Rev. Charlie Phillips
Sunday's Sermon: "Gospel Community"
Acts 2:42-47
Many people have said that the one thing they missed the most during the lockdown a few months ago was fellowship. One recent study even showed that loneliness increased by 200-250% during the unprecedented quarantine. This lack of community led to a rise of substance abuse and even suicide. Why is this? Why do we long so deeply for fellowship? The answer is simple - we were made to live in community. We were created as relational beings by a relational God. Join us this Sunday as we explore the source and power of the kind of community God desires for His people.
"Faith on the Edge"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "Faith on the Edge"
Genesis 22:1-19
The knife went deeper with every phrase: "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering" (Gen. 22:2). God's request flew in the face of His promise that through Abraham's seed God would create a people greater in number than the stars of heaven and the sand on the seashore. 'How could Yahweh go back on the miracle-promise fulfilled in the birth of my son?' Faith, obedience, sacrifice, darkness, mystery. When God isn't clear will we walk in obedience with Him in the darkness? Sunday, we consider faith on the edge. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper will also be observed. Join us!
"The Church's Mission in The Last Days"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "The Church's Mission in the Last Days"
John 20:19-23
The Book of Revelation concludes with 'Come, Lord Jesus!' (Rev. 22:20). That's the heart-cry of God's people. So, why doesn't He? The Bible's answer is clear: God is patiently waiting and working for the gospel to be declared to every creature, so that the perishing will be saved, and the full number of the elect gathered in (Mk 16:15; 2 Pet. 3:9; Mk 13:27). Why hasn't Jesus returned? Missions is the clear answer to the eschatological question. Sunday, we conclude our series with "The Church's Mission in the Last Days." Join us!
"God Wins: The New Heavens & Earth"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "God Wins: The New Heavens & Earth"
Isaiah 65:17-25; Revelation 21:1-5
When the dust settles, what will happen at the end of time as we know it? God will do what he promised many, many years ago: He will bring all in heaven and on earth together under Jesus Christ. What we broke in our rebellion, God will remake. The Gardener's vandalized garden will be restored. To state another way, in the end, God wins. Make plans to join us Sunday for "God Wins: The New Heavens & Earth."
"What Is Hell Like"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "What is Hell Like?"
Matthew 3:1-12; 25:41-46
If you were trying to win friends and influence people, would you recommend a book on hell for your friends at the golf club? I suspect not. Hell isn't a pleasant topic and we are naturally reluctant to consider it. After all, life's tough enough as it is. Why go out of our way to be depressed? Yet, a biblical doctrine of hell strengthens us. And neglecting it is dangerous - to our own souls and those around, including generations to come. Not one of us can say the doctrine of hell is irrelevant, for by nature we are born sinners. It's our final stop, unless we take the one and only escape. Sunday, we consider this doctrine with "What is Hell Like?"
"The Final Judgement"
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Sunday's Sermon: "The Final Judgment"
Revelation 20:11-15
The doctrine of the Final Judgment may be the most unpopular doctrine in Christianity. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, all mankind, in every nation and culture, has resolutely insisted that there is no judgment outside of man. In fact many have argued (and continue to argue) that there is no judgment outside of oneself. Sadly, this is a rejection not only of Almighty God and His justice but also of His everlasting grace. Join us this Sunday as we study John's vision of the Final Judgment and its application to our lives.
"A Thousand Years?"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "A Thousand Years?"
Revelation 20:1-10
Much of the end-times disagreement among believers has to do with one chapter in the book of Revelation: Chapter 20. Unfortunately, the millennium is often the sum of what Christians understand to be the end times. Yet, it should only be one part. Instead of causing such disagreement, Revelation 20 ought to be a great encouragement to Christians when we see so many things going terribly wrong in this world. The chapter helps us to understand who is in control and to yearn for the return of Jesus. Sunday, we examine it. Join us for "A Thousand Years?"
"The Coming Antichrist"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "The Coming Antichrist"
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Jesus is coming. He's coming in glory to judge the world and complete the happiness of His saints. God's people should not only believe this, we should look forward to it! Yet, before this fantastic event, two others will take place: The great apostasy and the revealing of the "man of lawlessness" (or the Antichrist). We've considered the great apostasy within the church. Yet, it's the emergence of the Antichrist that's most frequently mentioned in Scripture. Jesus Himself mentions it; Paul writes about it in his epistles; John writes about it in his epistle; you find it in the book of Revelation in the visions that John receives; and you also find it especially in the Old Testament, in the book of Daniel. This Sunday, we'll consider this ominous figure who will arise at the end. Join us Sunday for "The Coming Antichrist."
"The Great Apostasy"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "The Great Apostasy"
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Rioting in the streets, looting, murder, anarchists laying claim to chunks of urban areas. Closing churches, opening bars. Evil is called good, and good is called evil. Massive fear and confusion grip our land. It all begs the question: "Is the return of Jesus imminent?" In other words, could he return at any moment? What Scripture has to say is what's important. Prior to the "day of the Lord," two things must happen: A certain event must take place, and a certain person must appear. The event, the great apostasy (or defection) within the visible church; the person, the emergence of the Antichrist. Sunday, we consider the first of these two. Plan to join us for "The Great Apostasy."
"He Is Coming"
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Sunday's Sermon: "He is Coming"
Research has shown that the average person has between 15,000 and 60,000 thoughts each day. For the average Christian, I wonder how many of those thoughts are centered on Jesus Christ-especially His promised second coming. The Bible tells us that His coming is a reality, but how "real" is it to us? Does it cause us to hope? Does it inspire us to live lives worthy of our calling? Does it change our behavior at all? The Apostle John certainly thinks it should. Join us this Sunday as we talk about the effects that Jesus' second coming ought to have on a born again Christian.
