What is the secret of becoming better lovers at home, in the church, and of our neighbors in the community? Speaking of the sinful woman who wet Jesus' feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed them and anointed them with expensive perfumed oil, Jesus said to Simon the Pharisee, "Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little" (Luke 7:47 ESV). Jesus' answer tells us the secret of how God transforms people ...
Jan 05, 2025•39 min
Let's re-commit to God's Word in 2025 and beyond. Support the show
Dec 29, 2024•34 min
Advent is a time of anticipation, and this year we’re celebrating the “God of Wonders.” The Christmas story is about the miraculous birth of Jesus but also about the supernatural ways God works in the lives of ordinary people for our good and for our salvation. Together, we’ll explore the wonders of His promises, His presence, and His power, drawing us into the incredible hope we have in Christ. Support the show
Dec 24, 2024•27 min
In the story of the Magi, we see that the news of Jesus’ birth is good news for all people, from all nations. Matthew wants us to examine the responses of The Magi, Herod, and the Jewish Clergy to the news of Jesus’ coming, and see that there’s no middle ground when it comes to Jesus. We are either troubled by Him and reject him, or we rejoice over him and worship Him. Support the show
Dec 15, 2024•37 min
Jesus and Immanuel the two names that told Joseph everything he needed to know about Christ. They tell us about who God is and the salvation we have in him. Support the show
Dec 08, 2024•30 min
In a classic 1979 Steve Martin comedy The Jerk, Steve plays a man named Navin, who bursts with excitement and jubilation when the new published phone book arrives. We laugh precisely because a phone book doesn't warrant such ridiculous excitement. We may be tempted to treat the genealogy of the Gospel of Matthew like a list of names in an old phone book. But the beauty of God’s gracious and faithful character and the glory of the gospel are embedded in that very portion of Scripture we may be te...
Dec 01, 2024•32 min
In the Fall of 1621, our Pilgrim forefathers celebrated a three-day Thanksgiving feast with 90 Wampanoag Indians. They had previously lost about half of their fellow Pilgrims to death due to that harsh first winter, yet, they were thankful to God for His great mercy and many gracious blessings upon them. We, too, have much for which to be thankful to the LORD, as our Creator and Redeemer. Let's consider Psalm 100 together this Sunday, "a psalm for giving thanks." Support the show...
Nov 24, 2024•44 min
Hear the good news about what God is doing around the world to advance his Kingdom Westtown's normal Sunday morning worship services and Sunday School classes will have a missions theme on November 17th. Come and hear all about how God calls us to fulfill the Great Commission both at home and abroad with our time, talent, and treasures. Missions Sunday is an opportunity to share more about why a Biblical Christian is also a missional Christian, and to highlight missions opportunities in which we...
Nov 17, 2024•34 min
During the 16th Reformation, church reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others brought the church back to the clarity of the biblical gospel--the gospel of "justification by faith alone." It is one thing to know God forgives sinners but how can I know God has personally forgiven me ? It is one thing to know that God graciously gives sinners the free gift of righteousness but how can I as a sinner personally receive that free gift? We'll look more deeply at Romans 1:17 this Sunday to a...
Nov 10, 2024•41 min
We will all give an account to God at the Final Judgment. So how is it that we as sinners can get right with a holy God? How do we know that God is at peace with us? How can we be assured that we will spend eternity with God and His saints in Heaven forever? A German monk named Martin Luther wrestled with these same questions over 500 years ago. Luther's conscience was tormented by his sin in light of the holiness of God until he truly understood that phrase "the righteousness of God" in Romans ...
Nov 03, 2024•40 min
What does a moderately firm handshake, a limp handshake, a firm handshake, a kiss on the cheek--perhaps once, twice or even three times!--a bow, one's nose to the forehead, a smile and a nod, and sticking out your tongue all have to do with love? Come this Sunday and find out as we continue in the Love Chapter of 1 Corinthians 13. Support the show
Oct 27, 2024•40 min
In the first part of Ephesians 1 Paul lays out for us the doctrine of the Trinity, God’s eternal and perfect family. He also explains how the church is grafted into that family. The Father adopts, the Son unifies, and the Holy Spirit seals us to the praise of His glory! Support the show
Oct 20, 2024•40 min
As our church family gathers together, at Westchase Elementary after Hurricane Milton, let us remember the promises God gives us that He is in control and He will deliver us from the storms in our lives. We look to Lamentations 3 and are reminded that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases – His mercies never come to an end. Support the show
Oct 13, 2024•43 min
The King James Bible says 'charity [or love] vaunteth not itself.' It does not walk around saying, like one of Will Ferrell's movie characters, 'I'm kind of a big deal.' Love doesn't write a book entitled, 'Humility and How I Achieved It.' Rather, love willingly stoops to do the work of the lowliest slave, dies to self, and absorbs suffering for the good of others, even death on the Cross. We'll ponder the humble, sacrificial love of Jesus this Sunday together. Support the show...
Oct 06, 2024•40 min
The sin of envy has been placed by Western theologians among the list of Seven Deadly Sins, meaning envy is not simply a particular sin, like an individual weed, but a vice, like a crawling vine that takes over the yard. This is why Rebecca DeYoung says that envy is not so much like a broken arm but cancer, a cancer fueled, not by sugar, but by pride. This Sunday we will consider from 1 Corinthians 13 that "love...does not envy." Support the show...
