Does The Bible Support Social Marxism by Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend, we are addressing a portion of James that is often misunderstood or misapplied. James seems to be writing against the wealthy and those who are more well-off than others. He uses strong language that some have taken as biblical support for things like social Marxism. However, as we will learn this weekend, there is more at play behind James’ words. You and I must understand the full context to combat biblical misinterpretation or misrepresentation.
The Art of War and Peace by Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend, we will be confronting a bitter truth. Many people are caught up in fights, quarrels, and disagreements. You and I experience these interpersonal conflicts but often fail to recognize where they originate: our own sinful desires. James will unpack for us how our own sinful hearts lead us into conflicts and how we can avoid them.
How To Be a Verbal Arsonist By Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend, we are addressing the issue of our speech. The kinds of words we use, the way we speak to others, and how our words shape the world around us; James has much to say about all of this. Speech is a powerful gift from God that, when used wrongly, can have devastating consequences, much like an uncontrolled fire. I would imagine most of us have found this to be true. We’ll talk about the consequences of our words and how to keep them in check this weekend!
Knowledge Is Not Power… Wisdom Is by Dr. Abidan Shah
In this weekend’s message, we will continue our study of James regarding the difference between knowledge and wisdom. While some use those terms interchangeably, they are best thought of as related but distinct. In fact, the Bible has much to say about wisdom, how to acquire it, and its application in our lives.
The Case for the New Testament: Power of the Word by Dr. Abidan Shah
In this weekend’s message, we will move from talking about what Scripture is to what Scripture does in our lives. The Bible is the only book that, as you read it, changes you. However, neglecting the study of God’s Word and surrounding yourself with people who do the same is a recipe for disaster. I believe this message will help guard us from the lies of the world and help us to build our lives upon the truth of the Bible.
When It’s Time to Turn the Page by Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend marks our last message in Job. As we approach the end of the book, we find Job in a state of restoration. This doesn’t negate the trauma he endured. However, there is a very real sense of moving forward in not only the narrative but also in Job’s life. How can he do this after walking through unimaginable suffering and heartache? We’ll uncover that and more in the message this weekend.
When You’re Waiting for an Apology by Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend, as we continue to walk through the book of Job, we encounter Job justifying himself before his friends. The Bible goes to great lengths to remind us that Job remained righteous before the Lord. That does not mean he completely understood and followed God’s plan blindly through his suffering. At times, he was waiting for an explanation, justification, or even an apology.
With Job in the School of Trauma by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend’s message, I believe, will be an encouragement and help to so many who are struggling through some of the darkest moments of their lives. The narrative of Job is a masterclass in processing trauma. Not all trauma is the same and not all people handle trauma in the same way. God in his wisdom gave us the account of Job to help us learn how to properly navigate trauma in our own lives while keeping our focus on him.
End-Times Prophecy | Act Two: Preaching Matters
In this weekend’s message, we are continuing to walk through the book of Romans. Paul addresses the topic of preaching and its unique place in the plan of God. Personal evangelism is obviously important, but there is something special and important about a man of God opening the Bible and exhorting, admonishing, and encouraging a body of believers. What place does preaching have in the plan of God? Come find out this weekend!
End Times Prophecy | Act Two: Israel by Abidan Shah, PhD
In this weekend’s message, we are moving into the second act of our series, focused on Israel and how God still has a heart for his people. There is a lot of conversation around Israel in our world today, and much of it is unprofitable and negative. This message will help us in our understanding of Israel’s place in God’s plan currently and in the future.
End-Times Prophecy: Spirit-Minded by Abidan Shah, PhD
In this weekend’s message, we will take a look at what it means to set your mind upon spiritual things. Our thoughts reveal the posture of our hearts. If your mind perpetually wanders toward carnal desires, it may be that your heart has replaced God with another object of worship or desire. To fix our minds, we must fix our hearts and submit them to the Lord.
End-Times Prophecy: Mercy to the Israel of God by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend marks the beginning of our study of end-times prophecy! This series will shape our church and our understanding of God’s plan. While we will spend a considerable amount of time in Revelation, this weekend I want us to begin by looking at the book of Romans. We cannot rightly understand end-times without first grasping the relationship between God and the nation of Israel. God has always had a special plan for his people and that includes what will happen in the time to come. This first installment in our series will focus on the relationship between God and Israel and why that matters for our understanding of end-times prophecy.
Who Will Be First by Abidan Shah, PhD
We are diving into a new series this weekend on the book of Judges. This book is filled with stories of men and women who, like American cowboys, are bold, peculiar, and compelling characters that are inspiring or serve as cautionary tales. They are examples of God using men and women to change the lives of those around them. This is the calling God has placed on all of us! Our new series is titled “WHO WILL BE FIRST?”
GPS: Relationships – Part 3 by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will continue to examine God’s plan for our relationships. We have talked about the wisdom in searching for God’s will in our relationships as well as the criteria to look for in a future spouse. However, we must also understand the role we have to play in this process. How much is God responsible for and how much are we responsible for when it comes to looking for your significant other? Join us as we answer these questions and more in this weekend’s message titled “GPS DESTINATION: RELATIONSHIPS PT. 3”.
Death Dethroned: Heaven by Abidan Shah, PhD
For this Easter weekend, it is fitting that we turn our attention to heaven. There are many misconceptions about heaven, with some people even taking Bible verses out of context or misinterpreting them. We have already learned about the bodily resurrection coming one day, but where will those bodies go and what will it be like there? We will answer these questions and more in this final message of our series.
Death Dethroned by Abidan Shah, PhD
As we begin our series this weekend, we will look at ancient Egyptian culture and customs regarding death and the afterlife compared to what Scripture teaches. God’s Word reminds us that death is not a natural part of life, but an enemy to be defeated. As we approach Easter, we will learn what it means that Christ was victorious over death and the implications for our daily lives. This weekend’s message is the introduction to our series “DEATH DETHRONED.”
Tracking: Level 1 by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are going to shift gears a little in our series. We must understand that we also have a role to play in the process of sanctification. Christ does the work, but what is our part? We must take inventory of our spiritual lives, ensuring that we are developing Christlike characteristics. Without monitoring these things, we will be aimless in our spiritual lives. We will examine the first two items on Peter’s list in this weekend’s message titled “TRACKING LEVEL ONE”.
Furnish by Dr. Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will continue our study of 2 Peter as he lays out for his readers the process of sanctification. Often, we are just haphazardly making it through the Christian life, trying anything we think will work and will bring us closer to God. What we don’t realize is that the things we are trying to force to work in our favor actually end up hurting us. We must allow God to refine us and remind us that Christ is the one who will help us navigate life. The title of this weekend’s message is “FURNISH”.
Partakers by Abidan Shah, PhD
Last weekend, I began a new series titled “ON TRACK” that will help us grow in our spiritual disciplines. We learned that unchecked desires lead to a life that is off track. This weekend as we celebrate communion together, we will learn what it means to have the nature of Christ. We are human, and yet if we are believers the Bible says that we share in the divine nature. What does that mean? We’ll uncover that and more this weekend in our message titled “PARTAKERS”.
Unchecked by Abidan Shah, PhD
As we begin this series, we need to understand the importance of a balanced growing spiritual life. Many of us, if we are honest, are simply hoping for the best in our relationship with God. We go to church and maybe even serve on a ministry team, but through the week our spiritual lives are left to chance or simply hoping for the best. Or worse, we live however we want throughout the week and try to clean up for church. This weekend, we will understand the dangers of a spiritual life that is “UNCHECKED.”