Come You Who Thirst

Come You Who Thirst | Isaiah 55:1-11

Isaiah was written at a time when Assyria captured the northern kingdom of Israel (around 740- 695 BC). Isaiah also saw beyond his own lifetime the capture of Judah by Babylonia, in 586 BC. Now, ch. 55 comes at the end of what is called the "Book of Comfort" (ch. 40-55), addressed to exiles who were returning from Babylon. Here in v. 1, God is inviting those who are weary, discouraged, and exhausted to come to Him. So in our passage, we see that: a) God invites us to feast on Him. b) God promises us abundant pardon. c) God's Word falls on us like rain.

The Gospel Shaped Church

The Gospel Shaped Church | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

How does the gospel shape how we approach church? As we saw last week, Paul was reminding the Thessalonian church to "build one another up" (in v. 11). Paul now shows what "building one another up" in the church looks like. He uses the word "brothers" five times (vv. 12, 14, 25, 26, and 27) because the gospel has made us into one tamily. And so, Paul here shows how the gospel shapes our attitude toward church leaders, other believers and Jesus' return. In our passage, we'll look at: a) Our attitude toward our leaders. b) Our attitude towards one another. c) Our attitude towards Jesus return.

Vanity Under The Sun

Vanity Under The Sun | Ecclesiastes 2:1-12

Traditionally, Solomon is identified as the writer, although Solomon's name does not appear in the book. In ch. 1: 1 it simply says, "the words of the teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem." King Solomon had more wisdom, more wealth, more women and was more renowned than anyone else in his time. And here, he tells us his observations about life both from study and personal experience. So in our passage, we're going to see:- a) The futility of self-indulgence. b) The emptiness of possessions. c) The ultimate gain under the sun.

Furious Rage and God's Grace

Furious Rage and God's Grace | Jonah 4:1-11

We saw how Jonah obeyed when God's word came "for the second time" (in ch. 3: 1). After Jonah's preaching, the people of Nineveh had repented. And you would think Jonah would be rejoicing! But ch. 4 shows us that is not what happened! V. 1 says Jonah was very angry. Why was Jonah angry? What does our anger tell us about our understanding of God's grace? To answer that, we're going to see:- a) The root of self-righteous anger. b) The lesson of grace under the shade. c) The grace God extends to outsiders.

Responding To God's Word

Responding to God's Word | Jonah 3:1-10

We saw Jonah crying out to God in distress from the belly of the fish. And the fish had miraculously vomitted Jonah onto the dry land, as the Lord spoke to the fish. Is Jonah now ready to obey? Because the first time God's word came in ch. 1, Jonah ran away. And here v. 2 says "the word of the Lord came to Ionah for the second time." So how will we respond to God's Word today? In our passage, we'll see:- a) God's word that demands a response. b) God's word that brings God's justice. c) God's grace that leads to repentance.

The Coming Day Of The Lord

The Coming Day of The Lord | 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

What day is today? What time is it? What season is it? These are questions we frequently ask to prepare ourselves. But how do we prepare for Jesus' return? As we saw last week, Paul was comforting Thessalonians believers who had lost their loved ones. He now reminds them that the timing of Jesus' second coming is going to be a surprise. That the day of the Lord will come suddenly. So, in our passage, we'll see: a) Those who live with false peace at night. b) Those who walk as children of the day. c) Those who are destined for salvation.

Prayer From The Depths

Prayer From The Depths | Jonah 2:1-17

We saw how Jonah lived during the time of Jeroboam II the northern king of Israel (8th century BC). Jonah had run away from God's call to Nineveh. But God had disrupted his plans by sending a storm. By this time in our story, ch. 1: 17 says, "the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." So what is Jonah learning as he sinks deeper into his troubles? What is God showing us through Jonah's troubles? In our passage, we'll see:- a) The cry of distress to God. b) The misery of separation from God. c) The gratitude of salvation to God.

Running From God's Word

Running From God's Word | Jonah 1:1-17

We start a new series on the Book of Jonah. Jonah is mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25. Jonah prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam Il the northern king of Israel. The events here are believed to have happened in 786-746 BC. Here in v. 1, the word of God came to Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh! But how does Jonah respond? How will we respond to God's call in this city? We see in our passage:- a) God's call to go into the city. b) God's holy disruption of our plans. c) God's grace that comes to our rescue.

The Empty Tomb And The Gardener

The Empty Tomb and The Gardener | John 20: 11-18

What hope does the resurrection give us? By this time, it was already Sunday morning and it was still dark. One of Jesus' disciples, Mary Magdalene, had gone to the tomb where Jesus was buried (v. 1). When she saw that the stone had been taken away, she ran to tell Peter and John. And when they all arrived at the tomb, they saw the empty grave clothes and the folded face cloth. But, Jesus' body was missing and this broke Mary's heart deeply. So following in our passage, we'll see: a) The weeping in the garden. b) The care of the Gardener. c) The joy in the coming garden.

Our Hope In Life And In Death

Our Hope in Life and in Death | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

What is your only hope in life and in death? This is the most important question that anyone can ask! As we saw last week, Paul was affirming the Thessalonian believers' love for one another. He saw that they had been clearly "taught by God to love one another" (v. 9). And now, he turns to encourage those who were grieving over the death of loved ones. He is writing to encourage those who are still alive because of the recent death of fellow believers. So, in our passage, we'll see: a) Christ our hope beyond the grave. b) Christ who comes from heaven in glory. c) Christ in whose presence we will live.

