Cary Cox, from Hebrews 2:10-18. While Hebrews chapter 1 teaches that Jesus is superior to angels and fully God, chapter 2 is just as adamant that Jesus became lower than angels and is fully man. This passage boldly describes the incarnation of Jesus – he became just like us, to rescue his brothers and sisters!
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 2:5-9. Mankind was created for glory – to rule over God’s creation in his image. But because of our fall into sin, this is not our present experience. We are a mere shell of our former glory, ruled by addictions and sin and death. But Christ stepped into our humanity and destroyed death through his death and resurrection! He restores us to God’s purpose and we will reign in him!
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 2:1-4. The first warning of the book of Hebrews calls us to pay close attention to the gospel of Jesus so that we do not drift away through spiritual neglect. Are we growing, or drifting? Do we treasure Christ and the preaching of God’s word? God uses the proclaimed gospel to strengthen us and keep us in the faith.
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 1:4-14. Jesus is better than angels, and the word God has spoken in him is superior to the old covenant word delivered through angels. Scripture does not hesitate to say that Jesus is superior than any other religion, system or way. Christ is our life!
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 1:2b-3. Jesus is the full and final word from God, and the author of Hebrews gives seven reasons why. Creator, Sustainer, Perfect Sacrifice – Jesus is better than all the worship of the old covenant, and anything that may tempt us today.
Cary Cox, from Hebrews 1:1-2a. God is a speaking God, who has chosen to reveal himself to his people through his Son, Jesus Christ. God has spoken, and we must hear what he has said. What is revealed about God in Christ?
Cary Cox, from the book of Philemon. Paul’s shortest letter gives us an amazing story of the transforming grace of God in Christ! The Lordship of Christ calls us to gospel faithfulness in everyday, “messy” situations.
Cary Cox, from Colossians 4:7-18. In Paul’s closing greetings, we are reminded of the great and diverse family of God in Christ. The Lordship of Jesus is expressed through lives lived out together for his glory. Forgiveness, redemption, failures and victories – what a privilege to be part of God’s family!
Cary Cox, from Colossians 4:2-6. We have seen Jesus as preeminent over the church and the household. Now we see what Christ’s Lordship looks like over the individual heart. He calls us to walk with him in prayer and to give ourselves to the gospel mission.
Cary Cox, from Colossians 3:18-4:1. It’s easy to talk about being Christ-centered. But what about when we go home? God wants us to wear our “church clothes” (compassion, kindness, patience, forgiveness and love) in our marriages and families! Jesus deserves the preeminence in all things, including our households. In this passage, the word of God speaks to each of us and calls us build homes that give him glory.
Cary Cox, from Colossians 3:12-17. Paul showed us what “dirty clothes” to remove each day – things that are bound up with this world and sin. Now he calls us to put on our “church clothes” – the way of living that distinguishes his people from the world and gives him glory. Do you have your church clothes on?
Cary Cox, from Colossians 3:1-11. It is impossible to live the Christian life without experiencing the miracle of conversion. But since believers are united with Christ through conversion, we are empowered to live Christ-centered lives. This involves “changing clothes” each day: putting off things that do not honor Christ, and putting on lives that are consistent with Christ-centeredness. First, we look at the “dirty clothes” to remove.
Cary Cox, from Colossians 2:16-23. Paul blasts the empty legalism and mystical experiences of the false teachers in Colossae. They are pressuring the believers and judging them as inferior, but Paul exposes their Christ-less teachings and calls the church to continue to hold to Christ.
Cary Cox, from Colossians 2:10-15. Paul gives Christ-centered encouragement to a church facing distracting from false teachers. For those who are in Christ, we are alive to God, forgiven of all sins and victorious over demonic powers. Praise the Lord!
Cary Cox, from Colossians 2:6-10. Believers are called to walk out the faith we have received by living Christ-centered lives. But this Jesus-focused life is lived out in the context of a war! We must guard against Christ-less worldviews and stand strong in the gospel. All these competing worldviews are empty; the grass is not greener on the other side! Jesus is our all; we are complete in him!
Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:24-2:5. God’s word is an unfolding revelation throughout Scripture. Little by little God revealed his plan. At the coming of Christ God’s mystery was revealed to the church! His mystery concerns Christ at the center of all things, and his presence in the church (his people, including even the Gentiles!). As the church believes and proclaims the mystery of Christ we are strengthened and encouraged.
Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:23 – 2:5. We are saved by grace, but saved to serve. Paul’s testimony gives us confidence that Christ is worth living for, suffering for, dying for. Don’t waste your life! Christ calls us to hard work in his gospel, for the church, for his glory!
Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:21-23. Christ not only died to restore the entire broken universe, he died to reconcile his people to God through his death on the cross! Paul warns the Colossians to continue in the faith. Christ is enough, and his people must cling to the gospel until the end!
Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:20. The whole universe is being reconciled to God in Christ. Does that mean all people will be saved?! No, peace will be made in all the universe through Christ, whether through salvation or through judgment. Christ will reign as the center of the newly restored universe, forever!
Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:18-19. Jesus is not only Lord of all creation; he is also supreme over the new creation: the church, the resurrection and our future life with him, forever! God has exalted Christ to the highest place. He is preeminent over all. But are we treating him as supreme in our hearts and homes?
Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:15-17. One of the clearest passages in Scripture focusing on the person of Jesus Christ. Who is Jesus? He is the image of God, the Ruler and Creator and Sustainer of all things! Everything is made for his glory and pleasure, and he is first place over all!
Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:9-14. Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is full of Christ-centered encouragement for us! He shows us how to pray deep, gospel-focused prayers for the church and how to preach truth to ourselves and others! God has done great things for us in Christ! He makes us alive and calls us to grow up in him.
Cary Cox, from Colossians 1:1-8. When we say, “Christ Our Life,” what do we mean? What does this life in Jesus look like? In Paul’s greetings to the Colossians we see a description of life in Christ.
Cary Cox, from Colossians. An overview of the book of Colossians and an introduction to the new preaching series, Christ Our Life, which will cover Colossians and Hebrews. In this first message we see the story, the problem and the answer for the church at Colossae. Jesus is enough!
Church Planter Marwan Aboul-Zelof preaches from Matthew 9 about the ministry, motives and mission of Jesus Christ, and shares about his family’s missionary work in the Middle East. We go out in the mission for the sake of lost souls, and for the sake of the glory of Christ!
Mickey McCall, one of the elders of The Church at Meadowlake, teaches on the authority of King Jesus as Creator, Judge and Redeemer.
Cary Cox, from Revelation 11 and Romans 8. A look at the Day in human history that is quickly approaching, when the kingdom of God will be physical, visible, unchallenged and forever! What will happen at the consummation of God’s kingdom?
Cary Cox, from Matthew 28:16-20. Jesus, the risen King with all authority, sends his disciples out to make disciples of all nations!
Cary Cox, from Matthew 27:55 – 28:15. Jesus Christ rose from the dead! What does this say about Christ, and what does it mean for us?
Cary Cox, from Matthew 27:26-54. Jesus Christ is mocked, beaten and crucified. Stand in awe at the foot of the cross!
Cary Cox, from Matthew 27:1-26. See Jesus standing in the place of sinners. The innocent One taking the guilt and condemnation of the world! See true repentance and faith (Peter) contrasted with false repentance that does not save (Judas).
Cary Cox, from Matthew 26:57-75. See Jesus, full of poise and strength, walk right into the dark storm as he faces his trial. See Peter fail during his “trial.” The rooster crows and the tears fall. There is repentance and restoration. We are weak but Christ is strong! He stood in our place and bore our condemnation.
Cary Cox, from Matthew 26:31-56. Jesus tells the disciples that they will all fail him this very night, yet they disagree with him! In this passage we come face to face with our pride, our weakness, our frailty and our guilt. And we see the glory and strength of Jesus Christ!
Cary Cox, from Matthew 26:17-30. A look at the glorious moment in history when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and spoke of himself as the great sacrifice for God’s people in the new covenant.
Cary Cox, from Matthew 26:1-16. Jesus is the Passover Lamb who will pour out the love of God in his shed blood on the cross. We also see the church’s response: Poured out love, pictured in the extravagant act of a woman’s devotion. From Mary’s “What can I give?” to Judas Iscariot’s “What will you give me?,” we look at the value of Christ and the call to pour out our all for him.
Cary Cox, from Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus tells his disciples that he is coming back as the great King to judge the world! Salvation is by grace through faith, but judgment will be according to works. Our works will be evidence on that day that we are his. Particularly, Jesus teaches that how we treat his brothers – other disciples – is how we treat him!
