Pray First (Eph. 3:12-21)

The prayers of Paul as recorded in his epistles are profound – not simply because of what they include, but also because of what they don’t include. As Pastor Tim Keller notes in his book on prayer: “It is remarkable that in all of his writings Paul’s prayers for his friends contain no appeals for changes in their circumstances.” While […]

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Boasting in the Cross (Gal. 6:11-15)

In Paul’s final warning to the Galatians, he reminds them again of the law-relying Judaizers – those who were clinging to a works-based righteousness in order to gain favor before God. Though they were rigorous and zealous law keepers, Paul points out that in reality they were seeking to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ, looking for more […]

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It is often the case that believers, though justified and made new creations by God’s grace, find themselves struggling with sin. Yet, instead of receiving help and encouragement from their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, they instead encounter haughty judgment and condemnation. Here Paul teaches that one of the most practical ways for the church to demonstrate the reality […]

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Walk By the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-18)

Having preached and defended the gospel of grace – “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Rom. 3:22-26) – Paul has been laboring to articulate the life of freedom that God’s children may now experience. This new life that we have been called to is one characterized by, submitted to, and controlled by the Spirit. […]

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Galatians 4:13 is crucial in our understanding of suffering in the life of believers: “You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first.” For the Apostle Paul, suffering is most definitely to be included in the “all things”, of Romans 8:28-29, that work together to bring […]

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Glorifying the Grace-Giver (Gal 1:18-24)

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul describes himself as the least of the apostles because he persecuted the church of God (1 Cor. 15:9). However, after Paul’s eyes were opened to the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, he became a new creation, zealous for good works and the spread of the gospel. His testimony became a […]

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Justification and Sanctification

Evangelicals cherish the doctrine of justification by faith alone, that believers are declared “not guilty” before God based on the righteousness and merits of Christ. Yet when it comes to our sanctification – the process of our moral condition being brought into conformity with our legal standing – we are quick to abandon the gospel and instead […]

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Jesus, Our Great Shepherd

The imagery of the Lord God as our great and glorious Shepherd is inexhaustibly rich. As we look at Psalm 23, a beautiful picture is painted of our Shepherd who guides us in His good and sovereign purposes, providing perfect peace and rest in His loving care. Pastor Leandre reminds us that this psalm is not […]

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The Tabernacle: Outer Court

In this sermon, Pastor Dave Leandre takes us through the outer court of the Tabernacle, beginning with its entrance and then onward to the brazen altar and basin. Each of these areas, including all of the specific details given for their construction, can seem trivial and unimportant for believers living on this side of cross. However, as we look […]

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Jacob’s New Name

As we look into the life of Jacob in the book of Genesis, we find that the meaning of his name is the overall theme of his life: “deceiver.”  Throughout his youth, his relationship with his family, and his laboring for a wife, Jacob is always trying to do things on his own, apart from […]

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A Balanced Life

When it comes to our spiritual health, growth and maturity, there is a balance to be found and maintained that will keep us from going to potentially dangerous extremes.  In tonight’s message, Pastor Dave discusses the balance between humility and confidence from Proverbs 29:19-27, and truth and love from 2 John.  Any of these seemingly […]

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Jesus in the Book of Judges

Throughout the book of Judges, we see a repeated cycle:  Israel serves the Lord, falls into idolatry and forgets Him, becomes enslaved, and is ultimately delivered by a judge.  This book just goes to show that mankind, as sinful and depraved as we are, can not fulfill the law of God.  We need a true […]

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25 Ways to be Useful to God

“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready […]

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