Devotions | Under His Wings | Ruth 2
Last Sunday, we continued our journey through the book of Ruth by looking at the quiet but powerful providence of God in chapter 2. While the world might see a series of "lucky breaks" or random coincidences, we witnessed the sovereign hand of God guiding a vulnerable widow to exactly the right field at exactly the right time.
In the message, "Under His Wings," we explored how Boaz serves as a "type" of Christ—our true Kinsman-Redeemer—who goes above and beyond to show grace and provide a refuge for those who deserve nothing. If you missed the service or want to revisit how Boaz's extraordinary generosity points us to the Gospel, you can watch the full sermon here.
Under His Wings | Ruth 2 | Redeeming Love
It is an amazing feeling when someone goes above and beyond for you. In our world of limited resources, we rarely see people disregard their own limitations to help someone else—especially someone who has no claim on them. Yet, this is exactly the type of generosity we see in Boaz as we move into the second chapter of Ruth.
This week, we followed Ruth into the fields. As an unclean Gentile and a poor widow, she expected only the scraps left on the fringes. Instead, she found a man who provided safety, water, a seat at his table, and an abundance of grain that left her mother-in-law, Naomi, astonished.
Devotions | Where You Go, I Go | Redeeming Love
This Lord’s Day, we continued our journey through the book of Ruth, moving from the tragic "dead ends" of Moab to the first stirrings of hope in the land of Judah. In the message "Where You Go, I Go," we witnessed the radical contrast between Orpah’s logical departure and Ruth’s extraordinary vow of covenantal loyalty. We saw that even when we feel "empty" or "bitter" like Naomi, God is a master of navigating us back to the center of His redeeming love.
Devotions | The Breadless House | Redeeming Love
Have you ever felt truly lost? Not just "wrong exit on the highway" lost, but a deep sense of disorientation and hopelessness as you try to navigate life’s trials?
Last week, we launched our new five-week series, "Redeeming Love," by looking at the somber opening of the book of Ruth. In that message, "The Breadless House," we explored how Elimelech and Naomi reacted when the "House of Bread" (Bethlehem) ran dry. We saw the dangerous allure of seeking provision in "Moab"—choosing worldly security over faithful obedience to our Covenant God.
The Breadless House | Ruth 1:1-5 | Redeeming Love
Have you ever felt truly lost? Not just "wrong exit on the highway" lost, but a deep sense of meaninglessness in navigating life’s trials?
This week, we began our study of the book of Ruth by looking at the first five verses of chapter one. The story starts in a dark place: a famine in Bethlehem (the "House of Bread") and a family’s decision to leave the Promised Land for Moab. We see the tragic consequences of seeking "bread" apart from God’s covenant, as Naomi is left widowed and childless in a foreign land.
It’s the Eighth Day | Luke 24:1-12 | Resurrection Sunday
When we experience loss, we generally know what to expect. Since the banishment of our first parents from the Garden, death has reigned with a predictable, heavy rhythm. We work for six days, we rest on the seventh, and the cycle repeats—until, one day, it stops.
But as we see in Luke 24, the women who went to Jesus' tomb to perform the expected rituals of death found something earth-shattering. The stone was rolled away, and the body was gone.
Having Obtained Eternal Redemption | Hebrews 9:11-22 | Maundy Thursday
Is Jesus merely a moral teacher, or something more? While many view Him as a guru of "enlightened living," the events of Maundy Thursday reveal a deeper mission. Our problem isn't just a lack of kindness; it is rebellion against our Creator.
In this sermon, we explore Matthew 26 and Hebrews 9 to see how Jesus replaced the temporary sacrifices of the Old Covenant with a "once for all" sacrifice. By shedding His blood, Christ didn't just modify our behavior—He obtained our eternal redemption.
Victory Over the Grave | True Immortality in a Digital Age
In recent months, many of my conversations have centered on a discussion on what it means to be human in our modern times. We live in a time of total connectivity, yet it feels like we are more disconnected than ever from one another and from our humanity. These conversations have driven me to read several books that explore this idea.
One thing I have seen in books, online articles, and even social media posts is the obsession with trying to use technology to cheat death. From mechanically altering the human body to the idea of uploading one's consciousness from a fragile human frame, the suggestion of achieving immortality or extended earthly existence is quite popular, particularly among the very rich. Some tech billionaires have dropped unbelievable sums of money into the idea.
