Chris Wall • Nehemiah 1-2 ESV
God is faithful to advance His Kingdom in the world and invites us to join Him in the process. It is important to pay close attention to the pattern we see in both Ezra and Nehemiah. Ezra began with the re-building of the temple and Nehemiah describes the rebuilding of the city. This makes sense because getting right with the Lord always comes before greater impact. We need to remember that all through history, God's people have been called to point the world to the Messiah (Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9-10). Nehemiah begins with God's call on this cupbearer to rebuild the city and advance the Kingdom. There is a lot to learn from as we see him lean into the Lord through spiritual disciplines and step out in faith.
If your life was a parable, a small story with a big meaning, what lesson would we learn? Jesus often taught in parables, simple stories that open the eyes of the foolish, profound tales that confound the wise. This fall, discover the kingdom of God. Deepen the strength of your faith. Draw close to the One who saves. PARABLES We’re all stories in the end. ...
Chris Wall • 1 Corinthians 15:42-58It is good for us to take the time to process how mankind was created in the image of God. This realization produces in us a profound sense of dignity in life. Even though the image of God is currently distorted because of sin, the journey of being transformed into God’s image moves us to respect the image bearer. God decided to offer the gift of salvation to His image bearers because He loved us so deeply. His work of salvation includes men and women from every tribe, race, language, and people group (Revelation 5:9). God always completes what He starts. His work of redemption will not be completed until our entire being is set free from the effects of the fall and brought to that state of perfection God intended for us. The day we are glorified will be an incredible day for all of us because, on that day our last enemy, death itselfwill be destroyed and the follower of Christ will be completely restored to God’s image. (1 Corinthians 15:25-26) ...
Bigger than your biggest. Deeper than your darkest. Greater than your grandest. One week defines them all. You might describe what's happening in our world today as monumental. You would be right. Yet it's still not as world-defining or life-changing as what happened that one week in a small Roman province thousands of years ago. — with Chad Balthrop, Brad Aylor, Chris Wall and Keith E. Davis at First Baptist Owasso. ...
