Why Paul Wants Us to Share (Philippians 4:10-20)

This week we conclude our study of Philippians by wrestling with why Paul wants us to share in his ministry. In fact, that's been the whole point of the book - to encourage the Philippians (and us!) to partner with him and carry on the ministry of Christ in our city. [Christian Cryder]

What Holds the Kingdom Back? (Enemies!) - (Philippians 3:17-4:1)

In this passage Paul tells us there is a very real and present danger (enemies!) within the church that holds the Kingdom back from it's mission. The source of this danger just might surprise you. [Christian Cryder]

How Paul Looks at Life (Philippians 3:7-16)

Christianity is more than a religion - it's a worldview (a way of making sense of the world). How does your worldview mesh with Paul's? [Christian Cryder]

How Paul Looks at Religion (Philippians 3:1-11)

We're half way through Philippians and Paul tells us that the way we advance in the Christian life is the same way we got into it - by putting our confidence in Christ alone! [Ryan Sutherland]

How We Work Out Our Own Salvation (Philippians 2:19-30)

Last week Paul wrote, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do according to his good pleasure" (Phil 2:12-13). What does that mean and how do we do it? This is what we consider as we look at two of Paul's dear friends, Timothy and Epaphroditus. [Ryan Sutherland]

What Paul Wants From Us (Philippians 2:5-18)

Paul has just shown us how Jesus worked out His own salvation and then challenges us to work out ours. How does he think we ought to do that and how does this connect to the church? [Christian Cryder]

How Paul Looks at Jesus (Philippians 2:1-11)

Paul quotes an early hymn or poem to illustrate how the humility of Jesus Christ ought to produce both humility and unity within the church! [Ryan Sutherland]

How Paul Looks at Unity (Philippians 2:1-11)

How did the Apostle Paul think about unity within the Church? And how do we go about pursuing greater unity? Surprisingly, not by focusing on unity! [Ryan Sutherland]

How Paul Looks at Circumstances (Philippians 1:12-26)

In light of last week's tragic events at the Boston Marathon it's important to stop and ask how Scripture invites us to view our circumstances. Using the Apostle Paul as our guide, this week we examine Paul's attitude towards his circumstances (he's wrongfully imprisoned!), what the basis is for that attitude, and how we can have that same kind of perspective on our circumstances. [Christian Cryder]

How Paul Looks at People (Philippians 1:1-11)

This week we transition from the book of Matthew into Paul's letter to the Philippians so we can see how he captures the concepts of Jesus' Kingdom in the life of a particular church plant. This week we look at Paul's attitude towards people and how we can start to have that same attitude. [Christian Cryder]

A Kingdom of Giving (Acts 20:1-17)

Giving has always been one of the key components of Christianity (and the Kingdom of God). But it's also very challenging because deep down none of us are as generous as we want others to be towards us (or as generous as we know God wants us to be). So what's the secret to being generous. That's what we wrestle with this week.

• A Kingdom of Giving  - Christian Cryder

Jesus & the Empty Tomb - Easter (Matthew 28)

Was the tomb of Jesus really empty? How can we know and what does it matter for us? Since it's Easter, it's only fitting to consider the resurrection of Jesus.

• Jesus & His Throne - Ryan Sutherland

Jesus & His Throne (Matthew 27:27-54)

Jesus finally takes his seat, not on a throne, but on a Roman cross. We continue to wrestle with the question, why would anyone want to kill Jesus? But the cross, rightly understood, brings a more important question to the fore - why would God want to kill Jesus?

• Jesus & His Throne - Ryan Sutherland

Jesus & the Captives (Matthew 27:11-26)

Jesus is led before Pontius Pilate and the Roman Government in order for sentencing and a "notorious prisoner" named Barabbas was released instead of Jesus. Why? What were the charges against Jesus? Why would anyone want to kill this miracle worker and teacher?

• Jesus & the Captives - Ryan Sutherland

(sorry, but due to technical difficulties, the final few minutes were lost in recording)

The Cup of Sorrows (Matthew 26:36-46)

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prays, "take this cup from me..." What does he mean by the "cup"? What's in the cup? Is it simply the suffering that he knew was coming? Or was it something more?

• The Cup of Sorrows - Ryan Sutherland

Jesus & the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:36-46)

Why is the Lord's Supper such an important part of the Lord's Supper? More importantly how does the Lord's Supper give us a taste of Jesus' Kingdom?

• Jesus & the Lord's Supper - Christian Cryder

The Role of Worship in the Kingdom (Matthew 26:17-35)

• The Role of Worship in the Kingdom - Christian Cryder

Judgment in the Kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46)

Today we look at one of the scariest passages in the New Testament. Jesus tells a parable about sheep and goats and how Jesus will one day judge people for how they live out the values of the Kingdom. Sheep are destined for heaven while goats are destined for hell. How do we make sense of this parable in light of our modern sensibilities about heaven and hell?

• Judgment in the Kingdom - Christian Cryder

The Comfort and Challenge of the Kingdom (Matthew 20:1-16, 21:28-32)

Jesus tells several parables about the Kingdom of Heaven and in them we see how the message of the Kingdom is both incredibly comforting (for those who acknowledge their sin) and challenging (for those who don't see their need).

• The Comfort and Challenge of the Kingdom - Christian Cryder

A Kingdom of Glory (Matthew 17:1-13)

Three of Jesus' disciples (Peter, James & John) get to go on an amazing field trip with Jesus - up a mountain where God himself shows up in a bright cloud and declares his pleasure with his Son. Moses and Elijah show up and Jesus is transfigured before their eyes! What's this story show us about the Kingdom?

• A Kingdom of Glory - Ryan Sutherland