Revelation 21:1-8 | New Years 2022 | Drew Hunter

Matthew 2:13-15 | Christmas 2021 | Trent Hunter

We've heard that Jesus' coming fulfilled prophecy. But have you ever read one of these fulfillments and wondered if the Bible wasn't a little too generous in making these connections. Even worse, that the Bible merely claimed Jesus fulfilled prophecy but in many cases it's just fanciful thinking. In this sermon we come to the hardest passage in the New Testament in terms of understanding exactly how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament. Why does this matter? Because if Jesus does not actually fulfill the Old Testament Scriptures he is not actually our Savior from sin. In other words, if we're trying to get home from this treacherous age, we've been going the wrong way. Be assured of this: our hard work on this difficult passage will pay off.

Isaiah 52:13-53:1-12 | Christmas 2021 | Abe Stratton

How will God bring His people home? That’s the question of this sermon as we continue our series Out of Our Lonely Exile. Christmas is approaching. Excitement is building. However, as Christmas heightens our joy and anticipation, it also deepens our sense of loss and longing. Ever since God evicted our first parents from the garden because of their rebellion, humanity has longed for and sought to find our way home, but every attempt has failed. We can’t get ourselves back to the place we’re supposed to be because we can’t make ourselves right with the One who matters. If we are ever to get home, God himself must do something. Listen in and be ready to rejoice in God’s shocking solution to our deepest problem.

Genesis 11:1-9; 12:1-9 | Christmas 2021 | Trent Hunter

To be in exile means that you are not in the place you most long to be: home. In this week’s sermon, we answer this question: How do exiles get home? Our text shows us that there is only one way home; and as we will see, it has everything to do with Christmas.

Genesis 3 | Christmas 2021 | Trent Hunter

We are all lonely exiles here. Part of what it means to become a Christian is to understand this simple truth. This world for all of its wonder and beauty is ultimately a corrupted place because we are a corrupted race. With this sermon we begin a five-part series, Out of Our Loney Exile, a title that takes its cue from the song, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." We will begin at the beginning of the Bible and work our way to the end, tracing our movement from the garden to the new creation, a story of exile and deliverance.

1 Peter 4:12-19 | Elect Exiles | Trent Hunter

Peter is not unsympathetic with his readers' troubles. He calls these troubles, "fiery trials." Insults for Christ's name are painful. It is a grievous thing to lose standing in the community for Christ. But these are no surprise and they are no reason for shame. Rather, they are a reason for rejoicing and giving God glory. Easier said than done. So, how exactly is that so? And how may we find ourselves a church that rejoices in our trials for Jesus' sake?

1 Peter 4:7-11 | Elect Exiles | Trent Hunter

The end times scare many of us. Not even because we're afraid of what may happen, but because we're afraid of topics that are confusing or known for conflict. That's not at all what Peter has in mind for us when he begins our passage, "The end of all things is at hand" (1Pet. 4:7). Those words are supposed to fill us with encouragement and energy for the hardest things we do together, things like prayer, hospitality, forgiving one another, and serving without respect to our own glory. Plenty to ponder here.

1 Peter 4:1-6 | Elect Exiles | Trent Hunter

Peter has encouraged us greatly. But that doesn't mean we have an easy road ahead. There is a kind of encouragement that says, "Hey, everything is going to be alright." And the there is the kind of encouragement that says, "Hey, everything is going to be alright, so get in there and fight." Peter has been encouraging us, in part, so that he can call us to take up arms. We need encouragement and resolve.

1 Peter 3:8-22 | Elect Exiles | Trent Hunter

In this sermon we come to a dreaded passage. This is a passage that calls us not to return evil for evil but to bless those who persecute us instead. This sounds perfectly like something the Bible should say to us, but this is no easy command to obey when it's our turn. What do we need when our government, our bosses, and our spouses are evil toward us? Where will we find the help to bless and not return evil for evil? The Apostle Peter has been pondering those same questions.

1 Peter 3:7 | Elect Exiles | Trent Hunter

In our previous sermon we considered Peter's words to wives, to submit to their husbands as holy women who hope in God. In this sermon we consider Peter's words to husbands to live with their wives according to knowledge and to honor their wives as the weaker vessel. What on earth does that mean? Whatever it means, Peter didn't feel like he had to explain. It was obvious, but it needed saying. These ancient words are no less important for husbands in our day. Our unique challenge is that we are tempted to deny the basic and beautiful truths under this basic command; the truth of how we are the same and different as men and women and husbands and wives. Peter can help us here