the Bible 20/20: Launch Sunday
In today’s sermon we are launching our year long journey through the Bible together. We spent some time casting some vision for spending a year focused on God’s Word, and then discussed some practical ways you can participate. We are believing for God to do great things in our midst as we get to know Him better. Let’s take time to hear and understand God’s Story.
OLD TESTAMENT TEACHINGS
the Bible 20/20 - Week 1: "Noah and the Flood"
While the story of Noah and the ark is familiar to most people, it is easy to forget the magnitude of its implications. God, in His perfect love for mankind, couldn’t bear to allow His creation to continue to destroy itself. The flood is a hard story, but if we look a little deeper, we can see our need for grace and another reminder of the importance of Jesus’ work on the cross for each one of us.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 2: "Abraham's Family"
Through Abraham and his family, we see God working to pour out blessing on the entire human family. While we continually fall short in our journey of faith, God’s faithfulness toward us remains steadfast. In Genesis 15 we see a picture of how committed God is to bless us, and in Jesus we see the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant to bless and redeem mankind. If we put our faith in Jesus, we become members of the family of God and heirs of the promise.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 3: "Moses and the exodus"
We had the privilege of hearing from our dear friend Pastor Dave Buehring this week as he explored the life of Moses and the story of the Exodus. God is constantly revealing His character to us, with a heart to turn us towards Him and bring redemption. As we look at the life of Moses, we can see how the Lord saves us, shapes us, and sends us to accomplish His purposes.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 4: "Birth of a Nation"
At first glance, the story of the Israelites in the desert can feel distant and difficult to relate to our current situations, but if we take a step back, we can see that the issues that the Israelites struggled with are still pervasive in our culture. However, by openly expressing our gratitude, surrender, and striving for purity, we can shape our lives and stories into lives that are in communion with God instead of constant grumbling against Him.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 5: "Called out"
At first glance, the story of the Israelites in the desert can feel distant and difficult to relate to our current situations, but if we take a step back, we can see that the issues that the Israelites struggled with are still pervasive in our culture. However, by openly expressing our gratitude, surrender, and striving for purity, we can shape our lives and stories into lives that are in communion with God instead of constant grumbling against Him.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 7: "Courageous Faith"
The Israelites had been promised a land over flowing with milk and honey, and it was time for them to send spies into the land to prepare to take it, but when the report came back, all but two of the spies did not believe they would be able to secure God’s promised gift. However, Caleb and Joshua trusted God’s abilities and plans were greater than the obstacles they faced. Faith takes courage; we must be willing to face the reality of our situation, see the opportunities, and trust God for the victory He has promised to us.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 8: "Run Your Race"
We are all on our own personal journeys of faith, and often we forget that we are a part of a bigger picture of God’s plans. In the beginning of Deuteronomy, we learn about Moses’ time as the leader of Israel coming to an end. His journey with these people was a difficult and rocky road, but Moses wanted to remind the people of the legacy left by the generations before them, how to navigate the obstacles ahead of them, and how to maintain success and avoid complacency. These are lessons that Jesus also restates when He is tempted in the wilderness. This week, we learned about these lessons and why it is so important to run our own race with intention and diligently looking to the Lord for our guidance.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 9: "Choose Life"
As Moses neared the end of his life, he challenged the people of Israel to look ahead to their time in the promised land and to look up by trusting God and the promises He made to them. Moses began His adventure with God crippled by fear, but as his life came to an end, we can see how his trust in God had changed his outlook on life completely. Moses chose to take on the life that God offered him and, in the end, declared to his people that their God was worth knowing and fully trusting.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 11: "In THose Days"
In today’s message, we take a look at the time of the Judges and the terrible tragedy that marked this season of Israel’s history. May it serve as both a warning for us and a reminder that we have a great Deliverer and Redeemer who provides for us in all seasons.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 12: "A Life of Worship"
In this week’s sermon, we explore a key difference between King Saul and King David as it relates to worshipping God. How can we become people for whom worship is a way of life, instead of an occasional experience when we gather together? We pray that the Lord will speak to you through this message and that we could hear His invitation into a meaningful life of worship.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 13: "Palm Sunday"
Today we explore several Bible prophecies that Jesus fulfilled on Palm Sunday about 2,000 years ago. Let's consider the impact and relevance for us today when we truly appreciate the accomplishment of such specific and powerful promises. God’s past faithfulness should encourage us that we can trust in Him during our present circumstances and the seemingly uncertain future that is in His more than capable hands.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 15: "Under Siege"
This week we take a look at a difficult yet important story found in 2 Kings chapters 6-7 about a really brutal time in Israel’s history. The northern kingdom of Israel is in trouble, their capital city Samaria is under siege, and things are getting incredibly desperate. What can we do when we are stuck, surrounded by an enemy and we can’t seem to escape? In today’s sermon, we discuss how the Lord wants to speak truth, inspire hope, and fill us with courage so we can find freedom.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 16: "Have Mercy"
In this week’s sermon, we take a look at King David who ran a faithful yet imperfect race over the course of his life. He was a man after God’s own heart, but also made several huge mistakes that had devastating consequences. Today we explore a key moment of failure in his life so we can learn from his mistakes and his humble repentance. May we all have David’s perspective to recognize our God who, in our moment of failure, is full of mercy and offers the grace of His abiding presence.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 17: "The Real Battle"
This Sunday we explore the life of King Jehoshaphat, and a couple of important battles he found himself in. Whether he made a mistake in forming a wrong alliance with King Ahab, or he faced the enemy that came to his doorstep, we see his faithful heart towards God, and the grace of God to deliver him from trouble and bring peace, even in the most difficult circumstances. May we all learn to fight the real battle God is calling us to and see Him move strongly on our behalf as we walk with Him!
