Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 = This message addresses a problem that is common to many believers, and that is very similar to the problem experienced by the church in Corinth in the days of the apostle Paul. It deals with the abuse and misuse of spiritual gifts, and the dangers it can cause. It offers the same solution Paul offered to the Corinthian church, a solution that honors God and reflects His calling for everyone of us.

Acts 8:14-17 - Unfortunately, some people think that receiving the Holy Spirit is all about personal empowerment. They think it is something God gives us to endow us with some supernatural power. This, however, can only lead to a self-centered attitude, contrary to the Lord's commandment to love one another. It is a problem the New Testament talks about, as it was addressed quite directly in Paul's letter to the Corinthian church. It was also a problem in Samaria, where Simon the magician attempted to buy that power with money. But the giving of the Holy Spirit is not something that is independent from the church, and certainly not something God grants for personal gain or power. 

This is an audio sample from the Introduction of our pastor's most recent book, Responding to Suffering. The book is available in print from most major retailers. Click here for additional information.

This is an audio sample from the Preface of our pastor's most recent book, Responding to Suffering. The book is available in print from most major retailers. Click here for additional information.

Reading: Matthew 5:8 = Purity is a familiar concept. We want pure water to drink, pure air to breathe, and pure products that are free from contamination. But what does it mean to be "pure in heart"? Is our heart free from anything that would contaminate it? Are our motives pure? Can we ever do the right things and still be wrong?

Reading: Matthew 5:7 = Mercy is a vital aspect of our character. But what is it, actually? Where does it come from? How can we have it in us? You may be surprised to discover how much it depends on love and giving. In this message you will find not only a definition of mercy, but what it looks like in actual practice.

Reading: Matthew 5:6 = A starving person has a single, all-consuming passion for food and water. Nothing else has the slightest attraction or appeal; nothing else can even get his or her attention. What are you starving for? What do you thirst for? It has to do with desire, passion, and ambition.

Reading: Matthew 5:5 = What do we do when someone is less than perfect and annoys us? A Rembrandt's painting, the Nightwatch, was sliced with a knife. Michelangelo's Pietà was damaged by a man with a hammer. What did the curators do? Did they dismiss those works of art because they were defective or damaged? How much more important are people than a painting or a statue?

Reading: Matthew 5:4 = Blessed are those who mourn. As we continue in our series on the beatitudes, we encounter another strange statement from Jesus that needs to be understood. It seems like a paradox, and perhaps it is, especially if we look at life from a secular perspective. How can mourning be a blessing?

Reading: Colossians 3:1-17 = Surely, you would not put on dirty gardening clothes to attend a formal wedding, nor would you put on a formal dress or a tuxedo to work on your garden. Changing clothes is a very familiar illustration for all of us, and one that is rich with meaning. It is for that reason that the apostle Paul was inspired to use it to illustrate our need for spiritual transformation.