My daughter loves gymnastics. One of her favorite moves is the splits. It hurts to see her legs stretched in opposite directions. In Ephesians 2, Paul forces us into the spiritual splits by stretching our mind to understand the darkness of our sin and the magnificence of our blessing through Christ. Stretching is good for us, but it can hurt. In the same way, the spiritual splits are tough on us while they are good for us.

Ephesians 2:1-10 -- But God... - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Ephesians 2:1-10 -- But God... - Manuscript - PDF
Ephesians 2:1-10 -- But God... - Sermon Handout - PDF
Ephesians 2:1-10 -- But God... - Life Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Sovereignty

It is easy to see what is wrong in life. The family overslept so the kids are late for school. The car wouldn't start so the budget faces an unexpected repair. While it is easy to see what is wrong, in the introduction to Ephesians, Paul helps us see what is right and how blessed we are by God through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:1-14 -- I Am Blessed! - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Ephesians 1:1-14 -- I Am Blessed! - Manuscript - PDF
Ephesians 1:1-14 -- I Am Blessed! - Sermon Handout - PDF
Ephesians 1:1-14 -- I Am Blessed! - Life Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Predestination, Election, Free Will, Sovereignty

A drunk driver runs a red light and broadsides a car. The passenger, a bubbly 13 year old junior high girl, is paralyzed for life. Where was God? How could he let this happen? A hard-working father finds himself unemployed for over a year. His job was sent overseas to swell the company's bottom line. Struggling to find work, his sense of self-esteem is shattered. His family scrapes by and his wife works minimum wage jobs. God, where are you? How could you let this happen? Sometimes life feels out of control. Is God there? If he is there, how much control does he have over our life? As we look at the betrayal Christ, we find the answer.

John 18:1-19:16 - Life Feels Out of Control! - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
John 18:1-19:16 - Life Feels Out of Control! - Manuscript - PDF
John 18:1-19:16 - Life Feels Out of Control! - Sermon Handout - PDF
John 18:1-19:16 - Life Feels Out of Control! - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF
John 18:1-19:16 - Life Feels Out of Control! - Leader Guide - PDF

Tags: Sovereignty

God is sovereign over all things. Last week, we learned God decrees events of history hundreds of year before they come to pass. If God is so sovereign, why pray for a friend who has cancer? Won't God do what he already planned? In this passage, we discover why we pray to a God that sovereignly ordains all things.

Daniel 9 - Moving the Heart of God - Audio - MP3
Daniel 9 - Moving the Heart of God - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Daniel 9 - Moving the Heart of God - Manuscript - PDF
Daniel 9 - Moving the Heart of God - Sermon Handout - PDF
Daniel 9 - Moving the Heart of God - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Prayer, Sovereignty

This Sunday, the 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens face one another in the Super Bowl. Who will win? This week, Sports Illustrated's cover story asked the question, "Does God care who wins the Super Bowl?" Only 27% of Americans said, "Yes." Most Americans believe either God doesn't know or doesn't care about football. How much control does God have over our life? How much does God ordain of our future? In Daniel 8, we discover the answer.

Daniel 8 - Does God Know Who Will Win the Super Bowl? - Audio - MP3
Daniel 8 - Does God Know Who Will Win the Super Bowl? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Daniel 8 - Does God Know Who Will Win the Super Bowl? - Manuscript - PDF
Daniel 8 - Does God Know Who Will Win the Super Bowl? - Sermon Handout - PDF
Daniel 8 - Does God Know Who Will Win the Super Bowl? - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Sovereignty

When there is not enough money to pay the bills, how do we handle the worries? Where is God when life feels out of control? In this message, we learn that God knows us. He loves us. He doesn't make mistakes. We can trust our life into his hands.

Daniel 2 - Large and in Charge - Audio - MP3
Daniel 2 - Large and in Charge - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Daniel 2 - Large and in Charge - Manuscript - PDF
Daniel 2 - Large and in Charge - Sermon Handout - PDF
Daniel 2 - Large and in Charge - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Sovereignty

Everyone faces times of loss. Every career that rises must eventually set. In this message, we discover how John the Baptist handles losing market share in the baptism business. We learn how to survive the seasons of life where our influence wanes.

John on Jesus - He Must Increase, I Must Decrease - Audio - MP3
John on Jesus - He Must Increase, I Must Decrease - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
John on Jesus - He Must Increase, I Must Decrease - Manuscript - PDF
John on Jesus - He Must Increase, I Must Decrease - Sermon Handout - PDF
John on Jesus - He Must Increase, I Must Decrease - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: humility, Sovereignty, Joy