In this message, we see Abraham is able to demonstrate faith that God will fulfill His promises because Abraham believes in the character of God. God covenants Himself to Abraham so that Abraham will know that he will indeed inherit the land. This foreshadows the way in which God will covenant Himself any who believe in Him, through the sacrifice of the cross. We are reminded to think of ways in which God has blessed us in the past to help us trust Him in the situation we are facing now.
Jan 16, 2022•38 min
In this message, we see Abraham is able to demonstrate faith that God will fulfill His promises because Abraham believes in the character of God. God covenants Himself to Abraham so that Abraham will know that he will indeed inherit the land. This foreshadows the way in which God will covenant Himself any who believe in Him, through the sacrifice of the cross. We are reminded to think of ways in which God has blessed us in the past to help us trust Him in the situation we are facing now.
Jan 09, 2022•42 min
At the beginning of a new year we pause to celebrate that God is a God of new beginnings. May you be encouraged to embrace what he’s starting in your life this year and approach it with faith.
Jan 02, 2022•21 min
In this message we look at Abraham’s greatest desire and how God meets him in that longing and blesses him beyond his expectation.
Dec 26, 2021•29 min
In this message, we look at Abraham’s meeting with Melchizedek. This meeting can be considered one of the first worship services in Scripture. What we learn from this encounter is how God prepares us in worship for the tasks for the rest of the week. God pauses the busyness of life, meets with us, prepares us for the coming days, and provides the blessing of allowing us to give back to God.
Dec 19, 2021•37 min
In this message, we discuss three decisions faced by Abraham and Lot. As Abraham is faced with these decisions, we see that he knows that he will be blessed regardless of what decision he makes. With this knowledge Abraham is willing to allow Lot to decide what land he will call home, knowing he can trust God to bless any outcome. We also talk about how in Christ we have all things and how that can shape the way we make decisions today.
Dec 12, 2021•32 min
As we shift our focus to the next major section in the book of Genesis, we see how God will bless humanity through the life of one human and his household. The initial story of the call of Abram to go where God is sending him, is a story where God calls, blesses, and then as the final step gives an opportunity for Abram to obey. We see how God’s love for us is great and trustworthy solely because of Him, and not our actions or behavior.
Dec 05, 2021•36 min
God has blessed the world with diversity. He has purposed it, and commanded Noah and humanity to spread out and cover the earth. It is against this command that the rebellion at Babel happens where humans don’t spread out and so instead, they are scattered by God when He confuses the language of the people. We are reminded that God intends for us to spread out and embrace His diverse creation.
Nov 28, 2021•38 min
God gives us an amazing symbol in the sky to demonstrate his long-suffering patience and kindness towards us. Through the story of Noah, Shem, Japheth, and Ham we see how we can be more loving and less judgmental like God is with us, each and every day.
Nov 21, 2021•29 min
This message looks at how Noah and his family entered into the ark and were then found in the ark. However, this is not just about the mechanics of going into the ark, but is a picture of salvation. Just as Noah and his family entered into the ark and found salvation in it, we to enter into Christ and find salvation in Him. We ought to live this out to day be accepting Christ i.e. entering into the ark of salvation. We also out to live out being in the ark by regularly attending church and parti...
Nov 15, 2021•32 min
Calvary Church, Grand Rapids, MI Senior Pastor Dr. Jim Samra (616)956-9377
Nov 07, 2021•50 min
The story of Noah and his life gives us a simple picture of how we can honor God and preach Jesus through the way we work, study, and live. While Noah’s tasks were simple, they were meaningful and they preached God to an unbelieving people. In this message, we’re reminded to work faithfully with God in mind in all we do, to be conscious that God is near when we work, to inquire of God as we work, to be merciful in our interactions with others, to get rid of temptations that hinder us from doing ...
Oct 31, 2021•35 min
As we read about Adam and his descendant’s death, we are reminded that death looms about for all of us. Despite this fact, we are encouraged by the stories of Enoch and Noah to walk with God so that we make the most out of the time God has given us here. We are also encouraged to reflect on our Christian walk and see if we are walking with God daily, or if we are treating Him as one we approach only on a need-by-need basis.
Oct 24, 2021•33 min
Calvary Church, Grand Rapids, MI Senior Pastor Dr. Jim Samra (616)956-9377
Oct 10, 2021•37 min
In this message, we look at how sin entered the world and brought condemnation and death. Despite the rebellion of Adam and Eve, God promises to give all of us grace through the promise of a seed that will crush the head of Satan. Through this we see how obedience to God far outweighs the effects of sin in the world because of God’s goodness and love.
