• 01-21-2026 PART 3: What It’s All About: Knowing Christ Above Everything Else
    Jan 21 2026

    Section 1

    This teaching begins by clearly defining sin and Christianity in a way that removes confusion and strips away excuses. Sin is anything contrary to God, not merely rule-breaking, but living, thinking, or acting outside His will. In contrast, Christianity is not religion, tradition, or rule-keeping, but a living relationship with the living God, made possible through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This relationship requires the active work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together, not human systems or self-manufactured righteousness. Attempts to replace this relationship with rules, culture, politics, or moral superiority miss the heart of the gospel entirely and result in what amounts to church-centered religion rather than Christ-centered faith.

    Section 2

    Paul’s words in Philippians drive the message to its core: everything else is loss compared to knowing Christ. Achievements, status, knowledge, and even good intentions are described as worthless when measured against the surpassing worth of a real relationship with Jesus. Righteousness does not come from law, effort, or comparison with others, but from God through faith in Christ alone. Human attempts to establish personal or ideological righteousness are exposed as empty and misleading. Christianity is not about national identity, personal success, or moral posturing, but about being found in Christ, living from His righteousness, and placing Him above every other loyalty, value, or ambition.

    Section 3

    The teaching closes with Jesus’ words in John 14, where He declares Himself to be the only way to the Father. Knowing Jesus is knowing God, and anything less than that relationship falls short of eternal life. The sobering question Jesus asks Philip—“Don’t you know Me?”—becomes a personal challenge for every believer. The goal of faith is not activity, familiarity, or longevity, but genuine intimacy with Christ. Everything else fades in comparison to eternity with God. The final prayer reflects the heart of the message: a desire for deeper pursuit, greater dependence on the Holy Spirit, and a life where Jesus holds first place in all things.

    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • 01-21-2026 PART 2: God With Us from the Beginning to Redemption
    Jan 21 2026

    Section 1

    The foundation of everything begins with four unmistakable words: In the beginning, God. Scripture does not start with philosophy, science, religion, or human effort, but with God Himself as the uncaused cause of all creation. Humanity was created not out of divine boredom or experimentation, but for fellowship. God desired relationship, connection, and shared life with people made in His image. That purpose gives meaning to existence itself. Yet Genesis 3 introduces the fracture of that fellowship through sin, fear, and blame. Humanity lost innocence and unhindered relationship with God, not because God failed, but because people chose independence over trust. Still, even in that loss, God’s Word stands unshaken, enduring beyond the present heavens and earth and pointing forward to renewal rather than abandonment.

    Section 2

    God’s response to human failure was not withdrawal but redemption. Knowing humanity would fall, God prepared the solution in advance, revealing His love most clearly in giving His only Son. John 3:16 declares both the depth of God’s love and the open invitation to believe, not as a one-time action, but as a continuing trust. Eternal life flows from ongoing faith in Jesus Christ, the Son given because God both loves and desires people. This truth corrects the lie that God merely tolerates humanity. God likes what He has created, values uniqueness, and seeks restored fellowship. Salvation is not earned, improved upon, or maintained by human effort, but secured by God’s commitment to redeem what He loves.

    Section 3

    The name Immanuel, God with us, captures the heart of the gospel. God did not remain distant but entered human history, taking on flesh and humbling Himself in obedience unto death. Philippians reveals that Jesus, fully God, chose servanthood so humanity could be restored to God. This was not forced relationship but invited fellowship, honoring human response rather than robotic compliance. God desires people who willingly draw near to Him. The incarnation demonstrates that desire unmistakably. Just as Christ lowered Himself to rescue humanity, He continues to call people into relationship, faith, and trust. The message is simple yet profound: God wants to be with us, has made the way through Jesus Christ, and invites all who will believe to share eternal fellowship with Him.

