Calvary Church

The Christian will often experience difficult times in life. Today, we will look at how being “with God” prepares us for the journey with Him in those seasons.

We've spent the previous three weeks anchoring ourselves to the Word of God by learning what it saysabout itself. This morning, a “personal postscript”—six life and ministry “ah ha's,” or breakthroughs,prompted by God's Word. When we live by God's Word, we should expect, and welcome, these “ahha's.

The Scriptures are sufficient to mature us in Christ and equip us to live out the Christian life. Paul calls us to embrace God's Word fully in order to become the men and women that God has designed us to be.

In a world full of noise and shifting opinion, Scripture stands as God's revealed Word—spoken by Him,carried by the Holy Spirit, and faithfully preserved so we can trust it, follow it, and know Him through it.

In a culture full of competing information and voices, God invites us to anchor ourselves in His self-revelation to know Him better. In our first anchor text, Psalm 19, the psalmist celebrates God's revelation—through creation and the Scriptures—as a means for us to encounter God. Here, we're reminded of the many benefits available to those who value God and His Word.

There is something in Jesus' Great Commission disciple-making mandate that causes the enemy ofGod to tremble in fear. What is it? And how can we ensure that we're not missing it?

In Christ, God has rescued us in His mercy, justified us by His grace, and made us new creations. Now, because of what Christ has done for us, Paul expects the outflow of our gospel belief to be gospel-driven devotion in all areas of our lives.

In Christ, we are no longer defined by what once marked us. God's mercy has rescued us, His Spirit is renewing us, and we've been made heirs. Now, we're sent into the world to live the gospel with a spirit of grace and gentleness and devoted to good works.

Titus 2 invites us to see God's grace as the source of the transformed life. This undeserved lovefrom God is embodied in Jesus, transforms our identity, and compels us to live grace-filled lives.

What message might our lives be sending to dear ones we know who are still far from God? Inchapter two, the apostle Paul instructs Titus to challenge the young church on ancient Creteto reflect by their character and conduct the gospel's power to transform.

The truth of the gospel shapes our leadership, forming leaders whose lives reflect godlycharacter. When this truth takes root, it transforms how leaders guide the church and empowersevery follower of Jesus to influence the world for Christ.

We live in a culture that encourages individuals to shape the truth as they see fit, but Paul'sletter to Titus reminds us that the gospel is the truth that should ultimately shape us. As Paulbegins his letter to Titus, he sets the foundation for its purpose and context, challenging us to be shaped by the gospel's truth.

We live in culture which encourages individuals to shape the truth as they see fit, but Paul's letter to Titusreminds us that the gospel is truth that shapes us. This short letter offers a clear blueprint for soundteaching, godly leadership, and living lives that reflect God's grace. As we study it, we'll see how truth notonly transforms individuals but also strengthens the church for its mission in the world.

On Easter Sunday, we don't just celebrate an event, we behold a King—risen and victorious. The Gospels give us the evidence of His resurrection, and Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15, explains its meaning. The empty tomb invites us not into blind faith, but into belief that brings life and victory through Jesus the King.

Good Friday service.

This week, we walk with Jesus through His trials. Though accused and condemned, He boldly declares His identity as the promised King. In the face of injustice, Jesus stands firm in truth, inviting us to believe in who He truly is—the sovereign and sacrificial King.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see Jesus as both the prayerful and resolved King. As He prays, we see His deep sorrow and unwavering submission to the Father's will. In His arrest, Jesus remains fully in control, resolute in His mission to drink the cup of suffering for our sake. 

As Jesus gathered with His disciples for the Last Supper, He didn't just give them words—He gave them an example. The King of the universe knelt to wash the feet of His followers, demonstrating true greatness through humility and service. In this message, we behold the Servant King and consider how His example shapes the way we love, lead, and live as His disciples.

After entering Jerusalem triumphantly and cleansing the temple, Jesus faces relentless opposition from religious leaders who aim to trap and discredit Him. Yet, in every challenge, Jesus demonstrates His divine authority and wisdom, fully aware that each interaction brings Him closer to the cross.

On Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem as King. On Monday, He enters the temple and displays both His zeal for true worship and His authority as King. He clears out corruption, makes space for the outcasts, and reveals His power. This passage challenges us to right worship, radical love, and full surrender to Him as our King.

Today, we continue in our new sermon series, Behold the King, walking through the most pivotal week of Jesus' life—from His triumphal entry to His death and resurrection. As Jesus entered Jerusalem, He publicly declared Himself as the true King—but not the kind of king people expected. The crowds praised Him, the religious leaders opposed Him, and the disciples struggled to understand but still followed. How will we choose to respond?

