Line Upon Line

Working through the "miscellaneous laws" of Deuteronomy 21, Pastor Miles shows that these strange-sounding rulings reveal how God called Israel to live differently from the surrounding nations, and how each one teaches an enduring principle about the value of life, mercy over retribution, and impartial justice for God's people.

A verse-by-verse teaching on Deuteronomy 20, examining God's rules for warfare and showing how spiritual preparation, ordered priorities, and total reliance on God matter more than military strength. The message culminates in seeing these ancient battle laws as a picture of how God offers peace to sinners in open rebellion against Him.

Drawing on Don Richardson's concept of "cultural compasses"—artifacts within cultures that point people toward God—Pastor Miles teaches that Deuteronomy 19's cities of refuge are one such compass directing Israel to their need for Christ. He shows how Scripture, history, and even modern culture are filled with God-given pointers that equip Christians to seek the lost.

Drawing from Deuteronomy 18, Pastor Miles teaches four essentials for walking in alignment with God's word and ways: cultivating priestly relationships, cutting off corrupting carnal philosophies, developing a genuine connection to Christ (the greater Prophet and mediator predicted by Moses), and guarding against false prophets.

A verse-by-verse study of Deuteronomy 17, showing how Moses prepared Israel for self-governance under God as their true king, the requirements God placed on any future earthly king, and how Israel's history of failed kings—including David—points to our need for Jesus, the King of kings. The teaching warns Christians not to place their hope for righteousness in any earthly leader.

Closing the summer study of Nehemiah, Pastor Miles shows that the book is fundamentally about remembrance: Israel forgot God, was exiled, then remembered and returned because God remembers His covenant and mercy. Nehemiah recorded his many deeds not for his own fame but so that God would remember him, and we too become memorable to God through our faith and faithfulness.

Teaching through Nehemiah 10 (and 9:38), Pastor Jason examines the binding vow Israel made to follow God's law—their commitments against intermarriage with pagans, to honor the Sabbath, to give offerings, and to not neglect the house of God—while honestly facing humanity's inability to keep vows perfectly. He turns each point into a self-examining question, urging believers to be ruthless about what they allow into the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Teaching through Nehemiah 9, Pastor Jason traces Israel's history of God's faithfulness and their repeated rebellion, showing that preparing for God's Word, recognizing our modern "golden calves," and responding with quick repentance is the path to joy and a right relationship with a God who loves us despite our failures.

Drawing from Nehemiah 8, where Ezra read and explained the Law to a repentant people, Lance Ralston explores three things: the importance of expository teaching, the call to repent immediately at the first whisper of conviction, and the truth that the joy of the Lord is the believer's strength.

Preaching from Nehemiah 7, Pastor Garrett teaches that completing the walls of Jerusalem was only the beginning—the great work God accomplishes must be protected through godly leadership, vigilant gatekeeping, divine vision, and faithful stewardship. He applies these principles to guarding our own hearts and to membership in the kingdom of God, whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.