When Peter was thrown to prison by King Herod, the church prayed earnestly for him, and God answered their prayer with Peter's miraculous rescue. Studying this passage in the book of Acts, Pastor Phil teaches that we should pray together, pray earnestly, pray often and pray expectantly.

In today's sermon, Larry High preaches on Psalm 102 and encourages us that affliction is for a time, but God's reign is forever, and He never changes.

Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be called the Prince of Peace. In today's message, Pastor Phil teaches how we can have peace with God, and how we can also have the peace of God.

When God foretold of the coming Messiah through the prophecy of Isaiah, one of the names given to Jesus was Mighty God. We know that Jesus came to this world as a man, but we also know that He was and is God. And so, we know that there is nothing that Jesus can not accomplish. And most importantly, we know that Jesus has the power to save us from our sins.

In Isaiah 9:6, it was prophesied that Jesus would be called, "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." What does it mean, then, for Jesus to called "Everlasting Father?" In today's message, Pastor Phil preaches on the Biblical understanding of the Trinity, and teaches that we should always run to Jesus, knowing that God is gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love.

In today's message, Pastor Phil teaches us about the historical background for the message of Isaiah. The kingdom of Judah could see an enemy nation on their doorstep, and in time, God would judge the nation for its sins. But the prophecy found in chapter 9 tells of a coming Messiah who will reign victoriously. That Messiah is Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 9:6, we are told that Jesus name will be "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." The name "Wonderful Counselor" tells us that Jesus is awesome in wonder, and full of godly wisdom.

In John 14, we read that as Jesus celebrated the passover with his disciples, knowing that he was very soon going to the cross, Jesus spoke words of comfort to His disciples, reminding them of the future glory of heaven. When Thomas asked how they could know the way to where Jesus was going, Jesus responded, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) In today's message, Pastor explores the question, what can calm our troubled hearts? Our faith in Jesus, the future promised to us, and our relationship with God through Jesus.

When Jesus was told that Lazarus was sick, Jesus said that the sickness would not end in death. Yet, Lazarus died. So how was this possible? When Jesus came to Jerusalem, he called Lazarus out of the tomb by name, and Lazarus rose to life again. In today's message, Pastor Phil studies John 11, and what it means that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.

In John 10, Jesus declares that He is the Good Shepherd. From earlier in scripture, in Psalm 23, we are given a picture of God as our Shepherd--the one who provides for us and shields us and walks with us the through the valley of the shadow of death. In John 10, we are given a picture of our security in Jesus. A shepherd was expected to defend his sheep; so, as we are the sheep and Jesus is our Shepherd, Jesus tells us that no one will snatch us from His hand.

"Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:7-10) NIV

When Jesus spoke these words, those who listened would have been immediately familiar with the imagery. In today's message, Pastor Phil explores the meaning of these words with historical insight, and preaches on the spiritual message behind the picture being painted. Since Jesus is the Gate for the sheep--and the Shepherd!--and since we who believe on Him are His sheep, then we know that life is better with Him.