The Signing of a Covenant

Rev. Dr. Lane Stephenson

The Signing of a Covenant

In all negotiations and considerations, there comes a time when we either commit ourselves or walk away - or possibly admit that we are simply along for the ride and have no interest at all in making a commitment. Having confessed their disobedience to God, the people of Israel commit themselves - by signing their names to a written covenant - to obey God's laws. In doing so, they set themselves apart from the world to the service of God. There is much for us to learn as we return to our series from Nehemiah this Sunday. We look at chapter ten, "The Signing of a Covenant".

I Got You!

Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox

I Got You!

Easter falls on April 1st this year, which is also April Fool's Day. Pranks galore! Grapes covered in chocolate egg wrappers, dyed uncooked eggs, broccoli inserted in a plastic egg. Ready yourself for a big 'gotcha' day! Have fun with it, but remember: Easter is about Good News not 'gotcha news.' It's about three words that we all want to know. Join us this Easter Sunday for "I Got You!"

All and In All

Jeff Thompson, RUF International

All and in All

The first Sunday of Holy Week is commonly called "Palm Sunday." Jesus entering into Jerusalem to shouts of "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Mark 11:9). Sunday we remember Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem with a message from Rev. Jeff Thompson of RUF-International, UGA. RUF-I exists to spread the glory and enjoyment of God among all the 110 nations on the UGA campus. This Palm Sunday Rev. Thompson will be bringing "All and in All." Join us!

The Vision of the Mission

Richard Pratt, President of Third Millennium Ministries

The Vision of the Mission

Dr. Richard Pratt is the President of Third Millennium Ministries. Third Millennium was launched in 1997 to provide: "Biblical Education, For the World, For Free." This goal is being met by building a multimedia seminary curriculum in English, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Russian and Spanish. Dr. Pratt taught at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS, and Orlando, FL, for 21 years. He also chaired the Old Testament Department in Orlando. He received a BA from Roanoke College, his M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary, and his Th.D. from Harvard University. Dr. Pratt has traveled extensively throughout the world to evangelize and lecture, including Australia, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico, Mongolia, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, India, Colombia, the United Kingdom and throughout the United States. Helping the church worldwide is his passion. He believes that any person that has the desire to learn more about the Bible should be given that opportunity. Furthermore, it should be accessible, in their own language, and at no cost to them.

Encountering God

Rev. Dr. Stacey Cox

Encountering God

What if God were on Facebook? What would His page look like? And what if He approached His profile the way most of us do? Would His name be listed as "Almighty God"? "The Deity"? "I AM WHO I AM"? Relationship status: "Triune and eternally delightful"? Photos: "None available" (see the 2nd commandment). Nehemiah 9 is all about God. He's the main subject - who He is, what He does for His people, and what His people must do for Him. Sunday we dive into "Encountering God." Come join us!

When God Breaks In

Rev. Dr. Stacey Cox

When God Breaks In!

In 1739, Benjamin Franklin met British evangelist George Whitfield in Philadelphia. Despite rejecting the evangelist's message, Franklin couldn't deny the change it had on the "half beasts and half devils" it came into contact with. He wrote, "It was wonderful to see the change soon made in the manners of our inhabitants . . . One could not walk thro' the town in an evening without hearing psalms sung in different families of every street." Revival! God poured out His Spirit and shook the people of Philadelphia, like he did in Jerusalem during Nehemiah's day! Join us Sundayfor "When God Breaks In!"

A Gathered People

Rev. Dr. Stacey Cox

A Gathered People

In our study of Nehemiah, we find ourselves in a good but incomplete spot in Jerusalem. Ezra 6 tells us there was a completed Temple. Under Nehemiah's leadership, the walls and gates have been restored - to the chagrin of the enemy. But Nehemiah's work wasn't finished. Jerusalem is missing the critical component of the restoration project: people! What a picture we have this week of God's heart to gather a people to Himself to live under His reign and blessings. Join us!

Know Your Enemies

Rev. Dr. Stacey Cox

Know Your Enemies

A man was riding a bus in Boston. It was full of office workers, students, and shoppers. When it approached a stop, two men and women climbed in. The seasoned driver immediately bellowed, "Everybody watch your valuables. There are pickpockets on board!" It's helpful to know one's enemies. The Bible is clear believers must fight three enemies as well...but ours are invisible. We'll meet those enemies Sunday in our study of Nehemiah. Hope you'll join us!

Walking Before the Face of God

Rev. Dr. Lane Stephenson

Walking Before the Face of God

In Nehemiah 5, we are given two contrasting examples of behavior and a quality of the heart that is linked to both. In the first example, that of the people of Israel, this quality of heart is absent. In the second example, that of Nehemiah, the same quality is present. This quality is so essential to our conduct that it has been termed "the soul of godliness." Join us Sunday for "Walking Before the Face of God."

