What is faith? In the Bible, faith is more than just believing something to be true; it's trusting. Abraham is the great exemplar of faith in the Bible, and he has a lot to teach us about how to trust in the promises of God.

How can Paul say, "I rejoice in my suffering?" His perspective is as necessary now as it was then. Part of maturity comes through seeing our suffering as an opportunity to grow. By drawing near to God, even our suffering can be used for God's glory and our good.

More than anything else, the church in Colossae needed a picture of Jesus. In one of the most beautiful passages in the New Testament, Paul reminds them of the power, majesty, and glory of Jesus. Because he is supreme over all things, he is sufficient for all our needs.

Colossae was not a prominent town, but it had a healthy church. Paul praised them for their faith, hope, and love, cornerstones of the Christian life. In these opening lines, we find the central components of following Jesus Christ.

When the spies came into Jericho and knocked at her door, Rahab had a choice. Should she trust in everything she knew and the powerful people in her town, or this unknown God of Israel? Rahab had heard of God's might and his character, and when she trusted him, her life changed forever. A crimson cord marked her house safe from destruction, a sign of the coming savior who would be in her bloodline.

Preacher: Lance Ward

Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead, but that's not all. After 40 days, Jesus ascended into heaven. Though we don't talk about it as much, the ascension is an essential piece of Jesus' ministry and our faith. In it, we see Jesus exalted to the right hand of the Father, present by his Spirit, and empowering his people to build his Kingdom on Earth. 

Jesus joins two travelers on Easter afternoon. As they talk about the Messiah, Jesus walks through the Bible showing them how all of the Scriptures point to him. It's a reminder to us of where Jesus can be found. Then, when they arrive for dinner, Jesus joins them, and their eyes are opened to see Jesus across the table. This story gives us confidence today that we can find him in his Word and around his table. 

Most of us have trouble asking for help, especially in our spiritual life. In Psalm 121, the author provides a vivid picture of seeking God for our needs. He encourages us to turn to God by showing us who helps us, how He helps, and when we can depend on Him. In the end, we see a loving God ready to meet our needs and preserve us for eternity.

Preacher: Chris O'Neal

On Easter morning, the world changed forever. When Jesus rose from the dead, things would never be the same. We celebrate his resurrection, but we also celebrate the new life we can live in him. We have life in his name, faith in his finished work, and we can be forgiven, accepted, and restored to the family of God. 

In the final hours of Jesus's life he goes up to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Even as his disciples are falling asleep, Jesus is in agony, wrestling with his Father in prayer, arriving at the conclusion, "your will be done." Like the other events of his final week, Jesus is living out a parable for us that explains his death and his resurrection. He is teaching us obedience and submission to God's will for his glory and our joy.