Elder Tom Toone shares from Luke 10:25-37 about how everyone needs compassion. Using the quintessential Parable of the Good Samaritan, we highlight practical steps for showing compassion both to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and the unsaved world around us.As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself:"Am I as compassionate as I think I am?""Do I know how to use discernment before I go about sharing any 'Words of Wisdom' with those who are in the midst of suffering?"

In this sermon we'll look at the character qualities that should be growing and increasing in the lives of genuine believers from 2 Peter 1:5-11. As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself:"Does my life reflect these qualities?""If not, why not?"

In this sermon, we'll begin a new study through the short book of 2 Peter. 2 Peter is about making sure (or double-checking) that we know what we believe and that we are growing in the faith. This week in particular we'll talk about the equal standing every believer has in Jesus Christ from 2 Peter 1:1-4. We'll also look at how God has given us everything we need to live for Him and grow in godliness.As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself:"Is my faith in Jesus the same or different from that of other Christians?""Do I feel like God has really given me everything that I need?"

ESBC Elder Tom T shares a challenge for believers to talk less and listen more. Scripture emphasizes that listening--especially to God and others--is foundation to love, understanding, and spiritual growth.As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself:"Would I call myself a 'good listener'?""Why is it important for Christians to listen well?"

In this sermon, we will be finishing the Book of Job (Job 42:7-17)! This passage focuses on the theme of restoration. God used Job to restore his friends and then He restored Job's blessings. In the same way, God challenges us to help others be restored to God through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself:
How has God used what happened in my past to help others?
What would restoration look like in my life?

We're back in the Book of Job to finish looking at God's conversation with Job in Job 40:6-42:6. In this passage, God reminds Job how truly great He is. Job then realizes that the only appropriate response is repentance: confessing his sin and turning away from it toward greater trust in the Lord. We'll talk about what repentance from sin should look like in our own lives.As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself:What does it mean to repent?What does that look like in my own life?

Elder Adam Paul shares the story of the resurrection of Lazarus from John 11:1-44. Through this story, we will learn that we can trust God because He is a God of love, life, and restoration.As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself:What things am I tempted to put my hope in instead of God?What comfort and assurance does Jesus bring into my life?

We're be back in the book of Job again, where we finally get to hear from the Lord in Job 38:1-40:5. He graciously answers Job's demand for an audience, but does so by revealing His great power and control over all things. Job realizes that God is so much greater than us, yet He graciously provides us with a way to salvation. So, like Job, we should humbly submit to Him.As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself:Who am I compared to God?How should I respond to the fact that this God loves me?

Elder Daniel Long will be preaching on Matthew 11:28-30. He will be unpacking what it is like to take Christ's yoke and apply it to our daily living.
As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself:
"What is the rest that Christ offers?"
"Am I experiencing that rest?"

You may think to yourself that of course you would never fail to remember God. How could a believer ever fail to remember God? It happens. We become preoccupied with solving problems ourselves without consulting the Lord in prayer. Or we become obsessed and lose sleep over any number of issues instead of casting our cares upon the Lord. This type of behavior can leave us anxious, depressed, and just plain sad. As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself, as Paul asked the Galatians:"What has happened to all your joy?"

In this sermon we'll meet a young man named Elihu in Job 32-37, who gets us closer to Job's final encounter with the Lord. Elihu doesn't get everything right, but he shows us how relying too much on experience can lead us astray and he reminds us of how truly powerful and holy our God is.As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself,"Is experience the best teacher? Why or why not?""What in nature reminds you most of God's power?"

In this sermon we'll not only hear about what happened at VBS, but we will look at more practical examples of how Job was committed to God from Job 31. We'll look at topics like respecting others, caring for the vulnerable, trusting in God, and extending grace to others. Whether our life is going well or we are in a season of difficulty, Job shows us how we should remain committed to and live for the Lord.
As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself,
"How does my commitment to God impact how I treat others?""How should God's people treat others?"

In this sermon we will see Job present his final defense to God in Job 29-31. Job's example shows us that whether things in our lives are good or bad, we should still hold firm to our commitments. In particular, Job focuses on his commitment to purity and honesty in Job 31:1-12. In the same way, we should commit to purity and honesty in our interactions with others.As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself,"Whether my life is going poorly or great, do I hold firm to my faith commitments?""Do I practice purity and honesty in my own life?"

In this sermon we will be considering the mystery of wisdom from Job 28. Mankind can find many things in this world, but true, eternally reliable wisdom can only come from the Lord. Do we rely on ourselves or look to the Lord to find our wisdom?
As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself,
"What is wisdom?"
"Where do I go to find wisdom?"

Job 22-27 will challenge us to have confidence in the Lord. In these chapters, Job's friends will urge him to repent of his sin, but Job will confidently declare that God, the true Judge, will prove him right. While we should be humble before the Lord, we can also go through life with confidence, trusting in the Lord to be faithful to His promises.As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself,"Is confidence good, bad, or both?""What does confidence in the Lord look like in my life?"

Stephen Howard will encourage us to view God as trustworthy even when His ways are hidden from our view from Job 20-21. Some believers might have the right theology, but apply it in the wrong way. On the other hand, God is always wise, even when His ways are hidden.As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself,"Have I ever said the right thing the wrong way?""How can I trust God's wisdom?"

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 will highlight how the Lord's Supper is meant to be a testimony to our unity as a church, a powerful moment to remember and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, and an opportunity to reflect on what Jesus has done for us.As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself,"What does it mean to 'examine' myself?""Why is the Lord's Supper important?"

Where Is Comfort? (Job 15-19)

Job 15-19 will focus on where we can find comfort in times of trial and loss. Job's friends are miserable comforters and his family has abandoned him, but Job trusts in the truth that his Redeemer lives (Job 19:25).As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself,"Where do I go for comfort?""Is God my redeemer?"

Job 11-14 will teach us where hope comes from. Job's friend, Zophar, thinks hope comes from living for God and being blessed by Him. Job thinks hope can only be found in God Himself, the only one who can give us eternal life. Today, we know that hope is ours through Jesus Christ.

As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself,"Where does hope come from?""How can I find hope in Jesus for today?"

In Chapters 8-10, Job's friend, Bildad, will speak correctly about God's justice, but will also incorrectly say that good things always come to God's people. As for Job, he will express frustration that there is no mediator that can stand between him and God. For believers today, we know that our perfect mediator is Jesus Christ.As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself,"Should I judge others based on their circumstances?""How is Jesus Christ my mediator?"