Dealing with Discouragement

Rev. Dr. Stacey Cox

Dealing with Discouragement

It's been a particularly challenging flu season. According to health officials, the flu this year has been worse than any other over the last decade. People with the flu often battle a variety of symptoms: headache, congestion, and the like. There's another disease that manifests similar symptoms, but not in the body; they show up in the heart and soul. It's discouragement. Unlike the flu, discouragement is a disease that's universal to human beings - eventually everyone gets it. Sunday we'll look at handling this ensnaring condition. Join us!

God's Left-Handed Power

Rev. Dr. Stacey Cox

God's Left-Handed Power

If you've been a follower of Jesus long enough, you know that God likes to hide things. He'll hide important truths in places you wouldn't normally expect to find them. (Think of the lessons He's taught you through your children, if you're a parent). Nehemiah 3 is one of those places where He's hidden spiritual treasure. At first glance, it looks like a record of the 10 gates of Jerusalem, and those who helped to rebuild them. Yet, dig a little deeper and the chapter is filled with striking spiritual realities for God's people and Christ's church. Join us Sunday for "God's Left-Handed Power"!

Faith in Action

Rev. Dr. Stacey Cox

Faith in Action

The Super Bowl is around the corner. Typically it takes a great quarterback to lead a team to the big game. If you were asked to give an example of a 'real quarterback,' who comes to mind? Maybe Terry Bradshaw (if you're 45 and older). Hard to deny Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. 

Any of these men provide a picture of successful quarterbacking in the NFL. Nehemiah provides us a picture of real faith. Chapter 2 of his story puts on display what it means to walk, live, and work by faith. Join us Sunday for "Faith in Action"! 

The Cure for Care

Rev. Dr. Stacey Cox

The Cure for Care

When you were a teenager you dreamed of the day when you could move out and move on.  Oh, the liberation to be free from your father's oversight!  Finally the day came; freedom!  What you didn't anticipate were the cares and responsibilities that joined the much awaited 'liberation.'  Being a child in your father's house wasn't so bad after all.  Relying upon your father for all your needs (and many wants) was more liberating than you realized.  Do you have a care-full heart today?  There's a cure that's closer than you think.  Join us Sunday for "The Cure for Care".

Nehemiah: With the Help of Our God

Rev. Dr. Stacey Cox

New Series: Nehemiah

A new year is about starting over. It's a chance to try new things and trust God more, wipe the slate clean and begin anew. The calendar flips and off we go! The book of Nehemiah is about starting over as well. It's a powerful story of rebuilding, renewing faith, and overcoming poor decisions. It's about finding God in surprising places and being found by God in surprising places. It's where we are headed next at Westminster. Sunday we kickoff Nehemiah: With the Help of Our God. Hope you will join us!

Incarcerated Contentment

Aaron Mann

Incarcerated Contentment

How did he do it? All of the persecution. All of the time spent in jail. A life exhausted for the advancement of something greater than himself. He was someone who knew both poverty and plenty. Both abundance and need. What was his secret?

In Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul reveals that his "secret" to life was, in fact, no secret at all. He teaches us that the key to true joy in this lifetime is not found in the circumstances that surround us, but in Christ and in Christ alone. True joy is found in a contentment in all that He is and all that He offers. Join us for worship this Sunday!

The Spirit's Gift

Rev. Stacey Cox

The Spirit's Gift

In the film The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and her pals the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow journeyed to see "the wonderful Wizard of Oz." The Wizard was thought to be some kind of god, until Toto, Dorothy's dog, rips the curtain back revealing reality. The Wizard was far from a god; he was just a guy operating a bunch of controls behind a green curtain. To see life as it really is is a gift. This is the work of the Holy Spirit; it's the gift He offers. Reality. Sunday we explore this marvelous gift the Holy Spirit offers this Christmas season.

Your Gift

Rev. Lane Stephenson

Your Gift: The Lord is Our Righteousness

What will we offer to God on the day when we stand before the One unto whom all secrets are known? Will our lives be like a "white elephant gift" that is ornately wrapped only to conceal a useless or frivolous gift? Or will we stand before God with the righteousness required of us? This Sunday we see the gospel foreshadowed in Jeremiah 23:5-6 as we look at a prophecy given some 600 years before the birth of Christ. God promised the coming of the King whose name is "the Lord is our righteousness." The great news of the gospel is that God Himself provides the righteousness He requires of us!

The Son's Gift

Rev. Stacey Cox

The Son's Gift

When our daughter Anna was a child, buying Christmas presents for her was simple. If it had anything to do with the lovable, purple dinosaur known as Barney, we couldn't go wrong. Barney hung the moon and filled our home. For several Christmases, Barney was the perfect gift. Question: What would be the perfect gift for God the Father, which would make him smile with pleasure? What do you get the guy who literally has everything? His Son knows. Sunday we continue our Advent series with, "The Son's Gift"!