This week, we're launching into our new summer message series, Genesis: The Birth of a Nation, where we are exploring the lives of Isaac and Jacob. Those who have been around Providence for a while know that we’ve explored other parts of Genesis in the past. In 2016, we began at the end of the book, looking at the story of Joseph, which vividly points forward to Jesus. We later rewound to the first eleven chapters of Genesis, digging into the creation story, Noah, the flood, and the Tower of...

In Luke 19, Jesus is on the outskirts of Jerusalem, getting ready to enter the city where he will soon be crucified. Before he does, he addresses the crowds with a parable about three servants. Two of them invest the money given to them by their master to enlarge his estate. The third wastes it. In the story, Jesus challenges how we view him, the gifts he has given to us, and our responsibility until his return.

We often think about the call to ministry as some kind of charge for those elite few. But as Paul addresses the Ephesians, he shows them something different. We're all called to ministry while some are specifically called to equip others for the task. Josh Patterson explains what it looks like for the church to walk in this truth.

If you grew up going to church, you’re likely familiar with the story of Zacchaeus and the song about his encounter with Jesus. As a tax collector, he was a hated man in his town who exhorted the people around him for personal gain. Yet, Jesus called him by name and risked his own reputation to stay with him in his home.

As Jesus gets closer and closer to Jerusalem, the crowds are growing. While passing through the region of Jericho, he encounters a blind man who persistently calls on Jesus for help. Despite the crowd trying to stop him, the man continues crying out to the only one who can truly heal him. What can we learn from the actions of this man? What do we discover about Jesus’ character through this episode?

As we celebrate Easter weekend, we look at the third time Jesus explains his coming suffering and death to his disciples. But despite his clear prophesy, they still don't get it.

Our journey through Luke continues with a scene where Jesus is confronted by a rich ruler. In their conversation, Jesus calls on him to do what seems impossible – turn his back on his own wealth. While the man is discouraged, Jesus also issues a promise – “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” In this passage, we see the high calling of following Christ and the equally high promise that the Holy Spirit will sustain us.

We have all experienced seasons of despair and hopelessness. These seasons are all that much harder when we know its our own actions that have put us there. In Ezekiel, the prophet is living among a people who are dejected, broken, and facing the consequences that result from generations of sin. In Ezekiel 37, in their darkest hour, God instructs him to prophesy in a way that hints toward new hope and restoration.

How we approach God matters. In Luke 18:1-17, Jesus tells three separate parables that illustrate two contrasting ways that people go before him in prayer. The persistent widow. The Pharisee vs. the tax collector. The children who run to Jesus with reckless abandon. In each of these cases, we see examples of how to go before the Lord, along with how not to do it. 

What does the Kingdom of God look like? Even more, when will it finally come? As Jesus continues in his ministry, the Pharisees hit him with this important question. In his answer, he demonstrates how the Kingdom is both here and still coming, revealing the reason behind so many of the tensions we experience as his followers today. Through his response, he gives both warning and comfort to his disciples that should cause each of us to pause and consider where our allegiances and affections lie.

This week, we continue in the Gospel of Luke, looking at Jesus’ healing of the ten lepers and a surprising response from one of them.

As we continue in Luke, Jesus addresses the issues of temptation, sin, and forgiveness. He draws attention to the gravity of causing another to be tempted, the importance of brotherly accountability, and the call of providing endless forgiveness to those who fall. His words rattle the apostles who ask for greater faith and Jesus responds by reminding them of their role in his kingdom.

As our journey through Luke continues, Jesus gives a startling warning through the story of the rich man and Lazarus. In this famous parable, he draws a contrast between the nameless, callous rich man and the poor beggar, Lazarus. In a reversal of fortunes, the rich man encounters eternal suffering after his death while Lazarus is given comfort. The wake up call serves as a much-needed reminder for us as we’re tempted to deeply invest in this life without considering eternity.

After demonstrating God’s relentless pursuit of the lost through a series of revealing parables, Jesus now confronts the Pharisees head-on for their hypocrisy and pride. While it’s easy to cast judgment on them, their sins can easily become our own. This week, we look at Jesus’ warning to them and how these same sins manifest in our own lives.

Our journey through Luke continues as we unpack one of the most difficult parables Jesus ever shares with his followers. A master fires his money manager. The manager artificially reduces the debt load on those that owe the master money. The master then praises him for it. What is Jesus’ point to his disciples?

This week, we unpack one of Jesus’ most memorable parables – the story of the prodigal son. In this illustration of God’s unrelenting love, we see a son who squandered his dad’s blessing, an older brother who holds him in contempt, and a father who does the unexpected. Through it, we see the extent of our Heavenly Father’s shocking grace contrasted with the depth of our offense against him.

It’s the first Sunday of 2024 and we’re heading back into Luke! This Sunday, we’re taking a look at the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin as Jesus illustrates his commitment to the spiritually lost amid challenges from the religious rulers of his day. As he explains his passion for the lost, we see also see a challenge to have the same heart.

It's the fourth week of Advent and Christmas Eve. This week, we look at the account of Jesus' birth in Luke 2 and the eternal hope that can only be found in him.

Over the past several weeks, we’ve seen how Jesus is the Word of God, the Life, and the Light. This week, we look at one more important aspect of his ministry in John 1. He became flesh and dwelt among us. In the third week of Advent, we unpack the significance of his presence in our world, his physical existence, and the beauty of his incarnation.

As we observe the second weekend of Advent, we continue to celebrate Jesus' arrival in our world as a baby. But who really is Jesus? This week, we continue our look into his identity and significance in John 1.

This Sunday officially marks the beginning of Advent, a season on the church calendar dedicated to reflecting on the anticipation and longing for Jesus’ arrival in the first century while also remembering our own longing for his return today. This weekend, we’re particularly looking at the nature of who Jesus is as seen in John 1.

In Paul's letter to the Colossians, he is addressing a faithful and growing church he has never had the opportunity to visit. As a result, he spends a great deal of time encouraging them to stay faithful to the gospel and making sure they truly understand it. In Colossians 1:15-22, he specifically lays out the significance of Jesus, who we were before his work on the cross, and what he has accomplished for us. This week, we look at this deep and powerful encouragement.