Line Upon Line

Preaching in the wake of the death of Joyce, a beloved member, Pastor Miles turns from his scheduled passage to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 to answer whether believers may grieve. He teaches that Christians do sorrow, but not as those without hope, because the resurrection of Christ guarantees that death is a passage into the Lord's presence and a new thing God is doing.

Jesus warns His disciples that temptations and stumbling blocks are unavoidable and that severe judgment awaits those who ensnare others, then commands that we take heed to ourselves, rebuke a sinning brother, and freely forgive the one who repents. When the disciples plead, "Lord, increase our faith," Jesus teaches that even mustard-seed faith accomplishes great things, and that obedience such as forgiveness is simply the servant's duty.

Teaching through Luke 16, this message frames believers as stewards of all that God has entrusted to them, called to use worldly wealth and privileged position shrewdly for the sake of eternity and the souls of others. Both the unjust steward and the rich man and Lazarus warn us to invest in the future life rather than cling to this one.

Preaching from Isaiah 1, Pastor Miles shows how the people of Judah offered religious service while their hearts were far from God, so that their very worship became sin. He warns from Luke 12 and Matthew 7 that "to whom much is given, much is required," and that professing faith without a heart given to God invites severe judgment—yet God still calls, "Come let us reason together."

Teaching through Luke 11:14-28, Pastor Miles examines Jesus casting out a demon from a mute, blind man and the accusation that He did so by Beelzebub. The message contrasts the organized kingdom of Satan with the stronger kingdom of God, insisting there is no neutral ground in this spiritual battle—we are either with Christ or against Him.

A verse-by-verse study of Isaiah 8:19–9:7 that traces Judah's descent into spiritual darkness and God's promise that a great light—the Messiah—would shine on Galilee of the Gentiles. The teaching unpacks the titles of the coming Child of Isaiah 9:6-7 as a proclamation of both the humanity and deity of Jesus and the certainty of His everlasting kingdom.

Teaching through Romans 1:16-32, Pastor Miles contrasts the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel with the wrath of God revealed against those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. He traces the downward progression of a people who reject their Creator and moral law-giver, and calls believers back to the gospel's answer: repentance.

Drawing on the Jewish days of repentance and Jesus' account of the rich man and Lazarus, this teaching warns that having riches is not sin, but failing to be rich in good works is a grave danger for those who, like us, are among the wealthiest in the world and are called a royal priesthood.

Reflecting on how Scripture repeatedly says Solomon "built" the temple though many others did the actual labor, this teaching shows that God's economy differs from ours: He credits the whole work of His people to each faithful servant. Every believer is a living stone and a minister, and God rewards even the smallest service done for His name.

Teaching from Romans 11:33–12:2 on the believer's response to God's mercies: refusing to be conformed to a passing world and instead being transformed by the renewing of the mind through God's Word. Using Lot, Daniel, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the message calls for a deliberate decision to follow God's path rather than the world's blueprint.