Theodicy is the presence of God in human suffering. No doubt, we struggle to understand the presence of God when we suffer, so the next few weeks will look at that idea. First, we cannot assume He is not with us in the darkness because, in Christ, God entered our darkness to overcome it.

When we come to the table to partake in the Lord’s Supper, we participate in the story of redemption God has been working from the beginning, finds its culmination in Christ Jesus, and foreshadows the eternal feast that is to come for the family of God.

We all want it! And would do anything to get it! REST. What is REAL rest? And how do we get it? 

As this series draws to a close, we remind ourselves once more that even in the darkness of this world or the darkness we face, secular hope is a facade that crumbles. Only Christian hope - Easter hope - endures.

The resurrection points us to the day when all will be made right - and just - where injustice is answered. As Christians now, however, we should not wait until then, but work towards justice for all now.

In The Parable of the Sower, we will examine his complete obedience to his calling, his total disregard for where the seed landed, and his complete dependence upon God for the increase.

Separation of church and state is not the same as separating the state from God. The people of God are called into the public square to participate in the outbreaking of God along with the call to support space for the common good of all (even other religions).

The resurrection enables us as Christ followers to find hope within suffering. The suffering we are taught to do in culture is a lonely, and rarely cathartic journey. Yet, as Paul demonstrates, Christ followers are empowered to do more than move through their suffering, but for their suffering to lead to purpose, joy, fruit, and more. 

We have seen deep division and relational brokenness for several years now. Easter offers hope to heal even those divisions – even the deepest relational divides.

We need to understand how resurrection hope is offered to people like Peter, those who betrayed Jesus, for it becomes our hope as we fight our sinful nature.