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“Back to Church”
Go Back to the Book
Many of us find our church home for different reasons — it’s the one our parents went to, it has great programs, or it just feels welcoming. But have you ever paused to ask a more fundamental question: Does my church align with the one I read about in the Bible?
In a world with countless denominations and traditions, it’s an important question. The New Testament speaks of one church, the body of all saved people with Christ as the head (Eph. 4:4, Col. 1:18). Local congregations, then, are called to be expressions of that one church. The only way to know if we're on the right track is to do what God’s people have always done when they’ve drifted: go back to the book and rediscover the original pattern.
“Friend, Do What You Came to Do”
See the Prophecy in the Pain
In the shadowed halls of medieval Scotland, a celebrated warrior named Macbeth, honored and trusted by his king, gave in to a whisper of ambition. He welcomed his king into his home under the mask of loyalty, shared a meal with him, and then, under the cover of night, murdered the very man who trusted him most.
Does this story sound familiar? A trusted friend, a shared meal, a betrayal in the dark (John 13:30). It’s a tragedy that haunts us, whether in Shakespeare or in Scripture. The story of Judas Iscariot — into whom Satan had already entered (Luke 22:3) — follows this same heartbreaking path, with one chilling difference: King Jesus knew it was coming all along. By looking at the ancient psalms that Jesus himself quoted, we can see the prophecy of this pain and build our faith on the stunning truth of his foreknowledge.
“Meet Your Bible”
Get to Know Your Bible
Have you ever had that friend-of-a-friend you’ve known for a while, but you were never properly introduced? You say hi, you know a few things about them, but you feel a little awkward because you don’t really know them. Sometimes, our relationship with the Bible can feel the same way. We might know some stories or see it in a hotel drawer, but we’ve never been given a proper introduction to what this incredible book actually is.
Many people either honor the Bible from a distance, thinking personal study is too intimidating, or jump to strange conclusions because they’ve never learned the basics. But you don't have to be afraid; this is a book you can understand, engage with, and enjoy. So let’s get properly introduced.
“Torn Robes and a Silent King”
Trust in the Better Priesthood
Who was the very first priest mentioned in the Bible? The answer might surprise you. It wasn't Aaron or anyone from the tribe of Levi. The first time the word “priest” appears in Scripture is in Genesis 14, and it’s used to describe a mysterious man named Melchizedek, who was not only a “priest of God Most High,” but also the “king of Salem” (Gen. 14:18).
From the opening pages of the Bible, God creates a "mental shelf space" for an idea that seems strange to us: the roles of priest and king combined in one person. This ancient figure provides the blueprint for a better priesthood, one that the Old Testament would consistently point towards. This trail of clues leads to a dramatic face-off, where a silent Priest-King stands before a law-breaking high priest, and everything changes.
“More Than a Feeling”
Declare His Worth With Your Life
Have you ever admired someone so much — a parent, a mentor, a teacher — that you started to become like them? You picked up their habits, you started talking like they did, and you even began to see the world through their eyes. Jesus spoke to this deep truth when he said, “everyone, when he is fully trained, will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). As his disciples, the more we get a sense of who he is and how incredible he is, a deep sense of honor and respect — reverence — starts to grow.
But this isn't a stuffy, formal feeling that creates distance. It’s what happens when our hearts see his greatness, and it naturally shows up in two big ways: our worship and our holy living.
“The Human Satan Crusher”
Find Jesus in the First Promise
Right after the first sin, with shame and blame hanging heavy in the air, God does something remarkable. Before he even lays out all the consequences for humanity, he turns to the serpent — Satan himself — and embeds the Bible’s very first promise of a Savior — a promise so important that it's often called the "first gospel."
In humanity’s darkest moment, God’s first response wasn’t just to deal with sin, but to declare spiritual war on our adversary and announce his plan for ultimate victory. It’s a plan that reveals how God would use a human to crush our spiritual enemy, and it’s a plan that points directly to Jesus from the very beginning.
“Building a Life That Lasts”
Gear Up for Spiritual Renovation
Have you ever lived through a home remodel? For a decade, my family was in a constant state of renovation. On any given day, you might find bare walls with 2x4s showing, a fine layer of sawdust on every surface, and tools scattered about. We’d have friends over for dinner while a six-foot hole gaped in the floor between the kitchen and the bathroom. Living in a construction zone is messy, challenging, and you long for the day when you can just settle in and feel "done."
Our spiritual lives often feel the same way. If you’re a follower of Jesus, you’re living through a lifelong inner renovation. We want to feel like we’ve finally arrived, that we have it all figured out. But discipleship is a process, not a destination. The Bible promises that God, who began this good work in you, “will bring it to completion” (Phil. 1:6). You're not a finished product, but you are a project he is lovingly and patiently building.