Spiritual but not religious? Now that we have finished our deep dive into the Ten Commandments, we are going to get back into the story of Exodus. My goal this week is to reorient you to the rest of the book and to introduce our key theme for the rest of April and May.  We…

This week, we will wrap up our series on the Ten Commandments.  The final commandment focuses on one of the most serious soul conditions: coveting. This is a cancer of the soul and must be aggressively dealt with. However, it is very hard to detect and even harder to treat.  Here is our outline:  1.…

Is it possible to begin again? Can you come back after deep disappointment or overwhelming failure?  Last week, we looked at Peter’s denial of Jesus. The last we saw of Peter, he was a broken man.  This week, we will see how the resurrected Jesus restored Peter. In doing so, we will see how Jesus can…

As we turn our attention to Holy Week, we will compare the trial of Jesus and the trial of Peter.  Mark intentionally structures these two trial accounts as contrasting stories. Peter is on trial just like Jesus, and the key question is: does he have what it takes to be a faithful witness? And what we…

“Do not steal…” This week is a celebratory week in our church, as we celebrate baptism and new members!  We will also continue our series on the 10 Commandments by looking at commandment eight: do not steal.  Everyone knows stealing is wrong, so surely this commandment will not be as applicable as the others…right?  Maybe…

“Do not commit adultry…” DEARELY beloved friends, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of his congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony,      which is an honorable state,      instituted of God in Paradise,          in the time of manes innocence, …

“Do not murder…” This is one of the shortest verses in the entire Bible. It is just two words in the Hebrew. And yet, the scope is nearly limitless.  This week, we will open up this commandment by examining the first murder: Cain killing Abel. We will see that this is the second fall narrative, culminating…

“Honor your father and your mothers…” This week, we turn our attention to the fifth commandment. This command focuses on our view of authority.  To many, this command seems so stuffy, so conservative, so oppressive.  If you look at our hero’s and listen to our songs you would think that our real national anthems have the theme…

“Remember the Sabbath…” This week, we turn our attention to the fourth commandment. All of the commandments are important, but this one might be the most significant for our times. We live in an age where everyone feels rushed, overwhelmed, and busy. This command touches on our labor and our leisure. It is meant to…