Pastor Symps helps us to grasp the deep significance of our justification and our sanctification, both identified through Christ's wonderful work on the cross! Like Him, we are to be reckoned with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus' Gospel identity.

Hallelujah! We, sinners now declared righteous because of Christ, can now be slaves to righteousness, and NOT sin, as we are dead to sin! Romans 6 is our text for today.

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! The disciples did not, at first, understand this nor its full implications. In fear they cowered after Jesus' crucifixion. But Jesus appeared! And not only gave them peace, and the Holy Spirit, but also a charge, a mission to continue His work on earth. We look at John 20:19-23, John's version of the Great Commission. We also hear, from our youth, testimonies of mission in action.

We arrive at our last tale found in the book of Judges, Chap. 19-21. Pastor Ryan leads us through five scenes of narrative, leading from the wandering Levite priest, the horrific events of the concubine, to civil war, and a solution to near-genocide that once again breaks God's law. Throughout is the tragic comparison of radical hospitality vs. unprovoked violence. Last week we discovered that many are like Micah, finding answers to empty materialism. This week, we find many are like the concubine, hurting, helpless people in need of safety. May the Church be that for our King Jesus' sake, that we do "that which is right in His eyes!"

We are in Chap. 17 and 18 of the book of Judges. We focus on the story of Micah, a man devoid of personal and meaningful relationships, one who does his own will to acquire meaning, purpose and belonging in his life, only to have it so easily taken away. So like our culture in America now, where we see so often only a glimpse of God in an expression, and so many losing sight of Who the tour Holy One is. Pastor Ryan blesses us with insight on Micah, and in turn, us!

Pastor Symps completes our trilogy on the life of Samson in Judges Chap. 16. Pastor Symps leads us into a detailed study of Samson's last actions, his downfalls, and his wrong choices in his walk with God. What do we learn from this story today?How can we protect ourselves and the body from repeating such destructive life decisions?

We are looking at Samson's life and character, found in Judges Ch. 14 and 15. We see a "hero", larger than life, who is for...himself. Samson is for Samson. He is the encapsulation of Israel, a nation to whom God gave so much, but delivered to Him no praise, but indifference. Yet God's lovingkindness remained, for God was faithful and generous with Samson, and He accomplished His plans with Samson inspire of who Samson was.

Today we look at Judges Chapter 13, and we are introduced to Samson's parents, Manoah and "his wife. What kind of people were they? How much did they listen to the Lord, how much did they understand? We learn that God here takes the initiative: He does not wait for a "good" person, He does not work in places of great attention, and He does not use famous, celebrity people to accomplish His work!

Today, in Judges Ch. 10 - 12, we explore the judgeship of Jephthah, famous for his indiscreet and infamous vow to the Lord to sacrifice "whatever comes out of my house to greet me". This is a vow that epitomizes Israel's state: to not trust the Lord, to take matters into their own hands, to view God as approachable when He is "useful". This syncretic state that Jephthah and Israel are in, and how it can typify the Church today, is deeply explored by Pastor Ryan.

"If we are not ruled by God, we will be ruled by tyrants" - William Penn

Sage wisdom taken in light of today's study of Judges Chapter 9. Pastor Symps outlines the entire chapter, highlighting Israel's folly in following a tyrannical leader rather than the merciful and loving God the saved them out of Egypt. We see how one ruler brought destruction to his nation, and how God revisited this destruction upon him.The Church needs to stop thinking politically, and start thinking Biblically! If God does not rule, tyrants will.

Today we finish the story of Gideon, found in Chap. 8 of Judges. What started as a spiritually victorious life pattern in ch. 7 (listening to and obeying God, in spite of personal fears and doubts), now becomes a life full of apparent worldly success and obvious spiritual disaster. We see a pattern in Gideon emerging: the "way of Cain", full of vengeance and retribution. Jesus has a much better way, full of forgiveness and true peace. Which pattern are YOU following?