Bret Hicks
Living in Godly Submission (Part 2)
Jul 25, 2010
As God’s exile, sojourning people, Christians are called to submit to the authorities God has placed over them - even if they are ungodly and unjust. Read More...
Living in Godly Submission (Part 1)
Jul 18, 2010
As God's exile, sojourning people, Christians are called to submit to and honor the authorities God has placed over them. Read More...
Living As God's Exile People
Jul 11, 2010
As God’s exile, sojourning people, Christians are called to resist sin and live lives devoted to good works, hoping that God will use these to draw unbelievers to the Gospel. Read More...
Spiritual Nourishment for a Life of Brotherly Love
Jun 28, 2010
As God's chosen people, we are called to be nourished spiritually and to love our fellow believers fervently. Read More...
Called To A Holy Life of Hope
Jun 06, 2010
Theme: As God’s chosen people, we are called to lives of holiness, built upon an eternal perspective that generates hope no matter our present circumstances. Read More...
God's Chosen Exile People
May 23, 2010
God’s chosen people live as exiles in this world, but are sustained by the covenant grace and peace of the Father, Son, and Spirit. Read More...
Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude - The Gospel and Its Fruit
May 16, 2010
To be part of God's people I must know how great my sin is, how God has delivered me from my sin and misery through Jesus Christ, and how I can show my gratitude to God for delivering me. Read More...
Baptism - Immersed Into Christ
May 09, 2010
Theme: Because of the meaning of ‘baptism’ and especially the symbolism of being placed in, buried, raised, and clothed with Christ, full immersion is the best mode for water baptism.
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Baptism in the Name of the Lord
May 02, 2010
Water baptism is done under the authority of the Trinity in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Read More...
Who Should Be Baptized?
Apr 26, 2010
In view of the biblical teaching on the New Covenant and water baptism, only those who have personally professed faith in Christ should be water baptized. Read More...
Christ's Resurrection and Our Salvation
Apr 04, 2010
Christ's resurrection is the basis of our salvation, so that we can rejoice in what has come to us entirely by grace. Read More...
The Limits of Water Baptism
Mar 29, 2010
Water baptism does not remove original sin, or produce regeneration or justification, but it is the sign that these things have been already done by God and received by faith alone. Read More...
The Benefits of Baptism
Mar 21, 2010
Water baptism is the sign and seal of our union with Christ, a means of grace to provide strength in our struggle against sin, and the medium through which we testify of our faith in Christ and membership in the church. Read More...
Why Should I Be Baptized?
Mar 14, 2010
Christ commands His followers to be baptized in water as the sign and seal of our union with Him, to receive power in our struggle with sin, and testify of our faith in Him. Read More...
What Is A Sacrament?
Mar 07, 2010
A sacrament is a special symbol given by God to His people that, when received in faith, serves as a sign and seal of His promises to us, functions as a means of grace to strengthen us, and through which we testify of our faith in Him and His promises. Read More...
Exploring the Book: Understanding the Structure of the Bible
Feb 28, 2010
There are many sections in the Bible, each with their own unique role, but they all point to Jesus and His work for us. Read More...
The Joy of Corporate Worship
Feb 21, 2010
There is great joy that comes from gathering with God's people. Read More...
Question and Answer Session on the Book of Isaiah
Jan 29, 2010
This is a question and answer session on the Book of Isaiah. It includes an overview of the message of the book, key themes from the book, discussion of a few passages, and a lot of application to today. Read More...
The Sufficiency of Scripture
Jan 24, 2010
The Bible is the only infallible and inerrant rule of faith, sufficient for salvation and holiness. Other creeds and confessions may be helpful summaries, but must be tested by Scripture, which is the final authority. Read More...
Letting the Word Dwell in You Richly
Jan 17, 2010
To glorify God and enjoy Him forever, we must let the Word dwell
in us richly as we hear, read, study, memorize, and meditate on God’s Word. Read More...
in us richly as we hear, read, study, memorize, and meditate on God’s Word. Read More...
The Treasure of God's Word
Jan 10, 2010
Where do we learn how to glorify God and enjoy Him forever? In His Word, the Bible. Read More...
Created To Glorify and Enjoy God Forever
Jan 03, 2010
Why did God create humans? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Read More...
Invitation to the Feast
Dec 06, 2009
God invites us to turn from the idols of this world which can never really satisfy, and to come to Him and receive that which fully satisfies the hunger and thirst of our souls. Read More...
Suffering Servant, Exalted King
Nov 22, 2009
Jesus, the Servant of the Lord, suffered and died for our sins, is now exalted as King, and offers life to us. Read More...
The Servant of the Lord
Nov 15, 2009
Jesus the Messiah, the True Servant of the Lord, has brought God’s justice and gentle mercy to the people of the whole world. Read More...
