Speaker: Jeff Hoenshell

We have come to the most famous part in the book of Jonah…the “big fish.” If this part of the story has ever caused you pause, it’s ok. God is big enough for our questions and, as with Jonah, He is big enough for our mess. Whatever mess you find yourself in today you can be encouraged that God saves us out of our mess.

As we continue our study through the book of Jonah we find our main character running physically and spiritually from God. The further Jonah runs the more we see God demonstrating his sovereignty over Jonah himself and the people he comes in contact with. Are you running from God? Let Jonah offer you warning and encouragement that it is foolish to run from God and that God is always ready to take you back. 

Despite what you may have learned in Sunday School, the book of Jonah is not about a big fish. Jonah tells the story of our great God, His sovereignty, and His love for you, me and the nations. Much like the rest of God’s Word it requires us to look at ourselves and see where God would challenge us to encounter Him in a personal way. 

How do we make an impact in Northern Virginia? There are a lot of people who are trying to do good in our community. Many of them are not Christians. So what is the difference in what we’re trying to do? What makes us distinct is that we have what the world needs and that is the good news of the gospel.

We are not a church that is only interested in us. We believe God has placed us here to imapact Northern Virginia. We want to serve our neighbors. Are you a godly neighbor? Do you pass the Neighbor Test? Do you love God by loving your neighbor? 

God has called disciples of Jesus Christ to not only be unafraid witnesses but to also seek the welfare of their city. We find this message from the prophet Jeremiah. It is here that we start our Go Beyond series. We want to go beyond our church walls and our comfort zones to serve the people of Fairfax County. Visit our Next Steps page for more info. 

Spiritual warfare is not won by desire, resolve or willpower. Our strength to win spiritual battles comes from God alone. Ephesians 6 lays this out for us and gives us weapons and defenses to stand in this battle. Have you been STUMBLING lately? You might be under attack! You can turn right now and ask for help from the only One who does not lose. 

Ephesians 6 opens the subject of slavery. Does the Bible condone slavery? As we study this chapter we see that Paul is planting the seeds of the gospel on the inside so that the walls of this institution can’t contain it and they burst with the downfall of slavery. The Bible does NOT condone slavery. The gospel guts it from the inside out so it can’t live.  

Parenting is not for the faint of heart. It’s hard. God has given us a special responsibility to teach our kids to know & love Christ. We only have a limited time to teach our kids so we need to WHAT and HOW God would have us raise them.