What does a moderately firm handshake, a limp handshake, a firm handshake, a kiss on the cheek--perhaps once, twice or even three times!--a bow, one's nose to the forehead, a smile and a nod, and sticking out your tongue all have to do with love? Come this Sunday and find out as we continue in the Love Chapter of 1 Corinthians 13. Support the show…

In the first part of Ephesians 1 Paul lays out for us the doctrine of the Trinity, God’s eternal and perfect family. He also explains how the church is grafted into that family. The Father adopts, the Son unifies, and the Holy Spirit seals us to the praise of His glory! Support the showโดย Jakob Phillips

As our church family gathers together, at Westchase Elementary after Hurricane Milton, let us remember the promises God gives us that He is in control and He will deliver us from the storms in our lives. We look to Lamentations 3 and are reminded that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases – His mercies never come to an end. Support the show…

The King James Bible says 'charity [or love] vaunteth not itself.' It does not walk around saying, like one of Will Ferrell's movie characters, 'I'm kind of a big deal.' Love doesn't write a book entitled, 'Humility and How I Achieved It.' Rather, love willingly stoops to do the work of the lowliest slave, dies to self, and absorbs suffering for th…

The sin of envy has been placed by Western theologians among the list of Seven Deadly Sins, meaning envy is not simply a particular sin, like an individual weed, but a vice, like a crawling vine that takes over the yard. This is why Rebecca DeYoung says that envy is not so much like a broken arm but cancer, a cancer fueled, not by sugar, but by pri…

When Americans think of a long nose, we typically think of Pinocchio and his lying. But the Bible speaks of a different kind of long nose. The Bible tells us that God is "slow to anger"--literally, "long of nose." In other words, God is very patient because God is love. We see that loving patience of God most supremely in the Lord Jesus Christ, the…

If you have ever been to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado or other beautiful areas, there are sometimes places along the side of the road marked "Scenic Overlook." Like a delicious dessert, such places are meant to be taken in more slowly and savored. Such places, by the beauty of the breathtaking view, demand we slow down and enjoy the vie…

Is the old Canadian rock group Loverboy right? Is it true that "Everybody's working for the weekend"? Is our daily work something we simply endure and put up with? God reveals to us in the Bible a rich and grand vision for our ordinary daily labors. There is a reason why Jesus was a carpenter much longer than He was a preacher. Support the show…

One of the hardest lessons to learn in the Christian life is that God's grace truly is sufficient for every circumstance and that the greatest weapon we have to deal with spiritual warfare is the shield of faith. In the latter half of Psalm 10 King David shows us a good kind of stubbornness--a stubborn faith that "keeps breaking through" in a diffi…

Have you ever wondered if God cared about your problems or sufferings? The two great questions of the Psalms and the prayers of God's people to God throughout the ages are "Why?" and "How long?" In the first half of Psalm 10, King David cries out "why" to God, for David is being unjustly attacked by wicked people and God seems far off, as if He is …

Suffering certainly does not feel normal but the Bible reveals that suffering is a normal part of the Christian life. That suffering seems even more painful when it comes from the hands, mouths and schemes of other people. The second half of Psalm 9 reminds us of at least five things we need to remember about God when our faith is challenged with s…

It has been said that in some parts of the world people sleep in high towers because the gnats can't fly that high. For Christians, God is a high tower and when the cares and fears of this world are biting us, our faith needs to get in that high tower. The first half of Psalm 9 shows us what that looks like. Support the show…

Our galaxy has over 100 trillion stars and our universe has over 200 billion galaxies. It is incredibly vast. We look up in the sky and see the greatness and majesty of God! By comparison, people may seem to be more than insignificant. And, yet, Psalm 8 reminds us of something beautiful: the majestic Creator of the universe is "mindful" of us and H…

We often think of God as a Refuge--that is, we find comfort in taking refuge in God's love. But have you considered that in a world where people are too often horribly mistreated, we can take refuge in God's justice? Psalm 7 reminds us that God's people don't take vengeance in their own hands but trust God to set things right--because He will. Supp…

Psalm 6 is a wonderful example of teaching us how to pray honestly to God when we are downcast and depressed, especially when we have a troubled conscience due to our sin. It also reminds us that God is a good Father to His children and, therefore, He disciplines His children in love. Support the show…

One of the hardest things in all the world to do is to respond to the hatred or unjust treatment of others toward us in a way that is pleasing to God. Psalm 5 instructs us what to do when we are deeply hurt so we can display the beautiful, loving character that Jesus showed His own enemies. Support the show…