Devotions | More Than a Parade | 5 Devotions on the Significance of Palm Sunday
We often approach Palm Sunday with the expectation of a celebratory parade—palm branches, "Hosannas," and the excitement of a King finally claiming His throne. But as we see in Matthew 21, Jesus didn't just come to Jerusalem for the curb appeal. He came as the Divine Inspector to look past the external fanfare and address the "rot" hidden deep within the religious system and the human heart.
More Than a Parade | Matthew 21:1-17 | Palm Sunday
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the city was stirred with a nationalistic hope for a new government. However, Jesus didn't head for the Roman fortress; He went to the Temple. In this Palm Sunday message, we examine the "upside-down" nature of Christ's Kingdom—where a donkey is the royal transport and a cross is the royal throne.
The Prayer That Works | James 5:13-20 | Faith That Works
We are an incredibly connected people. We carry devices that "blip and bleep" at us constantly, creating a persistent state of digital overload and anxiety. Yet, when those bars on our phones disappear or a system goes down, we often feel a different kind of stress—the fear of being out of the loop.
The Patience of the Farmer | James 5:7-12 | Faith That Works
We’ve all heard the phrase "a watched pot never boils." While we know the physics of the stove don't change based on our attention, the cliché rings true: when we dwell on our expectations, time seems to stand still.
In his sermon on James 5:7–12, our pastor explores the biblical call to a different kind of waiting—the "patience of the farmer." This isn't just about passing time; it's about establishing our hearts. Just as a farmer doesn't just stare at the dirt but actively removes weeds and fertilizes the soil, we are called to actively cultivate our spiritual lives while we wait for the Lord’s return.
Rotting Riches and Fattened Hearts | James 5:1-6 | Faith That Works
The things of this world all have an expiration date. In this sermon on James 5:1–6, we examine the danger of putting our trust and security in silver and gold instead of in the living God. James uses the imagery of livestock being fattened for slaughter to describe the danger of living in luxury and self-indulgence while harming others.
The call on us is to realize that what James is doing through the Holy Spirit is a blessing—it is an opportunity for us to return to placing value in the things of God. We pursue the things of God, desiring to love God and neighbor in light of the mercy shown to us in the gospel.
Life is a Vapor | James 4:13-17 | Faith That Works
We often operate under the illusion of control. We plan our careers, our vacations, and our retirements with meticulous detail, but James 4:13-17 reminds us of a fundamental truth: we do not even know what tomorrow will bring.
The War Within and the Battle Without | James 4:1-12 | Faith That Works
In the mid-1860s, the medical world began to document the phenomenon of the "phantom limb"—where amputees felt pain or an itch in a limb that was no longer there. As believers, we experience a spiritual version of this. Though our "old man" was crucified with Christ, we still feel the persistent, nagging itch to return to our old sins.
Two Kinds of Wisdom | James 3:13-18 | Faith That Works
We often think that if we just had the right tip or trick, we could solve every problem in our lives—from our health to our marriages. But information alone isn't wisdom.
In James 3:13-18, we see that there are two kinds of wisdom competing for our hearts. One is earthly and unspiritual, fueled by a "bitter sludge" of jealousy and selfish ambition. The other is from above: pure, peaceable, and full of mercy.
The Wildfire in the Mouth | James 3:1-12 | Faith That Works
There is a unique satisfaction in building a fire the old-fashioned way—watching a tiny flame grow into a source of warmth and light. But as any woodsman knows, that same fire requires constant vigilance. Left unchecked, it becomes a force of total destruction.
In this week's sermon on James 3:1–12, we see that the tongue operates much like a fire. It is a small member of the body, yet it boasts of great things and possesses the power to set the course of a life—or a community—ablaze.
Dead Faith Walking | James 2:14-26 | Faith That Works
In our latest sermon, "Dead Faith Walking," we confront the danger of a "museum-piece" faith. Drawing on the imagery of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia, we look at James 2:14-26 to see how the Holy Spirit breathes life into us, turning us from stationary statues into active ambassadors of God's grace. Watch as we discuss why a heart changed by the Gospel cannot help but move in love toward others.
Justice, Mercy, and the Triumph of Grace | James 2:1-13 | Faith That Works
Our latest sermon from the book of James is now available to watch. This week, we looked at James 2:1–13, focusing on how the Gospel levels the ground for all believers.
It is easy to let the world’s values of power and influence trickle into the church, leading us to make distinctions based on status or appearance. However, as those who were "poor and destitute in our sin" but "made rich by mercy," we are called to a different standard. We explore what it means to live under the law of liberty—a life where our works provide evidence of our faith and where we see others not as the world sees them, but as fellow heirs of the Kingdom of God.