The context for the sermon text, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, is relationships in the church. The apostle Paul reminds believers that rather than measuring spiritual status on the prominence of spiritual gifts (speech, knowledge, power and service), the greatest indicator of spiritual growth and maturity is love.

God's Word is meant to be slowly studied and pondered. Inductive Bible Study is an effective, time-tested method of reading scripture so that it comes alive to transform our lives from the inside out. The method is based on three questions. 1. What do I see? (observation). 2. What does it mean? (interpretation). 3. What should I do? (application). Believers are encouraged to make time to seek God, creating a habit that will bring delight in the Word written for us.

Pastor Todd focuses on 2 Timothy 3:17 in explaining reasons why believers should study God's word. 1. We study the Bible to know and apply truth to our lives. 2. We study to equip ourselves to do the good works prepared by God in advance for us (Ephesians 2:10). 3. We study because the application of God's Word is a means of sanctification, showing us how to navigate life's challenges. As we continue in this process of sanctification, our lives will become a testimony to others of God's work, thereby illuminating a path to Christ.

This sermon addresses the reliability of the Bible. What does the Bible claim about itself? The answer is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which describes the scriptures as God-breathed, meaning inspired by God. Pastor Nate explains four reasons why the Bible can be trusted: historical reliability; early writings; abundance and accuracy of ancient manuscripts; and, fulfilled prophecy.

In this Easter message, Pastor Nate examines six claims of Jesus that demand a response from us.

1. Jesus claimed to be the Messiah of God, sent in fulfillment of scripture. 2. Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh. 3. Jesus claimed to have authority to forgive sins. 4. Jesus claimed to be on a mission of love to rescue humanity from sin. 5. Jesus claimed that he would rise from the dead. 6. Jesus claimed that he was the only path to God.

Pastor Christ McGarvey with Bethel Baptist Church delivered the message at this multi-church, One4Wilmington service hosted by Brandywine Valley Baptist Church.

In Esther chapters 8-10 we learn how Haman's evil plan for the Jews is thwarted by three great reversals: position, condition and disposition. Not only does God's providential reversal of events result in the preservation of the Jewish people, but the reversals apply to believers as well. In Christ our death sentence is nullified, our fate is reversed, and our salvation is secured through the divine savior.

We see in Esther 5-7 that God uses ALL THINGS to accomplish His purposes for HIS GLORY. All things include good things, bad things, coincidences, things we can control, and things we cannot control. God's good purpose is to bring people into an eternal relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ. God also desires that believers be conformed into the image of Christ.

In the book of Esther chapters 3-4, we learn that the anti-Semite Haman has the king's endorsement to wipe out the Jewish population. Mordecai sends word to his daughter, Queen Esther. He asks her to intercede on behalf of her people by approaching her husband, the cruel King Xerxes. Esther determines to use her royal position "for such a time as this," knowing this risky, dangerous move could result in her own death. As Christians, we should consider our own positions and opportunities in response to God's call. Does He want to use us "for such a time as this?" Are we the answer to our own prayers? It is better to act than not to act if our regrets in not responding to God's call will lead us to ask, "What if?"

We see in Esther chapters 1-2 that God is providentially working behind the scenes during a time when God's people are seemingly irrelevant in the culture. Esther and Mordecai, Jewish exiles, find themselves in positions of influence in the Persian kingdom. In his sovereign rescue plan, God will use Esther to intervene on behalf of the Jewish people to save them from annihilation.