Passage: Genesis 11:1-9; Ephesians 2:11-22

We live in an increasingly multi-ethnic and multicultural society. Many of us have neighbors, coworkers, classmates, friends and some even family members of different ethnicities. Such diversity brings with it many blessings and opportunities to reflect the image of God and his redemptive purposes. But it also exposes the brokenness of our pride and sin as we face the various racial tensions and division in our hearts as well as in our communities. Racial division and strife has existed since the fall, and all of man's attempts to remedy it have failed. That's because the issue runs deeper than just appreciating and accepting our differences. It comes in understanding and embracing God's purpose in creating from one man, many nations, and through one man, uniting many nations, as one people. Join us Sunday as we continue in our series and consider the issue of race in the image of God.

Passage: Genesis 2:18-25

Last week we saw that God created man in his image both male and female, alike in value and dignity as his image bearers, yet distinct and different as man and woman, a difference reflected in engendered bodies and minds that are essential to who God designed us to be individually and his good purposes for us corporately as humans. This week we will look at how that good purpose is carried forth in God's design for and gift of marriage, and the significance that has not just in our current day where there is much confusion surrounding marriage and sexuality, but for understanding the grander story of God's redemptive, reconciling, renewing work of in this world of which marriage serves as a living parable. Join us this Sunday as we look at marriage and sexuality in the image of God.

Passage: Genesis 2:5-24

One of the most beautiful and significant truths in the Bible is that God “created man in his own image.” (Genesis 1:27) As we saw last week in the introduction to our series Created in the Image of God, mankind was made to reflect, relate and rule with his Creator. And essential to that truth are the next words in that verse which say “in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.” God created humanity as two distinct sexes and genders made perfectly and purposefully both physically and spiritually to reflect his image. Unfortunately that reality is being suppressed and seeking to be silenced by the confusion and deception of what we might term the modern ‘gender identity crisis.” While such confusion has existed and had negative effects since the fall distorted the image of God in men and women, it has manifested itself in recent years in ways that have challenged the very categories of male and female. The result is a deception that says you can or even should create yourself in whatever image you feel or desire, a view that is causing untold damage to men and women, boys and girls created in God’s image. The key to addressing this gender identity crisis is to hold forth the beauty and blessing of God’s fearful and wonderful creation of each of us male or female just as he planned and designed, and Jesus’ taking on our human flesh in order to redeem, dignify and restore what it means to be a son or daughter of God. Join us Sunday as we consider how we are created male and female in the image of God.

Passage: Genesis 1:1-31

I think it is safe to say that we currently live in a world, and in particular a culture that is suffering from extreme identity crisis. There seems to be a desperate search for the answer to the age old philosophical question, “Who am I?” However, most of the answers that are being given by the world do not give clarity, but actually contribute more to the confusion and controversy we find swirling around us. God's answer to that big question of identity is found in the opening pages of his Word: we are created in the image of God. The implications and the practical outworking of that truth are seen throughout God’s unfolding story of creation, fall, redemption and restoration, and it informs and addresses so much of the identity crisis and confusion we see prevalent in our world today. For the next two months we are going to be going through a series of messages we're calling, Created in the Image of God. We will be looking at how that image is reflected in our being created male and female, in our being created with value and dignity, and in our being created for a purpose. We will look at how that image in those areas has been broken and distorted by sin, and how those elements are being restored in Christ’s work of redemption. Also, we will consider the practical implications for us in addressing the identity crisis in our own lives and in the culture around us and in seeking to clear up the confusion caused by our chief enemy and the clouded thinking of man apart from God. Join us Sunday as we begin this series in what it means to be created in the image of God.

Passage: Psalm 103

Pastor Eddie Brown

Do you ever make a list? I'm pretty sure we all do and we make all kinds of lists. We make lists because its not a good idea to simply rely on our memories. Otherwise we'll be standing in an aisle at the grocery store asking ourselves the question: What do I need to buy for that recipe?

In Psalm 103 David makes a list of all of God's benefits, blessing, he has received. It's not a complete list, how could it be? Who can number the blessings we receive from the God of endless grace?

