Uncommon Community
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42, ESV). What is fellowship? We use the term loosely but often fail to think about what it means. Fellowship isn’t red punch and cookies in the church basement (though many of us grew up with […]
Pray Simply
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:7–8, esv). Imagine if your daughter came to you and said, “Dad? […]
Don’t Shrink God
WATCH Don’t Shrink God | Ephesians 3 When God is big, problems are small… but when problems are big, God is small. Struggles may weigh us down and our burdens may overwhelm, but God is never maxed out or too busy. He is always able to work abundantly, and deal with our trials in […]
God’s Will in One Word
This is the will of God, your sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3a, esv). Often discussions about God’s will seem to revolve around answering life’s big questions like where we go to college, who we choose to marry, which job to take, which house to buy, what our kids’ lives will be like when they grow up […]
Relentless Goodness
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6, esv). If you’re a follower of Jesus—if by faith you have turned from your sins and received His forgiveness—I have news for you. God is after you. He’s still pursuing […]
One On One With Jesus
WATCH One On One With Jesus | 1 Corinthians 3 Here’s an awesome truth: one day you will stand face to face with Jesus Christ. In life, you build with the talents and time God has given you – but no one knows what you’re actually building until the judgment, when God will reveal our […]
Got Joy?
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4, ESV). In Philippians 4:4, Paul made his point quickly and clearly. “Rejoice . . . Rejoice!” Preachers can relate to using repetition. Sometimes while preaching we survey the congregation and wonder, Are they getting it? So we repeat ourselves to make sure they’re tracking. […]
The Living Dead
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11, nasb). In sports, they call it “playing not to lose”—trying not to make mistakes, being hesitant to take risks or push the boundaries, doing just enough to win. Yet in almost every case, it’s a sure way […]
If We Confess
WATCH If We Confess | 1 John 1:9 | Finally Free Everyone who turns to addiction, does it to make their pain stop. Freedom from our bondage should not be about just escaping – we must deal with our pain and sin. If you’re carrying a heavy weight, if you’re needing God’s forgiveness, don’t neglect […]
Hands On
Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing (John 9:6, esv). The call to live for […]