We have more ready-access to teaching about Jesus than at any other time in human history. But do we really know how much of it is true? How do we discern truth from error when it comes to the teaching of Jesus?
Many people had bad experiences with the church of their youth. In their minds, Christianity is synonymous with fundamentalism and they were burned by their failure to follow the rules. But within those rules and regulations was a seed of God’s truth, and we throw them away at our own peril.
We often struggle to understand how difficulties in life can be good for us. The book of James teaches that trials are not only helpful but can be opportunities for us to experience the goodness of God.
"You've just got to have faith." For better or worse, this is often the answer given for difficult questions in Christian circles. But is it just a cop-out? What do you do when faith feels like foolishness?
The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus “ransomed” us. That means that He paid a price that had to be paid for us to be set free. Only, the price tag on us didn't contain a dollar sign; the only way we could be released from our debt was to die. Do you think you are worth dying for?
As humans, we seem to cherish our “right” to exact proper vengeance on those who wrong us. But shouldn’t the church be different? What does real forgiveness and reconciliation look like?
Sometimes being a follower of Jesus can seem like an uncertain journey. What goal for our lives are we really shooting for, anyway? The Bible provides a prototype of how Christians are to live, and it is modeled by their leaders.
One of the greatest mysteries in the world is the one every human being eventually solves: “what happens when we die?” While the answer to that question is essential to those who are dying, it is also important to their survivors. What does the Bible have to say about how we should handle the death of someone we love?
As East Lake celebrates Father’s Day, we will glean some fatherly advice from God’s Word about how to navigate the world. What makes for a successful life?
There are few things more precious in America than our personal freedoms. But just how “free” are we really supposed to be? Are there times when my freedom should be yielded out of compassion for someone else?
How does the Gospel work and why is it important? Join us at 9:30 and 11 a.m. as we turn to the book of Romans to learn about what actually happened on the cross and what that means for you and me.
Many people live their lives believing God requires them to engage in or avoid certain behaviors as a way of earning his favor. But early in the life of the church, this matter was settled decisively and this week we will talk about it while celebrating people’s relationship with Christ through baptism.
One of the qualities that should mark Christians is unity around a common cause. But Christians today are too often known for what divides them rather than what unites them. This week, we continue in our journey through the entire Bible and examine what a struggling early church can teach us about unity.
Today we celebrate moms and commit families to the task of Godly parenting through Family Dedication.
Join us as we celebrate Church Has Left the Building and learn about how encountering difficulties in the church can lead to opportunities for growth.
A huge number of world-renowned charities were founded on Christian teaching. There is a good reason for that, since generosity is both a command of Jesus and a hallmark of the early church. But how should we practice generosity in our church?
Before he ascended to Heaven, Jesus gave the church its mission, but the task seemed overwhelming. How could the disciples ever hope to adequately carry on the mission of the very Son of God? The answer came in the gift of the Holy Spirit – the very presence of God for every believer.
The death knell sounds for many organizations on the departure of its founder. In the absence of Jesus, the church not only did not shrink, it actually thrived. This week we will talk about how Jesus’ last words gave the church its mission and vision.
Happy Easter! Join us at 8:00, 9:30, and 11 a.m. to celebrate the day that Jesus changed EVERYTHING!
“Palm Sunday” is a bit of a curiosity in the Bible. What is the point of it and why is it important to those who want to follow Jesus?
When Jesus interacted with people, their lives changed. That was never more true than for a woman who had much for which to be forgiven. What do we do when the weight of what we have done is too much to bear?
Death is a universal part of life and at some point, all of us will deal with it. For many, that realization leads to great fear. This week we will learn how Jesus provided a cure for the fear of death and even the grief it can cause for those left behind.
Join us as we look at one of the most famous stories in the Bible to discover who God is and who we are as a result.
Guru. Religious figure. Inspirational speaker. Professional sandal wearer. People have many conceptions about Jesus. But understanding who Jesus really is is critical to understanding and following him.
Jesus is many things to many people. To some, he is a wise sage. To others, a social activist. And still to some, a historical mystery. But through his words and actions, Jesus claimed to be so much more.
When Jesus walked the earth, he confronted the kinds of brokenness we see in our world, like sickness, poverty and death. But one problem he encountered with frequency was combatting the forces of the demonic. That is not prevalent in our world today at all. Is it? Read today's verses On YouVersion from Luke 8:26-39 on page 706 in the Bibles we provide.
None of us experiences a totally stress-free, pain-free life. Yet struggles nevertheless surprise us when they arrive, and we are right to wonder where God is in the midst of them. Where is God when things are not going well? Read today's verses from Luke 8:22-25 on YouVersion or on page 706 in the Bibles we provide.
"Do you want to get well?" This may seem like a strange question for Jesus to ask a blind man who has longed for sight his entire life. Join us as we explore a remarkable account of healing and learn why Jesus' question is important for us today. Read today's verses from John 5 on YouVersion or on page 727 in one of the Bibles we provide.
