Exodus 11:1-10 Moses is 0-9 against Pharaoh. Nine plagues have struck Egypt, but Pharaoh still refuses to let the people of Israel go. The conflict has escalated to the point of Pharaoh threatening Moses with death. But Moses perseveres in doing what God called him to do, telling Pharaoh...
2 Corinthians 10:1-18 In this week’s passage, the apostle Paul returns to the accusations made by his opponents in Corinth. The Judaizers and their followers said that Paul was a hypocrite and a coward, that he walked according to the flesh, that he was on a power trip, that he was...
2 Corinthians 9:1-15 Pastor Dave noted that this week’s passage is a proof text for preachers of a prosperity gospel. They encourage giving as an investment strategy, a get-rich-quick scheme, and many people who call themselves Christians have embraced this distortion. Pray for our...
2 Corinthians 8:16-24 In this week’s passage, Paul described the care he took to ensure that the money he was collecting from churches in Macedonia and Achaia for needy believers in Jerusalem was handled properly. His practices provide a lasting example of how a church should handle...
2 Corinthians 8:1-15 “You’re not going to believe this!” Paul tells the Corinthians. The Macedonian churches, although in the midst of affliction and poverty, gave generously to aid Christians in Jerusalem. Paul attributes this amazing provision to the grace of God. Pastor Dave...
2 Corinthians 7:2-16 Pastor Dave began by reviewing the context of this week’s passage: Paul had confronted the Corinthian church with their sin and failures, and conflict ensued. Before the Lord, asking His help to recall, consider the context of your own life with regard to...
Palm Sunday Matthew 21:1-17 Palm Sunday was a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. For the first time, Jesus publicly declared his identity – the long-awaited Messiah-King. He declared himself, not in words, but in actions that specifically fulfilled Old Testament...
2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1 “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” Pastor Dave explained that a yoke is a bar or frame by which two draft animals are joined for working together; it compels them to go in the same direction. The main applications for us of being yoked...
2 Corinthians 5:16 – 6:13 We are people who live, not for ourselves, but for the living Christ. Therefore, we no longer regard other people or our situations according to the flesh. The world says, treat others as competitors in a zero-sum game. Christ says, look out for the interests of...
The Day of Trouble This morning in SoCal, it feels like the world is ending. No sports, Disneyland closed. Schools closed, church canceled. Grocery store shelves empty. And where’s the sunshine? The news about COVID-19 and efforts to contain it changes moment by moment. But one thing has...