"So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment." Hebrews 6:1-2

This week David continued our series on the "foundations" of Christ laid out in Hebrews 6:1-2 talking about baptisms.

When we repent from our sin by turning to God and put our faith in Him, baptism is the next logical step in the life of a believer. Baptism in water is an outward reflection of an inward change that is commanded by Jesus. We saw not only the importance of water baptisms, but of the baptism of the Holy Spirit that is vital in the life of a follower of Jesus!

"Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment." Hebrews 6:1-2

This Sunday Stacy continued our "Foundations" series giving a message on the second elementary truth outlined in Hebrews 6: faith in God. He showed us the life of Abram in Genesis 12 and 15 and pointed out that faith, in God, is simply believing what God says.

This Sunday David talked about the first of the elementary teachings of Jesus underscored in Hebrews 6:1-2: repentance.

Repentance, in essence, means to change your mind about something. It means to turn from one way of thinking, one way of living, one way being to another way of thinking, living, and being.

Repentance is the necessary first step in a life with God!

"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permits." (Hebrews 6:1-2)

This Sunday David, our lead elder, introduced our new six week series "foundations" based on Hebrews 6:1-2. He laid the groundwork for where we're going in the coming weeks reviewing the elementary truths of Christian and more than anything else, how important the word of God in our search for truth and following Jesus.

"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." John 17:17

"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permits." (Hebrews 6:1-2)

This Sunday David, our lead elder, introduced our new six week series "foundations" based on Hebrews 6:1-2. He laid the groundwork for where we're going in the coming weeks reviewing the elementary truths of Christian and more than anything else, how important the word of God in our search for truth and following Jesus.

"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." John 17:17

This Christmas Eve, Stacy showed us a few of the responses to Jesus' birth we see in the Bible. The three responses we saw give us an idea of how we too can respond to the invitation of Jesus to know and follow him.

Although there are many more we see throughout scripture, we can respond to Jesus like the shepherd s, wisemen, and king Herod.

"Do you know me?"

This is one question the Holy Spirit asks each of us.

We've spent the past three months talking about the Holy Spirt: who he is, what he does, the gifts he gives, and much more. Ultimately it doesn't necessarily matter how much we know about the Holy Spirit -- what matters is that we know HIM personally and allow him to transform every part of our lives.

"...For anyone who speaks in a tongue a does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church." 1 Corinthians 14:2-4

This Sunday David spoke about how we use our words through the spiritual gifts of prophesy. This is one of the gifts that is misunderstood and one that divides many people today.

He explains how this gift's primary use is for the (1) strengthening, (2) encouragement, and (3) comforting of all believers in the church.

This Sunday Kathy continued our series on the Holy Spirit unpacking the gifts he gives for the second week in a row!

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are a crucial part of the life of every believer and a topic that has caused innumerable divisions in the church. Take a listen and thinking about how the Holy Spirit empowers us today for the work Jesus has given us to do as his followers!

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."

1 Corinthians 12: 7-11

The Holy Spirit empowers all of us with gifts when we become followers fo Jesus. This Sunday, David kicked off our three week study on the gifts of the Holy Spirit! Take a listen and discover how each person in the church has been gifted and empowered for the building up of the local church!