In the beginning, God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God separated the light from the darkness and called it good, thereby formulating judgment not only over what is and is not, but also over what is good and what is not good. In this way, God manifested his power over all creation, both corporeal and incorporeal.

In the beginning, God created everything. Not only did he create everything ex nihilo, but he set in motion his plan for creation, namely, its purpose in glorifying His Name. Just as well, God creates for the purpose of dwelling with His creation, seen most clearly in temple-garden of Eden where He walks with his image-bearers.

Join us as Pastor Jason introduces a sermon series on Genesis 1-11 where Moses tells of the creation of the world, its fall into sin, and God's plan of restoration and redemption. The creation of the world sets the stage for God's wonderous plan, so understanding these first chapters thus becomes key to understanding the rest of Scripture.

As all eventually come to know, life consists of suffering, both small and great. James, in writing to the early church, speaks of the purpose God has for suffering in the life of the Christian. Those who follow Christ are to count it all joy when facing trials, knowing that the Giver of all good gifts is using such suffering to produce in them steadfastness and wisdom.

In 2 Corinthians 7:9-11, Paul outlines two types of grief—godly and worldly—which this week Zach Canjar applies to the events of David's life in 2 Samuel 11-12. It is here that David sins grievously but, once rebuked, grieves righteously over his sin against the Lord.

This week, Jason Evans visits from Pleasant Home Community Church to preach from Acts 20 where Paul says his farewells to the Ephesian elders. In these parting words Paul calls them to follow his example, to pay careful attention to their flock and the wolves that will come among them, and commends them to God and His Word for the work ahead.

Paul concludes his letter by commanding the Ephesians to pray at all times, being alert not only for their own needs but also for all the saints. He also tells them that he is sending Tychicus to them so that they might know more about Paul's affairs, and so that they might be encouraged. Just as he began the letter, and as he described in full throughout, he declares grace and peace to them with incorruptible love through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul finishes describing the final pieces of God's armor that the church is to be equipped with: the boots, the shield, the helmet, and the sword. First, the boots are equipped so that the church might herald the gospel. Faith is the church's shield, used to dispose of the enemy's evil devices. The salvation wrought by Christ is to adorn the head of his people as a helmet, again protecting them from the enemy. Lastly, the Word of God is to be equipped as a sword whose sole purpose is to enlighten the hearts of God's people with the truth so that they might ward off the lies of the enemy. This armor heralds God's glorious gospel while simultaneously defending it against God's enemies—so stand firm!