We live in a dangerous world filled with trials of every kind. Psalm 4 teaches us about the blessing of being under the shadow of God's wings and the secret to lying down to sleep in peace. Support the showโดย Morgan Lusk

How do you deal with your spiritual enemies and fears? Psalm 3 teaches us to deal with them in confidence and courage through faith in God’s mercy and faithfulness through Jesus Christ. Support the showโดย Cory Colravy

The famous Bible verse John 3:16 speaks both of God's great "love" for a rebellious world but also alludes to His judgment (in the word "perish"). In like manner, Psalm 2 alludes to God's Son (Jesus) as a saving "refuge" but also mentions His just "wrath." Psalm 2 helps us understand what R.C. Sproul meant when he said, "We are saved from God by Go…

This summer, we invite you to join us as we explore Psalms 1-10, together as a church family. Psalms 1 and 2 serve as the introductory pillars to the entire Psalter, laying a foundational understanding. Meanwhile, Psalms 3-10 form a group known as "The Chain of Trust." St. Augustine, around AD 400, the greatest theologian of the first millennium, e…

Where does the spiritual power for Westtown Church come from to advance the kingdom of God in NW Tampa and to the ends of the earth? What does a vibrant, Spirit-filled church look like? What are the essential things to which God's people are to be devoted, and where does that passion and devotion of the heart and life come from? How does God grow H…

1 Corinthians 13 is widely known as "the love chapter." But it's not a chapter about romantic love. It's about Christ-like love: a far more powerful kind of love. In a culture that is confused about the very definition of love, it is essential for Christians to know and show the love of Christ. Support the show…

Have you ever contemplated the intricate dynamics of the Holy Spirit within the Christian community? We reflect on the power of unity and interdependence within the body of Christ, inviting you to embrace the harmony that comes from supporting and honoring one another in our collective journey under Christ. Support the show…

In 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Paul responds to a question about gifts given to each Christian by the Holy Spirit called spiritual gifts. We'll look at what these gifts are, what they aren't, and how each Christian can serve in the Church and bring glory to Jesus through their gifts. Support the showโดย Morgan Lusk

Unlocking the beauty of your identity in Christ – how awesome and wonderful it is to be created male and female and to learn to love and value and enjoy that! Join us in reflecting on 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 this Sunday, as we unravel the significance of being male and female in Christ. Discover the depth of joy and unity that comes from embracing ou…

Embracing the freedom found in Christ is more than a personal journey...much more. Our walk with Christ leads us to a profound understanding of this freedom—one that fills us with confidence and purpose. Through 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1, we see that this freedom isn't solitary but communal, inspiring us to make a positive difference in the lives of…

In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul looks back on the Israelite's' struggles with idolatry in the wilderness after the Exodus. He wants us to see their idolatry as an example, so that we don't fall into the same traps. While the context is completely different for us today, we are tempted by the same kinds of idols as them! How do we withstand temptation and…

As we continue in our series, Witnesses in a Watching World, this Sunday our focus will be on 1 Corinthians 9:1-27. A powerful reminder from Paul, about the importance of sacrificial love and selflessness in our Christian journey. Let's reflect on Paul's examples of giving up lawful things for the sake of others and the kingdom, and consider how we…

Join us, as we dive into 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul's epistle to the Corinthians dispels doubts and affirms the resurrection as the linchpin of our faith. It's a passage that not only validates eternal life for the faithful, but also serves as a resounding trumpet call – it helps us see how the resurrection is the defining moment for all believer…

Join us as we dive into 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, to explore these questions – What is idolatry? and, How do we, as Christians, support each other in a world that is full of it? Discover what idolatry truly means and how it can subtly infiltrate our lives. As Christians, we can uplift and strengthen one another amidst the challenges of living in a cult…

In light of the pressures, anxieties, and complexities of the time in which we live, how do we live our lives with wisdom and true freedom? Join us, as we look to 1 Corinthians 7:25-39, to see what scripture has to say about what really matters – how this world we live in now is not all we have to put our hope in. We have been set free to live our …

Our Candidate for Senior Pastor continues thru our Witnesses In A Watching World message series, by calling our attention to 1 Corinthians 7. Through the tough but timeless themes of love and contentment, and the sacredness of marriage – we get a glimpse into sexual holiness being often misconstrued in today's culture, where the physical is celebra…

