1 Corinthians 1:18-25 – The Stakes Are High

Introduction What are your expectations in coming here? Why am I here? I have 2 kids, I have a stressful job at a small software company. I am 33 years old. What on earth is my connection with all of you? Frankly, very little. But God saved me in college at UC...

Dialogic Prayer that Leads to Maranatha Faith

“How Long, Lord?” This is one of the prayers recorded in Revelation 6. Prayer is a back and forth dialogue with God, and in that exchange, faith is produced. And not just ordinary faith, but what I call Maranatha faith. Maranatha or "Come, Lord Jesus." A...

Revelation 5 – Navigating Through the Messy Middle

I love the book of Revelation.  I think it fits my poetic sensibilities.  You may look at me and I know you must be thinking, Ray, he looks like a guy who drinks root beer all day and watches sports.  I don’t like root beer, but I do love sports.  But that is only one...

Trustworthy Sayings

Icebreaker – favorite movie, survey church background Introduce myself. Graduation, family, college ministry, missions. I am so thankful that each of you can come and attend our historic first Bible study here at USC Health Campus and I am excited to see what...

Sermon on 1 Corinthians – "The Simple Truth"

INTRODUCTION ** “And Now My Lifesong Sings” (Casting Crowns, 2005) **  Did you like that song? The title is “And Now My Lifesong Sings” by Casting Crowns. Let me read a few lines. What tune is your life playing these days? There’s a...