Many people are under the impression that Christianity is a faith for moral do-good types. Interestingly enough, it was the moral do-good types who had the biggest problems with Jesus during his earthly ministry. The fact is that Jesus entered into this world to befriend and rescue sinners. Yet, one of the most difficult things for self-righteous people to do is identify as sinners. Do you identify as one in great need of mercy? Do you bring your goodness or your badness to God? Listen in as we consider the role of confession in spiritual growth.

As we think about our lives and the things that we would like to improve, we over deal in the cosmetic realm of life. But there are times when we encounter deeper problems in our souls that reveal our helplessness and weakness. What do you do in these times? Do you cover up the problem through new behaviors and good deeds? Or do you bring these issues to the only one who can help you? In the sermon on the mount, Jesus shows us the difference between the false righteousness of hypocrisy and the spirituality of God's kingdom. In the context of externalism, Jesus teaches his follower that God is interested in the interior life of people. Listen in as we consider prayer as a means of cultivating spiritual growth.

There are many youtube videos that capture the moment when people with a hearing impairment are enabled to gain their hearing through medical procidures. These videos serve as a great picture of what it means to be changed by God. One of the great gifts that God gives to his people is the ability to hear his voice. However, it is possible for us to become spiritually hard of hearing over time, lapsing into a state of immaturity. What does this look like? How do we avoid this pitfall and press on to maturity? Listen in as we consider this theme in Hebrews 5-6.

Millions of tourists stream into Washington, DC every year to take in the many amazing monuments and dynamics of our city. The unfortunate irony is that those of us who are residents have become calloused to the surrounding greatness of our city. In a similar way, we can often find ourselves in danger of growing cold toward the gospel. But what’s going on in our lives when we are bored with the greatness of Christ or cold to the greatness of the gospel? Listen in as we continue through our series on Growing Up In the Faith.

When it comes to the journey of faith, there is one primary focal point that ranks far above all other concerns: the person and work of Christ. It doesn’t matter how good, important, or entertaining other things may seem to be, they simply will never deserve the same attention that we are to give to Christ. But one of the great dangers of the Christian life is neglecting the many things we have heard about God's grace in the gospel. So, what does it look like to grow in the face of such dangers? How should this warning inform the way we live? Listen in as we consider Hebrews 2:1-4.

Have you ever considered the reality that, when it comes to our faith, we are often satisfied with a “bare minimum” spirituality? We are often content with a status quo spiritual life. However, when Jesus enters into a person's life, he always disrupts and disturbs those who are caught in spiritually lethargy. Regardless of where you find yourself on the spiritual map, this classic teaching of Jesus is challenging and clarifying. Listen in as we consider some barriers to spiritual growth and how to overcome those barriers.

This message kicks off our fall series on growing up in the Christian faith. Even a quick scan of our culture and of our churches reveals the reason why such a theme is important: immaturity is all around us. But what is spiritual maturity and how does one become mature in faith? It's these questions and others that we are going to explore as we consider the dynamics of spiritual maturity. We invite you to listen in as we launch our series by considering our spiritual orientation and spiritual reformation.

When a new president offers his inaugural address, you are getting the central message and goal of the new administration. In a similar way, Matthew 28 has been called the inaugural address of Jesus Christ. In this text, the Lord gives us the central message and goal of his Kingdom administration. Listen in as we consider how this text helps us to maintain our focus in mission.

When you look at the trials and difficulties of your life, what do you see? How do you make sense of your life when things seem to be going wrong? In the final paragraphs of the book of Genesis, we consider the perspective of a man who suffered so much, and yet, was able to consider his trials and pains through the hopeful perspective of God's sovereign goodness. Listen in as we consider what it looks like to take God's perspective and trust God's plan.

Most of us learn how to work through the basic forgiveness of little offenses like forgetting to take out the trash, a breach in etiquette, or arriving late for a meeting. But what do you do with the costly forgiveness required to overcome major offenses? When your spouse breaks your trust? When a friend really wounds you deeply? When members of your church community deeply disappoint you? Listen in as we consider the theme of forgiveness in the story of Joseph.