The Lord and the gods of this World
Nov 08, 2009
By His Sovereignty over history, Yahweh shows He is the only True God, and the only One worthy of our trust, worship, and life. Read More...
Comfort for God's People
Nov 01, 2009
Our God is the Self-sufficient, Inexhaustible Ruler of the universe, and He has promised to deliver His people who expectantly wait on Him. Read More...
Hezekiah’s Folly - Babylon Rising
Oct 25, 2009
Hezekiah’s folly and pride sealed the downfall of his people, but Christ’s wise obedience seals blessing for God’s people. Read More...
Hezekiah's Faith - Assyria Falling
Oct 18, 2009
Those who trust God and His Word will find His deliverance and protection, while those who defiantly reject it will fall. Read More...
Yahweh Shalom - The Lord is Peace
Oct 14, 2009
God's name Yahweh Shalom - The Lord is Peace - speaks of God's desire and ability to restore everything to it proper purpose so that I can be related porperly to God, myself, and others. Read More...
Yahweh Raphe - The Lord the Healer
Sep 27, 2009
God’s name Yahweh Raphe - the Lord the Healer - speaks of God’s provision to heal and deliver His people from sin and all its effects in the curse. Read More...
Receiving and Passing One the One True Faith
Sep 13, 2009
Using a catechism is a tried and true method of receiving and passing onthe faith once for all delivered to God's people. Read More...
Yahweh NIssi - The Lord my Banner
Aug 30, 2009
God's name Yahweh-Nissi - the Lord my Banner - speaks of God's provision to deliver His people from their true enemies. Read More...
Yahweh Tsidkenu - The Lord Our Righteousness
Aug 16, 2009
God is Yahweh-Tsidkenu - the One who defines, fulfills, and imputes righteousness to His people through Jesus, and then begins to produce righteous fruit in them by His Spirit. Read More...
Yahweh - The Name of Our Covenant God
Aug 02, 2009
God’s covenant name of Yahweh reveals that the self-existent, holy
One has graciously entered into covenant with His people. Read More...
One has graciously entered into covenant with His people. Read More...
Finding Refuge in the Name of the Lord
Jul 26, 2009
God's Name reveals that He is a tower of refuge and protection for His people, while others place their trust in vain imaginations. Read More...
The Day of Redemption for the Nations
Jul 19, 2009
Although the day of the Lord is a day of judgment for the nations that have rejected God, He is calling a remnant from every nation to be part of His people. Read More...
The Day of the Lord for the Nations
Jul 12, 2009
Just as God appointed a day to judge Babylon, so there will be a day when every human will stand before God - either clothed in their own sin or in the righteousness of Christ. Read More...
God's Sovereignty Over Human History
Jul 05, 2009
God rules over the affairs of human history, working all things out for the purity and good of His people. Read More...
Commissioned by God
Jun 28, 2009
We have been commissioned and empowered by God to go forth and make disciples, baptizing and teaching them the fullness of the faith. Read More...
The Sign of Immanuel - God With Us
Jun 21, 2009
God's promise to be with us, which was typified by many people and events in the Old Testament, is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is Immanuel, God with us. Read More...
The Firm Foundation of God’s Word
Jun 14, 2009
When facing difficult times, we are called to build on the firm foundation of God’s Word, not looking to other sources for strength. Read More...
In the Valley of Decision: Where is Your Trust?
Jun 07, 2009
Believers are faced with a decision of where to place their trust - in God, His Promise and His Kingdom, or in the kingdoms of this world. Read More...
God's Glorious Covenant People
May 17, 2009
Despite their present failures, Isaiah saw the glorious future for God’s people, when people from all nations would come to learn and walk in God’s ways. Read More...
The Grand Arraignment
May 10, 2009
Through Isaiah, God is bringing a covenant lawsuit against His people, exposing their sin, announcing their punishment, and offering forgiveness and reconciliation if they will repent. Read More...
The Call of Isaiah - Part 2 - His Commissioning
May 03, 2009
Like Isaiah, we are commissioned to speak God’s truth, and the measure of success is faithfulness to the truth, not the response of the hearers. Read More...
The Call of Isaiah - Part 1 - His Vision
Apr 26, 2009
Isaiah was given a revelation of God’s glory and holiness, which revealed his own weakness and sin, and then he received atonement from God. Read More...
Isaiah - The Man, His Times, and His MInistry
Apr 19, 2009
Isaiah was a man called by God to apply God’s Word to the turbulent times in which he lived, and to cal God’s people to behold God and live with hope in the midst of uncertain and difficult days. Read More...
The Good News of Holy Week
Apr 12, 2009
Theme: Christ's actions during Holy Week - His death, burial, and bodily resurrection - bring salvation to all who truly believe. Read More...
