We focus on two illusions that enslave billions of people: 1) Contrasted with grace-based trust in God, religious self sufficiency alienates us from God, and 2) Attempts to earn God’s favor through our efforts lead to pride in religious accomplishments, in complete opposition to the humility imparted to us by the mind of Christ.

The emphasis on human love we hear during the season of Valentine’s Day helps us to focus on God’s love for us. He lavishly pours out “every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3) on us.

Jeremiah has been called the weeping prophet as well as the prophet of consolation. Out of the tragedy and sorrow God used Jeremiah to convey faith and hope.

The life and times of Jeremiah were intricately interwoven into the mission God gave him. Though destruction, devastation and despair permeated his life Jeremiah’s world is filled with hope.

It might be hard to get our tongues around the name of the Old Testament character “Mephibosheth” but David’s kindness towards him is an incredible illustration of God’s grace, and how he relentlessly searches for us.

Some estimates are that 10-15 million Christians in the United States do not regularly attend a building that calls itself a church. What and where, exactly, is the body of Christ?

Those trapped by Christ-less religion are in a legalistic form of slavery. Listen in as Greg teaches “Let God’s People Go!”

Faith dies when the spiritually hungry do not receive the Bread of Life, when those in desperate need are seduced by religious junk food and become convinced God can be gained or lost on the basis of human performance.

Greg talks about the courtroom in which we all find ourselves — and how we need to understand who’s who in the courtroom.

Before we come to the Table of the Lord we consider the significance of remembering Jesus, and eating of the Bread of life.

God is having a banquet, and every seat will be filled – one way or the other! The seats at the table may not be filled with those you would expect to accept the invitation, but they will be filled.

Elijah encountered times when the water ran dry, then some time later the food ran out, and then some time later death visited the home he was living in. As long as we live in our bodies of flesh, it’s just one problem after another – but the good news is that God offers us new life!

Find out how replacement beliefs like dish towel religion can insidiously diminish and devalue God’s love.

Greg concludes this three-part series with the keynote passage of Isaiah 53:1-6, a passage Martin Luther once announced as the “Fifth Gospel.”

As our three-part series studying the gospel in Isaiah continues, our keynote passage is Isaiah 40:1-11 – yet another passage used by Handel for the lyrics to his majestic “Messiah.”

The good news is not limited to, nor was it first proclaimed in the New Testament. Join us for this fascinating three-part series as we discover the many Christ-centered teachings of Isaiah. Isaiah 9:2-7

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians offers incredible insights into the nature of the church – the body of Christ. Join us for this fascinating study.

When asked to provide a list of his top ten biblical verses, Greg was stymied. Here’s the list he wound up with – and why.

In this second message in our two part series we study Matthew 5:38-45, and the Jesus’ loving response to violence and hatred.

This begins a two part series studying misunderstandings many have regarding the significance of the supreme demonstration of divine love given for us on the cross of Christ.

When giving their “testimonies” some talk about “getting” saved – is that what happens? Can anyone actually “get” saved?

Accusations and condemnations continue among competing churches and denominations – as do church splits and divisions. And then there’s the seemingly endless, strident messages from many pulpits about non-Christians. What is a Christ-centered perspective about all of this angry rhetoric?

When all is said and done, our relationship with God all comes down to CHRIST ALONE – faith and grace are themselves rooted and grounded in Christ, who is the very center of all that we are.

Join us for GRACE ALONE, the second message in this three part series, as Greg considers the much misunderstood, mis-used and abused topic of God’s amazing grace.

We begin a three parts series which will carefully consider this phrase, so often used here at CWR. This week, we’ll the teaching given to us in Romans 4:13-25 about FAITH ALONE.

While the kingdom of God is very much present in our lives now, the kingdom also has a future tense, when it comes in its fullness.

This first of a two part series examines the present reality of the kingdom of God – Jesus said that it is here, now!

Join us as we ponder and meditate about the love of God expressed to us and for us and with us in the life of Jesus, who experienced the disappointments, betrayals, and rejections common to us all — and through it all served us with his love — and he still does!

God’s love, in action, is far from a dream-like never-never fantasy land. God’s love is real, it exists in and through the tough times, the trenches, the pits and ditches into which we fall — it is with us as we walk through dark valleys of our lives.

He doesn’t call us a slave or a servant- nor does he insist that we keep our distance, as he is our teacher and we are merely his disciples and students.

“To err is human, to forgive is divine.” Divine forgiveness, illustrated in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, involves no bookkeeping.

Greg illustrates how easy it is to misunderstand and abuse the teaching available to us in the Bible – and confesses to doing so himself.

It’s the title of a famous folk song, but more importantly the wind is a metaphor describing the work of God. Join Greg as he explains John 3:8.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus used a person whose race and religion was despised as a metaphor of his own work – in the parable of the Good Shepherd he compared himself to a profession that didn’t have the best reputation. Why?

Jesus’ parable of the vine yields incredible insight into the nature of our relationship with him.

Since Jesus invites us to the kingdom of heaven in spite of what we have done, rather than what we have done, does that mean there are no limits to God’s grace?

While the storms of our lives do not define or limit our relationship with God, they can be traumatic and disconcerting. Join Greg as he offers fresh perspective about the blessed assurance we can all have in and through Jesus Christ.

Christ in us enables us to be wounded healers – transformed by God’s grace that we may be vehicles of God’s love, offering comfort for others in the same way we have been comforted by God.

Greg explains that Jesus’ parable of “The Workers” in Matthew 20 is a picture of God’s grace, and that the kingdom of heaven reverses the values and expectations of the kingdoms of religion. Luke records Jesus saying, “What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”

Sin management is the focus of Christ-less religion – attempting to make bad people good, or at the very least better. But Jesus’ mission is not about making bad people better. Jesus comes to make spiritually dead people live!