Christ Church

Galatians 1:1-5, "Paul's Gospel"

Instead of opening this letter to the Galatian churches with a thanksgiving for them — as Paul normally does — he begins by stating that he is astonished that they are so quickly deserting Jesus. The Galatians didn’t think that they had deserted Jesus! But Paul labors for Christ formed in them through the book of Galatians by demonstrating that departing from true gospel doctrine is deserting Jesus himself. In these first handful of verses, Paul sets out the terms of true gospel doctrine.

Psalm 27, "The Most Important Thing You Need is the Presence of God"

Guest Preacher Charisma Clarke

John 21, “The Fishermen, the Shepherd, and the Savior”

John 20:24-31 "Believing Thomas"

Jesus commissioned his apostles (sent ones) to bring his testimony to us — who who haven’t seen the Risen Jesus. Our faith does not come by sight, then, but by hearing. As we hear and receive Scripture’s testimony about who God is and what he’s done for us, we are receiving the very word of Christ, and thereby offered the gift of eternal life. Not by our righteousness, but by his grace; our mere faith is counted by him as righteousness.

John 20:19-23, “Sent Christ, Sent Church”

John 19:41-20:18, "He Must Rise"

The first day of creation, God spoke light into the darkness. John 20 brings us to the first day of New Creation, when the Light of the World was brought forth from the darkness of death. And just as the first creation story culminates in Adam meeting his bride, so this New Creation story shows us Jesus and his Bride — the Church.
 
 
 
The resurrection of Jesus is our betrothal to the heavenly Bridegroom. And it marks the re-opening of the gates of Eden for the Second Adam and his Bride.

John 18:12-14, 19-40, “Jesus on Trial”

The kingdoms of this world jockey for power and influence, and often use deception and corruption to get what they want. Jesus’ kingdom is different — it’s not of this world. That comparison snaps into focus when Jesus, the King who bears witness to the Truth, is tried by two corrupt authorities.
 
Although it seems like Jesus ‘lost,’ his exchange with Barabbas hints at his victory: Jesus will stand accused in the place of the guilty, who can go free because he took the punishment he deserved.

John 18:1-11, “The Brook and the Garden”

Jesus Christ was no victim. The Gospel-writer, John, makes certain we know that. Though Jesus is arrested in John 18, there’s no doubt who’s in charge: he picks the spot, he initiates the confrontation, and he commands the troops to release his friends.
Though he had the power to evade capture (and more), he chose the way of the cross. He chose the way of love. He knew how bad it would be, and he went through with it anyway — for love of the Father, and love of you.

John 17:20-26, “Jesus Prays for Our Unity”

Jesus prayed for us, that we might be one — unified in the same way that God the Father and God the Son are unified. That’s a tall order! For that humanly-impossible calling, God provides the power of the gospel through the Holy Spirit, to help us bear witness to the world through our unity and love.

John 17:1-5, “The Glory of Christ”

The glory of God is most prominently on display at the cross of Jesus. God’s character — abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, full of grace and truth — are demonstrated most prominently when Jesus died for the sins of undeserving us.