"For Jesus, the rule of His kingdom is marked by the shape of His cross."

Jerell details the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and explains that "only through His death, will the world find eternal life."

"Easter is important because the resurrection is vital."

We were able to meet together at Lone Pine Farms this year, where Brett taught on the story of Easter and how Jesus perfectly fulfilled His purposes that were given to him by the Father. We heard how Jesus meets our disappointment, confusion, and unbelief with peace, patience, and proof.

"Jesus does not bend to what our worldly definitions of power and strength are."

Brad taught on the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and explained the role humility plays in our relationship with Jesus. We read through Matthew 21: 1-11 to learn the three ways that Jesus comes to us:

1. On a donkey (in humility)

2. In the flesh ("the Creator becomes part of His creation")

3. On a mission (came to overthrow sin as a ruler)

We then read Matthew 21: 12-17 to learn the three ways that we come to Jesus:

1. As broken people (Jesus has come for the sick)

2. Helpless ("we come to Jesus like children")

3. Needy (we are not able to provide for ourselves what we need to live")

"Spiritual growth is long obedience in the same direction."

This week we took a hiatus from our series in Hebrews and Lew taught from James chapter 5. Focusing on verses 7 through 11, Lew discussed biblical patience and how we should, "Be patient in waiting for the justice of the Lord." 

"The God we know is revealed through the Scriptures He breathed for us."

Brett continued in our series on Hebrews, focusing on Hebrews 4: 8-13 and Numbers 13 and 14 to provide context. We looked at three typology between these two passages, which are:

1. Joshua and Jesus

2. The Hebrews' rest and God's rest

3. The sword of the Amalekites and the sword of God's Word

We then looked at verses 12 and 13 to learn five things about the sword of God's Word:

1. God's Word is living because He is living

2. It's active

3. It's sharper than any two-edged sword (the Scripture is a sword of judgement, and it's second edge is sanctification)

4. It reveals the unseen

5. It partners with God Himself

"We do have to come to a conviction that we can't work to be saved."

Brett continued our series in Hebrews, citing Hebrews 4:1-11 and described the five aspects of rest:

1. It's divine; a shared rest with the God of the universe

2. It's secure

3. It's a satisfying rest

4. It's a relational rest

5. It's eternal

Hebrews 4:10 says, "...for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his."

"It's your responsibility to guard and check your heart."

Brett continued with our series in Hebrews, focusing on Hebrews 3:7-19, and explained how the books of Exodus and Numbers stand as warnings against unbelief that are relevant today.

We can see that in verses 7 - 11, which read: "Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.' As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter my rest.'"

Brett instructed us to be vigilant concerning unbelief today through the gift of the church community.

"When God looks at us, He sees the righteousness of His Son."

Brett continued his series on Hebrews, discussing Moses in comparison to Jesus, specifically in regard to faithfulness. We focused on Hebrews 3:1-6 and Brett presented us with three types of faithfulness:

1. Moses was faithful, but it was a flawed faithfulness

2. Jesus' faithfulness was perfect

3. Our faithfulness should be focused on the perfect Savior

"You can't claim to be a son or daughter without going through the cross."

Brett continued with our series on the book of Hebrews (focusing on Hebrews 2:9-18), and presented us with eight reasons why Jesus took on flesh:

1. So we can see God in terms we understand 

2. So that He could "taste death for everyone" (v. 9)

3. Allows Him to "bring many to glory" (v. 10)

4. So He could sanctify us (v. 11)

5. We are now called brothers (v. 12,13)

6. He took on Satan and crushed him (v. 14,15)

7. To save descendants of Abraham (v. 16)

    - "We're descendants of Abraham if we have the faith of Abraham."

8. To become a faithful and merciful High Priest (v. 17,18)

"We've been called to anchor our souls into the Word of God and into the Gospel that has been proclaimed through that Word."

Brett continued his series in Hebrews, discussing chapter 2, verses 1-9. He talked about how we are living in a society that promotes sin and reminded us that, "The judgement of God is always just, because God Himself is just," and posed the question: Are you doing what it takes to push against the cultural tide?