Annual Conferences
The Church as Confident
January 16, 2021 • Bradley J. Bitner
Despite the challenging conditions of her exile, the Church of Christ can have great confidence. As Christians we may be confident that God is indeed for us in Christ even when our circumstances tempt us to doubt God’s favor toward us and presence with us. Romans 8:31-39 bolsters our confidence by pointing us to the gracious gift of God in Christ, the comforting verdict of God in Christ, and the glorious love of God in Christ.
The Church as Persecuted
January 16, 2021 • Joel E. Kim
What do the sufferings of the church of Christ in the past and around the globe teach us about the present church? It is easy to forget that Christ’s church is more often marked by persecution and not prosperity. This message explores how Christ’s church bears witness in the midst of persecution, proclaiming the enduring reign of God and the power of His Word.
The Church as Body
January 16, 2021 • A. Craig Troxel
Christ "fills all in all" but the church is his "fullness" (Eph 1.21-22). The headship of Christ splashes upon the shores of millions of galaxies and myriads of angelic hosts, which bow to the dominion of Christ’s supremacy. And yet it is the church—not the universe—which is his body. All things are under his feet. One thing is the apple of his eye. This message unfolds how this marvelous reality influences how we worship and serve Christ as creator, ruler, and redeemer.
The Church as Neighbor
January 16, 2021 • David VanDrunen
How is the church to remain faithful to preaching the gospel, which is an offense, alongside the call to live in peace with all people? Both are expressions of Christian love. This message explores how the church relates to unbelieving neighbors alongside whom it exists.
The Church as Pilgrims
January 15, 2021 • Michael S. Horton
As pilgrims we are purposefully and intentionally headed somewhere. We have been liberated and freed for the journey, but we have neither settled nor arrived. This message compares and contrasts being a pilgrim with being a master, on one hand, and a tourist, on the other.
The Church as Exiles
January 15, 2021 • Dennis E. Johnson
The First Epistle of Peter teaches Christians, whatever our cultural context, to view ourselves as exiles—not homeless, but distant from our real home, “the inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:4). Our uncomfortable calling as exiles—to be neither isolated from nor absorbed into our environment—means following the footsteps of the Suffering Servant, confident that, even as we are marginalized, “the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (4:12-14).
Finding Hope in the Last Adam
January 18, 2020 • Joel E. Kim
Where can we find hope in the midst of the often hopeless experiences of life? This talk will explore the wonderful passage of 1 Corinthians 15 as it reveals the peace-inducing hope that comes to those who put their trust in the Last Adam, Jesus Christ. In the midst of our trials, temptations, and tribulations, we need to be reminded of the encouraging reality of who this last Last Adam is and how only he can provide the hope and confidence we desperately need.
Sojourners East of Eden
January 18, 2020 • Craig Troxel
Israel’s redemption from her former slavery never drifted far from her corporate memory. This was due to God’s frequent and gracious reminders that they were once sojourners in the land of Egypt. Likewise, we Christians must never forget who we were before our release from the shackles of sin and death. This talk will focus on our identity as a saved sojourner east of Eden. In addition to this, we will explore how our gratitude for this redemption from sin’s bondage ought to not only evoke compassion and empathy for fellow sons of Adam and daughters of Eve who wander east of Eden—just as we once did—but also inform the ways that we reach out to them.
Creation Kingship and the World to Come
January 18, 2020 • S. M. Baugh
It might surprise Christians that the book of Hebrews discusses topics such as creation/new creation and the first Adam/Last Adam. But the author to the Hebrews has much to say about both the kingdom of God and about Christ’s role in it as royal High Priest. This talk will explore an important passage in Hebrews 2 where the author affirms our role and rule in the new creation through the pioneering role of Christ as the Last Adam.
The Creation Mandate through the Bible
January 18, 2020 • Bryan D. Estelle
In Genesis chapter 1, we read of the so-called “creation mandate” that was given as a command to Adam and Eve. Much of the language from that mandate is repeated after the flood in Genesis 9. Furthermore, many have connected it with the Great Commission in Matthew 28. But what about Abraham? Did that command change? And how does it apply to us today? This talk will help us understand better the connection of the “cultural mandate” with the church as the church, rather than with other institutions we may find in our society.
Righteousness and Life
January 17, 2020 • David VanDrunen
Many Christians don’t realize that their union with Christ at salvation actually presupposes their union with Adam in sin. We read in Genesis that God required the First Adam to obey him in perfect righteousness, promising him everlasting life if he did so. But he failed, plunging all of humanity into sin and death. But the Last Adam, Jesus Christ, offered that perfect righteousness and has won that everlasting life in the new creation for all who trust in him. This talk will guide us through this glorious story of the righteousness and life we have in Jesus Christ, the Last Adam.