The Call and Promise of Church Leadership
Apr 05, 2009
God calls leaders to a godly life and faithfulness to Scripture, and promises a fruitful ministry if they do this. This special teaching was done as part of Garey Walker's ordination service. Read More...
Question and Answer Session on the Holy Spirit
Apr 03, 2009
This is a question and answer session on the series The Holy Spirit - God's Empowering Presence. A variety of questions on topics such as guidance, unusual manifestations, and spiritual gifts were discussed. Read More...
The Gift of Prophecy
Mar 22, 2009
God gives His people the gift of prophecy, the ability to give a spontaneous word from God, which can edify, exhort, and comfort believers, and convict unbelievers. Read More...
The Gift of Tongues for Public Use
Mar 15, 2009
When spoken for others to hear in public worship, tongues must be interpreted so that others may benefit from the prayer, blessing, and praise to God. Read More...
The Gift of Tongues for Private Prayer
Mar 08, 2009
The main use of the gift of tongues is for private worship and prayer, and as we use this gift we are built up in our faith so that we can serve God and others. Read More...
What is the Gift of Tongues?
Mar 01, 2009
The gift of tongues is the enablement of believers by the Holy Spirit to speak in a language they have not learned & do not understand. Read More...
The Struggle Between Islam and Christ
Feb 22, 2009
Jesus is the True Shepherd Who brings abundant life, and He calls us to reach out to those trapped and oppressed by the thief. Read More...
Transformed by the Holy Spirit
Feb 01, 2009
Christians live in the New Covenant, and are being progressively transformed by the Spirit into the image of God as we consistently behold His glory. Read More...
Led by the Spirit
Jan 25, 2009
The Holy Spirit leads God's children by revealing God's will in Scripture, enabling us to understand, giving us a desire to follow, and empowering us to obey. Read More...
The Way of Wisdom: Making Decisions in God's Will
Jan 18, 2009
We are called to make decisions based on wisdom, which obeys God's revealed will in Scripture and applies the principles of God's Word to all of life. Read More...
What is God's Will for My Life?
Jan 11, 2009
God's will for my life is not an obscure set of choices that I must divine using various methods, but His revealed plan & commands as found in the Scripture. Read More...
The Two Aspects of God's Will
Jan 04, 2009
God's will refers to both His secret plan to work everything in conformity with His purposes, and His revealed commands for how we are to live. Read More...
Filled With the Holy Spirit
Dec 14, 2008
Christians are called to be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit, living lives under His control. Read More...
Is the Baptism in the Hoily Spirit a "Second Blessing"?
Dec 07, 2008
The baptism in the Holy Spirit, while theologically distinct from regeneration and justification, occurs at the same time -- when we become believers in Christ. Read More...
Guarded by Our Covenant God
Nov 30, 2008
God has promised to watch over, protect, and keep His covenant people through the good and bad times of life. Read More...
What Happens When We Are Baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Nov 23, 2008
When we were baptized in the Holy Spirit, we were initiated into the New Covenant, placed into the Church, given spiritual gifts, and empowered to be Christ’s witnesses. Read More...
What is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Nov 16, 2008
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is the promised experience of the Spirit being poured out, coming upon, and filling God’s New Covenant people. Read More...
The Glorious New Covenant Ministry of the Spirit
Nov 09, 2008
In the New Covenant, the ministry of the Spirit in believers is much more personal, internal, and powerful than it was under the Old Covenant. Read More...
The Gifts of the Spirit
Nov 02, 2008
Spiritual gifts are concrete expressions of God's grace, manifested by the empowerment fo the Holy Spirit, given to each believer in order to strengthen the church and enable us to serve others in love. Read More...
The Fruit of the Spirit
Oct 26, 2008
The Spirit is at work in believers to enable them to resist the desires of their fallen nature and to be conformed to Christ. Read More...
The Spirit and the Church
Oct 06, 2008
The Spirit is working to join us to the Church to be the place where God dwells.
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The Spirit and Jesus
Sep 21, 2008
The Spirit has been sent by Jesus to testify to Christ, and to enable us to point others to Jesus as well. Read More...
The Spirit of Creation and Redemption
Sep 15, 2008
The Spirit was active in both our creation and redemption, and in His ongoing work in our lives He is restoring God's original intent for creation and our place within it. Read More...
The Spirit, the Word, and the Means of Grace
Sep 07, 2008
Theme: God wants to fill His people with His Spirit and this is primarily done as we consistently participate in faith with the means of grace He has ordained for His people. Read More...
The Holy Spirit: The Empowering Presence of God
Aug 24, 2008
The Holy Spirit is the Empowering Presence of God Himself, sent to grant wisdom, power, gifts, and character from the Holy Trinity to the people of God. Read More...
Reaching Future Generations
Jul 20, 2008
Theme: God calls to us through the law and the Gospel to love Him with our entire being, adn to raise future generations to turn to Christ so they can do the same thing. Read More...