    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • 01-21-2026 PART 1: The Messiah’s Righteous Rule and the Only True Source of Justice
    Jan 21 2026

    Section 1

    Psalm 72 opens with Solomon acknowledging something profoundly important: even with extraordinary wisdom, he remains dependent on God for true judgment and righteousness. By asking God to give His judgments to the king and His righteousness to the king’s Son, Solomon sets a tone of humility that immediately points beyond himself. This psalm is deeply messianic, moving past Solomon’s reign toward the greater King who would rule with perfect righteousness. Solomon understands that discernment, justice, and authority do not originate from human ability, position, or intellect, but must flow from God alone. This recognition establishes the foundation of the psalm and anticipates the Messiah, whose reign would embody what no human ruler could ever fully achieve.

    Section 2

    The psalm makes clear that true justice cannot be produced by human systems, political power, or moral effort. Solomon declares that the Messiah will judge God’s people with righteousness and the poor with justice, emphasizing that fairness and compassion come from God’s nature, not human outrage or ambition. Human judgment is limited, incomplete, and often distorted, while God’s judgment is flawless because He alone knows every motive, detail, and outcome. The peace described in the imagery of mountains and hills reinforces this truth, portraying stability and security that only God can provide. Worldly peace is temporary and fragile, but God’s peace is steady, dependable, and unchanging, rooted in His eternal character.

    Section 3

    Solomon highlights that care for the poor, the needy, and the oppressed ultimately rests with the Messiah, not governments or institutions. While human efforts may attempt solutions, true restoration comes from Jesus, who saves, defends, and breaks the power of oppression at its root. This psalm points directly to Christ as the righteous King who fulfills what Solomon could only foreshadow. The message is unmistakable: righteousness cannot be manufactured, justice cannot be perfected by human means, and peace cannot be sustained apart from God. The answer to humanity’s deepest needs is not found in systems or ideologies, but in Jesus Christ alone, the Messiah whose reign is marked by justice, compassion, and everlasting peace.

    Show more Show less
    29 mins
  • 01-20-2026 PART 3: Living as God’s Fragrant Offering Through the Power of the Holy Spirit
    Jan 20 2026

    Section 1

    Paul’s words in Romans reveal a deep clarity about calling and identity, beginning with his recognition that he was appointed as a special messenger of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. This does not elevate Paul above others, but highlights a truth that applies to every believer: all Christians are ambassadors for Christ. Representation is not limited to pulpits, platforms, or public recognition, but is lived out wherever believers find themselves. Every follower of Jesus carries this calling, supported by the truth that the body of Christ is interconnected, with every part contributing to the health of the whole. God assigns unique roles, personalities, and emphases, weaving them together with precision. Paul’s life stands as a testimony that God often uses people in ways no one would predict, transforming backgrounds, experiences, and skills into tools for His kingdom purposes.

    Section 2

    Paul’s description of believers as a fragrant offering to God reframes how Christians view their lives and worship. Not only are prayers pleasing to God, but believers themselves are pleasing to Him through the work of the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is not lived independently, but in partnership with God through the Spirit who dwells within, guiding, correcting, and empowering. Scripture repeatedly urges believers not to quench or grieve the Holy Spirit, because it is through Him that the ministry of Jesus continues on earth. God’s direction is often specific and intentional, sometimes opening doors and sometimes closing them, always leading toward His greater purposes. Life with God is relational, Spirit-led, and deeply personal, rooted in the ongoing work of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together.

    Section 3

    The central call of this passage is not to acquire new knowledge, but to pursue deeper relationship and faithful obedience with what has already been given. Growth comes not from novelty, but from practice, remembrance, and pursuit of God Himself. The Lord consistently invites His people to seek Him, promising that He will respond. Fear has no rightful place in the believer’s life, because God has pledged His presence, faithfulness, and unchanging love. No failure, sin, or turmoil surprises Him or causes Him to withdraw. Walking by faith rather than sight anchors believers in confidence, not circumstance. The encouragement is clear and steady: draw near to God, trust His guidance, love one another, and rest in the assurance that He is in charge, and His children are never abandoned.

