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The Gospel doesn't just say 'hope again!' With the risen Christ there is now an unshakeable foundation, for a deeper and more resilient life, than we previously imagined.

This week, Rev. Rich McCaskill provides a great lesson on how to see and serve others, and the resources to do so. Enjoy.

Today we're looking at Acts 8, and in this passage we discover see two men desiring God's salvation; one is there to offer it, the other is there to receive it, because God is there to provide it. This is a story of how the gospel changed both their lives. 

With this week's message, we'll reflect on the same passage as last week but from a different vantage point. Unlike last week, where we hovered about 2 inches over the text. This week, I'd like to take a different approach and take the 10,000 foot view, so that we can reflect more specifically on one major theme of this passage, Courage.

During this season we're laying aside certain habit or behaviors to better know ourselves and our relationship with God. This week, we're laying aside cowardice and taking up courage in the face of opposition.

In this passage a person is discovered wanting, and because of the witness of both Peter and John, he is brought to worship. Discover why "our playing small doesn't serve the world" and boldly wanting, witnessing, can lead to bold worship of God.

Today's message is on prayer, but we're not going to discuss how to hold your hands, or delve into formula of the Lord's Prayer. We're going to talk about the "guts of prayer," where prayer puts gravel in your belly and strengthen you as you pray "in the Valley. "

Psalm 84 isn't a story self-reliance. To move "from strength to strength” is to move from one degree of dependence on God to another.

A key component to spiritual health?  Knowing where you would long to be, in order to determine where you're actually at. The psalmist's acknowledgement in Psalm 84:1-4 that he longs for the "courts of the Lord" is a confession of how far away he actually is from the living God.

According to Acts 2, "Christian Community" is so radical and so reasonable that it causes everyone to reflect and repent.

People respond to the Spirit of God in one of three ways; worship, curiosity, or ridicule. Let's ask the question that's asked here, “What does Pentecost mean?”

"Church Hurt" is very real and nothing new. Today in Acts 1 we see the leadership of the early church gather on the heals of their own church hurt experience, and there is a much that we can learn. We hope this is helpful.

In the book of Acts, we see that Jesus calls the early church to be His confident, credible, and commissioned witnesses. Pastor David Plant walks us through what this means for us.

We often hear people talk about Jesus' coming to earth, but they rarely mention the reason John the Apostle gives in his first letter: "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8).  But what exactly are these "works of the devil"? Satan tempts us morally, deceives us intellectually, inflicts harm physically, and blinds people spiritually. There is nothing sentimental about Christmas.

Pastor David leads us through an Advent teaching on Matthew 2:1-12. We learn that one of the reasons Jesus came to earth was to reveal to us the Father that we cannot see.

Pastor David leads us through the encounters of Joseph leading up to the Christmas story. The angel tells Joseph, "do not be afraid" and we can learn that God has come so that you might have a reason to believe and be brave, and God has come in order to take away our sins.

Pastor David Plant explores the question: What does God test when he tests our faith? In short, God's not testing the quality or quantity of our faith. He testing the object of our faith.

From Genesis 18:1-15, we learn that God values hospitality. We see that hospitality is necessary, revelatory, and can be redemptive when used by God.

Pastor David taught us about the God who see us through the story of Hagar, from Genesis 16. Hagar's story shows us God sees us, hears us, and understands us.

The story of the Bible is that God has a word for you. A life-giving word. And Abraham shows us that despite our how often our words fall short, our promises are broken, that there is a word that can be trusted, the unfailing word of the Lord.

God's work in the life of Abram teaches us that God forms us through success in three ways. Abram acknowledges the mystery of success, communes with the mystery that's before him in Melchizedek, and living out the mystery for the glory of God.

Pastor David continues our sermon series “The Gospel According to Abraham” with a powerful word on “Learning From Failure.” The teaching came from Genesis 13: 1-18. We learned that when Abraham made mistakes, it did not deter God's presence. Instead God used Abraham's mistakes to draw nearer to him and show His character through his grace and mercy for Abraham. 

For the second week in a row we're looking at two statements of Jesus' from John 10. By consider that he is "The Gate" as well as, "The Good Shepherd" we'll learn about the emotional life of God, the relational life of God, and the missional life of God.

