Date: 03/06/16
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: Children Of Peace
Scripture: Matthew 5:9
Description: To be children of God is to take on the family resemblance. And that means seeking peace where God seeks peace.
Pure In Heart - Matthew 5:8
Date: 02/28/16
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: Pure In Heart
Scripture: Matthew 5:8
Description: For one reason or another, we want to see God. We want to understand the forces in the world that are bigger than us and outside our control. We want to know that there's meaning beyond our own preferences and something that lasts longer than our own lives. We want to know the claims of the Bible are true, that we aren't alone in our suffering, that our connection to God can be more than abstract and impersonal. We want to see God, and Jesus promises that it's possible for the pure in heart. So why is it necessary to be pure in heart? And how can I become pure in heart?
Have Mercy - Matthew 5:7
Date: 02/21/16
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: Have Mercy
Scripture: Matthew 5:7
Description: With this Beatitude Jesus shifts focus to how the citizens of his kingdom treat others. Blessed are the merciful. So what does Jesus mean by mercy, and what does it take to be merciful?
Hungry? - Matthew 5:6
Date: 02/14/16
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: Hungry?
Scripture: Matthew 5:6
Description: Some of us need to be told that it's possible to be satisfied. Some of us need a reminder that we're more hungry than we may realize. All of us need the challenge and the comfort in Jesus's promise that satisfaction comes to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. So what is righteousness? And what are you hungry for?
Blessed Are The Meek? - Matthew 5:5
Date: 02/07/16
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: Blessed Are The Meek?
Scripture: Matthew 5:5
Description: We tend to think of meekness as a weakness, but Jesus calls the meek blessed. So what does he mean by meekness, and how can we cultivate it?
Mourning And Comfort - Matthew 5:4
Date: 01/31/16
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: Mourning And Comfort
Scripture: Matthew 5:4
Description: All of us spend tremendous amounts of time and energy and money seeking what we believe will make us happy. But Jesus says that it's those who mourn who will be blessed. What sort of mourning does he have in mind? And how will the mourners be blessed?
Poor In Spirit - Matthew 5:3
Date: 01/17/16
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: Poor In Spirit
Scripture: Matthew 5:3
Description: Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit, but what did he mean by "poor in spirit"? And what does that mean for us if we want to enjoy his kingdom?
Introducing the Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 4:23-5:3
Date: 01/10/16
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: Introducing The Sermon On The Mount
Scripture: Matthew 4:23-5:3
Description: To begin his public ministry, according to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus traveled around proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest, most detailed account of the sorts of things Jesus was saying. What does he say the kingdom is like? In what sense is this gospel good news? And how can we make the most of this sermon?
Growing Wise Together - James 5:19-20
Date: 12/06/15
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: Growing Wise Together
Scripture: James 5:19-20
Description: James finishes his letter by calling us to do for each other what he had done for his friends through his letter. He calls on every one of us to pursue everyone with the truth, because everything is on the line. We’re all responsible for helping each other bridge the gap between what is true about God and what is going on in our lives.
The Church In Prayer - James 5:13-18
Date: 11/29/15
Speaker: Drew Raines
Title: The Church In Prayer
Scripture: James 5:13-18
Description: Throughout his letter James has been showing us what it looks like to live as if we truly believe that God is and that he is for us in Jesus. It makes sense, then, that he would close his letter with a call to prayer. Prayer demonstrates the fear of the Lord that is the source of all wisdom.
While You Wait - James 5:7-12
Date: 10/22/15
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: While You Wait
Scripture: James 5:7-12
Description: How does the return of Jesus help us endure the hard things of life with patience? James offers us three examples.
When Wealth Is Deadly - James 5:1-6
Date: 11/15/15
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: When Wealth Is Deadly
Scripture: James 5:1-6
Description: With powerful, unmistakeable images James warns us that wealth can lead to our destruction. But how can we recognize when wealth becomes deadly? James gives us two examples. We're in danger when our wealth depends upon hoarding, and when our self-indulgence depends on exploitation.
Wisdom For Tomorrow - James 4:13-17
Date: 11/08/15
Speaker: Shaka Mitchell
Title: Wisdom For Tomorrow
Scripture: James 4:13-17
Description: What is the wise way to think about the future? James warns us against any planning that assumes the future belongs to us. Instead, wisdom means trusting the one who gave his own Son for us.
Friend Or Foe? - James 4:4-12
Date: 10/25/15
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: Friend Or Foe?
Scripture: James 4:4-12
Description: James says you’re either God’s friend or God’s enemy. So what is friendship with God? Who are God’s friends? And how can I pursue friendship with God?
People Problems? - James 4:1-3
Date: 10/18/15
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: People Problems?
Scripture: James 4:1-3
Description: James is a down-to-earth letter, so it’s no surprise that he takes up a problem that’s common to all of us: conflict with other people. But what James has to say about our people problems is surprising all the way through.
Who Is Wise? - James 3:13-18
Date: 10/11/15
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: Who Is Wise?
Scripture: James 3:13-18
Description: James claims that the wisdom of the wise shows up in meekness or humility. Why? Because the wise know wisdom comes as a gift, not an accomplishment. The wise know wisdom is for serving others, not proving themselves. And the wise know wisdom is for making peace, not winning battles.
Your Words Matter - James 3:1-12
Date: 10/04/15
Speaker: Bill Heerman
Title: Your Words Matter
Scripture: James 3:1-12
Description: James says your tongue or your speech is to your life what a bit is to a horse or a rudder to a ship. Given this incredible power, what can we do to use our words wisely?
Faith Always Works - James 2:14-26
Date: 09/27/15
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: Faith Always Works
Scripture: James 2:14-26
Description: Throughout his letter, and especially in this text, James makes one main point: faith apart from works is dead. But what does James mean? And how should we respond?
No Partiality - James 2:1-13
Date: 09/13/15
Speaker: Matt McCullough
Title: No Partiality
Scripture: James 2:1-13
Description: Genuine faith in Jesus leaves no place for partiality in Christian community. Bottom line: if you want to be with Jesus, you lose the right to be picky about who you’re willing to love.
Faith That Works - James 1:19-27
Date: 09/06/15
Speaker: Matt Givens
Title: Faith That Works
Scripture: James 1:19-27
Description: James wants to show us that genuine faith always makes a difference in how we live our lives. In other words, faith always works. In this passage he shows us why faith works, how faith works, and where faith works.