Today, we begin our new sermon series, Behold the King, where we'll walk through the most pivotal week of Jesus' life—from His triumphal entry to His death and resurrection. This series aligns with Lent, a season of preparation and repentance leading to Good Friday and Easter. We invite you to engage with the messages and resources provided to help you more fully behold King Jesus this season.

Calvary Church values Going into God's World. Today, we study from Scripture why we value this, how we demonstrate this value, and how each one of us can continue to align our lives with that value.

Our God-given desires—whether for food, pleasure, success, or love—can either serve us or enslave us. Like Esau, we risk sacrificing what matters most for momentary satisfaction if we let our desires take control. True contentment comes when we reframe our desires in light of eternity and pursue what matters most. 

Contentment isn't found in what we have but in how we steward what God has entrusted to us. In 1 Timothy 6, Paul challenges both those who lack and those who have, calling us to pursue godliness over greed and generosity over self-sufficiency. Contentment comes not from possessions but from a right perspective, right pursuits, and right priorities.

Are you content with who you are? Are you content with your physical body? Though our bodies are broken by sin, they remain a significant part of who we are, designed by God and redeemed through Christ. It is possible to learn to be content with our bodies even though we “groan inwardly” while we “wait eagerly” for the redemption of our bodies.

How do we experience deep-seated peace that flows into our relationships? Today, we continue our series by considering this question from the perspective of how we relate to one another. 

In a world that seems so discontent, how do we find lasting contentment in our relationships, identity, possessions, and desires? Today, we kick off this five-week series where we'll discover how to embrace The Content Life and experience joy and freedom that can only be found in trusting God.

As we begin 2025, we are reminded of what unites us—not preference, tradition, or opinion— but what we believe about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Our faith is not built on feelings or changing circumstances but on the unshakable foundation that God's creation, revelation, and redemption come from the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit.

The Advent season celebrates the profound news that God sent His Son to rescue humanity from sin. Today, we will be reminded that we are not just recipients of the good news—we are messengers privileged to proclaim it to the world. 

Advent is a coming or arrival, a season marked by hope, reflection, and preparation. We're invited to enter into God's eternal story, joining with God's people, past and present, waiting together. Waiting in a world of darkness, yet holding to the promise of Jesus, the Light, who shines in the darkness and cannot be overcome. In the waiting, we watch.
In the waiting, we prepare.
In the waiting, we rejoice.
And in the waiting, we behold.

As we light the third candle of Advent, we reflect on the theme of rejoice. The promise of the Advent—Messiah—is seen throughout the Scriptures, and the people of God have been waiting and preparing for Him. Now, the fulfillment has arrived in Jesus. As Mary, the angels, and the shepherds show us, the miraculous coming of Jesus should restore our wonder and lead us to rejoice together, even in a weary world. 

As we light the second candle of Advent, we reflect on the theme of prepare. John the Baptist prepared people for the coming of Jesus, and Jesus prepared John as he struggled and doubted in prison. Let's look to their stories to prepare our lives for Jesus and allow our hearts to be prepared by Him.  

Advent means a “coming” or “arrival”— a watching and waiting for the coming of Jesus. Advent begins the church year as we're invited to enter God's eternal story, joining with God's people— past and present—waiting together. As we begin our series today, we light the first advent candle, and we understand what it means to actively watch and wait for Jesus.

Today, God's Word will help us to see how God works when His people are persecuted for their faith and witness.

James taught us about trials and temptation, wisdom and speech, faith and works, truth and sin, wealth and poverty, and patience and prayer. As this sermon series ends today, will we be a hearer only, deceiving ourselves? Or will we put into practice what we have learned, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts? If we do, James promises we will be blessed in our doing.

James continues to confront us with practical, yet convicting, truths on how to live with steady faith in a troubled world. Last week, he showed us a life marked by true humility—one that submits fully to God. Today, he warns us of the dangers of arrogance and boasting, reminding us to steward our plans and riches with humility and dependence on God.

As James continues to emphasize full integration between our beliefs and actions, he encourages us to cease from quarreling and fighting. Instead, he urges us to humbly submit ourselves to God and His ways. 

As we continue today in our study through the book of James, the author will ask his readers, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” In doing so, James will present two different approaches to wisdom and invite us to live seeking the wisdom from above.

In the first two chapters, James calls us to live fully integrated lives where our beliefs and actions align. He continues this theme in chapter 3 by specifically addressing the importance and the power of our words. If our heart (the source) has been changed by Christ, this should be evident in our words. 

In this text, James shows us the relationship between faith and works, reminding us that that true saving faith will, by nature, produce good works. In contrast to a workless, dead faith, a living, dynamic faith is revealed through our actions. Today, James challenges us to examine the genuineness of our faith to see if it has produced fruit in our life.