What It Means to be a Disciple
Jul 13, 2008
Theme: A disciple is one who recognizes their sin, receives the forgiveness offered in Christ, and lives a life of worship and service in the context of a local community of believers. Read More...
When Faith Is Tested
Jul 06, 2008
Theme: We are called to trust God when our faith is tested, even when all seems lost, knowing that He will provide all we need in Christ.
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Confession is Good for the Soul
Jun 22, 2008
Theme:The blessing fo total forgiveness by God awaits those who confess their sins and turn to Christ in faith.
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God's Revelation - And Our Response
Jun 08, 2008
Theme: God has revealed Himself to us through creation and Scripture, and we are called to respond with humble confession, prayer, and faith. Read More...
Living as a Community of Joy
May 25, 2008
Theme: As we walk in community with a focus on our eternal inheritance, we can experience joy, no matter what our circumstances are at present
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The Centrality of Christ and His Gospel
May 18, 2008
Theme: The central issue of true life is Christ and His Gospel, which give us life and should be central in our thought and existence.
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A Life of Joyful Contentment
May 11, 2008
Title: A Life of Joyful ContentmentTheme: Christ enables us to live a life of joyful contentment, regardless of the circumstances of our present existence Read More...
A Godward Life
May 04, 2008
Theme: Rather than facing our circumstances with anxiety, we should draw near to God and live for Him, knowing the God of peace is with us.
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The Call to Live in Community
Apr 27, 2008
Theme: Paul urges believers to walk in community so that they can stand for the Gospel in the face of opposition.
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Our Present Struggle and Our Future Glory
Apr 13, 2008
Theme: The Christian life is characterized by the pursuit of Christ, the struggle against sin, and the hope of our gloriouse future in heaven with Christ. Read More...
Our Confidence in Christ: Holding on to the Gospel
Apr 06, 2008
Theme: The continental divide of life is where we place our confidence – ourselves and our own righteousness, or Christ and His righteousness.
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The Power of the Glorious Gospel
Mar 30, 2008
Theme: We should not be ashamed of the Gospel, for it is God's power to save those who believe. Read More...
Timothy and Epaphroditus - Christ-like Examples for Us
Mar 16, 2008
Theme: Timothy and Epaphroditus were Christ-like examples, serving others even at great personal sacrifice and risk.
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God's Heart for Children the Brink
Mar 09, 2008
Theme: As those who have been cared for and adopted by God, believers are called to display God’s love to children living on the edges of society and the brink of disaster. Read More...
A Fruitful Life of Joyful Obedience
Mar 02, 2008
Theme: Paul calls believers to draw upon God's strength to live fruitful lives of joyful obedience.
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Jesus Christ - The Supreme Example of Humility
Feb 24, 2008
Theme: As citizens of heaven, we look to Jesus, Who is the supreme example of humility and the Lord of all.
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Unity Through Humility
Feb 17, 2008
Theme: As citizens of heaven who have been blessed by God, we are to walk in humility before God and each other, which leads to unity in the church.
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Unity and Courage in the Face of Opposition
Feb 03, 2008
Theme: As citizens of the heavenly Kingdom believers must live worhty of the Gospel, walking in unity with each other and standing with courage when faced with opposition.
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God's Heart for the Outcast
Jan 27, 2008
Theme: Jesus the Messiah was anointed with God's Spirit to proclaim the Good News to outcasts.
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Joy in the Journey (Part 2): Our Future with Christ
Jan 20, 2008
Theme: We can have joy because life is an opportunity to know and serve Christ, and death brings us into His Presence, which is the deepest desire of our hearts.
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Joy in the Journey (Part 1): Proclaiming Christ
Jan 13, 2008
Theme: Despite very difficult personal circumstances, Paul is filled with joy because Christ is being proclaimed. Read More...
Paul's Prayer for the Phillipians
Dec 30, 2007
Theme: Paul prays that we would grow in love and discernment so that our lives will bring glory and praise to God. Read More...
Partners in Gospel Ministry
Dec 16, 2007
Theme: As Paul remembers the Philippians, he is filled with thanksgiving and joy because of their close partnership with him in the Gospel, and confidence because of God’s sustaining grace. Read More...
The Apostolic Greeting
Dec 09, 2007
Theme: The apostles, slaves of Christ, wrote to God’s holy people to bless them with grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Text: Philippians 1:1-2
Reading: Psalm 98
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Text: Philippians 1:1-2
Reading: Psalm 98
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The Founding of the Church at Phillipi (Part 2)
Dec 01, 2007
Theme: God sovereignly works by His Spirit to draw people from all backgrounds to Himself, and to sustain our joy even in times of suffering. Read More...
The Founding of the Church at Phillipi (Part 1)
Nov 25, 2007