How Does Christ's Kingdom Grow?Mark 4:26-34Sunday, June 20th, 2021Jesus used parables of scattering seeds, plants growing, and harvesting crops to describe the kingdom of God. From those parables we understand that Christ's kingdom, which is God's rule in our hearts, and the invisible church, which is made up of all believers, grow through people proclaiming the Word of God. When everyone has come to faith according to God's plan, Christ will return to "harvest" the souls of all believers. We also see that the entire world, including unbelievers, benefit from the works of the invisible church.
Christ Has Commissioned You with His KeysJohn 20:21-23Sunday, April 11th, 2021Jesus gave the binding and loosing keys to the church after his resurrection when he appeared to the disciples and other believers. We use the binding key (the Law) when someone is embracing a sin to show them they are damned to Hell and need a savior, and we use the loosing key (the Gospel) when they repent to forgive them of that sin and tell them Jesus is their savior.
Seen When the Tombs Were Opened and Many Were Raised to LifeMatthew 27:50-53Sunday, April 4th, 2021This Easter we look not just at Jesus' resurrection, but also the resurrection of many believers who were already entombed when he gave up his spirit on the cross. These resurrections are proof of the victory Christ won over sin and death, and they show us that, for believers, death is merely a sleep for the body.
Why the Commotion and the Seemingly Elusive Answer?John 2:13-22Sunday, March 7th, 2021Jesus' words and actions from when he first cleansed the temple are often misunderstood. It may seem like he was being excessive, or that he was being elusive when answering those who questioned him. However, we should use this account to remind ourselves that God is serious about sin and will not have the church distracted from his saving purpose. We should also remember that the true temple is the invisible church of all believers.
How Do You Offer Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice?Romans 12:1-8Sunday, September 13th, 2020We know from scriptures that the sacrifices given in the times of the Old Testament did not live; the animals were killed either just before or during the sacrifice. So how can we offer our bodies and our lives as sacrifices to God and still remain alive?
What Holding to God’s Word Looks LikeActs 14:8-18Sunday, May 26th, 2019When you trust in Christ, you are a member of the invisible church of all believers, and it is God's word that gives you that trust through the Holy Spirit, who is working to make you believe.