Pastor Andy brings the message, “Grace for 2023” from John 1:16-18. What do we want to focus on as a church and as individuals this coming year? What will define us? This year, let's be defined by Grace.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Above All." In Mark 9:1-13, we see the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain and a voice from heaven declaring Him to be the Beloved Son. Clearly, Jesus' exalted status is being proclaimed, but it's Peter who unknowingly says that Jesus is on par with Elijah and Moses. How often do we fail to see Jesus' glory and then place Him right alongside (or below) other good things?
Pastor Andy brings the message, "Identity and Mission" from Mark 8:27-9:1. Mark 8:29 is the watershed moment of the gospel: Peter confesses Jesus is the Messiah. The disciples finally understand Jesus' identity. Immediately, Jesus begins to reveal his mission. With the disciples, we will begin to see Jesus' identity and mission as inseparable. And his identity and mission have ramifications on the cost of discipleship.
Pastor Luke brings the message, "The Power of the Church" from Acts 12. There are times when it seems like the church will be snuffed out like a struggling flame, or that the oppression and persecution will grow to a point when the darkness will overcome it. Yet, we are reminded in Acts 12 that the power of the church does not rest in the people of the church, but in the object of their faith.
The message is from Lamentations 5:19-22. It’s been a doozy of a year. Someday, we hope to look back at “2020” and see that its hardships came to a final conclusion. In the last chapter of Lamentations there is the reality that suffering does not come to a predictable end. We are unable to set term limits for pain and hurt. In light of that, the book closes with very practical ways to lament to God when there is no end in sight.
The message is from Lamentations 4:17-22. Jeremiah continues his sorrow over the devastating fall-out of Jerusalem’s sin. And then at the end of the chapter we find a “gem-sized” statement of hope: “he will keep you in exile no longer.” Here’s what we will see: God is faithful and His promise to bring His people through exile is reason to have hope.
