Cultivating Friendship, Part 2 & Friendship with Christ, Part 1

God’s Gift of Suffering

Text: 1 Peter 2:18-25 | Speaker: Carson Allen | Description: Peter is encouraging the diaspora in the midst of suffering by reminding them that as Christians we are called to suffer. Not only are we called to suffering but it is a Gift from God.

Lest We Drift Away

Text: Hebrews 2:1-4 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: The author of Hebrews begins his letter with a beautiful description of the supremacy of Christ over all things. He is the greater, once for all Prophet, who declares God's will to his people. He is the better messenger who speaks the better message of the gospel. But there's a danger for those who hear and respond to the gospel—drifting away from the faith. This danger is real for all Christians in every age. So, how can we avoid this great danger? By remembering, relying, and resting in the Word of God.

A Christ-centered Sermon

Text: Acts 2:22-36 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: On Pentecost Sunday, Peter preached the first Christ-centered sermon. From it, we learn how all gospel ministers must preach if they are to be faithful witnesses of Jesus. Christ-centered sermons reveal the person of Christ, magnify the work of Christ, show how real sin requires a real Savior, and give glory to the Triune God.

How the Triune God Saves Us

Text: Ephesians 1:3-14 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: The Trinity is the most important biblical truth at the heart of our Christian faith, and yet one of the most undervalued and overlooked. On Trinity Sunday, we pause to reflect more deeply on the majesty of our Triune God as Paul expounds upon this mystery in the beginning of Ephesians. From start to finish, the plan of redemption is accomplished by the Trinity in perfect unity, so that our God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—would receive all blessing and honor, praise and glory!

The Spirit Spreads the Message of Jesus

Text: Acts 2:1-21 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: What is the gift of tongues? What does it do, and is it still for Christians today? Many questions and preconceived ideas about tongues are brought to this passage in Acts. What actually happened on that day of Pentecost, and what, if anything, does it teach us today? On this important day in redemptive history, we see that Jesus poured out his Spirit to empower the apostles to spread the gospel message to all people, so that what Joel prophesied would be fulfilled: "that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."