But it's not enough just to have a list no matter how full it is. David isn't satisfied with only a list, but summons himself and all he is to bless, thankfully praise the Giver of all these gifts.

Neither is David satisfied with being a choir of one, but calls on every creature and all of creation to join him in offering blessing back to the Lord. So David speaking by the Spirit calls us to join with him that we with our whole being, we on this side of the cross, join him in blessing the Lord.

Passage: Titus 3:1-11

As we come to the final months before the elections in our nation, the pressure increases to enter into the fray of political debate and echo the heated rhetoric of pundits on social media or in our social gatherings. As the days wind down on the calendar towards election day, the temperature cranks up on the campaign trail. There is nothing wrong, indeed it is right as believers, to participate in the privilege and process we have to elect our leaders. However, we must be careful that winning arguments or elections does not supercede or undermine our witness for Christ.

Last week we saw that whatever the results in November, we have the kingdom-minded confidence that God ordains and institutes those in authority over us for his glory and good purpose in our lives. Therefore we can trust him and submit to those civil authorities who rule over us. With that in mind, this week we'll consider how can we enter into the election process with gospel-centered attitudes and actions focused on pointing people to King Jesus, rather than just promoting a particular candidate or cause. That begins by remembering God's sovereign goodness and mercy in electing us as his children and citizens of his kingdom. Join us Sunday as we look at Paul's instructions to Titus and find wisdom for the elect in an election year.

Passage: Romans 13:1-7

As we head into another presidential election season, there is no shortage of rhetoric and appeals to Christians as to how we should think and engage (and vote) in political affairs, a privilege and responsibility we share with all our fellow citizens of the USA. Yet much of that rhetoric and appeal tends to foster tensions and divisions among believers, and threatens to undermine the common unity and hope we share under the authority of our true King, Jesus. Over the next two weeks, we'll look at the reality of living for our King Jesus, under the authority of earthly rulers, and how, as believers, we can enter into a contentious election season with confident assurance and hope, as well as grace and goodness in the process that reflects the reality that we have been called by the King of kings, to serve him. Join us this Sunday as we look at our call to submit to God and to governing authorities, and the implications of that for believers who have the privilege of electing our governing authorities.

Passage: Malachi 4:4-6

The final words of the Old Testament given by God through the prophet Malachi are words of preparation. God has been calling his people to return to him in faith and obedience, and he has promised the day of his coming to refine and purify a people for himself and to bring judgment on all the wicked and evil. His final words give instruction in how they are to live in preparation for that day. He calls them to look back on his covenant commands given to Moses, and to look forward to the coming of Elijah the prophet who would prepare the people for the coming of the Lord himself. These words serve to bridge the gap of some four centuries of God's silence before God would break that silence in the coming of his Son. As we close out our series on Malachi, we will look at how God prepared his people then and continues to prepare us now for the coming of his Son. Join us Sunday as we consider Malachi's call to remember Moses, look for Elijah and how that prepares us to meet Jesus.

Passage: Malachi 4:1-3

As the book of Malachi comes to a close, God focuses the attention of his people forward towards the day of the Lord's coming. It is a day that will bring cataclysmic judgement for those who do evil. But for God's people, those who fear and trust him, it will be a like a new day dawning, bringing healing, joy and freedom. God closes the Old Testament with a promised sunrise in the future, that begins to show on the horizon in the coming of the Messiah, God's own Son Jesus. Join us Sunday as we consider the day that has dawned in the rising sun of righteousness.

Passage: Malachi 3:13-18

How do you view your service to the Lord? How do you respond to the call and commands of God to worship him and walk in his ways? For many in the days of the prophet Malachi, that call and command had become burdensome, resulting in words of grumbling and complaining, and wondering if such service is really worth it. But for some, their service flowed out of a sense of belonging, a recognition of God's sovereignty and covenant love for them, that resulted in a heart that esteems his name and encourages one another. Jesus reminds us that "out of the heart the mouth speaks," and God remembers the words and heart attitude of those who trust him, promising them a hope and a future as his treasured possession, promises that remain true for us through the coming of God's Son, Jesus Christ. Join us Sunday as we continue in our study of Malachi and hear God's gospel promises to those who esteem his name.