Bridge Point Sermon Podcast

In a letter to Timothy, Paul has a remarkably humble statement about his own need for grace as the "foremost of sinners." His understanding of his desperate need for grace drives him to a fuller and more worshipful appreciation of the Gospel and the love of God shown to him in Christ.

Two of the most precious words in the world are "But God..." found in Ephesians chapter 2. Paul tells us all of the ways in which we were dead but reminds us that it is God who has made us alive in Christ. And he has done so purely through his grace that is received by faith.

All of us struggle with the gap between what we know to be true and what our hearts actually believe and desire in the day-to-day. We know that our hope is eternal, yet we find it hard to escape the pull and allure of temporary things. Paul prays that we would be able to close that gap, and he roots everything in the empty tomb of Jesus. The resurrection is hope for tomorrow, and it is power for today.

Ephesians 1:3-14 gives us a beautiful picture of what it means to have union with Christ. Everything about the Christian life stems from the reality that we are "in Him." And that simple fact drives us forward toward our future inheritance.

We take a break from our Ephesians series to celebrate five years of public gatherings as a church family. Much has changed over the past five years, but what hasn't changed is our commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his faithfulness to build his church.

One of the most beautiful facets of the Gospel is the initiating love of God that was set on his children before the foundation of the world. And while God's predestining love can create tension, when held together with the full counsel of biblical truth, it is a part of a beautiful mystery that bolsters our faith.

In Paul's letter the church at Ephesus, he offers a deep trove of rich theology and practical wisdom for us as Christians. He shows us what it means to be grounded in Christ—and then, as a result, what it means to be growing in Christ. Listen as we read through the whole letter and kick off this series.

One of the primary ways that God intends to preserve us until the end is through our relationships with brothers and sisters in the church. Because of this, we have to covenant to belong to a church, not merely attend as individuals. As we do, we form the type of relationships that God can use to sustain us and keep us.

Part of the church's central pattern of worship and formation is the preaching of the Gospel from the Word of God. Every part of the Bible is about Jesus, and so when we Gather, we open the Bible to see the person and work of Jesus more clearly.

Words are powerful. James tells us that the tongue has tremendous power, both to bless or to curse—to build up or tear down. As followers of Jesus, we must seek to use our words to bring life and edification in a world that's filled with anger and venom.

Paul tells us that God the Holy Spirit uniquely gifts and equips each one of us for the purpose of serving the body—the church. Our gifts are meant to be used for the good of others, and they ultimately find their sustaining power in the Gospel

In the New Testament, we see that God calls the church to be led by elders—qualified, godly men of character who are charged to shepherd God's people.

The foundation of our identity is our salvation, accomplished by Jesus to unite us together into a new people. We are saved from the consequences of sin, we are saved by grace alone through faith, and we are saved for the good works God has called us to.

The church is God's primary means of forwarding his mission here in our world. This means that we must be committed to the planting of churches. Every minute we serve and every dollar we give is ultimately aimed at equipping and growing the reach and impact of the local church.

In his parable about the seeds and the soil, Jesus gives a much-needed warning to his listeners, prompting us to examine ourselves and consider whether our response to the Gospel message is truly genuine.

God created us in such a way that music and singing has a unique place in our lives and spiritual formation. All throughout the Bible, God gives instructions to his people to sing. And the Psalms, in particular, give us a blueprint for what this singing and praise ought to be like.

Scripture instructs us as God's people to gather together in worship each week. Through these weekly rhythms of singing, preaching, and the Lord's Supper, our hearts are transformed and we are shaped into the image of Jesus.

David Hill, pastor of Restoration Community Church, shares from James 1 how even in suffering, God is working to strengthen us and glorify himself.

Baptism is one of the two sacraments—or ordinances—given by Jesus to his church. It is a sign and symbol of us being in Christ. In baptism, we identify both with the work of Jesus on our behalf and with the church of Jesus to which we now belong.

One of the marks of the church is generosity. As those who have been generously blessed beyond our comprehension in the Gospel, the church should be the quickest to give and the most hesitant to hoard.