Solid Rock — Bob Whitaker (22 Apr 2018)
Matthew 16:13-18. Jesus said to Peter, “On this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” That statement was both a promise and a prediction. No matter what happens, the church of Jesus Christ will not be destroyed. Kingdoms come and go but the church will endure […]
Confessing Sinner, Confessing Saint — Bob Whitaker (2 Apr 2017)
The Bible is honest enough to describe the weakness and failings of the New Testament disciples. However, few of the disciples seem more human than Peter. At one moment he claims that Jesus is the Son of God. At another, he denies that he ever knew Jesus. Between those two stories Jesus rebukes him for […]
Surprised by God — Bob Whitaker (19 Jun 2016)
From Acts 12:1-17. The believers in the early church had seen numerous miracles performed following Jesus’ death. It seems that they shouldn’t have been surprised by another, but they were. Some suggest that this indicates a lack of faith, but is that the best interpretation of the story? Maybe they were surprised by the grace […]
God’s Creative Purposes — Bob Whitaker (5 June 2016)
From Acts 10:1-20. When we look back in hindsight at the promises of God in the Old Testament, we identify the mission of God in Jesus Christ. God’s mission of redemption was always for the whole world, but that wasn’t always obvious to everyone. This week we’ll look at another development in the creative mission […]
ExtraOrdinary — John Mangrum (29 Mar 2016)
We long to find meaning and significance in being part of something greater than ourselves. What if participating in the ordinary is something extraordinary?
Three Stories, One Resurrection — Bob Whitaker (27 Mar 2016)
Can you relate to Peter, Thomas, and Paul in their interaction with Jesus? Their stories offer encouragement as we seek to follow our risen Lord. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!
The Call to Discipleship — Josiah Leuenberger (20 Sept 2015)
From Luke 5:1-11. This week’s passage lays out Jesus’ call to Peter to step into the middle of the greatest story ever told by trusting Him in faith and joining Him in the mission of proclaiming the Good News. Join us as we explore Peter’s call and the implications of this defining moment on our lives […]
Breaking It Down — Dan Waugh (31 May 2015)
From 1 Peter. In his letters, Peter reminds the church of two essential aspects of her identity. First, in relation to God, she is his chosen people, a holy nation. Second, in relation to the world, the church is a sojourning, pilgrim people – a people in exile longing for home. Both aspects of our […]
Just a Minute, God, We’re Praying — John Mangrum (9 Nov 2014)
Acts 12:1-16. This message is a look at Peter’s situation in prison and the people praying for him. Do we really have faith that our prayers matter?
Diversity in the Church — Bob Whitaker (2 Nov 2014)
Acts 10:9-23. Diversity in the body of Christ (mentioned even in ECC’s Values Statement) is not something we created–it is something we inherited from Scripture and the history of the church. It all started in Acts 10, our text for this Sunday morning. Let’s think about the implications of this text together!