Summary of the MessageEven as our dark night experiences are emotionally straining, by his word Christ shows us that our weakness has an important theological purpose: to showcase his strength in our weakness. When we internalize this word from Christ, our souls are not only healed in our troubles, but we are brought to praise. Our lament is transformed into hymns of rejoicing. Key Sermon Points1....  Read More

Summary of the MessageIf dark nights of sin and suffering are truly grace in disguise, how do we find hope in the midst of seasons of tremendous hardship that can feel unbearable and seem meaningless? Key Sermon Points1. Suffering in this life is inevitable for the obedient Christ follower. Paul says that our outer self is wasting away (2 Cor. 4:16). Over time our bodies will break down, our bones...  Read More

Summary of the MessageSin is a subject that we often want to avoid. Ignoring it may be just as big of a problem as committing it. There is great danger in ignoring sin in our lives but there is unsurpassed joy to be found in repentance. Key Sermon Points1. Our natural/fleshly response to sin has always been to attempt to cover it up which results in hiding from God's presence (Gen. 3:7-8)2. We dec...  Read More

Summary of the MessageIn response to our dark night experience, Christ does not simply promise to eradicate those difficulties, but instead invites us to himself to learn from him and acquire his character in an apprentice relationship. This is an invitation to discipleship, where we take on the humble character of Christ. Key Sermon Points1. All of us are broken so Christ invites us all (v.28)The...  Read More

Summary of the MessageOur difficult and challenging experiences are often referred to as a "dark night" when the effect of them leads to discouragement and places our faith at risk. Even though there is real spiritual peril in the dark night experience, we are usually led into them by God for our spiritual growth. So then, dark nights are actually grace in disguise, and God's word exhorts us to re...  Read More

Summary of the MessageGod’s economy is not based on human effort but is instead entirely fueled by divinegrace. In the provocative Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, Jesus shows Godgracious generosity to those who need him and respond to his call to the kingdom. Thisis particularly encouraging for those who feel that God’s grace has passed them by.Jesus makes clear that far from that, grace i...  Read More

Summary of the MessageGod’s vision for the church is grounded in his calling her to be a theological statement about his own glory and wisdom. Indeed, the power of the gospel is seen most keenly in the character of the church. Because of this grand purpose, Christ himself supplies his church with the resources to change the saints into servants with hearts like his so they can serve one another, h...  Read More

Summary of the MessageThe Scriptures are the single most important literary resource for the Christian. Yet statistically, many seem to only experience the sacred words of God in an unmethodical way. In a world of constant devices gnawing at our spirit man/woman, we see that the greatest antidote is not based on a set of rules or practices but on how the scriptures help bolster the Christian into ...  Read More

Summary of the MessageSacred spaces and practices, such as temples or churches, and the ways we serve God there, help us to both encounter and understand the distinctive holiness of God. Sacred spaces enable us to approach God properly, and more than that, as embodied human beings they provide us with concrete ways to experience and worship him. Key Sermon Points1. Sacred spaces and practices are ...  Read More

Summary of the MessageWhen we encounter the loss of fruitfulness and the experience of grace due to God’s discipline, if we humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and repent, he promises to forgive and spiritually restore us. We should be mindful of this during both spiritual success & lows. Key Sermon Points1. HumilityHumility is about subduing one’s pride in self-denying loyalty to God & his w...  Read More

Summary of the Message2 Chronicles 16:9 tells us that the Lord relentlessly searches the earth to give His strength to those who are fully committed to Him. What does it look like to be one of those who the Lord will find to be whole-heartedly committed? The 41 year reign of King Asa recorded in 2 Chronicles 14-16 helps answer that question by providing helpful examples of both faithfulness and fa...  Read More

Summary of the MessageIn Romans 12:1, Paul exhorts his readers to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord as the only reasonable response to the rich mercy he has lavished on us. Romans 12:2 shows us that we are able to do such an extreme act by having our minds renewed and becoming like the mind of Christ. Key Sermon Points1. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transf...  Read More