Cary Cox, from Matthew 25:14-30. In the parable of the talents Jesus teaches that all of his disciples will give an account to him when he returns for what we have done with what he has entrusted to us. Using our gifts, time, money, etc to build his church and advance his kingdom is not optional! For the love of our Master and his glory, let us work while we wait for his return!
Cary Cox, from Matthew 24:36 – 25:13. Jesus calls for a response to his teaching on the end of the age: Be ready! He defines readiness in terms of present obedience when he comes. A great day of judgment is coming. Are you ready for his return?
Cary Cox, from Matthew 24:15-36. We continue our study of the Olivet Discourse. The entire age between Jesus’ first coming and his return is an age of tribulation for the church. The gospel is advancing, but the church must endure great waves of suffering. Jesus speaks of the abomination of desolation and his glorious return.
Cary Cox, from Matthew 24:1-14. Jesus’ Olivet Discourse has baffled interpreters throughout church history! We look at the main views before diving into the first 14 verses, where Jesus calls his church in every age to endure to the end through both tribulations and victories. Stay calm in faith, endure to the end and advance the gospel!
Cary Cox, from Matthew 23. In his final public words to the nation of Israel, Jesus blasts the wicked and unbelieving religious leaders in a series of seven “woes.” His words are strong and shocking as he rails against their hypocrisy, and calls his church to be a humble and genuine people of faith. Jesus walks away from the temple after pronouncing the coming judgment of God against the nation.
Cary Cox, from Matthew 22:15-46. Having been blasted by Jesus for their unbelief, the Pharisees and other religious leaders of Israel plot to trap him in his words through a series of trick questions. See the heart of man that naturally resists Christ; but see the glory and wisdom of Jesus shining in his words! See the glory of the God-Man!
Cary Cox, from Matthew 22:1-14. In the parable of the wedding feast Jesus continues his pronouncement of judgment from God on unbelieving and fruitless Israel. He also continues to speak of a new people of God who will enter the kingdom, the Jew/Gentile church! Finally, even the church is warned: we must come to God the proper way, on his terms! We must come repenting of sin, believing on Christ and producing the fruit of obedience and righteousness.
Cary Cox, from Matthew 21:33-46. In the last few days of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry he is pronouncing judgment on Israel for their unbelief and lack of fruit. Led by their wicked leaders, they have officially rejected their Messiah. In the parable of the two sons Jesus gave the indictment against them. They did not believe the one God sent. And now in the parable of the vineyard and tenants Jesus gives the shocking verdict: The kingdom is being taken away from them and given to a people who will produce the fruit!
Cary Cox, from Matthew 21:18-32. Jesus curses a fig tree as a picture of the judgment of God he is pronouncing on unbelieving and fruitless Israel. God is calling forth a new-covenant people who repent of sin, have faith in Christ, and produce fruit to the glory of God.
Cary Cox, from Matthew 21:1-17. See Jesus present himself to Israel as their promised Messiah-King, riding humbly into Jerusalem on a donkey! See him strike at the heart of their faithless worship as he cleanses the temple and makes a statement of the coming judgment of God on unbelieving Israel! Here is our King!
Cary Cox, from Matthew 20:17-34. To Serve and to give! Jesus said this is why he came. He is on the way to Jerusalem, looking to the cross. But the disciples are still looking toward personal gain and glory. Jesus again calls them (and us) to humility and self-denial in his kingdom. Just as Christ himself came to serve and to give his life for many! He is both our Ransom and our Example.
Cary Cox, from Matthew 20:1-16. Disciples of Jesus will be rewarded, but God is in charge of how he distributes his blessings. Jesus calls his disciples away from a mindset of works, entitlement and earning blessings, and points us to the generous and sovereign grace of God!
Cary Cox, from Matthew 19:16-30. Jesus challenges our concept of our own goodness, and reveals the impossibility of being saved apart from a miracle of God’s grace. He calls us to abandon lesser treasures and come follow him. Christ is the great and all-satisfying Treasure!
Cary Cox, from Matthew 19:1-15. Jesus explains that marriage and children are to be treasured and valued in his kingdom. The world is quick to abandon both when things get difficult or inconvenient, but Jesus calls his people to see them differently. We view marriage and children with God-centered eyes, eager for him to be glorified.
The Church at Meadowlake 