Dr. Paul Gibson | Revelation 4:1-11

The Roman authorities persecuted the early church due to their countercultural faith in Christ. And, the visions given to John for the church were about to increase in intensity. What does God show John to communicate to His people? A heavenly throne room with God on the throne. How are the early church and the church today supposed to respond to opposition and the intensity of evil? Seeing that God is on the throne and worshipping Him. If we keep our eyes on the throne through worship, we know that every little thing gonna be alright. 

Dr. David Swanson | Revelation 3:1-6

On the surface, they looked alive, but were dead. Are we living faith for appearance, or are we truly growing on the inside?

Rev. Tanner Fox | Revelation 3:14-22

In this passage we have two well known biblical moments. Jesus brings the church to an awareness of their "lukewarm" engagement with his Kingdom and the destruction it brings. And yet, he "stands at the door and knocks" inviting them into a beautiful life of relationship. We look to Revelation 3 to be diagnosed, made aware, and invited into a new way of being as he calls us to be "zealous" for the Kingdom and our King!

Dr. David Swanson | 1 Corinthians 15:1-10, 47-58

Easter Sunday: In a world short on hope, Easter brings it to us in full measure. It points us to stringless death, swallowed suffering, material newness, and person newness.

Dr. David Swanson | Hebrews 5:11-6:3

As we reflect in this Lenten season on our sin and failures in following Jesus, we remain faithful, persevering for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom. This leads to the "better things" of the mature Christian life, the fruits of the Spirit.

Dr. Case Thorp | Hebrews 10:32-39

Patience is the theme for the day – as we mature, we must remain patient in the process.

Dr. David Swanson | Psalm 119:67-75

Though we don't like to think of it, our experiences of suffering are often what lead to our maturing. Through hardship, God refines us and grows us.

Dr. David Swanson | Ephesians 6:10-17

In our quest to follow Christ, we have the Helper, but we battler the Hinderer. Paul's text make that clear, but we are also equipped for that battle. Christ faced the enemy and so will we, but we do so in the full confidence of His victory.

Rev. Rachel Toone | Matthew 6:13

As we grapple with our sin and God's call to obedience, we must grow in our understanding of temptation. Why does God allow it and how can we stand strong through it?

Dr. David Swanson | Psalm 119:9-16

Lenten Series: The Road to Maturity

The Psalmist asks, "How can I keep my way pure?" The implication is that his way is NOT pure and he is prone to sin and disobedience. This is the first part of maturing in Christ: We must recognize there is a problem and then craft ways to address it.

Dr. Jack Peebles | Revelation 2:12-17

In a world when truth is relative, John encouraged the church to stand clearly for the Word and not be afraid to discipline those who taught what was false.

Dr. David Swanson | Revelation 2:8-11

This was a letter of encouragement to a church that was suffering. Unlike the others, there is no complaint - just affirmation - as they endured.

Dr. David Swanson | Revelation 2:1-7

This begins the first of the seven letters – addressing the waning love of God's people for Christ and a call to renewal.

Dr. David Swanson | Revelation 1:4-18

Revelation opens with a stunning glimpse of the glorious Christ and his promised, victorious return. Though not all our questions will be answered in this study we begin with confidence in God's ultimate victory.

Dr. David Swanson | Acts 3:11-26

Things right now aren't great in our world and what seems to be sorely lacking is leadership – people who are willing to create and engage and participate in their communities. We are ALL leaders and we can take a page from ACTS 3 as we learn how to do that in today's context.

Dr. Paul Gibson | 1 Peter 1:6-7

Our faith in Christ grows the most during the crucibles/trials of life. The trials of life turn up the heat (crucible) so that God can shape us into who He wants us to be. If we want to grow as Christians, we must embrace the trials and not stand outside the fire. 
How are you going to embrace the trials that might come your way in 2024?

Dr. Paul Gibson | Psalm 136

As we close out 2023 and look forward to 2024, Dr. Paul Gibson leads us in reflecting on what God has done for us this year.

Dr. David Swanson | Isaiah 9:6-7

The prophecy of Isaiah tells us exactly who Jesus is in four sweeping terms: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

First Pres presents: Behold! The Messiah

A worship concert where the power of music and faith converge as we celebrate the reason for the season, and proclaim the glory and wonder of Christ’s birth in Handel's Messiah.

Rev. Tanner Fox | Isaiah 7:14

How is it that God is with us? What kind of God would He be if He wasn’t sitting, high and exalted above all things? But if He is that kind of God, then how could He possibly be “with us?” How could He be so humble, so small, so weak, so like us? The gods of old were worshiped as gods, far off, transcendent, powerful, but never near. The new gods, our gods, are almost close enough to touch. Celebrities, politicians, the rich, the brilliant… and while it’s nice to have them near, and while they strive for transcendence, we know they are not invincible. They are imminent, close, flesh and blood… but they too will perish. All of this reminds us how impossible it is to have a god with us… until we meet the child, born to the virgin in Bethlehem, given that very name. Immanuel - at last, God with us. 

Dr. David Swanson | Isaiah 40:1-5

Like God's people, we can reach a point in our hurt and pain such that we become discouraged. The mere knowledge that help IS coming is enough to strengthen us as we trust in God's goodness and plan.

Dr. David Swanson | John 10:7-10

Discouragement is the tool of the enemy, while thanksgiving for the abundance of God is its antidote.

Rev. Tanner Fox | Luke 19:1-10 

While the Rich young ruler seems to remain a slave to his riches, the story of Zacchaeus reveals a picture of freedom. Zacchaeus is made new and begins to see that he was made for God and others, not money.

Dr. David Swanson | Matthew 19:16-26

The rich young ruler (RYR) gives us a snapshot of how we live with money: we get addicted to the feeling of "having." Wealth is not bad, but the RYR got hooked on it – and could not let it go. In Christ, there is FREEDOM. 

Dr. David Swanson | Ephesians 4:29

Our speech is often unworthy of God's ears, often talking about others in negative ways instead of focusing on the person in front of us, or better, on God.