The presence of evil and suffering in this world is still one of the most powerful arguments against faith in an all-loving, all-powerful creator. We want to make sense of it. Even more, we want to find freedom from it. Is that possible? And if so, how?Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Acts 3:1-21

What if the only solution for the oppression, abuse, and injustices of the church isn’t the removal of the church, but the renewal of the church? One of the best ways to get a vision for the future of the church is to get a clearer picture of the very first church. This passage helps us do that.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Acts 2:37-47

This passage contains the first explicit proclamation of the gospel of Jesus. So if we want to understand what the gospel really means, there is no better place to look.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Acts 2:12-39

In our culture, spirituality is hot. Church is not. But what if real spirituality is impossible to experience apart from Jesus and the church he called into being? This passage helps us by showing us what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Acts 2: 1-13

Jesus had gone back to heaven. It seemed like the end. But then his disciples were reminded of what they needed to go on. It could be just what you need, too.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Acts 1:12-26

The first Christians were a minority movement of social, cultural, and religious outsiders with zero political power. Yet within 30 years, they turned the world upside down. How? It all begins in this passage.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Acts 1:1-11

We live in a world where many believe in God or spiritual reality, but what feels more real to us is all the pressures, anxieties, and discouragement of what we call “the real world.” How does that change? In this passage, Jesus leads us through the path of transformation.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller: Luke 24:13-33

To have a name is to be a person: a unique self with meaning and dignity. Evil is anything that distorts and destroys your personhood. It erases your name. But in this passage, we see how Jesus restores it back to us.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller: Mark 5:1-20

Faith healing is a real thing. And it isn’t magic, unless you put your faith in someone other than Jesus. This passage considers the significance of vulnerability, prayer, and gratitude in healing.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - John 5:1-18

With this question, Jesus doesn’t ask whether we have faith. He assumes we do. That might sound counterintuitive to many, but this passage takes us deeper into the real nature of faith.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Luke 8:22-25

We live in a weeping world, because everything we love is always dying. But we also live in a seeking world, because we long for something that cannot be touched by death. How does the resurrection of Jesus address this struggle?Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - John 20:11-18

“Why have you forsaken me?” Jesus didn’t ask this question of a human being. He asked it of God. What does it mean? To look at the cross is to come face to face with something we don’t want to look at, but desperately need to.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Mark 15:33-39

Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - John 21:15-19

It’s hard to face the pain and negativity of our lives and this world. We want things to be smooth, including spirituality. But Jesus offers us a way through the pain to something far greater.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Mark 8:27-38

Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Mark 5:21-43

We all need to know not only that we are worthy of love and belonging, we need to know why. The woman in this story, and Jesus’ question about her, give us a new way of seeing others by giving us a new way of seeing ourselves.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Luke 7:36-50

To be human is to long for more than we currently experience and to be more than we currently are. In this passage, Jesus asks a question that brings us to the very heart of our longing for something more.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - John 1:35-51

Why would Jesus do so much of his teaching by means of parables, which are so hard to understand? In this passage, Jesus shows us the counter-intuitive, yet deeply healing, answer.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Matthew 13:10-17,53-58

We modern people struggle greatly with the idea of God’s judgment. But in this parable, Jesus shows us that unless we allow God to be a God of judgment, then he cannot be the God of love we so desperately desire.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Matthew 13:47-50

Who doesn’t want to be someone’s precious “treasure”? Who doesn’t want to know that someone loves them more than life itself? No matter who you are, these two short parables are an invitation to both those gifts.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Matthew 13:44-46

The problem of the “other” is one of the biggest problems in our world. How should we respond? Is it possible to embrace the other? These two short parables offer us a powerful answer.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Matthew 13:31-33

Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Matthew 13:24-30

We have a longing for something bigger than ourselves, and many people wonder if Jesus might play a part in it. In this parable, Jesus shows us what we’re longing for, and how it comes into our lives.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - 1 John 4:7-11

People with different worldviews nonetheless describe the same experience: We feel cut off from our true home. This passage shows us why that is and, more importantly, what God does about it.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - John 1:1-18

“Whatever has your attention is shaping and directing your life. In the parable of the ten maidens, Jesus warns us not to give all of our attention to lesser things, lest we miss out on the best thing.”Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Matthew 25:1-13

The Day of the Lord. The end of time. Good news or not so much? This passage sheds light on the life-giving difference between threat and promise.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - 2 Peter 3:1-10

The most important conversations are the ones we’re least likely to have, because they’re most likely to go wrong. In this passage, Jesus models four things that help us walk through the most challenging conversations.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - John 4:6-26

