January 4, 2016
After Jesus overcame Satan and returned from His wilderness fast, He began His public ministry. News of Him soon reached other lands, including Syria. In the book of Acts we read that Christians were in Damascus in such number that the persecutor, Saul, headed there to bring them to trial. Of course, His mission was changed when the Lord struck him blind along the way. Instead of persecuting them, he ended up preaching the gospel there. A large Christian fellowship of believers has lived in Syria since the 1st century. Yet, today they are experiencing terrible persecution once again. Pray for the Christians in Syria. Before the civil war, they made up over 10% of the population. Untold numbers have been persecuted and killed. Pray that the Lord once again directs help to a street called “Straight” (Acts 9:11).
January 3, 2016
God seems to have favorite numbers. Both the number 40 and the number 3 are significant in today’s OYB reading. The number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or preparation. We see the number in both our OT and NT readings today. Noah and his family were kept safe in the ark while God sent 40 days and nights of rain to flood the earth (Gen. 7:12). And in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus was led into the wilderness for 40 days of testing by the “Spirit.” This time of “temptation” points back to at least two events in the OT: 1) The Israelites 40 years of wandering in the wilderness and 2) Adam and Eve’s 3-part temptation in the garden. The 40 days for Jesus marked his preparation for public ministry, just as the 40 years for Israel marked their preparation for entering the promised land.
And the 3-part temptation by the devil was familiar too. Notice the similarity between Satan’s temptation of Eve (Gen. 3) and later, of Jesus:
1) Eve: “good for food;” Jesus: “stones to bread”
2) Eve: “delight to the eyes” Jesus: “let the people see the angels save you”
3) Eve: “wise like God;” Jesus: “give your worship to me instead of God”
Of course, the difference is that Adam and Eve succumbed to temptation, but Jesus overcame it.
The apostle John reminds us that in Christ, we can be “overcomers” too. Notice the three temptations listed by John and then the promise.
“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world… Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 2:16, 5:5).
December 6, 2015
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Matthew 1:18-25
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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.
October 18, 2015
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Matthew 20:25-28
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discipleship, generosity, three commitments
In the book of Matthew, the mother of James and John asked Jesus for seats of authority for her sons on either side of Jesus. Jesus told her and all the disciples that following Him was not a call to be great in the way the world sees things. He said that the greatness they were called to was called servanthood. He told them to follow His example of service by being willing to contribute all that they had in serving God. Jesus gives us the same charge to be servants and contribute to His Kingdom. In today’s message we will see in God’s Word three commitments in order to contribute to His Kingdom.
September 20, 2015
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Matthew 6:13
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prayer
Justin Norden concluded our sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer with the Outward Movement, the part of the Lord’s Prayer where we ask God to protect us and use us as he leads us. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
September 13, 2015
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Matthew 6:11-12
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prayer
As we continue our sermon series on prayer, Pastor Stephen teaches on the Inward Movement in the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” We can trust God to meet not just our physical needs, but also the needs of our souls.
September 6, 2015
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Matthew 6:9-13
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prayer
Pastor Jonathan Minter continues our Rhythm of Prayer series as we learn about the 2nd movement in the Lord’s Prayer: The Downward Movement. Learn how to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
August 30, 2015
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Matthew 6:9-13
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prayer
When you think of prayer, what’s the first thought that comes to mind for you? For some the word is “Boring,” as they remember long-winded lists of prayer requests for Aunt Sally’s brother-in-law’s, neighbor’s dog. For others, the word is “Fear,” because you’ve never prayed aloud and don’t know how to pray. For the type A personality, the word is “Impatience,” because this person sees prayer as a duty to perform and quickly complete, so that they can get to the real work. Yet, for some people, prayer is the most powerful, intimate and wonderful activity in which a believer can engage. Jesus taught His disciples to begin their prayers by first seeking God’s face before looking for His hand.
August 30, 2015
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Matthew 6:9
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prayer
August 31 – September 6
Join us as we commit to learn to pray like Jesus. This 7-day devotional will guide you in individual and family prayer as we focus on the first movement of prayer in the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”
The Rhythm of Prayer Guide – Week 1
August 23, 2015
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Matthew 19:13-15
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parenting
What do you want your child to be when they grow up? A brain surgeon, lawyer, professional musician or athlete? With the emphasis parents put on education and sports these days, it looks as if they’re hoping to raise the next American Idol or NFL star. What about being a Christ-follower? Do you want your child to believe in God and to trust Christ as their Lord and Savior? Can you think of anything more important that leading your child to Christ?