The voice from heaven at Jesus’s baptism joined together the David Messiah and the Suffering Servant. Now as the Spirit leads Jesus out into the wilderness to be tested the Devil sees it as an opportunity to tempt the Son of God. But more is at stake than a model for us! As Jesus succeeds where Israel failed we begin to see the depth of the stakes: will the Son of God turn aside from the Father’s plan?

John the Baptist prepares the way by preaching repentance, proclaiming that the kingdom of heaven is near, and facing off with the Pharisees and Sadducees. Anticipation builds: if this is Elijah, who is to follow? Join us as we consider John’s challenge and its connections to Jesus’ later preaching.

Who is Herod, really, and what is at stake in his struggle to put the Christ child to death? And how do we make sense of Matthew’s use of the Old Testament to explain who Jesus is? Join us as we unmask Herod and peer over Matthew’s shoulder into the depths of salvation history.

This morning we unveiled the uncomfortable as we discussed Judah and his interactions with Tamar in Genesis 38. This often-overlooked chapter may not make it into children’s Bibles, but it’s a crucial part of God’s inspired word. Join us as we delve into the complexities, discomfort, and divine sovereignty embedded in this narrative. What truths does God have for us in this seemingly uncomfortable aside? How is it both profitable and worthwhile for our understanding of God’s plan?

Having brought of his treasure something old, Matthew now draws out something new as he presents to us the unexpected manner of the Messiah’s birth, shrouded in scandal and mystery, rooted in promise, bringing salvation, and for as much as for the people of Judah. How will we respond to the news that Matthew brings?

Each gospel begins in a unique way; Matthew begins with a genealogy demonstrating that Jesus is the Christ, the son of David, the son and of Abraham. But what is the significance of this ancestral line, and how does it connect Jesus to the Old Testament? Join us as we follow Matthew’s explanation to answer the question: what child is this?

This morning as we enter into December we reflect on Genesis 3, the entrance of sin into the world, and the announcement of the gospel that accompanied God’s coming in judgement. Lord, come quickly!

The world around us is broken in ways we deeply feel, and so we long for things to be made right. And yet we often set our longing on things that fall short of what we and the world need. Join us as we see how Isaiah confronts our need and our short-sighted hope with God’s provision in Jesus Christ.

Nehemiah seems to end on a downer as we see once more the rebuilding community failing to keep themselves unstained from the world. In a chapter prefaced by the subtle seduction of the world and placing on full display the fundamental reality of compromise, do we yet find a word of hope? Are we able with Nehemiah to look beyond the sin and disappointment of the present to final victory and blessed reward? Join us as we wrap up Nehemiah pondering both failures and a future.