Paul’s doxological outburst at the beginning of his epistle to the Ephesians is arguably one of the most rich, profound, wonderful, and breathaking passages in all of Scripture. Here in these twelve verses we find a comprehensive theology of the Triune God and a stunning description of His work in the redemption of fallen humanity. These verses reveal to us the eternal love and […]

As Paul moves into a defense of his gospel against the criticisms of his opponents, he gives a brief autobiography detailing the events surrounding his conversion. He explains that though he formerly “was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” of Christianity, he nevertheless “received mercy” – being transformed into one of the most remarkable evangelists of all […]

“Where is God in all of this?” This question is often asked in the face of devastating trials, intense persecution, and horrible calamities. Even as believers we can sometimes be tempted to believe that God is distant, unconcerned, or even helpless when disaster strikes. In Acts 12 we see the early church facing such difficulties […]

An often neglected, yet absolutely essential, aspect of the gospel of Jesus Christ is his ascension. We are familiar with his life, his death, and his resurrection; we are familiar with the Great Commission, Pentecost, and the work of the Holy Spirit in the early church. Yet the ascension of Jesus – that pivotal moment when the Son of Man approached the […]

While it is true that the name of God is absent from the book of Esther, his fingerprints are unmistakably and beautifully apparent throughout the entirety of this story. Here we find one of the most remarkable displays in all of Scripture of Providence: God’s wise, loving, and righteous care and governance of all things for the accomplishment […]

Jeremiah 29:10-14 is a beautiful passage of promise, restoration, provision, and hope that was originally delivered to the Jewish community in Babylonian exile. However, it is often the case that Christians take these kinds of Old Testament passages and attempt to claim them as promises made directly to us instead. But are these promises to be treated […]

Throughout the Scriptures, and especially in our own lives, God is repeatedly questioned regarding our trials, his judgments, our suffering, his promises, our future, and his plan. However, at the bottom of all these questions is the singular issue of faith – whether or not we believe God to be the God he says he is in […]

As we read through the writings of the prophet Isaiah, we are repeatedly confronted with declarations and examples of the sovereignty of God, of his incontestable and absolutely total control over everything in creation. Yet, of all of God’s glorious attributes, this is undoubtedly one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented. Although we may not perfectly […]

The conclusion to the book of Jonah presents us with two responses to the grace. On the one hand, Nineveh, a pagan Gentile city, turns to God in repentance upon hearing of impending judgment (unlike Israel or Judah at that time, who continued doing evil in God’s sight), and God graciously spares them. Yet on the other hand, […]

Many people attempt to use the book of Proverbs as a kind of instruction manual for how to achieve health, wealth, and prosperity: if they simply adhere to the principles and rules laid out in Proverbs, then God must owe them the associated rewards of riches and blessing. However, there is an eternity of difference between […]

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 […]

David, in Psalm 11, examines affliction and suffering from two perspectives: an earthly one, which would lead him to despair, and an eternal one, resulting in a blessed assurance that the Sovereign and Righteous God is seated on his glorious throne in the heavens. Yet, Pastor Matt explains that as our perspective shifts to our eternally righteous and holy […]

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4). The resurrection […]

The first reference to a king as an anointed one, or messiah, is found at the conclusion of Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving after the birth of Samuel: “…he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.” This beautiful prayer, however, is more than just a psalm of praise declaring the majesty of God or a […]

Instead of interpreting the story of Joseph out of context as its own separate event, producing all kinds of prosperity and materialistic theology, this story is to be viewed as part of the overall narrative of Jacob’s family, God’s covenant with Israel, and His promise of rescue and deliverance.  Join Pastor Leandre as he looks into the lives […]