Daniel 9 – 12
The book of Daniel wraps up with an amazing vision of things to come. This vision reminds us that the Big God is in control and offers us four lenses for how to view our current troubling times.
Kids Activity Sheet
The Big God in Troubling Times: A Prayer and a Promise
Daniel 9
Through reading the words of the prophet Jeremiah, Daniel realizes that the end to the exile is drawing near. He cries out to the LORD in an impassioned prayer and receives His unparalleled promise. As you consider the message of Daniel 9, how are you preparing yourself for His promised work in your life?
The Big God in Troubling Times: Readied and Numbered
Daniel 8
In Daniel 8, we see a vision with more wild imagery, this time about events that would take place about 300 years after Daniel's time. What does a fulfilled prophecy from ancient times have to do with us today? A whole lot, actually, especially for our troubling times.
Kids Activity Sheet
The Big God in Troubling Times: A Theology of History, Part 2
Daniel 7
The second half of the book of Daniel begins with some wild imagery. Scary beasts rising from the sea. A belligerent, warring little horn. One like a son of man. The Ancient of Days. What does this all mean? What does it say to us today?
The Big God in Troubling Times: Countercultural Identity
Daniel 6
This Sunday we return to our series in Daniel, "The Big God in Troubling Times." In chapter 6, Daniel identifies his ultimate allegiance not with the power structure of Babylon but rather with the one true God. And he's willing to pay the price. A counter-cultural identity grounds itself in the only One who can truly deliver.
Baptism: The Threefold Declaration
Romans 6:1–14
This Sunday we celebrated the baptisms of Ron Skaife and Luke Foley. Baptism is commonly called, "A public declaration of a personal decision." There are also two additional declarations made in the waters of baptism and this threefold declaration is something to celebrate!
The Big God in Troubling Times: Weighed in the Balances
Daniel 5
"We dare not presume upon the grace which God has shown to others. To know that God is gracious and yet not to turn from our sin in the light of that grace is to fall under His righteous judgment. Such was the experience of Belshazzar.” (Sinclair Ferguson)
The Big God in Troubling Times: The Animal in Us All
Daniel 4
Nebuchadnezzar had it all: Power, Authority, Wealth, Kingdom. Until he didn't and he became like an animal. Pride will do that to all of us. Thankfully, the Big God is a merciful God.
The Big God in Troubling Times: Through the Fire
We all feel a desire to 'fit in.' But what happens when 'fitting in' means being someone we're not? Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are motivated by more than just fitting in and it makes all the difference.
The Big God in Troubling Times: Things Aren't Out of Control...Really!
Daniel 2
In Daniel chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar keeps having a very disturbing nightmare. Daniel offers a dream analysis no one could have deduced on their own: there is a kingdom coming that disrupts everything. Which side of history will you be on?
The Big God in Troubling Times: God Gave....
Daniel 1
A good God gives good gifts. Even in hard times? Yes, even in hard times. The book of Daniel begins in some hard times. And we see what God gave. He is a good God.
Revealed to be God
Matthew 2:1-18 and Luke 2:8-14
The Wise Men = Three Kings = Magi
Who are they, and why are they important to us?
Guarding the Truth
1 Timothy 6:20-21
Oftentimes the year end can be a time of "taking stock." When you look back on 2019, what do you see? What did you accomplish? What caught you unawares? When you look ahead to 2020, what will you prioritize? The apostle Paul encourages Timothy to "guard the deposit entrusted" to him. This is a good word as we "take stock" of the year that has passed and the year to come.
Come Into Our Darkness: Seeing Glory
John 1:14-18
John knows what our greatest human need is. It's not food or security or belonging. It's not prestige or reaching our potential. Our greatest human need is seeing glory. The Word became flesh....and we have seen His glory.
Come Into Our Darkness: True Light. True Need. True Family
John 1:9–13
Christmas is about celebrating Christ’s arrival on earth and the continuation of the salvation plan that was laid before the creation of the earth. This week we will look at Jesus as the true illuminator. We will examine humanity’s desire for darkness and the great hope we have when we revive the gift Jesus brings.
Come Into Our Darkness: The Coming of the Light
John 1:3–5
It’s often in times of darkness that we need light. John tells us that with the coming of the Word, there is Light and Life. Life that is Light. With this Light we see everything so much more clearly.
Come Into Our Darkness: Before Bethlehem
John 1: 1-2
As we begin the Advent and Christmas season, we begin "In the beginning." Long before Bethlehem was "the Word," and John in his Gospel wants everyone to know just how wonderful this Word is.
Knowing God: The Descended God
Romans 1:1–4
Of all the the things we know about God, we need to be sure we get the Incarnation right. What does it mean that God "descended" and why does this matter? The Incarnation makes all the difference in the world.
Sermon Outline Document
Knowing God: The Blessed God
1 Timothy 6:11-16
At this time of year, it's not uncommon to see signs that say "Thankful, Grateful, Blessed." We are told to count our blessings, but what does it mean that God is "blessed"? What does it mean for the blessed God to bless us?
Knowing God: The Beautiful God
Psalm 27:1-14
We often hear that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." While people may not always agree on whether something is beautiful or not, scripture speaks of the beauty of God which surpasses all else. When we encounter the beautiful God, we gain real perspective.