Messages and Podcasts

Paul's Prison Epistles — Cell block Letters

Cell Block Letters:

Paul’s Prison Epistles

From the depths of imprisonment, words of encouragement and instruction from the Apostle Paul were sent in a series of letters to communities throughout the Roman Empire. The “Prison Epistles” generally refers to four specific letters written by Paul while he was under arrest in Rome. Each letter is addressed to a specific church or, in the case of Philemon, an individual. While the letters addressed specific needs of first-century Christians and the church, the message of the Epistles is still influential and instructional to Christians living today.

Our study, ‘Cell Block Letters: Paul’s Prison Epistles’ will focus on the letters written to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. They were written during Paul’s imprisonment and yet deal with some of the most liberating concepts imaginable. Paul may have been fettered and shackled to a series of Roman guards, but the Word he preached remained unfettered and free. Time spent with these letters will be richly rewarded and equip us for life in multiple dimensions; spiritual, relational, personal, and corporate.

Romans - The Heart of The Gospel

The letter to the Romans stands as the clearest and most systematic presentation of Christian doctrine in all the Scriptures. Paul began by discussing that which is most easily observable in the world—the sinfulness of all humanity. All people have been condemned due to our rebellion against God. However, God in His grace offers us justification by faith in His Son, Jesus. When we are justified by God, we receive redemption, or salvation, because Christ’s blood covers our sin. But Paul made it clear that the believer’s pursuit of God doesn’t stop with salvation; it continues as each of us is sanctified—made holy—as we persist in following Him. Paul’s treatment of these issues offers a logical and complete presentation of how a person can be saved from the penalty and power of his or her sin.

In this letter, Paul invites us to mine the depths of the gospel like never before. As we journey through this book together, we’ll grow to understand God’s righteousness, our unrighteousness apart from him, the significance of God’s Son Jesus Christ, and the implications of the gospel message for our everyday lives.

Whether you are struggling with knowing where you stand with God, or why you have such trouble keeping the commands of God, or why you can’t seem to find that spiritual power you’ve heard so much about, the book of Romans is for you.

Hebrews - JESUS is Greater

The book of Hebrews is the bridge that connects the Old Testament and the New. The entire book is about Jesus and how He is the guarantee of a new and better covenant. Hebrews compares and contrasts Jesus to key historical people and events from the Hebrew Bible. Through these comparisons, we see his superiority. It is essential for every Christian to understand.

The letter to the Hebrews was a ballast to the early Christians, and its themes of practicing stewardship over your spiritual life and your personal relationship with God are still relevant to believers across the globe today. 

God Is Near, You Are Not Alone, Faith Is Important, and Remember Your Purpose!

Deuteronomy — The Book of Remembrance

The Book of Deuteronomy is a sermon given by Moses on his last days on earth and focuses on one of the most critical issues - what it means to love God. It was written to teach us that living as the people of God means that we are a people of devotion and love. No matter how often we fail, God will continue to be faithful to us. God chose Israel to be His people simply because He loved them. While we are not Israel, and while we are not 'under the law', we are still His people and loved by Him. As we imagine what it would be be like to perfectly obey the laws of Deuteronomy, we see an image of love, devotion to God, and holy justice. We're encouraged to choose genuine life - the life that saturation in God's word imparts, the life that sin can never give, the abundant life that is found in Jesus alone. This life focuses on loving God and keeping His commandments, which is exactly what Christ expects of us. 

Acts — The Gospel Unleashed

 The Acts of the Apostles — The Gospel Unleashed! 

As a sequel to the gospel of Luke, Acts continues the story of Christianity in the 1st century, beginning with the ascension of Jesus to Heaven and carries us through the developmental years of Christianity. The early chapters, set in Jerusalem, describe the Day of Pentecost (the coming of the Holy Spirit) and the growth of the church in Jerusalem. The book of Acts is an important book for understanding the actions of the apostles, mostly Paul and Peter, after Jesus's ascension into Heaven. Acts is a sure witness to the reality of Christ’s power in believers. It is an important book in understanding how we can be directed by the Holy Spirit, the role of Jesus' lessons in our lives, and what the result of this assurance and acceptance can be in our lives.