Introduction: Before Jesus preached a sermon, before He healed the sick, called the disciples, or walked on water, He went into the wilderness. He didn’t wander there by accident. Mark tells us in Mark 1:12, “The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.” Now pause right there. That’s not how we usually imagine the... Continue Reading →
Preparing Our Hearts for Easter: Observing Lent Well
What Is Lent? Lent is a sacred season traditionally observed during the 40 days leading up to Easter, beginning on March 5th of this year. It is modeled after Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness, as recorded in Matthew 4:1–11 and Luke 4:1–13. The Lenten season is a time set apart for reflection,... Continue Reading →
Testing Our Motives (Part 2)
Sermon Audio: LINK Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:5-15 ESV And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray,... Continue Reading →
Testing Our Motives (Part 1)
Sermon Audio: LINK Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18 (ESV): “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in... Continue Reading →
Psalm 3 – Faith in the Face of Overwhelming Opposition
Absalom's Betrayal Psalm 3 draws us into one of the darkest and most painful moments of King David’s life. According to its inscription, David composed this psalm while fleeing from his son Absalom, who had rebelled against him and seized the throne (2 Samuel 15–16). The anointed king of Israel, the man after God’s own... Continue Reading →