How Long, O LORD? | June 9

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Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Michael Bailey on June 9, 2024.

The prophets are a diverse group of writings. They come from different periods, face different issues, and are written in different genres.

The book of Habakkuk, in particular, speaks to us on our journey to Christian maturity. It mirrors the moments we all encounter—when our understanding of God’s character seems at odds with our current circumstances, when we question God’s plans, and when injustice, both individually and collectively, seems to prevail.

When that happens, what do we do? How do we respond? How can we trust God is still in control of it all? We’ll spend the next four weeks in Habakkuk exploring these questions.

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

WISDOM | Wisdom and Words | June 2

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SERMON

Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Andrew Flowers on June 2, 2024.

As we finish this series, we’ll dive into practically one of the most challenging areas to live with biblical wisdom. The Scriptures will call at times a source of healing and blessing and at other times a “raging fire” and a “restless evil” — our words.

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

WISDOM | Wisdom and Self-Discipline | May 26

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Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Brandon Clements on May 26, 2024.

Underneath so many topics covered in Proverbs is the need for self-mastery-whether in refraining from destructive behaviors or pursuing the good even when it's hard. This week, we will look at the picture of the ant and the sluggard to gain insight on what we may need to stop (or start) to pursue a life of wisdom. 

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

WISDOM | Wisdom and Conflict | May 19

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SERMON

Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Brandon Clements on May 19, 2024.

Last week, we discussed wisdom and friendships. This week, we discuss the inevitable outworking of that: conflict. What does the wisdom literature teach us about living in unity and handling confrontation?

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

WISDOM | Wisdom and Friendships | May 12

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SERMON

Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Andrew Flowers on May 12, 2024.

We’re living in what has been dubbed “the loneliness epidemic.” 60% of US adults report feeling lonely regularly, 15% of men and 10% of women report having no close friends, and 1/3 of both report only having two close friends or less.

This week, as we examine the wisdom literature, we will discuss what it means to be a good friend.

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

WISDOM | Wisdom and Sex | May 5

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SERMON

Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Brandon Clements on May 5, 2024.

This week, we discuss Proverbs 5 and 7, one of the most comprehensive sections of Scripture regarding the biblical vision for sex. It’s one of the few subjects that Solomon devotes extended airtime to in the book of Proverbs. What is its purpose? What does God intend for sex to accomplish? How are we to think about it?

For parents, as a reminder, Kidtown is available for 3rd grade and under. If you are uncomfortable having your preteen in the Gathering they are welcome to serve in Kidtown this week.

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

WISDOM | Wisdom and Wealth | April 28

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SERMON

Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Michael Bailey on April 28, 2024.

The Bible is deeply aware of life's complexities and difficulties. This reality requires us to think well and wisely. Who we are and what we do shape the trajectory and person we become. Money is no exception. This week, we explore what the wisdom literature says about money.

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

WISDOM | Wisdom and Pride | April 21

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SERMON

Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Brandon Clements on April 21, 2024.

This week, we discuss something that has the power to destroy your life and keep you from becoming a wise person: pride. Thankfully, the book of Proverbs offers us a framework to think about pride’s destructive nature and, ultimately, its solution.

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

WISDOM | Wisdom and Decision-Making | April 14

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Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Michael Bailey on April 14, 2024.

Last week we began exploring what it means to be a person of wisdom. This week we look at Proverbs 16:1-3 and ask ourselves, how exactly do we make wise decisions and what resources does God give us to become these sorts of people?

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

WISDOM | Wisdom and the Fear of the LORD | April 7

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Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Brandon Clements on April 7, 2024.

How do we become people who build our lives on God’s wisdom rather than ruining them? How do we navigate life and all its complexities? How do we make sense of death and suffering? How about friendships, wealth, and decision-making? What about sex and marriage? 

These questions are where the Old Testament’s wisdom books come in. Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs depict how to navigate life’s complexity. Through poetry and narrative, the Bible shows us following Jesus is more than just acquiring knowledge. It’s about seeing reality the way God sees it and learning how to live within it—in short, it’s about becoming a person of wisdom. And the book of Proverbs is clear: wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

Stand-Alone | Easter 2024 | March 31

Sermon by Brandon Clements on March 31, 2024.

From Luke 24:1-9 we looked at the resurrection of Jesus through the eyes of a few women who loved and followed him, even to his tomb. The question the angel asked  them still rings today: "Why do you seek the living among the dead?"

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Ruth | The Story Behind the Story | March 24

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SERMON

Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Michael Bailey on March 24, 2024.

As we conclude the book of Ruth, we find out there’s more to the story. It’s not just about God’s faithfulness to Ruth and Naomi but about God’s faithfulness to His people throughout all time.

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

Ruth | The Risk of Hope | March 17

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SERMON

Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Michael Bailey on March 17, 2024.

Last week in Ruth 2, we were introduced to a new character: Boaz, Ruth’s "kinsman redeemer." In chapter 3, we’ll see the risk Ruth takes to make sure God provides for her and Naomi.

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

Ruth | God’s Faithfulness in Your Faithfulness | March 10

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Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Brandon Clements on March 10, 2024.

Last week, we looked at Ruth chapter 1 and how, in roughly ten years, Naomi’s dreams of a better life are ruined. Chapter one then implicitly asks the reader, “How will God provide?” In chapter 2, we’ll see God’s invisible hand at work through seemingly ordinary faithfulness.

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

Ruth | Compromise, Bitterness, or Faithfulness? | March 3

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SERMON

Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Michael Bailey on March 3, 2024.

Stories have the power to move us. They have the ability to affect us like facts, and bullet points can’t. A good story doesn’t leave us where it found us. That is especially true of biblical stories.

Over the next four weeks, we will journey into the true story of Ruth. Ruth is a story with ups and downs, conflict and loss, joy and laughter. There are compelling characters who we are meant to learn from both in good and bad.

It’s in this story that we are faced with a question we must all ask in our lives at one point or another, will we entrust ourselves to a sovereign and faithful God?

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

Ghosts & Ancestors | Joseph | February 25

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Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Brandon Clements on February 25, 2024.

If you knew God was with you no matter what, what do you think your life look like? As we’ll see in our final week of the series, Joseph goes through pain, suffering, and exile, yet the Bible says, “The LORD was with him.”

Ghosts & Ancestors | Aaron | February 18

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Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Michael Bailey on February 18, 2024.

This week, we look at Exodus 32: God's people have left Egypt, but as we'll see, there's still a lot of "Egypt" left in God's people. So, how can we faithfully follow Jesus when external and internal pressures compel us to make God in our image?

Ghosts & Ancestors | Moses | February 11

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Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Michael Bailey on February 11, 2024.

This week, we study one of the most prominent characters in the Torah: Moses. In Exodus 3, we'll see how Moses' commissioning raises many doubts and objections and how God replies in a way we may not expect.

Ghosts & Ancestors | Leah | February 4

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Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Brandon Clements on February 4, 2024.

This week, we examine an oft-overlooked ancestor in the Torah, Leah. As we'll see in Genesis 29, Leah teaches us something profound about viewing reality outside of one's circumstances.

Ghosts & Ancestors | Jacob | January 28

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SERMON

Year of

Biblical Literacy

Sermon by Michael Bailey on January 28, 2024.

This week, we look at Jacob and the question that seems to haunt his life: “Who am I?” As we’ll see in Genesis 32, God answers that question in a surprising way.