In our second installment of "The Christian Faith, One Word at a Time," we go back in time to look at the ark of the covenant (yes, the same one featured in Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark) and see why Paul compares Jesus to its lid. There's a special connection and its a much better way for God to address our sin that winks or tears or walks in the park...

In a world suffering from a global pandemic and racially charged protests, do we have time to talk about the Trinity? Absolutely we do! Because the Trinity is much more than a footnote in a theology textbook. Knowing the Father, Son and Spirit not only gives you the tools to survive a sin-filled world, but it is essential for your salvation.

How could Jesus stand idly by and watch as Stephen was stoned to death for believing in him? What kind of Good Shepherd lets his sheep get slaughtered? Another look at Acts 6 & 7 reveals that Jesus wasn't idle at all. He was still with and watching over his messenger - and giving him reasons for hope and confidence - even while horrible things were happening to him.

Are horrible things happening to you? Listen to this week's sermon to see how God still gives you comfort and confidence.

Hope can be a hard thing to come by these days, especially while some of the things that we've assumed to be automatic are put on hold - high school graduations, haircuts, hiking in provincial parks, etc... Listen to this week's sermon to hear how the resurrection restores hope to the hopeless and changes you who believe.

The first Palm Sunday worshipers said and did all the right things, but they were still so wrong. They only saw Jesus as a prophet from Galilee and maybe their future, glorious king, but certainly not their heaven-sent Savior from sin. In a world that still cries out, "Lord, save us!" and as we begin Holy Week, may we see Jesus for who he is and not for who we want him to be.

There's something about a global pandemic that makes a person painfully aware of their own mortality. What does that awareness mean for the meaning of this mortal life? Listen to this week's sermon based on Paul's letter to the Romans to find the hope that God gives you in the bodily resurrection from the dead.

How many times do you have to see an ad before you're interested? 3? 4? 7?

How many times do you have to hear God's promises and purposes before you begin to understand?

Sometimes it's like the words go in one ear and right out the other. But thankfully, our God is patient with us and continues to speak to us in his Word.

If God is all-powerful and truly cares about us, why would he allow something like coronavirus to happen? People have been asking similar questions for generations about Ebola, Swine Flu and SARS, about war and famine and natural disasters. Jesus' own disciples asked him the same question about a man born blind. Listen to this week's sermon to hear Jesus' explanation, and to learn what that means for us today.

What qualifies a person (or a country) for greatness? Is it a skill they've carefully cultivated or a privilege they've enjoyed? Maybe a mixture of the two? God's Word tells us that greatness is a matter of grace. We have been blessed to be called his people and have received an unparalleled blessing through his Chosen People. Listen to this week's sermon to see how you are part of the Greatest Nation on Earth.

It worked with Adam and Eve. Does it work on you? The devil implied that God was holding out on them, keeping them from enjoying certain pleasures and privileges with his restrictive commands. He'd like you to feel the same way. "God wants you to be happy, doesn't he?" "Why would he put [fill in the blank] in the world and put this desire in your heart if he doesn't want you to have it?" How will you respond to Satan's biggest lie?