Life Changing Applications from the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus
Evaluating Expectations in Light of the Resurrection | Jake Stephens
July 24, 2024 • Jake Stephens • Luke 24:30–32, Luke 24:17–21, Matthew 6:26
Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we are invited into a new way of thinking and a new way of living that may look different than we expect. As we come to terms with that, we respond by realigning ourselves to the truth of Jesus and His Kingdom ways.
How the Cross Changes Our Lives | Erin Gilleland
July 17, 2024 • Erin Gilleland • John 19:30, Luke 23:34, Romans 5:16–18, Galatians 5:7–13, Genesis 2:16
From the beginning of time, humanity has been trapped by the power of sin, shame, and death. But when Jesus died on the cross, he overcame all of those things and changed everything! The cross changes our lives because it restores our hope, covers every sin, and makes freedom possible.
Love is Surrendering | Andrew Smith
July 10, 2024 • Andrew Smith • Luke 22:39–44, 1 John 5:3, Luke 14:27, Hebrews 12:2–3
Jesus prays in the garden, “Not my will, but yours be done." In this prayer, He shows us what true love looks like. We are called to love God like Jesus does. To do this means surrendering our desires to His perfect and pleasing will. Jesus shows us how we can discern God’s will and carry our cross as we join with Jesus saying, “Not our will, but yours be done."
After the Mountaintops | Hannah Cole
July 3, 2024 • Hannah Cole • Luke 9:28–36, Luke 22:56–62
Many of us have had experiences with God that feel like a mountaintop moment—an encounter, a breakthrough, a deeper revelation. And while those moments are wonderful, it can sometimes be hard to know how to move forward into the hard parts of life or into the everyday ordinary moments that make up our day-to-day life. In the Transfiguration story, we see the disciples have an incredible experience and then turn to face the many trials of everyday life. From this example, we learn how to lean on those big mountaintop moments to trust that God is the same to us yesterday, today, and forever.
Overcoming Temptation in the Kingdom of God | Braden Traylor
June 26, 2024 • Braden Traylor • 1 John 4:4, Luke 4:1–13, Deuteronomy 8:1–9
Testing is such a core aspect of the human experience, and oftentimes the circumstances associated with being tested are fertile soil for temptation. How do we navigate this? By looking to Jesus... He is our model for overcoming temptation and living an abundant life in the Kingdom of God.
The Proclamation of Hope | Sierra Jarrell
June 19, 2024 • Sierra Jarrell • Luke 4:17–21, 1 John 2:6, Isaiah 61
In His hometown of Nazareth, Jesus read the prophecy of Isaiah 61 that begins by saying, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” Jesus's fulfillment of this prophecy showed that He sees us and is near to the broken. The life of Jesus ushered in a new found hope for those who are written off by society. Jesus deeply cares about those who are often overlooked, and if we are to walk in the way that He did, we should care about them too. Because of His life, we get to live in more freedom, hope, and abundance.
The King Has Come | Aaron Vickroy
June 12, 2024 • Aaron Vickroy • Isaiah 60:1–2, Isaiah 61:1–7, 2 Samuel 14:14, Luke 19:10, John 3:16–17
The message of the birth of Jesus is that God came to us. Not for perfect people who didn’t need Him, but for sinful, broken people who He could save, heal, and deliver. The right response to His coming is to fully repent of our sins and to worship Him as King.