Human beings don’t just shape technology. Our technology shapes us. What is technology? How does it shape us? How should we use it? This passage is one of the best places to think about that.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Genesis 11:1-9

Of all the topics that involve our body, abortion is one of the most notable. But it is fiercely debated. This passage helps us make sense of the debate and find a way through.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Luke 1:39-56

Our culture says the love, intimacy, and connection we need as human beings is only available through marriage, romance, and sex. The Bible says it’s available to everyone through the unique relationship called friendship. This passage offers us a beautiful picture of this.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller: Acts 20:17-25, 36-21:1

Singleness is deeply misunderstood in both our culture and the church. It is often seen as a deficiency or something survivable only with a special gift. But this passage helps us with a radically different vision of what singleness truly is.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - 1 Corinthians 7:7-9, 17, 25-31

On the surface, this passage is a difficult and challenging read, especially in our modern world. But when we dig deeper, we find many surprises that offer us a fuller understanding and experience of marriage.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller -Ephesians 5:21-33

In week two of this conversation, we want to ask what it means to support and care for those who might consider transitioning. This passage helps us with this questionKirjoittanut Eric Stiller -Romans 12:1-3, 9-16

The conversation about transgender identities is challenging at multiple levels. But at the deepest level, it’s a conversation about what it means to be a human being.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller -Matthew 19:3-12

The church has not been a safe place for gay people. Can Christianity offer us a way to think about same-sex relationships that honors the full dignity of gay people?Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Romans 1:21-2:1

There’s a picture of Christianity as being very rigid and repressive about sex. Sex is bad. Sex is dirty. What is a truer Biblical picture of sex? This passage shows us.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller 1st Corinthians 6:12-20

The daily hustle of our lives makes it difficult to pay attention to our longings, especially for God. The Song of Songs stirs our longings for God. Even more, it shows us God’s longing for us.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Song of Song 2:8-14

In our culture, we use identity language all the time. But what are we actually talking about? In order to have these conversations, we need a basic understanding of identity. This passage gives it to us.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Colossians 1:15-16, 3:1-11

Two of the biggest stories our culture tells about the body are either that the body is all there is, or the body is only temporary. The Bible shows us a radically different story that changes the way we look at everything else in this world.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Genesis 1&2, Romans 8:18-23

Whenever we approach a controversial conversation, we need to be as clear as we can about what’s standing beneath the stands we take. Because if we’re not clear about our assumptions, how can we be clear in our conversations? This passage helps us to do that.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Acts 17:22-33

How do you manage the disappointment of life? Is it even possible to find the contentment we’re always looking for? Here at the end of his letter to the Philippians, Paul shows us the secret of true contentment.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Philippians 4:10-20

Where can we find tranquility? What can we give to get peace? Who doesn’t want to glide instead of fighting the air, to float instead of floundering? This week’s passage offers good news about release from anxiety and rest in relationship with God.Kirjoittanut Beverly DeBord - Philippians 4:4-9

Conflict among Christians is to be expected, and sadly it can often turn into ugly divisive fights. But God tells us that as followers of Christ it is vital that we manage our differences in a radically different way. Join us this week as we continue our journey through the book of Philippians and we learn how to fight like Christians…

How do we take hold of all that God has for us? Paul's passage today gives us a look at the answer.Kirjoittanut Jeff Newell - Philippians 3:12-21

The deepest desire, and the most haunting question, in our lives is, "Am I seen? Am I loved?" Joy is when we get a taste of our desire to be seen and loved. But how do we find joy? Paul shows us in this passage.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Philippians 3:1-11

No matter how much progress we make, the history of this world and our lives in it oftentimes feels like a long defeat. Is there any way to fight the long defeat without being buried by it? In this passage, Paul takes this question head on.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Philippians 2:19-30

Many don't like the idea of obedience, but in the Bible we find that obedience to God's will is the way to true freedom. In today's sermon, we explore the ethical exhortations Paul gives to the Philippians as a way towards joyful obedience.Kirjoittanut Matt Vanderworp - Philippians 2:12-18

In a world full of hatred and division, the greatest need has always been and continues to be for more love. But what is love? What does it look like in action? This passage shows us.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Philippians 2:5-11

Where is the real life we’re all looking for? Does it even exist? Paul is in a Roman jail cell, facing execution. And yet he’s full of life and joy. How? For Paul, it’s all about the gospel of Jesus.Kirjoittanut Eric Stiller - Philippians 1:18-30