During this Advent season, we want to look at the familiar Christmas story through a different lens: the actual places these events happened. They were common—even unremarkable—places. Yet, because of what happened there, they became Holy Ground. Through our short journey together, perhaps we’ll become more appreciative of the places and circumstances God has placed us in.

I. An Ordinary Place (v. 26)

II. An Unordinary Person (vv. 26-29)

III. An Extraordinary Prediction (vv. 30-34)

Talk with God: Reflect on your walk with the Lord over the past year and thank Him for the mundane places in your life that He chose to make holy ground.

Talk with others: Reach out to friends or family who may be struggling with loss or grief this holiday season and pray with them.

Talk with kids: Why do you think God chose ordinary people to be Jesus’ parents?

The last two years have seen a massive chasm in every country of the world over the Israel/Palestine issue. Since October 7, 2023 and the subsequent invasion of Gaza by Israel, people are divided. But this is not a recent debate. Anyone who knows the history of the region understands this dispute is ancient. But today I want to go back “behind the curtain” to get the real story.

I. The Incessant Competition (Philistine History)

II. The Invisible Conflict (Spiritual Hostility)

III. The Irrevocable Covenant (Divine Treaty)

Talk with God: Pray for the people of Israel and Palestine as they continue to deal with the conflict in their everyday lives.

Talk with others: Share what you’re thankful for this season with your Connect Group.

Talk with kids: Why is it important that these prophecies came true?

Some people insist that in our post-modern (or even meta-modern) age, we only believe in science, not metaphysics. That’s not quite true. At the heart of the transgender movement, people believe they are what they claim to be regardless of biological evidence. None of this is new. Something similar happened in the ancient worship of Asherah. Let’s examine it more carefully.

I. The Practice of Debased Idolatry (Jeremiah 7)

(Three Notable Characteristics)

II. The Proclamation of Divine Wrath (Romans 1)

(Three Notable Reasons)

Talk with God: Ask the Lord to give you His heart for the lost, confused, and hurting people in your family, community, and city.

Talk with others: Ask your Connect Group or believing family and friends how you can support them in boldly and lovingly sharing the hope of Jesus with someone this week.

Talk with kids: Pick up some poster board from Calvary Kids and create a banner to share what you’re thankful for as a family at our Thanksgiving Banner Service this Wednesday.

If you think the Sexual Revolution began in 1960s America, think again. It’s been going on since ancient times. Today we look at three texts which outline God’s standard for human sexuality and how a competing system, the worship of Asherah, blurred the lines of gender and sex. The worship of this ancient demon tampered with three distinct areas.

I. Identity (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-25)

II. Clarity (Deuteronomy 22:5)

III. Intimacy (Leviticus 18:19-23)

Talk with God: Ask the Lord for clarity as you root your identity in Him and walk in the path He’s prepared for you (see Ephesians 2:10).

Talk with others: Talk about what it looks like to honor your God-given sex in today’s world with your Connect Group or believing friends.

Talk with kids: How does God see people differently than we see them?

In the final section of Colossians, Paul outlined a pattern for Christian living which transcends social and cultural trends and speaks to the heart of human behavior. As believers, we're called to do all things—including the way we conduct our daily lives—"as to the Lord and not to men" (3:23). In this teaching, Skip Heitzig concludes this series in Colossians with guidance for our spiritual posture and Paul's grace-filled encouragement to press on in prayer, thanksgiving, and wisdom so we might reach a lost world. 

We did it! Together, we raised more than $215,000 to show the love of Jesus to our city: providing 10,000 meals, free haircuts, dental and medical services, family portraits, and shoes for kids. That’s what it means to look like Jesus, to see needs around us and meet them with love. As we celebrate Thanksgiving Pickup Party this weekend, we’re preparing our hearts as we turn to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 to learn how to do the things Jesus would do and act the way Jesus would act. Because in order to look like Jesus, we have to love like Jesus—with patience, kindness, and compassion for a world that desperately needs Him.

I. Do the Things Jesus Would Do

  A. Be Patient in Gratitude for His Patience with You

  B. Be Kind, Remembering His Kindness Toward You

II. Act the Way Jesus Would Act

  A. Don’t Be Rude: Treat People the Way Jesus Treats You

  B. Don’t Be a Cynic: See People How Jesus Sees Them (Sheep Without a Shepherd)

Talk with God: Ask the Lord to give you His heart for those around you this week.

Talk with others: Ask a mentor or a believing friend if they’ve noticed an area of your life where you aren’t reflecting Jesus.

Talk with kids: What was Saul’s excuse for disobeying the Lord?

When God calls His people to repent, He isn't looking for mere outward expressions of sorrow, He desires hearts truly broken over sin. Like a parent calling a wandering child home, God invites us to return to the safety of His mercy. In this message from Joel, Brian Nixon underscores the repentance which results in revival and the grace of God which is always greater than His people’s failure.

Without a doubt, the biggest threat to ancient Israel’s worship of Yahweh was the rival demon-god Baal, regarded as the chief of all Canaanite deities. The allure of Baal worship was the promise of profit and prosperity. I’ve chosen four words that tell the story of the showdown between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, and frame our role in modern culture.

I. Courage (vv. 16-17)

II. Contest (vv. 20-40)

III. Confrontation (v. 21)

IV. Cause (v. 36)

Talk with God: Meditate on Matthew 6:24 and ask the Lord to reveal the areas of your life in which you’re trying to “serve two masters.”

Talk with others: Encourage a fellow believer to keep their eyes on Jesus, no matter what they’re walking through this week.

Talk with kids: Why was it wrong for Saul to make the burnt offering?