Why does God cares so much about what we do with our bodies? Western Society is obsessed with sex. While we might feel like this has been a recent development, things aren't very different now than they were in Corinth 2,000 years ago. This is because sex is, was, and always has been an act of worship. The question is, who or what are we worshippin…

Making and responding to decisions within the Church can feel hard at times. How do we know right from wrong? In figuring out how to handle these tough moments in the Church, the advice from 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 extends a welcoming invitation to let the Bible be our guiding light. It encourages us to embrace the wisdom found in scripture, promoting…

What does tough love mean, in the context of the church? How do you know when to draw the line, or extend boundless grace to those we love and care for? Join us as we discover the joy of worship, of being together, and what it means to be the people of God. Support the showโดย Dr. Stephen Clark

How do we handle criticism and turn that into confidence? Looking to Paul's example of tenderness, in 1 Corinthians 4, as he responds to criticism – his confidence in the Lord helps us see the cross as God's wisdom and it's centering narrative to our lives. Join us at Westtown, this Sunday, at 9am or 10:45am as we worship together. Support the show…

In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul says a divided church is an immature church. But what does a mature church look like? How does God build a mature church? Join us as we discover these truths together. Support the showโดย Morgan Lusk

How God's Power And Wisdom Equip Us With Confidence To Live Faithfully For The Sake Of Jesus And His Gospel. Support the showโดย Dr. Stephen Clark

Our hope is that each of us would learn to rest in God's power and wisdom, revealed to us in the gospel, instead of boasting in our own power and wisdom. Support the showโดย Morgan Lusk

If we are to live faithfully for Jesus we must guard against division and pursue unity as a church. Though we don't often think of unity as a matter of first importance, we'll see how the Gospel leads us to unity and how unity leads others to the Gospel. Support the showโดย Morgan Lusk

As we begin a new year, we are kicking off a new message series focused on God's power and wisdom. This Sunday, we'll jump into 1 Corinthians, as we begin Witnesses In A Watching World. We will seek out ways in which our confidence in the Lord helps us to live faithfully for the sake of Jesus and His Gospel. Join us as we seek out wisdom from God, …

As we approach a new year, it's a good time to consider what your greatest hope is. Often we settle for hope in lesser things or the wrong things. But in Luke 2, we get a picture of the joy and satisfaction we receive when Jesus is our greatest hope. Support the showโดย Morgan Lusk

We'll see from Luke 2:4-20 how Christ's birth reveals the answers to life's most pressing questions and gives us peace and hope for life. Invite your family and friends so together we may experience the 'wonders of His love!' Support the showโดย Dwight Dunn

The news of the Messiah's coming produced an unshakeable hope in many causing them to praise God. As we see Zechariah's response to God answering his prayers (Luke 1:67-79), we'll inspire our hope in God's faithfulness to His promises that enables us to flourish daily in His grace. Support the showโดย Dwight Dunn

Can we truly grasp the magnitude of God's mercy? Join us as we explore Mary's song in Luke 1:46-45. We'll break down the unbreakable – God's promise of love and mercy for believers in Christ which, unlike our promises, is not based on deeds but solely on His sovereign love and mercy. Let us remember together, to rejoice in His steadfast love. Join …

The announcement that God's long-awaited Messiah would soon appear caused hearers to praise God. This advent, Westtown reflects on these Songs for the Savior recorded in Luke 1 and 2 so that we may rejoice in Christ our Savior, the blessings He gives us, and enter more fully into His grace and power. Support the show…

Daniel 6 provides the familiar account of God's rescue of Daniel from the threat of lions in a passage often called Daniel in the Lion's Den. When we rightly see God's power and deliverance however, we should refer to the passage as Daniel in the Angels' Den. Worship with us and see how embracing God's sovereign deliverance of us results in abundan…

People often view humility as a weakness to avoid rather than a virtue to foster. Yet, humbly recognizing that God wisely rules over all things enables us to receive His grace with great thanksgiving. Be built up in your faith this week as we worship our great King and see from Daniel 4 the blessings of humbly relying on the Lord. Support the show…

Let us focus on thanking God for His sovereignty that inspires our hope, peace and power for daily life. Worship our awesome God together and see how knowledge of God's unstoppable purpose, goodness, and power enables us to live confidently and thankfully in uncertain times. Support the showโดย Dwight Dunn

Imagine if we could truly grasp the power behind the actions of a biblical character like Nehemiah and how his reformative journey is still relevant today. We invite you to join us as we peel back the layers of Nehemiah's return to Jerusalem and his efforts to restore the sanctity of God's house – all while landing on a hopeful note, finding securi…