“A sower went out to sow his seed”—so begins one of the most familiar parables of Jesus, a profound teaching found in all three Synoptic gospels (Matt. 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15). Jesus frequently would illustrate kingdom truths and spiritual realities with images, stories, and experiences from everyday life that would relate to his hearers. Yet the purpose […]
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 […]
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 […]
When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the church at Pentecost, believers were empowered to be witnesses of the gospel of Jesus Christ, spreading the good news of the kingdom of God throughout the earth (Acts 1:8). And even in the face of severe persecution that broke out against the early church – intense suffering, hostility, and […]
When one hears the name “Job,” it’s not long before the word “suffering” comes to mind. In some churches, when sermons are preached on Job, it’s not long before even the word “prosperity” is brought up. But it’s a rare occurrence that we ever associate Jesus Christ or the gospel with this particular book. Nevertheless Job makes […]
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 […]
Our God, the sovereign ruler of the cosmos, is infinitely wise, good and just, ruling over creation with providence. 2 Peter 3:8 reminds us that “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” This is not some formula or a literal conversion rate, but rather a beautiful […]
The Christian life is one of growth and sanctification, perseverance and practice. As we mature as believers, we must be careful not to merely accumulate head knowledge, while leaving our practice untouched and unaltered. Teaching from the book of James, Pastor Dave Leandre works through the first two chapters, focusing on the command to be […]
Jesus is the true and better Joseph who, at the right hand of the king, forgives those who betrayed and sold him and uses his new power to save them. In this sermon, Pastor Dave Leandre makes clear who we really are, and how we fit into, the story of Joseph, and demonstrates how Joseph’s […]
