Luke 21:37-22:13
Rev. Charlie Phillips
When we think about the last days of Jesus’ life we don’t often think of the level to which God went to orchestrate the events leading up to the arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ. But in taking a closer look it’s clear that God was far more in control of things than we can ever imagine or understand. Join us this week as we examine the greatest conspiracy of all time and contemplate where God was in the action.
1 Peter 1:1-5
Rev. Charlie Phillips
John Calvin once said “The cross of Christ only triumphs in the breast of believers over the devil and the flesh, sin and sinners, when their eyes are directed to the power of His Resurrection”. What does he mean when he talks about the “power” of the resurrection? We all know and believe that the resurrection is a historical fact, but how does it display its power in our lives? Join us this Sunday as we talk about the living hope that flows from the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
"Come follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). Join us this Sunday as we investigate this challenging statement by Jesus. With these words he called his first disciples and with these words he still calls people to himself and then into the world. The early disciples followed immediately. What is our response?
Heiko Burklin is the Mission Developer at World Witness, the missions arm of the ARP denomination. He has served as the senior pastor at the Neely’s Creek ARP Church in Rock Hill, SC, (2009-2015), as the team leader for a youth church-planting team in East Berlin (1995-2006), and as the Minister of Youth and Christian Education at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales, FL, (1986-1995).
Hand-dipped ice cream, hand-spun shakes, and hand-cut fries speak to our tastebuds. Psalm 19 is a song with the volume on high about the work of God’s Hands, which melts our souls with gospel joy.
Jeff Thompson has been a campus minister with RUF International at the University of Georgia since 2001. Prior to his campus ministry at UGA, Jeff served with Mission to the World in Japan for almost five years. Jeff is a graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. Jeff and his wife Caroline have two children, George and Caroline.
Rev. Charlie Phillips will be officially installed as the Senior Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church today, Sunday, march 27th at 4 PM. the service will take place in the sanctuary and is expected to last about an hour. Noah’s Landing will be available for our families and guests with infants and toddlers. A reception is planned immediately following the service. We look forward to seeing you.
When you contemplate the second coming of Jesus Christ what direction does your heart go? Do you find yourself feeling excited? Perhaps anxious? Maybe relieved? Possibly even desperate? The direction your heart goes reveals something about you and your walk with our Savior. At the end of Luke 21, Jesus tells us how we ought to think, feel, and live in light of His glorious second coming. Join us this Sunday as we dive into the text!
There’s no question that we live in crazy times. From covid-19 to one unforgettable election, our times feel incredibly turbulent. Recently, social media blew up with pictures of rising gas prices revealing that a number of people are paying upwards of $100 to fill up their cars. Top that off with what many interpret to be a government hostile to Christianity and you have every reason to believe that we live in exceedingly stressful times. Many teachers and preachers take all this to mean that the end is near. But is it? How should we respond to times like these? How would Christ have us to act? Join us this Sunday as we dig into Luke 21:5-24.
In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that he 'must be born again.' Perplexed, Nicodemus pushes Jesus for clarity on why and how one can be born again. If Jesus is making this a condition of being part of the kingdom of God, how are we to both: a) live in such a way that flows out of this new life, and b) display to the world the beauty of the Christian's new birth. This Sunday we hope to explore this profound reality of the gospel.
Join us this Sunday as we encounter two interesting scenes in the temple. First, we’ll look at Jesus’ last assault on the religious leaders. Second, we’ll study the grace displayed by a poor widow’s offering. In both situations we gain a front seat to the heart of Christ for His people. See you on Sunday!
For the past four weeks we’ve studied Jesus’ dealings with the religious leaders in the temple. In each confrontation, Jesus humbled those who attempted to trip Him up. This Sunday, we’ll be studying yet another confrontational encounter in the temple. But this one ups the tension as Jesus goes on the offensive. Bishop J.C. Ryle says of this confrontation that “we may well believe that of all the defeats which our Lord’s malicious enemies met with, none galled them more than this”. Join us as we gather to worship and adore the risen Son of God!
Join us this week in Luke’s Gospel for another bout between Jesus and the religious leaders. This time we will encounter Christ as He confronts false assumptions about the afterlife. In a world obsessed with the here and now, Jesus teaches us to keep our gaze on our incredible, God-ordained future. See you on Sunday!
Luke 20:19-26
Rev. Charlie Phillips
Thomas Jefferson once said that Christianity is the best friend of government “because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart”. That’s an interesting perspective from one of America’s founding fathers as it emphasizes the human heart. It also assumes that Christianity ought to intersect with the government. But should it? And if it should, how should it do so? Join us this Sunday as we talk about government through the eyes of Christ.
In this Sunday’s text we once again find Jesus in the temple asserting His authority. This time He shares a parable with frightening implications for the religious leaders, Jewish community, and even us. Join us as we contemplate the incredible importance of our eternal foundation.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in the Gospel of Luke. This week we’ll be looking at two stories of Jesus in the temple. Both are action-packed. In fact both stories are downright showdowns between Christ and ungodliness. They reveal a Savior far more powerful and confrontational than we are sometimes comfortable with. But they also reveal a Savior far more concerned and loving than we typically imagine. See you Sunday!
Author Randy Alcorn said, “Stewardship isn’t a subcategory of the Christian life. Stewardship is the Christian life. After all, what is stewardship except that God has entitled to us life, time, talents, money, possessions, family and his grace?” There’s no better time to consider whether or not you’re stewarding God’s gifts to you than the beginning of the new year! Join us this Sunday as Jesus challenges us to understand the crucial importance of stewardship.
Nominations for office of elder and deacon will open this Sunday. As we contemplate leadership in the church we ought to make sure our thoughts and hearts are aligned with Christ’s. Join us for worship as we glean wisdom on biblical leadership from the greatest leader to ever walk the planet.
Humans were created to experience emotionally deep, relationally rich, authentic community. However, we know how elusive those kinds of relationships are, whether in marriage, with our families, and even in the church. What is it going to take for us to enjoy pretenseless fellowship where we know and are known without the fear of shame or rejection? How can the church be a safe place for sinners to be real? How is it possible to stop wearing fig leaves, to take down the walls of self-protection, and to walk in the light? That's what this message is about.
Rev. Dr. McKay Caston serves as the Dean of Doctoral Studies at Metro Atlanta Seminary. He has spent the last 26 years leading flocks and planting churches in Mississippi and Georgia. Rev. Dr. Caston attended Covenant Theological Seminary.
It’s crazy to think that the New Year is just days away! This is the season when people from all around the globe contemplate their lives in hopes of change and growth. While this might be a cultural tradition, there is certainly biblical merit in assessing one’s life. Join us this Sunday as we talk about walking worthy of the call we’ve received as believers.
Gather your family and friends and join us at 6:00 PM for our candlelight Christmas Eve service as we celebrate the birth of our risen King!
Noah's Landing will be available for babies to 4 year olds (not yet in pre-k).
In Christmas, God gives an invitation to all who struggle with the hard things of life. Though John doesn't include a traditional Christmas story, he summarizes well the message of Jesus' birth: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (Jn 3:16). Hundreds of years before Mary gave birth in Bethlehem, God gave a similar invitation through Isaiah to a struggling people who feared God had abandoned them. Then and now, God is faithful to freely offer his love.
Dr. Stephen Estock is the coordinator of the PCA’s Committee on Discipleship Ministries (CDM). His passion is to equip the local church by providing resources, training, and encouragement so that Christ may be glorified and the Gospel may go forth.