"The Work of the Spirit"
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Sunday's Sermon: "The Work of the Spirit"
For many people the Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood person of the Trinity. After all, He doesn't have a familial name like the Father or the Son, and His work is often shrouded in mystery. But as we'll see this Sunday, the Spirit has a specific role in redemptive history. To commemorate the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost we will be studying Jesus' last sermon to His disciples in John 16 in which He details the incredible value and role of the third person of the Trinity. Join us as we gather together for worship to celebrate the Spirit's work at Pentecost.
"This Jesus: His Ascension & Return"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "This Jesus: His Ascension & Return"
Just forty days earlier they had seen him die on a cross. Now, they were standing with him on the Mount of Olives. He gives final words of instruction; in a moment, he was gone. Jesus' last act on earth - his ascension to the Father - may be the most puzzling of any of his earthly milestones. We know what happened, but why? What difference does it make to the state of our souls and how we live? And how does it connect to our Lord's physical return? We celebrate Ascension Sunday this week. Join us for "This Jesus: His Ascension & Return"!
"Walking in Eternity Today"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "Walking in Eternity Today"
Heaven is real. It's not a puzzle to be solved but a promise to look forward to; we saw as much last Sunday. But, do we live as if it matters? Scripture calls us to "fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Cor. 4:18). Does that mean we are to live with our heads in the clouds, quit our jobs, find a nice hill to perch on, and wait for death? This Sunday, we are going to look at several ways heaven-focused thinking ought to impact how we live right now. Join us for "Walking in Eternity Today."
"Heaven Today"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "Heaven Today"
A little girl was taking an evening walk with her father. Wonderingly, she looked up at the stars and exclaimed: "Oh, Daddy, if the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, what must the right side be!" What must it be! What is heaven like? Paul described it as 'great gain.' What will we look like? Well, the One who created everything is going to give us a grand makeover, so there's that! This Sunday we will consider the wonder of what awaits those who love the Lord. Join us for "Heaven Today!"
"Death: Facing the Inevitable"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "Death: Facing the Inevitable"
Frederick "Uncle Fed" Messer of Haywood County, NC was born in 1792 and died in 1907. Think about that; he lived through three centuries: 18th, 19th, and died in the 20th. Uncle Fed remembered when George Washington died (1799), and he voted for James Monroe as President in 1817. What a long life. Fascinating! Yet, in the end, he died like the 150,000 people who will die today in the world. We live in a fallen world where death is inevitable. Sunday, we are going to examine what the Bible has to say about death, all that we need to know for our comfort and instruction. Join us!
"Eagerly Awaiting the Savior"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "Eagerly Awaiting the Savior"
How often do you think of Christ's Second Coming? Do you sincerely look forward to it? I'm not asking whether or not you enjoy engaging in speculative debates about the identity of the Antichrist or which millennial view is correct. I'm asking: Is your heart oriented in glad expectation of seeing Jesus Christ face to face? Are you watchful, hopeful, that today might be THE day of His return? Sunday, we begin a new series with a study of the End Times. We're calling it, "He's Coming." Join us this week for the first message in the series: "Eagerly Awaiting the Savior"!
"To Flourish or Flounder"
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Sunday's Sermon: "To Flourish or Flounder?"
No one knows for sure how long this pandemic and all its ramifications will last. What we do know is that our call as Christians isn't based on our circumstances. Our call to holiness and flourishing remains steadfast despite our situation. But how do we grow in suffering? How do we flourish when we feel like we're living in exile? How do we live when the future feels uncertain? Join us this Sunday as we dig into Jeremiah 29, mining for principles to help us thrive in suffering and exile.
"Resurrection Nearness"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "Resurrection Nearness"
Calamity often works like a giant eraser, cleaning out our mental tapes and wiping away all that we thought we understood. Luke tells of two men walking hurriedly away from Jerusalem, hoping to hit Emmaus by nightfall. Their journey was fueled by the adrenaline that one possesses when life crumbles and survival is the order of the day. They are together, yet alone - or so they thought. A stranger draws near, to whom they quickly vent their troubles. "We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel," they say. He doesn't give homey advice or allow them to indulge their self-pity. Instead he draws them back to what they know, the Scriptures, and teaches them again the things that drew them to follow him in the first place. Join us Easter morning for "Resurrection Nearness"!
"A Righteous Reorientation"
In these incredible times It's natural to feel disoriented. The world has been shaken and there's no indication that things will be set right in the immediate future. We are living in what feels like the unknown and without a quantifiable end in sight. How do we reorient ourselves in our day to day lives when our routines have been wrecked, when our finances have been shaken, when our ability to connect with each other has been severed? Join us online this Sunday as we seek ultimate orientation in and through the only one who is truly able and willing. Join us online at 11:00 am!
"The Only Hero We Need"
Rev. Dr. Stacey M. Cox
Sunday's Sermon: "The Only Hero We Need"
Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem to accomplish His reason for coming to earth - to suffer and die, to be the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. It all was less than ten days out. The crowds pressed while He made his way through Jericho. Above the clamor, a voice cries out, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' What would you have done? A case could be made that Jesus was too busy for this blind beggar. He was on a 'mission'! And, yet, He stopped. And things radically changed for the man. Sunday, we turn our eyes towards Easter and 'The Only Hero We Need.' Join us online at 11:00am!