How many times should grace and forgiveness be given for the same offense? It's a question we must practically answer in families, work places, and relationships. It's a question scripture deals with from the beginning of Israel's settling. How can grace and discipline co-exist in God's relationship with his people? Pastor James uses the story of Israel's exile to teach us what scripture teaches about that very issue.

This week starts off with a recap of The Story from week number one to our present week. God has created, covenanted, redeemed, and established his people. Yet, they still do not walk in his ways. The prophet Isaiah plays a significant role in this point in Israel's history. We explore his call this week, taking time to reflect on our own calls as God's people in the world.

It is easy to look at Israel's worship of false gods as silly and ridiculous, but we should be cautious to jump so quickly to these labels. God's people have long been drawn astray by lesser gods, and today we are no different. Our lesser gods make take different forms but they are just as alluring as the statues of Baal were to Israel. Our worship matters to God. Listen to how we can focus it on him alone.

Corruption and sin has begun to make its way into the leadership of Israel. Since the beginning of their entrance into the Promise Land the people and their leaders have been easily led astray by false gods and temptation. This rebellious way of being has finally come to a head and will result in their nation's divide after King Solomon dies.

After a six week layoff we are jumping back into The Story: Finding Our Place In God's Narrative. We pick up with King Solomon, the third king in Israel's history. Solomon is best known for being the wisest man who ever lived. His wisdom, as great as it was, did not elimnate temptation. It did not result in his loving the Lord as his father David. By learning about Solomon's blind spots we can learn to guard our hearts from temptation and sin.

In our culture the new year is often used as a time to dedicate and commit oneself to new (or old) goals, to a new way of life. Every first Sunday of the new year Coast Community takes the opportunity to renew the covenant they made to God to be his holy people. Preaching from Paul's letter to the Colossians Pastor James reminds and reorients the congregation toward holiness.

Why does God send a baby to deal with the sins of the world? The power that is revealed to us in the incarnation and throughout Jesus' life is unlike the powers of this world. The power of God working in and through Jesus is also accessible to the Church. Unpacking the end of the narrative in Matthew Aaron unpacks the strength of God's power found in a lowly child.

Over time it is easy for the novelty of amazing news, events, and ideas to wear off. The Church and its traditions are not exempt from this. Christmas and its meaning can fell ordinary and routine. The news of God coming to Earth should be anything but plain. It is amazing. Pastor James reminds of this reality during the final Sunday of Advent.

The word "bless" is used a lot in the church. The situations and ways in which people use them are plentiful. It's a "swiss army knife" of Christian speak. This week Pastor James explores the idea of blessing in the life of the one who prepared the way for our Lord, John the Baptist. The insights we can glean from John's life about blessing may be surprising and bewildering.

Preparation is a precursor to our celebration. John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Jesus' first coming into the world. How can we take John's message and use it to prepare ourselves for Jesus' second coming? Pastor James explores the ways we prepare ourselves in our faith for Jesus' advent.