In this sermon, we look back over 3 millennia to the story of Gideon and his identity trap—seeking security through power. 1) Gideon’s Test Gideon was a tribal warrior leader-judge. His story takes place between 1179-1154 BC and is recorded in the Book of Judges chapter 6. The context of the story is … [Read More…] Gideon—Seeking Security Through Power
In this sermon, we go back 2,500 years to the Medo-Persian Empire to discover Esther’s identity trap—seeking security through people. Through the story, we’ll see how God loves her out of her orphan-hearted identity and into the true security of living as a child of God. Esther’s Secret: The story begins with King Xerxes … [Read More…] Esther—Seeking Security Through People
The Book of Ephesians is about God’s plan for the fullness of time to unite all things throughout eternity. God’s plan is the biggest logistic undertaking of all time. Against that backdrop, we get a prayer report from Paul in Ephesians 3 about the way he prays for the church. Paul’s primary point is … [Read More…] Bigger Prayer, Bigger God
In this sermon, we look at Zacchaeus’ identity trap—seeking significance through power. 1) Zacchaeus: Lost Zacchaeus was one of the “bad guys” in the Bible because he was a chief tax collector and he was notoriously rich. Everyone knew him to be one of the wealthiest people in Jericho, and they hated him … [Read More…] Zacchaeus—Seeking Significance Through Possessions
We often use Bible verses out of context to find rest for our weary souls. Can you relate to that? In this sermon, we look at a passage that has much to say about finding the spiritual rest we long for. How do we enter God’s promised rest from Hebrews 4? We React … [Read More…] God’s Promised Rest
In this sermon, we look at Jacob’s identity trap: seeking significance through power. Jacob was the grandson of Abraham, and the father of Joseph. His story gives us a powerful look at the deep identity transformation God wants to bring into each one of our lives. We’ll look at three parts to Jacob’s story: … [Read More…] Jacob—Seeking Significance Through Power
Following Jesus is basically learning to live out our new identity in Christ. But it’s difficult because we’ve spent so much of our lives living from our orphan identities. To live from our new identity as children of God requires intention and practice. We must unlearn the heart-habits of orphanhood and embrace the heart-habits of … [Read More…] Joseph—Seeking Significance Through People
Who are you? How would you answer this question? In the coming weeks, we’ll explore the stories of nine different characters in the Bible, who each tried to build their identities in all the wrong places, and then discovered the kind of wholeness that only God can give. And in considering their lives, we’ll … [Read More…] Mapping Our Hearts
The Book of Joel was written to the people of Judah and Jerusalem as a warning, but its truths are just as applicable to us today as they were thousands of years ago. The historical context of the book is Judah’s pattern of revival and decline, and in these passages Judah is falling into … [Read More…] Restore What The Locusts Have Eaten
Have you ever experienced a kind of whiplash after Christmas? All the wonder, joy, peace on earth, goodwill toward men, all is cheery and bright…and then January hits. Bills come due. Reality sets in. Christmas often seems like a feel-good season that’s disconnected from the troubles of the real life. A mass-marketed departure from … [Read More…] The Incarnate King