Sep 29, 2024•42 min
When Americans think of a long nose, we typically think of Pinocchio and his lying. But the Bible speaks of a different kind of long nose. The Bible tells us that God is "slow to anger"--literally, "long of nose." In other words, God is very patient because God is love. We see that loving patience of God most supremely in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of impatient sinners. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit we, too, can grow in love by becoming a more patient people to those...
Sep 15, 2024•40 min
If you have ever been to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado or other beautiful areas, there are sometimes places along the side of the road marked "Scenic Overlook." Like a delicious dessert, such places are meant to be taken in more slowly and savored. Such places, by the beauty of the breathtaking view, demand we slow down and enjoy the view. There are places like that in the Bible. 1 Corinthians 13 is one of them. Beginning this Sunday, we will slow down for many weeks at the scenic ove...
Sep 08, 2024•40 min
Is the old Canadian rock group Loverboy right? Is it true that "Everybody's working for the weekend"? Is our daily work something we simply endure and put up with? God reveals to us in the Bible a rich and grand vision for our ordinary daily labors. There is a reason why Jesus was a carpenter much longer than He was a preacher. Support the show
Sep 01, 2024•43 min
One of the hardest lessons to learn in the Christian life is that God's grace truly is sufficient for every circumstance and that the greatest weapon we have to deal with spiritual warfare is the shield of faith. In the latter half of Psalm 10 King David shows us a good kind of stubbornness--a stubborn faith that "keeps breaking through" in a difficult time. Support the show
Aug 25, 2024•41 min
Have you ever wondered if God cared about your problems or sufferings? The two great questions of the Psalms and the prayers of God's people to God throughout the ages are "Why?" and "How long?" In the first half of Psalm 10, King David cries out "why" to God, for David is being unjustly attacked by wicked people and God seems far off, as if He is hiding from David. Support the show
Aug 18, 2024•40 min
Suffering certainly does not feel normal but the Bible reveals that suffering is a normal part of the Christian life. That suffering seems even more painful when it comes from the hands, mouths and schemes of other people. The second half of Psalm 9 reminds us of at least five things we need to remember about God when our faith is challenged with suffering. Support the show
Aug 11, 2024•41 min
It has been said that in some parts of the world people sleep in high towers because the gnats can't fly that high. For Christians, God is a high tower and when the cares and fears of this world are biting us, our faith needs to get in that high tower. The first half of Psalm 9 shows us what that looks like. Support the show
Aug 04, 2024•40 min
Our galaxy has over 100 trillion stars and our universe has over 200 billion galaxies. It is incredibly vast. We look up in the sky and see the greatness and majesty of God! By comparison, people may seem to be more than insignificant. And, yet, Psalm 8 reminds us of something beautiful: the majestic Creator of the universe is "mindful" of us and He cares for us. No wonder Charles Spurgeon called Psalm 8 "The Song of the Astronomer." Support the show...
Jul 28, 2024•40 min
We often think of God as a Refuge--that is, we find comfort in taking refuge in God's love. But have you considered that in a world where people are too often horribly mistreated, we can take refuge in God's justice? Psalm 7 reminds us that God's people don't take vengeance in their own hands but trust God to set things right--because He will. Support the show
Jul 21, 2024•39 min
Psalm 6 is a wonderful example of teaching us how to pray honestly to God when we are downcast and depressed, especially when we have a troubled conscience due to our sin. It also reminds us that God is a good Father to His children and, therefore, He disciplines His children in love. Support the show
Jul 14, 2024•41 min
One of the hardest things in all the world to do is to respond to the hatred or unjust treatment of others toward us in a way that is pleasing to God. Psalm 5 instructs us what to do when we are deeply hurt so we can display the beautiful, loving character that Jesus showed His own enemies. Support the show
Jul 07, 2024•40 min
We live in a dangerous world filled with trials of every kind. Psalm 4 teaches us about the blessing of being under the shadow of God's wings and the secret to lying down to sleep in peace. Support the show
Jun 30, 2024•37 min
How do you deal with your spiritual enemies and fears? Psalm 3 teaches us to deal with them in confidence and courage through faith in God’s mercy and faithfulness through Jesus Christ. Support the show
Jun 23, 2024•39 min
The famous Bible verse John 3:16 speaks both of God's great "love" for a rebellious world but also alludes to His judgment (in the word "perish"). In like manner, Psalm 2 alludes to God's Son (Jesus) as a saving "refuge" but also mentions His just "wrath." Psalm 2 helps us understand what R.C. Sproul meant when he said, "We are saved from God by God." Support the show
Jun 16, 2024•38 min
This summer, we invite you to join us as we explore Psalms 1-10, together as a church family. Psalms 1 and 2 serve as the introductory pillars to the entire Psalter, laying a foundational understanding. Meanwhile, Psalms 3-10 form a group known as " The Chain of Trust. " St. Augustine, around AD 400, the greatest theologian of the first millennium, expressed his deep love for God through the Psalms, saying..." How my love for Thee, O God, was kindled by those psalms!" The 16th-century Reformer M...
Jun 09, 2024•45 min
