Story and Song Text: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11 Rev. John Downs As the story of God’s people unfolds in the book of Samuel we see that he preserves them through a great deal of conflict in the time of the judges … December 10, 2023 Read More »

The Parable of the Great Banquet Text: Luke 14:12-24 Rev. Peter Green Food and feasting often contribute to the formation of lasting memories.  Jesus’ parable today highlights a great banquet, foreshadowing the great marriage supper of the Lamb that all … December 3, 2023 Read More »

Content With Christ Text: 1 Timothy 6:2b-21 Rev. John Downs From false teaching flows discontentment affecting both the individual and the community.  The remedy is to find our contentment only in Christ and in the context of community.  We do … November 26, 2023 Read More »

Household Honor Text: 1 Timothy 5:1-6:2a Rev. John Downs We in the church are not just a random group of people who cross paths once a week on Sunday.  Rather we have been knit together in Christ into a family … November 19, 2023 Read More »

A Promised Departure and a Practical Devotion Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-16 Rev. John Downs Given the reality of deceitful spirits, not all spirituality is necessarily good.  In his goodness to his people, God graciously exposes this to us so that … November 12, 2023 Read More »

The Mystery of Godliness Text: 1 Timothy 3:1-16 Rev. John Downs How are we to relate to an unseen God in a culture dominated by the visual?  Most comprehensively, in the incarnation, God reveals himself to us in Christ.  Beyond … November 5, 2023 Read More »

Holy Fruit and Holy Order Text: 1 Timothy 2:8-15 Rev. John Downs Even when it may grate against current cultural sensibilities, we do well to submit to the clear teaching of Scripture regarding the distinct and yet beautifully complementary roles … October 29, 2023 Read More »

Prayer and Salvation Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Rev. John Downs The ideas of scarcity and supply and demand may be useful in economic arenas to deal with things that are valuable, but not so in the Kingdom of God.  The … October 22, 2023 Read More »

Doctrine and Doxology Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-20 Rev. John Downs In contrast to false doctrine, true doctrine comes to us from God himself and can be recognized by the good fruit it produces.  While good doctrine is important for us … October 15, 2023 Read More »

The Way of Victory Text: Mark 15:42-16:8 Rev. John Downs Our Lord has entered in the darkness of this world and speaks to us, “Courage, dear heart.”  He provides us the courage needed to stand firm in our convictions even … October 8, 2023 Read More »