Sep 26, 2021•40 min
In part one of a two part series on biological sex and gender, Pastor Jim examines the creation of two different biological sexes in Genesis 2. The message then walks through four common questions about biological sex and how the Bible addresses these complexities.
Sep 19, 2021•46 min
In part one of a two part series on biological sex and gender, Pastor Jim examines the creation of two different biological sexes in Genesis 2. The message then walks through four common questions about biological sex and how the Bible addresses these complexities.
Sep 12, 2021•42 min
In Genesis 2 we learned that God has created rest. Rest (or Sabbath) is a means by which we get to enjoy God’s creation and ultimately, God Himself. Rest is not about doing, but about being. Ultimately, Day 7 is not about what God produces, but who God is.
Sep 05, 2021•40 min
On the sixth day God caps off His creation with the highest creature on earth, humans. This message highlights the uniqueness of humanity compared to other creatures. It also covers the practical implications of being creatures made in the image of God.
Aug 29, 2021•43 min
Genesis starts off by telling us that God created space for us to live, and then proceeded by creating light. Light is the source of life and as John 1 tells us, Jesus is light and Jesus was there in the beginning creating all things. As a result, we can see how God’s first act is most representative of His character of being life giving, and loving.
Aug 22, 2021•39 min
s we begin in Genesis, we are reminded that the very first line of the Bible gives us a framework from which to understand God, and all of life. The opening lines of the Bible will help us realize that God is in the midst of all sorts of circumstances that we may find ourselves in, and that while God is there, He is also loving and caring for us. By reading Genesis we can go back and understand from the start how to “solve the problems” we face in life.
Aug 16, 2021•40 min
In this final message from the book of Philippians, Pastor Tom shares from God’s Word the joy we find when we give to the Lord. He also shares the amazing provisions that God has made to Calvary Church and encourages us to see giving as a form of worship.
Aug 08, 2021•41 min
In this message, we are led to think about the elusive aspect of contentment. Paul describes clearly to us that contentment is found only in Christ, and highlights four aspects of godly contentment: God’s provision leads to contentment, circumstances are not tied to contentment, contentment is a learned behavior, and that Christ is not only the source of contentment, but contentment itself.
Aug 01, 2021•38 min
In this message, we are led to think about the elusive aspect of contentment. Paul describes clearly to us that contentment is found only in Christ, and highlights four aspects of godly contentment: God’s provision leads to contentment, circumstances are not tied to contentment, contentment is a learned behavior, and that Christ is not only the source of contentment, but contentment itself.
Aug 01, 2021•43 min
As we live our Christian life, God has placed one goal and focal point in front of us. This should guide us through various trials in life and will ultimately lead to joy in our lives. It’s important for all of us to realize that while we may not have fully reached our goal, we should still press on towards that central focal point of the Christian walk, Christ Jesus, as He is worth any striving we might consider.
Jul 18, 2021•44 min
This message is all about knowing Jesus not just knowing about Jesus. As many who have grown up in Christian culture can attest, it’s easy to confuse knowing about Jesus with having a personal, growing relationship with Him. Paul in Philippians 3:1-11 shares his personal experience with having a knowledge-based belief, but also shares how worthless it has all become to him as he has been struck with the love of Jesus and now understands His worth. May we all press into Jesus and seek His salvati...
Jul 11, 2021•36 min
Jesus is our ultimate role model, but he also gives us role models in the Bible in the persons of Timothy and Epaphroditus. Philippians 2:19-30 give us qualifications that make both Timothy and Epaphroditus fitting examples of role models. We are then encouraged in our lives to ponder on the lives of these men as we find the right role models in our life, as we become a role model to others, and as we recognize the opportunities for modeling godly living in the ordinariness of life.
Jul 04, 2021•44 min
If Jesus is the source of our joy, then living like him will bring joy to our lives and to those around us. While the life of Jesus is countercultural and often difficult to adopt, Paul encourages his hearers and us to see the value and joy that comes in being like Jesus and how our lives point to the exalted Son of God.
Jun 27, 2021•42 min
If Jesus is the source of our joy, then living like him will bring joy to our lives and to those around us. While the life of Jesus is countercultural and often difficult to adopt, Paul encourages his hearers and us to see the value and joy that comes in being like Jesus and how our lives point to the exalted Son of God. Be Like Mike Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0AGiq9j_Ak
Jun 20, 2021•38 min
When we think of the tension that’s present within our world, it comes from the fights, quarrels and conflicts we and others bring into situations. In Philippians 2, Paul calls all of us to unity in all of our relationships through a countercultural posture of humility.
Jun 13, 2021•45 min
