Psalm 126
When getting married, or if you ever want to be, what do you hope for? I think we have an idea of happiness or a sense of deep contentment or joy. This feeling is often marred by reality and we might think that experiencing joy is a bridge too far. Can we get to that place? If we have wandered, can we find it again?- May 27, 2018All I Ever Wanted
May 27, 2018All I Ever WantedBy: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Psalm 126
When getting married, or if you ever want to be, what do you hope for? I think we have an idea of happiness or a sense of deep contentment or joy. This feeling is often marred by reality and we might think that experiencing joy is a bridge too far. Can we get to that place? If we have wandered, can we find it again? - May 20, 2018Eclipse
- May 13, 2018Stay Tuned
May 13, 2018Stay TunedBy: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Hebrews 3:7-14
Scripture teaches that the marriage relationship is of great significance. The ethics that direct husbands and wives reflect a high standard, as the Church submits to Christ…as Christ loves the Church. These statements must guide our relationships; sometimes new habits must be established. - May 6, 2018Marriage in the Key of We
May 6, 2018Marriage in the Key of WeBy: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Ephesians 5:21-33
Over the next several weeks, the Sunday morning lessons will present a melody of marriage that is different from what society plays. Every time you follow a biblical pattern for your life, it works. When you don’t, things become chaotic. That is because most marriages are in the Key of Me. The Bible pattern shows something different. It shows a melody in the Key of We. Today’s lesson: “I am Third.” - Apr 15, 2018And So We Came To Rome
Apr 15, 2018And So We Came To RomeBy: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Acts 28:14-27
Accomplishments in the Kingdom of God are significant. People once separated from God and from one another, join together and become salt and light in a world of decay and confusion. We know what it is to be lost and found. The Apostle Paul’s ministry led him to Rome. Would this trip mark the end of his work; would he go down in defeat? Or was this the beginning of something new? - Apr 1, 2018Increase Our Faith
Apr 1, 2018Increase Our FaithBy: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Luke 17:1-10
We know a good thing when we see it. We know a good person when we meet them. We know a good deal when it is offered to us. We just don’t always know how to model what is good. Jesus tells His disciples that what you seek you will imitate. - Mar 25, 2018Alien Chronicles
Mar 25, 2018Alien ChroniclesBy: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace1 Peter 2:1-12
Jesus never promised us a rose garden. In fact, He told us to be ready for harsh treatment from those outside the church. He, in His great prayer recorded in John 17, recognized that we are in the world, but we should not be of it. We should not fit in. We are from another realm and we are temporary in this world.
- Mar 25, 2018What Is Truth?
Mar 25, 2018What Is Truth?By: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
John 18:33-38
Christianity makes specific truth claims and based on these claims, calls it’s individual members to commitment. When a person considers becoming a Christian, or when a Christian is moving through a season of doubt, they ask the question, What is Truth? As Pilate directly encounters Jesus, he asks the same question. His answer becomes the defining decision of his life. The fate of humanity hangs in the balance. - Mar 18, 2018Grace Has Appeared
Mar 18, 2018Grace Has AppearedBy: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Titus 2:11-3:5a
We agree with John Newton, acknowledging that God’s grace is amazing! God’s action in history demonstrates His kindness and mercy. He knows that sin has brought with it a culture of death and violence, in this environment, people feel out of place. When we realize our lost we are, God’s grace appears to us. - Mar 4, 2018Is Life Worth Living?
Mar 4, 2018Is Life Worth Living?By: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Philippians 1:12-20
This question is often asked by people because in their heart of hearts, as they view life through the lens of their own lives, they think the answer is a resounding no. I used to feel that way. I asked myself this question when I was 20 years old and found the answer in the death of Christ. For in the death of Christ, we find life. - Feb 25, 2018Love in Real Time
- Feb 18, 2018The Big Picture of Small Groups
Feb 18, 2018The Big Picture of Small GroupsBy: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Acts 20:17-24
The earliest records of church life reveal that a dynamic faith was spreading across the world because of the power of the Holy Spirit and the connections that began to exist among believers. These connections were established as believers met in public and from house to house. Churches today that practice this approach to church life have had significant growth and have found themselves fulfilling the mission of God in ways they did not think possible.
- Feb 11, 2018What Brings Value to Life?
Feb 11, 2018What Brings Value to Life?By: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Psalm 8
Being able to process death requires an understanding of the purpose of life. Tonight will be the beginning of a discussion about Life, Death and Beyond. What comes after this life? How does that affect my daily life? Why am I here? These questions and others will be addressed over the next several Sunday Evenings in a set of lessons that deal with why we came into this world.
- Feb 11, 2018A Place to S.H.A.R.E. Life
Feb 11, 2018A Place to S.H.A.R.E. LifeBy: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Acts 2:41-47
The dream that God had for humanity, to be a community of people who lived out His image in their daily lives has been fulfilled in the Church. The earliest description of the church shows the pattern and practice that remedied the disconnect caused by sin. In the church we see a new humanity connected by a common event and called to a common purpose.
- Feb 4, 2018Turn Your Heart
Feb 4, 2018Turn Your HeartBy: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Malachi 3:13-4:6
Malachi prophecies a final message to God’s people in Israel. In many ways, it called their attention away from their current problems to the future solution. In this last section of his book, Malachi tells the faithful to be patient and watch for God’s movement in history. It will be heralded by someone in the mold of Elijah. This would be humanities’ last chance. - Jan 21, 2018Collateral Damage, Collateral Benefit
Jan 21, 2018Collateral Damage, Collateral BenefitBy: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Malachi 3:7-12
This section of Malachi begins with two statements that seem at first to be unrelated. They are related in that God calling His people to return, leads to the other statement; bring all of what God deserves from my life. When we give to God what is His due, we demonstrate our faithfulness, we are blessed by God, and others are blessed by the collateral result of my faith.
- Jan 14, 2018The Final Solution
Jan 14, 2018The Final SolutionBy: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Malachi 2:17-3:6
God calls us to a way of life that is best for us, and too often, we are okay with our interpretation of what is best. It is as if we already know what is best. The imitation of Christ should be our goal. If I can at least recognize that what I’m doing is good, with room to grow, that is the place where God can meet us. I have to learn to evaluate my actions and decisions as good, better, best. This will keep me moving forward in my faith journey. - Jan 7, 2018When You Say, “I Do!”
Jan 7, 2018When You Say, “I Do!”By: Dennis BakerSeries: A Space for Grace
Malachi 2:10-16
When a couple gets married, most of the time it is done with the best of intentions. But despite the best intentions, too many marriages end in divorce. This might suggest that one or both involved in a broken marriage got married for the wrong reason or reasons. Scripture gives us a different set of motivations for marriage. Discovering these will help our marriages endure. - Dec 31, 2017On the Verge of Bigger
Dec 31, 2017On the Verge of BiggerBy: Dennis BakerSeries: Our Identity in Christ
2 Timothy 1:6-12
Many churches, like many people, never experience their full potential. Full potential is defined as, more than we can ask or imagine. This is a vision of success that God puts before us. It’s a vision that is not achievable by human means alone. It’s something that God hopes for and directs the course of those who want it for themselves. If your vision for the future is achievable through your skill and ability, it is not big enough.