With today's passage we see Jesus call himself both "the Gate" and the "Good Shepherd". While very different each tell us something about the mission of God, as well as, the nature of God.

More and more, modern folk see themselves as spiritual but not religous! But while belief in God in may have waned, what hasn't is the Christian-inspired idea that everything will be ultimately end well. What does Christianity say about human progress?

Many of us have a hard time defining the word, Grace. But we need to be able to put Grace into words so that we can put grace into action. 

Haman was impaled on a pole of his own making and he never saw it coming.  And his death, way up there, would have been a cautionary tale for all who passed by. So, let's look at him and take caution, and ask ourselves, “How would you like to die?”

To honor someone means to esteem, value, and treat another with great respect. After a restless night has the experience of being honored, and it changes him. Are we made for honor? This passage, and all the bible, indicate the answer is, "Yes!".

This is a passage in which we're seeing power dynamics at work. Most of the time when we talk about power dynamics we talk about the abuse of power. Today, with Esther and Mordecai we see power used to protect and empower others.

Taking a break from our series on Esther, we're happy to hear from Rev. Peter Rhee, an assistant pastor at Uptown Community Church. Today he'll be talking about where one places there confidence.

If we live as though this world is our home, than we'll be always confused. If we live as those in exile we'll be wise, tough, and, tender.

A major theme in the Book of Esther is that the "hidden hand" is at work. Its through stories like Esther, that Saint Augustine say things like, "Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence."  Let's consider this as we look at excerpts from Esther 2.

How do we know God is at work in the world? That's a hard question if we limit our understanding to simply seeing his physical presence, or the experience of miracles alone, and not take into consideration the primary way in which God works in the world, which is his Providence. Join us for new series, as we hidden hand of God through the Book of Esther.

Jesus' parable in Matthew 18 is a challenge for those of us who struggle to forgive. Listen to this week's message by Pastor Aswan Morris and find the essential motivation to establishing a culture of forgiveness wherever you are.

During this time David had a lot of admirers, a lot of wives, and a lot of soldiers, he had a terrace, but what he only had one friend: God, who sent him Nathan.

What would you say to a close friend, if you knew it was the last time you'd ever seen them? In saying farewell to his pupils, the Apostle Paul provides leadership wisdom born out of grace. s

 Can People Change? The Christian faith is about an inner transformation that impacts and informs all of life in an ongoing and ever increasing way. What we learn from Acts 1:1-19, is that a personal transformation lived out makes belief viable, visible, and valuable.

In a life filled with uncertainties, how do you increase your faith? 

Waiting is a universal experience, and it's really really hard. Yet, today, we see that waiting is where God meets us.

What do you call a man who is running from danger, while running to danger? You'd call that man desperate.

Jonah is called to the great city of Nineveh to speak against its evil, and yet he flees. Why?

With Jesus' call to follow him, he provides what every human seeks; acknowledgement, understanding, and commitment.

This week we're taking a break from our summer series. Thankful to Rev. David Bisgrove of Redeemer WS with us this week.

The story of Naaman is this, there is a kind of significance, security and a kind of healing that cannot be earned, it must be received. Yet, God doesn't just want to give us those things; he wants to immerse us in them.

Today we welcome back our friend, Pastor Aswan Morris, who will teach on Mark 10:17-22 and how Jesus want to make people whole. Enjoy!

Today's passage deals with a spiritual test. This is not so much a test that produces faith, as it is a test to reveal it. Join us as we explore Genesis 22:1-19.

Guest teacher Stan Thomas shows us how the words of Jesus call us to see our own hunger and invited us to feed on that which will truly satisfy. Jesus, himself.

Jesus said He would send the Spirit to us to be our Helper, Comforter, and Guide. When the Spirit comes he do so without delay through a refining Fire. This Fire recognizes and removes barriers in order to draw people to the Lord.

With the Stoning of Stephen, we have an account of the first Xian martyr, who experiences “hell on earth”. Yet, he receives a vision is so captivating, so informative that even in the worst moment imaginable, Stephen is not hopeless, hateful, or disappointed.

This week we had the privilege of sitting under the teaching of Aswan Morris. Aswan is Regional Director of Young Life for the Manhattan and the Bronx, and a real gift to NYC.

A proper reflection on Holy Week may allow one to arrive at the Empty Tomb, and see its full of meaning.