What does grace look like? It looks like people coming to faith; people praying; people giving to help others; people accepting others, regardless of color or national origin. Have you seen grace in action lately?
What's the difference between your personal convictions and God's commands? Stephen reminds us in this message that being fully in God's will requires learning the difference.
Did you know that when speaking of God, there are two words you can't use in the same sentence? ('No' and 'Lord') He is either Lord of your life, or He isn't!
Just when you'd expect an elderly Nehemiah to sink into a rocking chair and call it quits on his difficult ministry, he instead thrusts himself even more into the consuming endeavor. His example is a convicting one to every believer who thinks it is okay to retire from God’s work.
Experiencing true revival is like remodeling your kitchen. It takes longer than you planned, makes a bigger mess than you imagined, and costs more than you hoped! But as we learn from Nehemiah's example, it's worth it.
Revival is the natural result of an encounter with God. Whenever God's Word exposes us for who we truly are and we respond by confessing our sins to Him, our heart finds peace and restoration. As Stephen reminds us in this message, repentance is the road to reformation . . . and there is no alternate route.
The Church in America is losing her courage to communicate the message of Jesus. Many believers today are just as materialistic and promiscuous as unbelievers. At the moment when our generation is asking life's most important questions, Christians aren't standing up to give the answer. We, like the people in Nehemiah's day, need a revival.
A listing of names can often be a wearisome portion of scripture to wade through, but it is actually one of the most beautiful aspects of the Bible. Every time you come to a list of names, it is a reminder that God is keeping tabs. He doesn't overlook any of the details. He sees all and He will reward those who serve Him faithfully.
In the Garden of Eden Satan whispered a cunning lie to Eve that incited one of the most tragic events in human history. He didn't stop there, however. He is still whispering lies in our ears today, so we must learn how to tune him out.
The reason the Church often fails to reach the world is because the world has infiltrated the Church. Secular ideologies and marketing strategies inspire Church activities. Self-promotion and commerce inspires fellowship. There is only one cure for this selfishness, and it's found in Nehemiah's inspired memoirs.
This lesson from Revelation 12:7–10, titled “Antichrist and the Many Faces of Evil – Part II,” reveals the unseen spiritual battle in heaven that takes place during the Tribulation. John describes Satan as the red dragon, an ancient, deceptive, slanderous adversary who accuses believers day and night before God. In a dramatic future event, Satan and his demons are defeated by Michael and the angels and are permanently cast out of heaven. Though Satan still deceives and accuses, his ultimate defeat is certain. The lesson emphasizes the believer’s security in Christ and the victory already won through Jesus, encouraging steadfast faith amidst spiritual opposition.
This lesson from Philippians 3:10–11, titled “Aiming Higher . . . Pressing Onward – Part 3,” unpacks Paul’s deep hunger for intimacy with Christ. Paul expresses four passionate desires: to know Christ more deeply, live for Him more dynamically, suffer with Him more dependently, and look for Him more eagerly. True spiritual growth, Paul teaches, is driven by appetite—an intense longing for closeness with Christ that shapes every part of life. The lesson urges believers to identify what dulls their hunger for God and to pursue a deeper, ongoing relationship marked by obedience, intimacy, and eternal perspective.
This lesson from Revelation 13:1–2, titled “Antichrist and the Many Faces of Evil – Part IV,” introduces the rise of the Antichrist as Satan’s ultimate representative on earth. John describes this coming world leader as a “beast,” symbolizing both the man and his revived Roman Empire—a future coalition of ten kings. Though he begins as an insignificant ruler, the Antichrist gains global power, ultimately demanding worship and opposing Christ. Drawing from both Revelation and Daniel, the lesson highlights his blasphemous character, political cunning, and demonic empowerment. Believers are warned not only about this coming figure but also about the present “spirit of Antichrist,” which promotes deception, moral compromise, and cultural lies. The lesson calls Christians to remain alert, grounded in truth, and devoted to Christ while awaiting His return.
This lesson from Revelation 13:3–4, titled “Antichrist and the Many Faces of Evil – Part V,” explores how the Antichrist cements his global power through deception, particularly by mimicking the resurrection of Christ. After suffering a fatal head wound, the Antichrist appears to rise from the dead, leading the world to worship him and, unknowingly, Satan—the dragon who empowers him. This event becomes Satan’s greatest counterfeit, imitating Christ’s death and resurrection and deceiving the world into allegiance. The lesson warns believers of Satan’s long history of spiritual counterfeits and challenges them to live with discernment, devotion, and faithfulness to the true Christ, who alone deserves worship and glory.
This lesson from Philippians 3:1–3, titled “Aiming Higher . . . Pressing Onward – Part 1,” teaches that true joy and spiritual protection come from rejoicing in the Lord. Paul commands believers to rejoice—not as a fleeting emotion, but as a deliberate act of focusing on Christ. Joy becomes a defense against spiritual harm, sin, and discouragement. Paul then warns against false teachers—those who spiritually harm (dogs), mislead (evil workers), and burden others with legalism (mutilators). In contrast, true believers worship by the Spirit, boast in Christ alone, and place no confidence in personal merit. The lesson urges us to safeguard our joy, avoid spiritual deception, and center our lives on Jesus alone.