    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • 01-20-2026 PART 2: Reminded of What We Already Know
    Jan 20 2026

    Section 1

    Paul’s words in Romans 14 reveal a deep affection and confidence in the believers he addresses, calling them dear friends and affirming that they are full of goodness. This is not flattery, but recognition of what God has already done within them. Christian faith produces not only shared belief but shared life, where friendships are forged through trials, prayers, laughter, tears, and perseverance together. These relationships go beyond bloodlines, rooted instead in the blood of Jesus and the unity of the Holy Spirit. Paul acknowledges that believers, shaped by hardship and grace, are equipped to teach others, not because of formal training, but because they have lived through God’s faithfulness. The Church is not merely a gathering of individuals, but a family and a fellowship formed by shared encounters with God.

    Section 2

    Paul’s affirmation carries responsibility as well as encouragement. Those who have endured trials, experienced restoration, and witnessed God’s mercy possess something invaluable to offer others. They know firsthand that God does not fail, even when people do. Peter’s denial and restoration stand as a powerful example that failure is not the end when grace intervenes. Believers carry hope for the hopeless because they themselves have stood at the brink and been sustained. Teaching, in this sense, is not academic but relational, flowing naturally from a life spent with Jesus. Scripture reminds us that time with Jesus, not credentials, is the true qualification, and that spiritual authority grows out of intimacy with Him.

    Section 3

    Paul’s most striking insight is that believers often do not need new information, but faithful reminders. Spiritual growth is rarely about discovering something unheard, but about activating truths already received. The gospel itself is simple, ancient, and sufficient, yet easily forgotten or overcomplicated. Repetition in Scripture exists because hearts drift, not because truth changes. Paul understands that reminders restore focus, strengthen faith, and re-anchor believers in what saves and sustains them. The power of the Christian life lies not in novelty, but in returning again and again to the enduring truth of Jesus Christ, crucified, risen, reigning, and coming again, a truth that keeps believers steady through every season.

    Show more Show less
    26 mins
  • 01-20-2026 PART 1: Grace at the Table and the Certainty of God’s Redemptive Plan
    Jan 20 2026

    Section 1

    Matthew 26 brings us to the preparation of the Passover and the beginning of the Last Supper, a moment rich with history, symbolism, and fulfillment. Jesus honors the Feast of Unleavened Bread, not as a mere tradition, but as part of God’s unfolding redemptive plan that stretches from the Old Testament into the New. The Passover was about deliverance through blood placed on doorposts so judgment would pass over Israel, and now Jesus reveals Himself as the true Passover Lamb whose blood would cause judgment to pass over all who believe. This moment connects bondage to freedom, wilderness to promise, and shadow to substance. Jesus does not abolish the Old Testament; He fulfills it, showing that God’s plan has always been coherent, intentional, and centered on redemption through sacrifice.

    Section 2

    The instruction to find “a certain man” highlights the quiet but unmistakable guidance of God at work behind the scenes. The disciples obey without hesitation, trusting Jesus’ direction even when details are sparse. They somehow recognize the man, speak the exact words Jesus gives them, and are received without resistance. This moment, often overlooked, points to the unseen activity of the Holy Spirit guiding events with precision. Nothing about this encounter is accidental. God prepares hearts, circumstances, and timing so that His purposes unfold exactly as intended. What appears ordinary on the surface is deeply miraculous, revealing that God’s sovereignty often operates most powerfully in subtle obedience and quiet trust.

    Section 3

    At the table, Jesus shares fellowship with the Twelve, including Judas, fully aware of the betrayal that is already set in motion. This moment reveals the depth of Christ’s love and submission to the Father’s will. Jesus does not withdraw grace, kindness, or communion from the one who will betray Him, demonstrating love for enemies at a level far beyond human instinct. When Jesus announces that one will betray Him, every disciple asks the same question: “Is it I, Lord?” This shared self-examination reflects a universal human struggle with weakness and self-doubt. Yet Jesus remains steadfast, committed to the mission He came to fulfill. The Last Supper marks the beginning of the ultimate Passover, where Jesus willingly offers Himself so that judgment may pass over all who trust in Him, extending grace far beyond what anyone deserves.

