Pastor Jim is teaching this week from the Old Testament book of Ezra. The history of this book shows that Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning the return of the Jews did indeed happen. It also shows that every good work will be met with opposition from God’s enemies, but that the Lord will prevail no matter what. That’s a truth that hasn’t changed throughout the course of human history.

We’ve just begun a study of the book of Ezra and we’ll pick up where we left off last time. This book recalls a time in history when God stirred the hearts of His people to accomplish His purpose.  He still does so today, I’m happy to tell you!

Today we’ll complete pastor Jim Jarrett’s Christmas series. It’s important to remember what makes this time of year Spiritually profound.  We’re talking about the reasons Jesus came, some two thousand years ago.  The reasons He came are tied directly to the state of humanity back then - and today. They needed a savior the day Jesus was born, and we still need a savior today.

Today we’re excited to begin the book of Ezra with you.  Ezra is one of those books in the Bible that has caused some debate over its authorship. We’re just not sure if it’s actually Ezra who wrote it. And some of the name references are a little confusing. But we do know that this book shows us that God can use anybody He chooses to accomplish His good works.  That includes our very own leaders! 

Today we’ll bring you the second half of a message pastor Jim began yesterday concerning the greatest gift we could ever receive. Now we all know that Christmas is a time of giving gifts, and that’s fine, but often times our search for the “perfect gift” distracts us from remembering the greatest gift God has given us - His son, Jesus Christ.

Today on Growing in the Word we bring you a Christmas message from pastor Jim Jarrett concentrating on what Christmas should really be about.  So much of what we see during the Christmas season isn’t about Jesus at all!  It’s about Santa Claus, Reindeers, presents, lights and a lot of things that don’t have anything to do with Jesus.  As our society has pretty much taken Christ out of Christmas, we’re seeking to do just the opposite…. And really underscore the Christ of Christmas! 

Christmas is truly a wonderful day, isn’t it? It’s the day when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, God in human form, who came to this earth with one task to perform - to die for our sins so we wouldn’t have to! He is a wonderful counselor! That’s the true meaning of Christmas, and the greatest gift we could ever receive. 

Today we’re going to wrap up our series in the book of Ephesians. What an exciting and inspiring series this has been, and today it comes to an end. As he often did, Paul saved some of his best words for the end of this letter.

One of the best sources of encouragement in our lives is from friends. Having a best friend we can always count on is a real blessing! In the last several verses of Ephesians, Paul mentions a man named Tychicus. Now that name is not familiar to many Christians, but today we’re going to discover what made Tychicus unique - and very special to Paul. 

Getting an answer to your prayer is not so difficult. If you’re praying in the right way. That’s a theme that runs throughout the Bible. Today we conclude Jim’s message based on Ephesians chapter six, verses eighteen through twenty.