The Spiritually Lukewarm Church

The Spiritually Lukewarm Church | Revelation 3: 14-22

What makes you sick and want to throw up? This letter was written to the seventh church in Laodicea-in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). Unlike the poor church in Smyrna (in ch. 2:9), the church at Laodicea benefited from the thriving Roma economy. They had become so self-sufficient that they could not see their need for Jesus. As Jesus looked inside, all He saw was lukewarmness. He has no commendation but very sharp words and medicine for this church. So, following in our passage, we'll see: a The dangers of lukewarmness. b) The prescription for lukewarmness. c) The cure for lukewarmness.

The Weak Church And The Sovereign Lord

The Weak Church and The Sovereign Lord | Revelation 3: 7-13

What door of opportunities are open before us as a church? This letter was written to the sixth church in Philadelphia-in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). Like Tokyo, the city there lived in insecurity because of frequent earthquakes. The church was facing a lot of pressures from the religious Jews and the Roman Emperor cult. Verse 8 says the church had "but little power." As a minority, this church was rather small and weak.' But, in the midst of all the challenges, they remained faithful to Jesus. So, following in our passage, we'll see: a The Lord who opens the door for us. b) The Lord who keeps us in our trial. c) The Lord who is coming soon for us.

Remember Your First Love

Remember Your First Love | Revelation 2: 1–7

Do you remember falling in love for the first time? What was it like? Earlier in ch. 1, when John saw the glorified vision of Jesus, he was told to write to the seven churches in Asia Minor. Here, the first letter was addressed to the church in Ephesus that had forsaken their first love. This church was still championing the truth of the gospel; they were still doing good works and enduring patiently. But Jesus is going to call this church to turn to her first love. So following in our passage, we’ll see: a) Jesus sees our patient endurance. b) Jesus sees what our hearts love most. c) Jesus promises us life in paradise.

Taught By God To Love

Taught By God To Love | 1 Thessalonians 4: 9-12

Where have you seen love for one another in our church? As we saw last week, Paul was encouraging the Thessalonians to grow in holiness. He now continues in the theme of a walk that pleases God (v. 1). And here, he affirms the Thessalonian believers for their love for one another. He sees that they had been clearly taught by God to love one another. And he encourages them to grow in love -even toward outsiders in the society. So, in our passage, we'll see: a) The love that is taught by God. b) The love that increases for others. c) The love that witnesses to outsiders.

Increasing And Abounding In Love

Increasing and Abounding in Love | 1 Thessalonians 3: 1–12

Do you have coworkers that you really love to work with? Who are the coworkers that are not a pain but a blessing to work with? As we saw last week, Paul was torn away from this church for a short time (v. 17). But he was deeply concerned about the believers in Thessalonica as they were suffering persecution. So, he sent his coworker Timothy to encourage them—though he really needed him. With that in mind, we’ll see in our passage:- a) The love that sacrifices for others. b) The love that longs for one another. c) The Lord who increases His love in us.

God's Word At Work

God’s Word At Work | 1 Thessalonians 2: 13–20

Where do you put your ultimate confidence in a world of suffering? As we saw last week, Paul had written about how he declared the gospel with integrity. Paul now gives thanks to God because the Thessalonians had received his preaching not as the word of men—but as the word of God. God’s word had worked powerfully in the lives of believers—in the midst of suffering. So, in our passage, we’ll see that: a) God’s word is at work in believers. b) God’s wrath is upon unbelievers. c) God’s grace brings joy at Jesus’ return.  

Declaring The Gospel With Boldness

Declaring The Gospel With Boldness | 1 Thessalonians 2: 1–12

Where does boldness to share the gospel come from? Do you need boldness in the absence of conflict or in the face of conflict? As we saw last week, Paul was writing to new believers who were joyfully enduring persecution. But Paul now focuses on how he and his team suffered as they brought the gospel to Thessalonica. Despite being shamefully treated, Paul and his team declared the gospel boldly. So, from our passage, we’ll see the importance of: a) Resting in God’s approval, not in man’s approval. b) Sharing our own selves, not self-preservation. c) Living in holiness, not in self-indulgence.

The Spirit of Holiness

The Spirit of Holiness | 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-8 | Joey Zorina

What shapes our understanding of holiness? Does the idea of "holier than thou" put you off? As we saw last week, Paul had heard a good report from Timothy about the faith of the Thessalonian church. He had just prayed for them to be "blameless in holiness" as they await Jesus' return (in ch. 3: 13). So, Paul here encourages them to grow in holiness in the pattern that they had received from him. Following in our passage, we'll see that: a) Holiness is pleasing to God. b) Holiness is lived from the heart. c) Holiness is from the Holy Spirit.

God's Electing Love

God’s Electing Love | 1 Thessalonians 1: 1–10 | JOEY ZORINA

How does waiting for Jesus’ return change how we live here and now? Paul had written this letter in AD 49–51 during his second missionary journey (Acts 17, 18). Here, Paul was writing to new believers who were grieving over deaths and enduring persecution. But in his opening prayer (in vv. 2-3), Paul is thankful to God for their work of faith, love and hope. He is thankful that their genuine faith is as a result of God’s electing love. So, in our passage, we’ll see: a) The joy of knowing God’s electing love. b) The joy of sharing God’s electing love. c) The joy of waiting for Jesus’ return.

God's Chosen People

God’s Chosen People | Deuteronomy 7:6-11 | Joey Zorina

What does it mean to be God’s chosen people? Deuteronomy is often called the “Gospel according to Moses.” Jesus quoted Deuteronomy more than any book of the O.T. Here in ch. 7, the Israelites were camping at Moab and were about to cross the Jordan River into Canaan. Moses begins by saying that God would remove the nations more numerous and stronger than Israel (v. 1). This was not because Israel had anything that impressed God. Rather, it was because God had set them apart for His sovereign purposes. So following in our passage, we’ll see: a) God chose us not on the basis of merit. b) God chose us on the basis of His love. c) God chose us so that we may love Him.