the Bible 20/20 - Week 19: "Providence and Purpose"
In today’s sermon, we explore the story of Queen Esther and take a look at the importance of recognizing God’s providence in our lives while making choices to live with purpose. Often, the issue of God’s Sovereignty is viewed as being in contrast with whether to not we have the ability to make free will decisions, but the truth is that in Jesus these two work together in beautiful unison. The question is - will we choose to trust God and live with courage in "such a time as this”?
the Bible 20/20 - Week 20: "Job - A Reflection on Suffering & Success"
In today's sermon, we take a look at the life of Job and discover his uncommon faith in the midst of both suffering and success. We pray that you will be challenged and encouraged this week as we look to Job’s example for guidance on how to walk through even the most difficult seasons of life with Jesus.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 22: "Wisdom Calls"
This week we discuss the book of Proverbs, and the wisdom God offers us. Now more than ever we need the wisdom to live well, love others, experience hope, and discover real solutions for a world in need. Jesus is the ultimate source of wisdom that changes lives and helps us navigate even the most difficult circumstances in this life. Let’s embrace wisdom as a life long journey of growth and discovery, and may we receive the Spirit of wisdom from our God who offers it willing!
the Bible 20/20 - Week 23: "Flag of the world"
In today’s sermon, we discuss the nature of our citizenship. We are members of the human race, and as Christians, we are ambassadors of a heavenly kingdom. How can we learn to live in a broken world without becoming bitter, indifferent, or overwhelmed? By the power of Jesus in our lives, we can learn to hate what’s broken in this world and love it enough to help change it.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 24: "Be Present"
This week we explore Isaiah 6 and the impact of spending time in God’s presence. Being in God’s Presence is always essential, but especially in painful, difficult, and transitional moments. We take a look at how His presence is revealing, purifying, and inspiring.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 25: "WiTHSTAND - PART 1"
In this Sunday's message, we explore how God’s presence empowers us to be equipped to deal with the inevitable battles we face. This is part one of a two-week series exploring the armor described in Ephesians 6 through the lens of the prophet Isaiah’s beautiful depictions of God’s truth, justice, and the perfect peace that He alone can provide.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 26: "WiTHSTAND - PART 2"
In this Sunday's message, we explore how God’s presence empowers us to be equipped to deal with the inevitable battles we face. This is part one of a two-week series exploring the armor described in Ephesians 6 through the lens of the prophet Isaiah’s beautiful depictions of God’s truth, justice, and the perfect peace that He alone can provide.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 27: "PRayer and purpose"
This week we dive into the book of Jeremiah and discover the powerful connection between Prayer and Purpose. May we all understand the wonderful invitation, and the essential business of our time in prayer, and the unique impact it has on finding purpose and direction in life.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 28: "How Lonely Sits the City"
As we explore Jeremiah’s lament over Jerusalem, it’s important that we realize that mourning is a very real part of the life of God’s people. Thankfully Jesus shows us that we can come to him in our grief, that he bears our burdens and heals our hearts. May we all discover the hope and redemption that we have in Jesus in the midst of even the most sorrowful times.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 30: "The Good Shepherd"
In this week’s sermon, we explore Ezekiel chapter 34 and Jesus' role as the Good Shepherd of our lives. He wants to warn and protect us from false shepherds, and to encourage us as His sheep not to trample and abuse one another. Instead, if we will learn to recognize His voice, we can faithfully follow Him and learn to help care for His flock, so that we all may find good pasture even in desert places.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 31: "Faithfully Devoted"
Thanks for joining us this week as we explore the life of Daniel, and see his faithful devotion to God! May you be encouraged and challenged to include prayer and fasting as a regular part of your personal walk with Jesus. Our hope today is that you would learn from Daniel's example, see the biblical needs and reasons for fasting, and receive some practical instruction on how to grow in the area of prayer and fasting.
the Bible 20/20 - Week 32: "Jonah's journey"
In this week’s message, we explore the story of Jonah, as he goes through the ups and downs of life as the prophet of God. As we take an honest look at this man and his struggles, may we be open to our struggles with God’s grace, and receive correction and encouragement where it’s needed. Above all may we see the heart of our God who is “gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.”
the Bible 20/20 - Week 33: "Eyes of Faith"
As we wrap up our time in the Old Testament, we look back to see the significance of the OT scriptures - that they are reliable and authoritative, and they are essential for revealing the character of God and our great need for a Savior. Thank God that through the story of the life of Abraham’s family that became the nation of Israel, we can see God’s ultimate plan of redemption to rescue all who will follow Him. May we all have faith like Abraham and Habakkuk of old - to live a life filled with God’s vision of hope and enjoy a reconciled relationship with Him!
