This first chapter in Acts serves as a transitional chapter. In these opening verses, Luke is building a bridge from the conclusion of Jesus’ earthly ministry as described in the Gospel of Luke to the beginning of the ministry of the Holy Spirit empowered church. Acts 1:1-5

Our passage this morning was written to help Timothy to pastor the rich Christians in his church. But nowhere was Timothy instructed to shame the wealthy Christians into getting rid of their possessions. On the contrary, Timothy is instructed to remind these wealthy Christians that every good gift they have is from God. 1 Timothy […]

Sometimes it is difficult for a congregation to see how a letter like 1 Timothy can be relevant to them. But behind every fallen leader is a church that allowed them to lead or allowed them to play fast and loose with the Bible. A church that often found themselves saying: “Something doesn’t seem right […]

In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul speaks to the challenge that Timothy will face leading a church that consists of a large number of slaves. How do you shepherd people who are still living under the yoke of slavery? When your church is facing injustice and oppression, what is it that they need to hear […]

Our culture doesn’t know what to do with leaders. Sometimes we worship and idolize them in such a way that we become blind to their glaring flaws. More recently, we tear them down.  We resemble kids at a birthday party swarming around a piñata, swinging away with glee. How do we relate to leaders? Are […]

In our passage this morning, Paul is pressing in on a particular relationship that Timothy will need to give thought to – his relationship with the widows in the church. Paul is calling on Timothy to be generous! But he wants to make sure that Timothy adds wisdom to his generosity so that he doesn’t […]

There has never been a generation more connected than ours. And, simultaneously, there has never been a generation more disconnected either.  Relationships matter. And in our passage this morning, the Apostle Paul is laying out some principles for fostering healthy relationships in the household of God.  1 Timothy 5:1-2

This morning’s text declares that knowledge of the CROSS is POWER! Not only is it power, but it is freedom! It is comfort! It is joy! It is peace! When you understand THIS, everything changes!  Romans 3:21-26

As Jesus Christ bore the sin of the world on the cross, he pressed with his nail pierced hands and feet to take an unimaginably painful breath, and he used that breath to declare the opening words of Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The Holy Spirit spoke through the […]

Our Psalm last week – Psalm 88 – was a song that gave voice to private grief. Our Psalm this morning – Psalm 80 – is a song that gives voice to corporate grief.