"Held In His Grip"

I John 5:13-21

Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox

He’s the last man standing among the apostles. Only God knows how much longer he’ll be around. How would you end a letter with that in mind? What would you want to say to a group of struggling Christians if you were unsure whether you would speak to them again? Uncertainty swirled around this flock; doubts pressed in. John essentially says, ‘Children, know your place in God’s heart. You are wholly known, totally loved, and forever His.’ Sunday, we conclude our series with “Held in His Grip.” Join us!

"What is a Christian?"

I John 5:1-12

Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox

What is a Christian? Should someone say, ‘You call yourself a Christian – why? What’s the basis of your claim?’ how would you respond? I’m afraid far too often we’d find our responses fall far short of how the Bible defines a Christian. Sunday, John provides us a clear summary of a Christian, as he moves into the concluding remarks of his powerful little letter. Join us!

"Fear Not"

Rev. Charlie Phillips

1 John 4: 13-21

To say that the past 10 months have been a trying season of life would be an understatement. Not only have we experienced one trial after another but some of our worst nightmares and fears have been realized and continue to surface. How are we as Christians to deal with our fears? And what does the love of God have to do with relieving them? Join us this Sunday as we learn from the Apostle John how “perfect love casts out fear”.

"Learning to Love"

I John 4:7-14

Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox

While you read this note, a lot is going on without you doing much about it. You’re breathing. Your heart is pumping and circulating blood. Your eyes are blinking. When you were a child, you screamed, cooed, and cuddled without schooling or training. Over time, other things come into play that require training; at the top of these behaviors is love. How do we love? How do we learn to love? Sunday, the Apostle John takes us there. Join us!

"Living In A World of Conflicting Voices"

"Living in A World of Conflicting Voices"

I John 4:1-6

Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox

Our world is one noisy place filled with conflicting voices. Every moment of every day, advertisers, politicians, and pundits are vying to get our attention, influence our opinions, and alter our behavior. What criteria do you use to judge whether a commercial, a candidate, or a claim is legitimate? The Apostle John has much to say about how we should think and act in such world. Join us Sunday for “Living in a World of Conflicting Voices”!

"Life-Giving Love"

Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox

I John 3:11-24

Were you to ask people what it means to love, you’d get a variety of answers. Most explanations will be shallow because relationships in our world have become shallow. The author Walker Percy once lamented, “Who is going to protect words like ‘love,’ guard against their devaluation? … When words [like love] get abused, cheapened, exhausted, worn thin as poker chips, the novelist is losing his only tools. Always in deep trouble, he is now in deeper trouble than usual.” The apostle John doesn’t allow us to wade into a shallow understanding of love. He takes us to the cross to teach us how to love another, even when we aren’t loved back – or even liked back. Join us Sunday for “Life-Giving Love.”

"Adopted and Adorned"

Rev. Charlie Phillips

Sermon Title: "Adopted and Adorned"

I John 3:1-10

There are few things so precious to Christians than the identify afforded them by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. According to Scripture, if we have been justified by faith we have also been adopted as sons and daughters of God. We talk a lot about justification and sanctification, but we don’t as often talk about adoption. What does it mean to be adopted by God? And how does our adoption affect our hearts, minds, and actions? Join us this Sunday as we explore the doctrine of adoption and its ramifications on our lives.

"A Deadly Love"

Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox

Sunday's Sermon: "A Deadly Love"

I John 2:15-17

There's always the temptation to open a Bible and go directly to the encouraging and assuring passages. Who doesn't need to hear, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28)? Or, "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you" (Psalm 55:22). Yet, there are verses that are easy to ignore. Here's one verse we quickly run by: "Do not love the world or the things in the world" (1 John 2:15). It's abrupt, to the point, comprehensive, and uncomfortably intrusive. Let's face it; it isn't a verse we tend to underline when we come across it in our daily Bible reading. But we should, for it contains a life-saving message if we'll but take it to heart. Join us Sunday for "A Deadly Love"!

"Old Truth, New Life"

Rev. Charlie Phillips

Sunday's Sermon: "Old Truth, New Life"

I John 2:7-14

Near the end of Jesus' life and ministry He told His disciples that the world would know them, not by their good works or service, but by their love for one another. In other words, love is to be a definitive mark of the church. And not just any kind of love, but Christ-empowered love funneling through brothers and sisters in Christ to brothers and sisters in Christ. Join us this Sunday as we dive into 1 John 2:7-14 to study the timeless commandment to love one another.

"The Benefits of Abiding in Christ"

Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox

Sunday's Sermon: "The Benefits of Abiding in Christ"

I John 2:1-5

Charles Spurgeon once said, "Why should Christians imitate Christ? They should do it for their own sakes. If they desire to be in a healthy state of soul-if they would escape the sickness of sin, and enjoy the vigor of growing grace, let Jesus be their model." Appears simple enough, but where does one get the power to 'imitate Christ'? It comes by abiding in Him. What does Christ do to, through, and for a person who abides in Him? Join us Sunday for "The Benefits of Abiding in Christ"!