In the Bible having a good relationship with God is described in a few ways. God’s people are ‘redeemed’ reflecting the idea of payment. God’s people are ‘justified’ reflecting the idea of justice. In 2 Corinthians 5 Paul is going to emphasize a new idea of ‘reconciliation’ which reflects the idea of restoring a broken relationship. In this passage we have the astonishing good news that we can have a good relationship with God and are called to share this news with others.

Discouragement is a real part of life. While many of us have great days, there are frequently in experience days where we lose hope, we lose heart. The Apostle Paul was deeply familiar with disappointment and had many moments of losing heart. Yet as he writes to the Corinthians he exhorts his readers ‘do not lose heart.’ In this section we explore where we can find encouragement as we follow Jesus, even in difficult times.

We live in a day where we are skeptical of leadership. Leaders are often dishonest, immoral, or just plain disappointing. In the Church of God, however, leadership plays a critical role in the proclamation of the good news. In this section the Apostle Paul defends his apostolic leadership and gives insight into what godly leadership entails.

Most of us want to live lives that are comfortable, free of pain, and filled with joy. While there is nothing wrong the desire for comfort, the reality is that we live in a broken world where our desires often feel out of reach. In fact for most of us, suffering and hardship seems more frequent than comfort. So how do we praise God in the midst of hardship? In 2 Cor 1:1–11 Paul addresses that issue, and the answer lies not within ourselves, but in the God of all comfort.

Of the many images of life with God, one that is constantly used in the Bible is that of a banquet. A banquet is a place of laughter, joy, delight, and great company. In this story Jesus reveals who is invited to the wonderful banquet of God.

Of the many images of life with God, one that is constantly used in the bible is that of a banquet. A banquet is a place of laughter, joy, delight, and great company. In this story Jesus reveals who is invited to the wonderful banquet of God.

Of all the subjects one could talk about, the issue of speech is the most commonly talked about topic in all of the Proverbs. There is power in words. In this message we explore God’s wisdom on how to speak well.

Pride is something we all struggle with. Whether winning an argument, gaining a promotion, or being noticed, we all have a desire to come out on top. In God’s kingdom, however, greatness is not marked by accomplishment, but by humility.

One of the most needed things to get through life is money. Without money we don’t eat or drink. We need money to live and survive in our world. But what does it look like to use money wisely? Is money a good or bad thing? How should we think Christianly about wealth? In Proverbs God offers us wisdom on how to navigate the practicality of using our finances in a way that is healthy and wise.

Life can be really hard to understand and navigate. In a world of so much complexity, how do we flourish and live wisely? In Proverbs 1, the wise man Solomon introduces us to the starting point of all wisdom, God himself.