Prayer is defined as the chief part of thankfulness (Heidelberg Catechism) and a declaration of dependence on our covenant-keeping God. We explore how prayer is not an attempt to change God's sovereign will, but a means of aligning our hearts with His purpose and earnestly asking Him to accomplish what He has already purposed.
The series begins with the Word, the ultimate authority and chief means of grace (Sola Scriptura). Personal Bible intake (reading, study, and meditation) is essential because Scripture is the only infallible rule for faith and life, equipping believers for righteousness and molding us to Christ's image by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The series begins with the Word, the ultimate authority and chief means of grace (Sola Scriptura). Personal Bible intake (reading, study, and meditation) is essential because Scripture is the only infallible rule for faith and life, equipping believers for righteousness and molding us to Christ's image by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This parable highlights the nature of true righteousness, teaching that humility before God is valued more than self-righteous piety. It demonstrates that God justifies those who humbly acknowledge their sinfulness rather than those who boast of their own goodness.
This parable serves as a vital reminder of the need for constant readiness and vigilance for the return of Christ. It stresses the importance of personal spiritual preparedness, symbolized by having enough oil, and the danger of procrastination in matters of faith.
This parable powerfully teaches about God's immense forgiveness towards us and, consequently, our responsibility to extend that same forgiveness to others. It underscores that our failure to forgive demonstrates a lack of true understanding of God's grace.
Our receptiveness to God's word determines its fruitfulness in our lives, much like soil determines the growth of a seed. This parable calls us to cultivate a heart that is ready and willing to receive the Gospel, allowing it to take deep root and produce a transformative faith.
Like yeast working its way through dough, the Kingdom of Heaven has a quiet, pervasive, and transformative influence on the world. It works from the inside out, reminding us that God is constantly and often invisibly changing hearts and culture.
This parable illustrates God's generous invitation to salvation and the Kingdom, extended to all. It also highlights the importance of responding to that invitation with genuine repentance and a transformed life, as symbolized by the wedding garment.
The Kingdom of Heaven is shown to exist alongside evil in the world, teaching us to grow faithfully amidst opposition. We are called to be patient and trust in God's timing, knowing that a day of perfect justice and separation will come at the final harvest.
These two short parables emphasize the surpassing worth of the Kingdom of Heaven. Like a hidden treasure or a pearl of great value, discovering the Kingdom should lead us to prioritize it above all else, gladly sacrificing everything to possess it.
We serve by willingly investing our time, talent, and gifts to support the functioning body of Christ. We also engage with our community, city, nation, and the world by caring for others both inside and outside the church, with the goal of communicating the gospel message.
We give because we acknowledge God’s sovereignty over all the wealth He has entrusted to us. This is expressed through faithful giving to the local church and by relying on the Holy Spirit for wisdom on how to give financially to other organizations, the poor, and the needs around the world.
We gather by connecting with other Christ-followers in community for support, spiritual growth, and fellowship. We purposefully engage in life with others to lead them toward faith in Jesus, and we reproduce ourselves on all levels by establishing Christ-followers and planting churches.
Worship is how we showcase God’s worth and value in all aspects of our lives. We remain connected to the heart of God through diligent prayer and the consistent study of scripture. As a response to His unmerited favor, we seek to obey God’s commands
As a household of faith, we are a family of families who builds a heritage of faith into one another and into future generations. We believe that reaching men helps us reach whole families and that our marriages can be living illustrations of Christ's relationship with the church, displaying the glory of God.
Resisting worldly desires and submitting to God's authority leads to genuine repentance and restoration. By humbly acknowledging our dependence on Him and acting in obedience, we experience His grace and healing, transforming our lives and relationships.
True wisdom is characterized by humility and gentleness, leading to peace and good fruit. By choosing humility over arrogance, we display the wisdom that comes from above, fostering reconciliation and righteousness.
The tongue, though small, holds immense power to build up or tear down. By controlling our speech and using words to encourage and bless, we reflect the wisdom and gentleness of Christ, bringing healing and harmony.
Genuine faith is not passive, but active, evidenced by good works that testify to our belief. By demonstrating our faith through deeds of love and service, we prove that our belief is alive and transformative.