Stones: Marking the Moments of God's Work

We see that in ancient times people would mark the moments of God's work by placing stones like a memorial. They also used stones to prepare for what was ahead by making altars and renewing their covenant with God. We too can look back and remember and look forward and renew.

Remember

December 27, 2015 | Joshua 3-4 | beginnings, children

When you look back on the previous year, was it everything you hoped for? Was last year something you want to forget? Here is the more important question: are you looking back at last year and forward to next year through God’s eyes? God told Joshua to prepare the Israelites to enter the promised land by following him by faith and remembering his faithfulness in their past. We too can remember God’s faithfulness to us and commit to follow him.


Carols: Why Christ's Birth Makes us Sing

In this series we are unpacking some of our most beloved carols for the Christmas season. We will see how a few of these ancient tunes actually have much to say about the person of Jesus, His glorious incarnation, and the fulfillment of prophesy. We believe that the good news of the birth of Jesus and that God dwelled with us to save and redeem us is worthy of beautiful praise. This is why Christ’s birth makes us sing!

O Come All Ye Faithful

December 20, 2015 | John 1:1-14 | christmas

Christmas carols. All of us have our favorites. I don’t know what mood you’re in this Christmas. Perhaps because of this warm North Carolina weather you’re singing along with Bing Crosby: “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas.” Or maybe you’re missing someone this Christmas and you’re humming along with Elvis: “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you.” Whether it’s a white one or a blue one, there’s just something about Christmas that makes us want to sing.

When did all of this caroling begin? It was a little over 2,000 years ago when Christ was born and an angelic choir sang “Glory to God in the highest” to an audience of shepherds in Bethlehem. Faithful followers of Jesus have been singing ever since!

O Holy Night

December 13, 2015 | Luke 2:1-14 | christmas

What would move you to “fall on your knees” in worship today? Many of us have lost the wonder and worship of Christ’s coming. For some the holidays are a reminder of the empty chairs at the supper table this year. Or of the trials that challenge us to fall short of our expectations for the perfect Christmas season.  But the carol, “O Holy Night”, inspired by Luke’s gospel, invites us to contemplate the story of Christmas anew

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

December 6, 2015 | Matthew 1:18-25 | christmas

In Matthew’s gospel, he showed that the birth of Christ was the fulfillment of the Old Testament’s promises. Writing to a predominantly Jewish audience, he desired to give them the hope that they had long awaited. We too can experience this hope that we have been truly searching for. In today’s passage we will study the fulfillment of God’s promise to send His Son who is Emmanuel, God with us. Today we will see three ways to experience “God with us” in our lives.


On Being Christian

No matter if you are a new believer, young in your faith or someone who has believed in Jesus Christ for many years it is always wise to go back to the basics of our faith. In this series we will look at some of the most fundamental attributes of faith such as assurance, forgiveness, and thankfulness. During this 6 week series, we will study 6 basic characteristics of being a Christian.

Be Thankful

November 29, 2015 | Colossians 3:15-17 | discipleship, thankfulness

This past week we celebrated a national holiday called “Thanksgiving.” It is intended for us to celebrate all that we’ve been given and be thankful for our families and for God’s provision. Yet, we often have a hard time with this mark of being Christian. We struggle with ingratitude. We complain. Instead of being thankful, we’re often filled with a heart of ingratitude.In the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae, he told them that the result of having Jesus as their Lord and Savior was a heart of  thanksgiving.

Be a Witness

November 22, 2015 | Acts 1:6-11 | discipleship, evangelism

In the book of Acts Jesus gave final instructions to His disciples about their mission in the world. That’s what the book is about. “The Acts of the Apostles” – It’s how they began to be and do what Christ commanded. And what did He command? “Be my witnesses.” Christ told His disciples that they were to be witnesses of the good news about Jesus to the whole world.

Be Equipped

November 15, 2015 | 2 Timothy 3:16-17 | bible, discipleship

Don’t you wish there was a spiritual “Swiss army knife” to equip us to survive in this sinful world? God has given us His Word, a kind of spiritual survival equipment for the soul. In the apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he told Timothy that the Bible had everything he needed to be fully equipped as a Christian. We can be fully equipped with everything we need as Christians through God’s Word.

Be Filled

November 8, 2015 | 1 John 4:11-18 | discipleship, holy spirit

Jesus promised that those who received Him would experience abundant life, full and overflowing. Are you experiencing this life today? Or do you ever feel empty and powerless? Do you dream of living a life of fulfillment, a life filled with passion and purpose? In the apostle John’s first letter, he told his hearers that they could abide in Christ by being continually filled with His Spirit. We can experience the abiding life of Christ within us by being continually filled with His Spirit.

Be Forgiven

November 1, 2015 | 1 John 1:5-2:2 | discipleship

Do you ever feel distant from God? Does the shame and guilt of sin ever make you feel this distance? As if God is far away? Who do you think moved? What do we do as Christians when we sin? In the apostle John’s first letter, he told his hearers that they could know and experience God’s ongoing forgiveness as those who were adopted into His family. We can know and experience God’s ongoing forgiveness in our lives.

Be Sure

October 25, 2015 | 1 John 5:11-15 | assurance, discipleship

Do you have proof that you are a citizen of heaven? Do you have confidence that you are a citizen of God’s Kingdom? Many people struggle with doubts in this area. Wouldn’t you like to be sure? In the apostle John’s first letter, he told his hearers that they could have assurance of salvation by receiving and believing in Christ Jesus. We can be sure of our salvation by receiving and trusting in Christ Jesus.