God desires for his people to flourish. The rule of life practices of fasting and generosity help us walk with God in an intentional way that enables that flourishing. Take a listen as Joe helps us understand the what, why, and how of both of these incredible spiritual practices.

This week in our 'Rule of Life' mini-series within our Year of Biblical Literacy we tackled the practices of Prayer and Community. Both of those are wider known/adopted practices, but both come with an entire myriad of conflicting and problematic misunderstandings. Take a deep dive with us in this week's sermon.

A rule of life helps pattern our lives and set our rhythms around our values with the goal of being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did in the midst of a chaotic world. The liturgies of the world shape our desires, but sabbath and solitude are counter-liturgies, reorienting our hearts toward God’s kingdom instead of constant productivity and consumerism

Our third series within The Year of Biblical Literacy is ‘A Rule of Life.’ A rule of life gives us formative practices that constantly realign our affections/allegiances towards God’s Kingdom rather than the world’s demands. We’re including this page with a list of additional resources.

Too many people miss the forest for the trees when studying the book of Revelation by obsessing over the the biblical prophecies rather than the beautiful depiction of the final act in the Story of God — Restoration. As disciples of Jesus, it is imperative that we keep Restoration in our sights as we grow in the image/likeness of Jesus!

Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promise, bringing redemption through His life, death, and resurrection, establishing His Kingdom by defeating sin and death. His Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is commissioned to continue His mission—proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, and embodying His Kingdom on earth as a “colony of heaven in a country of death.”

In this episode, we dive into the bold claim that Jesus is Everything—the linchpin of the entire biblical story. From Israel’s deep longing for a Messiah to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we explore how He fulfills God’s promises, ushers in the kingdom, and transforms our lives. If Jesus truly is everything, then everything must change—our identity, hope, and mission all realign around Him.

Covering centuries worth of history in one sermon can be daunting, but it exposes the wondrous reality of God’s marvelous and utter consistency of providing promise and purpose to he is people. The OT Covenants, leading to the New Covenant in Christ’s atoning work, are remarkable parts of the Story of God that the Spirit is leading us to live into.

Genesis 3 tells of the tragic story of humanity’s rebellion against God’s good Kingship, revealing how sin distorts our relationship with God, each other, and creation. Despite the consequences, God lays the groundwork for his redemptive plan through Jesus, offering hope and restoration.