Bible

Witnesses: Why the Church’s Mission Still Matters

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Witnesses: Why the Church’s Mission from Acts Still Matters Today

The book of Acts isn’t just ancient history—it’s the blueprint for a movement that reached across 2,000 years to bring the Gospel to us today.

Have you ever wondered why Christianity survived when so many other movements from the first century disappeared into the dust of history? The answer lies in a remarkable 40-day period between Jesus’s resurrection and His ascension to heaven—and the instructions He gave that would change the world forever.

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From Belief to Following: What Jesus Really Asks of Us

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A year-long journey through the Gospel of John concludes with a deeply personal question that changes everything.

The modern message often stops at “believe.”

After a year of studying the Gospel of John at our church, this truth became crystal clear: Christianity isn’t just about intellectual agreement with certain facts about Jesus. It’s about following Him—really following Him—wherever that path leads.

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Peace Be With You

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“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” – John 20:21

Fear gripped the disciples as they huddled behind locked doors on that first resurrection evening. Their leader had been crucified, the tomb was mysteriously empty, and rumors swirled that they might be next. Into this atmosphere of terror and confusion, Jesus suddenly appeared with a greeting that would transform not just their evening, but their entire purpose: “Peace be with you.”

But Jesus didn’t stop with comfort. He immediately commissioned them with words that echo through the centuries to every believer today: “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
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The Empty Tomb

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The Empty Tomb: When Death Couldn’t Hold Him

This past Sunday, we explored one of the most pivotal moments in human history – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we opened John 20:1-18, we were transported back to that first Resurrection Sunday morning, experiencing it through the eyes of those who were there.
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It Is Finished

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The Power of Christ’s Completed Work

A reflection on John 19:16-42

In our modern age, it’s hard to imagine that some people in America have never heard of Jesus. Yet for those of us familiar with the story, the crucifixion narrative can sometimes feel like old news. But here’s the truth: this ancient account carries profound relevance for our lives today.

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Behold Your King

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Finding Glory Through Humiliation

A reflection on John 19:1-15

Have you ever noticed how jarring it can be to sing songs of praise about Christ’s glory, then immediately turn to passages depicting His suffering? This past Sunday, we experienced exactly that contrast as we moved from exalted worship into John 19—one of Scripture’s most difficult passages.
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What is Truth?

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Unraveling Truth: Lessons from John 18

In a world where “truth” often feels subjective and debatable, Pontius Pilate’s ancient question—”What is truth?”—resonates powerfully today. As we explored John 18 this Sunday, we discovered how different people interact with truth in radically different ways, and how Jesus embodies truth itself.
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Apologetics Without Arguments

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The Power of Questions in Faith Conversations

Reflections from the final class in our 8-week evangelism series

As we wrapped up our eight-week journey through evangelism and outreach, I found myself both looking backward and forward. Looking back at the commitments we made together. Looking forward to how we’ll continue growing as faithful witnesses. This final class on apologetics might have surprised some of you—not because of what I taught, but because of what I didn’t.
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The Curse is Being Lifted

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Witnessing Transformation in Guatemala

A firsthand account of how the gospel is transforming lives in Tactic, Guatemala

Picture someone living under a curse—stripped of hope, dignity, and joy. Now imagine that curse being lifted, replaced by freedom, peace, and abundant life. This transformation isn’t just a theological concept; it’s happening right now in Guatemala. Continue reading →

Preaching and Teaching

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Open-Air Preaching: The Most Biblical Method Most Christians Avoid

As we enter the final two weeks of our “Out of the Fire” evangelism training, I showed the class some photos—street preachers with bullhorns, neon shirts, and signs with Bible verses. I asked them to honestly assess their feelings. Even in a room full of evangelism enthusiasts, I knew many would feel uncomfortable.

It’s fascinating how the most biblically practiced form of evangelism often receives the most resistance—even from Christians. Just recently, I participated in another evangelism training that felt compelled to distance itself from street preaching, putting down this method while affirming the need for Christians to evangelize in pretty much any other way. This breaks my heart. Continue reading →