that God's grace is undeserved and available to all, not just those who believe they are superior. It calls for humility, compassion, and understanding of God's boundless mercy.

From the series: Jonah

Continues exploring the life of Jonah, focusing on his internal struggle between following God's will and resisting due to personal pride. It emphasizes themes of sin versus grace, showing how God's grace prevails even in the midst of Jonah's disobedience. Reflects on Jonah's attempt to flee from God's calling and how, instead of wrath, God provided mercy, using the whale as a miraculous means of saving Jonah.

From the series: A Christ Centered Home

Introduces a series on building a Christ-centered family. It emphasizes that family is the first institution created by God, before the church, as seen in Genesis. The sermon underscores the importance of relationships, both with God and within the family. It highlights the key roles of older men and women in teaching the younger generation about godly living. Also stresses that while a Christian family is not perfect, it is one where sinners live together and rely on God's grace for unity and growth.

From the series: Advent

Emphasizes the theme of God's ability to accomplish great things through humble beginnings, using the example of Jesus' birth. It highlights how the small gift of Christ, born in a manger, demonstrates God's power to bring about extraordinary miracles through ordinary means, encouraging believers to trust in God's ability to work through their lives regardless of their perceived insignificance. The Christmas story is ultimately about God's presence with us and the miraculous potential in surrendering to Him.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Focuses on the essence of Christmas as a time to celebrate the coming of Jesus, not just as a baby, but as the Savior who reconciles sinners to God. It emphasizes that Jesus came to forgive and heal those in need, reaching out to the broken and despised, like the tax collector Matthew. Highlights that Jesus calls sinners, no matter how unworthy, to follow Him, offering grace, healing, and transformation. The call to Christians is to extend that same love and hope to the brokenhearted, just as Jesus did.

Draw near with confidence to the throne of grace. A devotion on Hebrews 4 and the who, what, and why of coming to God in prayer.

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. A devotion on Romans 6:23 and the next stop on the Roman Road.

Saved by grace, not by works, yet created for them. A devotion on Ephesians 2:8-10 and the gift of salvation that frees us to do good.

Sin is no longer your master. A devotion on Romans 6 and the freedom of offering every part of ourselves to God under grace, not law.

Romans 3:27-28 (NASB) "Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law."…

How far is too far for God's mercy to reach? Psalm 51 answers David's failure, and ours, with a love that runs deeper than our sin.

Holiness is not something we white-knuckle on our own. A devotion on 2 Corinthians 7:1 and partnering with the Spirit to become like Christ.

by Sammy Adebiyi Failure stinks. No one likes to feel like a mess-up and no one likes to disappoint the ones they love, especially dad. The other day my daughter made a series of bad decisions and I…

A Denver pastor tells the true story of a young woman's survival of the Dark Knight theater shooting, and the God who met her in the terror.

Where did Lent come from, and what is it for? A short look at the season of fasting and repentance that prepares our hearts for Easter.

How can a good God order the destruction of the Canaanites? An honest, Scripture-based look at one of the Old Testament's hardest questions.

It is one of the hardest questions people ask: what about those who never hear about Jesus? A careful, biblical response held with humility.