    Show more Show less
    29 mins
  • 01-19-2026 PART 3: Marking Moments of God’s Faithfulness
    Jan 19 2026

    Section 1

    The closing portion of Genesis 21 presents a quiet but meaningful resolution between Abraham and Abimelech, highlighting the value of peace, clarity, and communication. Abraham’s decision to set apart seven lambs and Abimelech’s willingness to ask why they were separated underscores an often-overlooked principle: when something is unclear, it is wise to ask rather than assume. Assumptions breed misunderstanding, while honest questions open the door to understanding and unity. This treaty, formed in the land of the Philistines, was not a compromise of Abraham’s faith but a practical agreement that established peace and mutual respect. Scripture affirms peacemaking as a blessing, and in this moment, God provides Abraham with stability and protection in preparation for greater trials that lie ahead.

    Section 2

    The naming of Beersheba, meaning “the well of the oath,” turns a resolved conflict into a lasting testimony. Abraham’s public confirmation of the agreement through the lambs functioned much like a visible marker, acknowledging what God had accomplished in restoring peace and justice. This was not an act of worship toward the agreement itself, but a recognition that God had intervened and brought resolution. God often allows seasons of peace before seasons of testing, and Abraham’s life reflects that divine ordering. His trials were not random; they were perfectly timed and measured by God, who knew exactly what Abraham would need before facing the ultimate test of obedience in Genesis 22.

    Section 3

    Abraham’s planting of a tamarisk tree and worshiping the Lord, the eternal God, reveals a deeply personal response of gratitude. This act was a private memorial, not meant for display or reverence in itself, but as a reminder of God’s faithfulness, protection, and favor. Abraham marked the moment so that each time he saw the tree, he would remember what God had done. Scripture affirms the value of such remembrances when they point the heart back to God rather than becoming objects of devotion themselves. Whether through a journal, a simple token, or a quiet moment of reflection, acknowledging God’s work keeps gratitude alive. Abraham’s example calls believers to intentionally recognize and honor the eternal God who brings peace, guides journeys, and remains faithful in every season.

    Show more Show less
    25 mins
  • 01-19-2026 PART 2: God’s Power on Display Through Prayer, Testimony, and Humility
    Jan 19 2026

    Section 1

    Rosalyn’s call is a vivid reminder that God is actively at work in ordinary places through faithful obedience and prayer. Her testimony from the Hope Lodge shows how desperation often opens hearts that were previously closed, creating space for hope to enter. What began as skepticism turned into recognition when prayer was answered in an unmistakable way, moving her friend’s son from eighteenth on a waiting list directly into the desired medical study. The significance was not merely the outcome, but the clarity of cause and effect: prayer was offered, God responded, and faith was strengthened. This moment illustrates how God coordinates circumstances beyond human ability, using prayer as a means to reveal His care, His power, and His personal involvement in people’s lives.

    Section 2

    The ripple effects of that answered prayer extended far beyond a single event, opening doors for deeper spiritual conversations, church involvement, and the possibility of a Bible study among people who had little exposure to Scripture. God used simple testimony, not polished arguments, to soften hearts and create openness to Jesus. In the same way, the encounter with the man who shared his own hospital rescue by Jesus reinforced how God weaves testimonies together to encourage faith. These moments were not orchestrated by human planning, but by God’s timing and direction. Hope, once ignited, began to change attitudes, outlooks, and willingness to engage with the truth of God’s Word, demonstrating that spiritual fruit grows naturally when God is given room to work.

    Section 3

    The closing reflection brings a necessary and humbling reminder about walking carefully before God, especially in public spaces like social media. Even when statements feel clever or justified, they may not reflect the gentleness and goodness God desires. The willingness to repent, delete a post, and acknowledge error highlights spiritual maturity and submission to God’s correction. The lesson is clear: believers are called to speak life, not merely to prove a point. God is not impressed by sharp comebacks, but He is honored by humility, obedience, and a heart aligned with His purposes. Every word, spoken or written, matters before God, and faithfulness is shown not in winning arguments, but in honoring Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape both message and motive.

    Show more Show less
    28 mins