They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. […]
How the Holy Spirit helps us Scripture: John 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. Getting to know the Spirit: The dance […]
Luke 24:13-35 13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from […]
Today, we will study together why the resurrection of Jesus matters. And we will walk through the seven points Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 15, to see what difference the resurrection can make in our lives, what it means for us, and what we need to do next. Here are the 7 points (in classic […]
Acts 16:25-34 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw […]
Data tells us what things are, stories tell us what things mean. One big truth: there is one unifying story that envelops all of human history, and it finds its beginning, middle and end in the person of Jesus. One cultural crossing: We are servants, not superstars We are His church, living out His mission […]
What are the ‘senses’ that tell you that you’re home? What are the ‘senses’ that tell you that you’re lost? Poem: September 1, 1939 – WH Auden Faces along the bar Cling to their average day: The lights must never go out, The music must always play, All the conventions conspire To make this fort […]
The human heart has been created with connection and purpose in mind. We’ve been created: In the image of God – the desire for belonging (community) To seek restoration (answers to life’s problems) And to desire creativity (to make a contribution) Jesus offers this. So, Why doesn’t every heart come? Why isn’t everyone here? Luke […]
1 big truth about God (theological truth) A life in God is not a prize to be earned, but a gift to be received 1 story : David vs the giant — 1 Samuel 17 “Now the Philistines” “Now David’… ‘For 40 days” “And David heard him”… “that all the earth may know that there […]
What are the biggest decisions you’ve had to make in your life? Buy or sell? Stay or go? Treat or don’t treat? Marry or don’t marry? Leave or stay? Scripture – Psalm 1 #blessed with context Psalm 1 introduces the whole book of Psalms. Indeed ‘distinctiveness’ is the theme around which the poem is structured. […]
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 ESV The context Now Matthew gives us a fix in place and time. Bethlehem, a few miles from Jerusalem, is the birthplace of Jesus. Written to a Jewish audience so the focus on the characters are important. The players ‘wise men from the east’ Herod – the king of Israel The chief […]
Isaiah 9:1-6 This passage was written at around the time of the fall of the northern kingdom, to Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah in 701 b.c, to the period of the Exile — around the time of Israel’s exile to Babylon. The first question we might ask is: who is the prophet talking about? Who is […]
