Why does the Holy Spirit seem to act so differently in the Old Testament than in the New? That question kicked off a powerful night of teaching and testimony in our church community. And it’s one that deserves thoughtful reflection—not just for the...
I’ve long been a fan of N.T. Wright. I’ve read most of his work and listened to hundreds—if not thousands—of hours of his lectures. As with any scholar, I appreciate much of his work while also disagreeing with him on a number of points. But this is...
In this follow-up reflection to Sunday’s message on Acts 1:1–11, Pastor Matt Ayars explores the significance of the 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Why did Jesus wait? What do the...
We often long for more of God in our lives—for clarity, strength, power, joy. We say we want the Holy Spirit, but how do we actually prepare ourselves to receive Him? As we approach Pentecost, Acts 1:1–11 gives us a clear and challenging blueprint...
We talk a lot in the Church about Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter. But one of the most overlooked essentials of our faith is the Ascension of Jesus. It tends to fly under the radar—no major holiday, no hallmark decorations, no big public...
Each year, many Christians celebrate Christmas and Easter with great enthusiasm. But Pentecost? It often gets overlooked. Yet if we understand the biblical story in its fullness, we discover that Pentecost is one of the most theologically rich and...
It’s good to pause sometimes and reflect on how God actually saves us. What does it mean to be “born again”? What is the Holy Spirit doing in our lives when we come to Christ—and even long after we’ve made that initial decision to follow...
One of the more common objections to Christianity—especially from agnostics and atheists—is the claim that people only believe what they are raised in. The argument goes like this: if you’re born in Saudi Arabia, you’ll likely be Muslim. If you grow...
When Jesus stood on the mountain in Galilee and gave His final instructions to His disciples, He didn’t tell them to stay put. He didn’t say, “Build something comfortable.” He said, “Go.” Go and make disciples. Baptize them. Teach them to...
The Spirit Who Unites: How the Holy Spirit Begins the Work of Salvation Last week, we explored the gifts of the Spirit, particularly the “sign gifts” like tongues, prophecy, and healing. We discussed the theological debate...