7 Questions About the Birth of Jesus

Imagine for a moment that you were present the night that Jesus was born. Perhaps you were a shepherd or a resident of Bethlehem who heard the baby crying in the night. What do you think you would’ve thought about the significance of that night? Why was Jesus born?

One of the most unique aspects of Christmas is that Jesus came and was uniquely born to save the world. The uniqueness of His birth is both mysterious and necessary for our salvation. Tonight, we dive deeper to understand why Jesus had to be born just the way He was.

Resurrection for Real - A Devotion from 1 Corinthians 15

There are many incredible stories that capture our imagination: a young boy discovers he is a wizard, a simple man learns the ring his uncle gave him has terrifying magical powers, a boy gets bitten by a spider and becomes a superhero, and a girl gets on a spaceship only to find out that she will become a Jedi. Can you name these stories?

Why the Gospel?

Why does God proclaim the gospel to mankind? What is the goal of the gospel?

In God's kindness, He reveals His plans and works to us in 66 books that we call the Bible. This compilation has a central, unified story: God rescuing a people for Himself forever. How God rescues His people (and from what) is the climax or good news of the story. In a word, God's rescue plan is the gospel.

The Pastor's Justification Book Review

Pastors, may God bless you this year! More than ever you may feel the pressure to lead your church well through a very difficult time. Attendance is likely lower than it has been in years at your church. The budget may have stepped considerably backwards from previous years. You may be tempted towards frustration, discouragement, or even despair. 

The Boy-King Grows Up (and Down)

 How often do we see a good leader listen to bad advice and make foolish decisions? Sadly, companies and empires have collapsed when good leaders make bad choices. Praise God He has decided that in His eternal kingdom, He will directly reign over His people. King Jesus never listens to bad advice, as He showed by conquering the devil's temptations.

Isaiah: The Gospel in the Old Testament

From beginning to end the prophet Isaiah was called to deliver a message confronting God’s people for their many sins against their Sovereign God who created all things and had covenanted with them.  The message was both painful and uplifting: God would execute judgment on those who worshiped foreign gods or the idols their own hands had made, but He would graciously save a remnant who would believe in Him.  

The King's Banquet

During this week around 2,000 years ago in Palestine, Jesus arrived in Jerusalem and began teaching quite openly about the kingdom of God or heaven.  More particularly, Jesus taught on who and how to enter the kingdom of heaven, and his teaching encouraged the poor and downcast and unnerved the religious leaders.  One of his public speeches included a parable about a king giving a wedding feast for his servant.  In Matthew 22:1-14, his audience included both followers and opponents, as well as a general crowd made up of curious Jews.  In the parable the kingdom of heaven is compared to a feast that is ready to be attended and enjoyed.  However, the guests not only rejected the invitation summons, they beat and killed the king's messengers.  Thus, the king sent the messengers to all the commoners that could be found to fill his hall with guests.