We live in a culture that values the powerful and influential in business, politics, and even religion. The charismatic climb and the attractive ascend to the heights of popularity in all spheres of life. This was true in Jesus' day too. But he shifted the paradigm when he announced that he came to bring good news for those who are weak, broken, and marginalized.
The story of the Good Samaritan is one of Jesus' most famous parables. His message shook his culture and continues to reverberate today. Who is your neighbor and how well do you love them? Read today's verses from Luke 10:25-37 on YouVersion or on page 708 in one of the Bibles we provide.
The Bible tells us that before he began his earthly ministry, Jesus had an encounter that tested his relationship with God. Through his temptation, we can glean wisdom for ourselves about how to strengthen our own faith. Read today's verses from Matthew 4:1-11 on YouVersion or on page 658 in one of the Bibles we provide.
Coronations, inaugurations, and grand openings. The start of something new is a big deal. When the Son of God launched his ministry, he forsook a great fanfare for a place in line at the water's edge. Read today's verses from Matthew 3:13-17 on YouVersion or in one of the Bible's we provide.
This year, we have been examining God's story of creation, redemption, justice, and grace from cover to cover. Join us for the climax of God's story today at 8:00, 9:30, and 11 a.m. Children's programming will be available for newborns-2nd graders at the 8:00 service and for newborns-6th graders at 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Every parent’s nightmare is a missing child, and Jesus’ parents were no exception. When Jesus went missing, their panicked reaction gave way to relief when they found him. But it was where they found him and why he was there that provides the lesson for our lives. Read today's verses from Luke 2:41-52 on YouVersion or on page 699 in one of the Bibles we provide.
Last Sunday, we closed the Old Testament with a faint glimmer of hope for God's people. This week we will turn to the pages of the New Testament to hear the best and brightest news ever: God is with us. Read today's verses from Luke 2 on YouVersion or on page 699 in the Bibles we provide.
We may admit “we all make mistakes,” but many of us labor under the assumption that we have messed up so badly, we are unusable to God. Is that true? Read today's verses from Ezra 1 on YouVersion or on page 321 in the Bibles we provide.
When difficult circumstances come our way, we often try to figure out the fastest and easiest way around our problems. But when times get tough, we may be right where God wants us to be. Read today's verses from Jeremiah 29:4-14 on YouVersion or in one of the Bibles we provide.
It might come from a phone call, a text or a knock on the door. Sooner or later, we all face difficult life circumstances that seem overwhelming. What do we do about them and what responsibility does God bear in our experience of them? Read today's verses from 2 Chronicles 36:14–21 on YouVersion or on page 321 in the Bibles we provide.
Some of the strangest characters in the Bible are the Prophets- a group of people known mostly for warning the people of Israel about their future. But did you know prophets still exist today? What do they do now and what are we supposed to think of them?
We may be familiar with the concept of the church being “the Lord’s House.” Is that even accurate? And if so, why does it matter on any day but Sunday? Read today's verses from 1 Kings 6:1-13 on YouVersion or in one of the Bibles we provide.
In the midst of the story of the struggling nation of Israel, just as things are getting better and beginning to rely again on God, things take a tragic turn. The people reject God altogether and instead seek to be ruled by a human king. What could their motivation possible be and what is the lesson for us in the midst of it? Read today's verses from 1 Samuel 8 on YouVersion or on page 188 in the Bibles we provide.
The natural drift of our lives is not towards a deeper relationship with God, but away from one. That means we must be purposeful in pursuing God. What does that look like in our lives and how do we live that way each day? Read today's verses from Joshua 23:1-11 on YouVersion or on page 162 in the Bibles we provide.
God is here! Are we paying attention? Read today's verses from Exodus 40:34-38 on YouVersion or on page 68 in the Bibles we provide.
Many of us view rules as some sort of limiting factor meant to keep us from something we actually want. But God’s rules are different. There are some incredible advantages to following the rules God has laid down for us, and this week we will examine why. Read today's verses from Exodus 19:1-9 on YouVersion or on page 51 in one of the Bibles we provide.
The story of the Exodus is famous for its plagues and the ultimate showdown between God and Pharaoh at the Red Sea. But the key to the story is not just what happened, but who made it happen. In his actions, the Israelites learned something vital about their God, and it is something we must remember as well if we hope to understand who God really is. Read today's verses from Exodus 3:1-10 on YouVersion or on page 39 in one of the Bibles we provide.
Every superhero has an origin story telling us where he or she came from and how they became who they are. One Biblical hero named Abraham has an origin story that doesn’t just matter to people in the Bible. It should matter to all of us. His story can change our life and even our eternity. Read today's verses from Genesis 12:1-9 on YouVersion or on page 8 in one of the Bibles we provide.
Just a few pages after the account of the creation of the universe, we find the story of man’s first building project- a tower. Read today's verses from Genesis 11:1-9 on YouVersion or on page 7 in the Bibles we provide.
Every good story has a beginning, middle and end. The story God tells us in the Bible is no different. But the Bible is not just God’s story, it is our story as well. This weekend, we will look at where our story begins and why it matters so deeply today. Read today's verses from Genesis 1 on YouVersion or on page 1 in the Bibles we provide.