"Authority Applied: The Church" (Matthew 16:18-19; 18:18-20; 28:16-20)

It can be common to view the church like one of many other non-profit organizations trying to do good in our world. However, Scripture makes clear that the church is wholly different. It's a powerful institution given spiritual authority as an embassy of God's heavenly kingdom. This Sunday we'll consider what kind of authority the church has, and why every Christian should submit to one.

This series is based loosely on the book, Authority by Jonathan Leeman.

"Authority Applied: Parents" (Proverbs 22:6)

What kind of authority does the Lord give to parents? What is the goal of parental authority and what are its limits? How does parental authority change over time? We'll continue to apply God's word on the topic of authority to our everyday lives so we can better understand and follow God's good design for our flourishing!

This series is based loosely on the book, Authority by Jonathan Leeman.

"Authority Applied: Husbands" (Ephesians 5:22-33)

After three weeks of theological foundation on the topic of authority, we'll spend the rest of the series considering all of the diverse offices God bestows with authority in Scripture. This Sunday, we'll consider the husband's authority in marriage—what it means, and doesn't mean.

This series is based loosely on the book, Authority by Jonathan Leeman.

"Authority Redeemed" (Psalm 72)

God's original design for authority is good, but it's so often abused. So how do we exercise our authority justly in the midst of a fallen world where so many are oppressed? This great royal Psalm from David and Solomon will give us practical instruction, and real hope!

This series is based loosely on the book, Authority by Jonathan Leeman.

"When Authority Is Abused" (Ezekiel 34:1-16)

Last week we saw that authority is God's good gift for human flourishing. However, many of us have experienced authority gone bad. Does God's word have anything to say about when authority is abused? How do we avoid misusing the authority the Lord has given us? This Sunday is week 2 of our 6-week series about authority.

This series is based loosely on the book, Authority by Jonathan Leeman.

"The Goodness of Godly Authority" (2 Samuel 23:1-4)

We live in an anti-authority age. Many have seen power that is misused or abused, which has led to a skeptical attitude toward leadership. This Sunday, we begin a 6-week sermon series on the topic of authority. We'll see that good authority is a gift from God for our flourishing.

This series is based loosely on the book, Authority by Jonathan Leeman.
This sermon draws from Mark Dever’s 2022 sermon, "Only Use Authority in the Fear of God."

"Rise and Grind" (Proverbs 6:6-11)

For many, the New Year is a time for setting goals and aspiring to greater success, particularly at work. As Christians, how should we approach our work? How do we avoid the temptation to laziness while also making sure we don't put all of our identity into our work? The book of Proverbs has much wisdom to offer us.

"Page 1 of 365" (Proverbs 16:1-4)

2024 is like a book full of empty pages. What will the story of your year be? Who determines the book of our life--the decisions and outcomes? This month, we're considering some typical New Year's sayings and weighing them against the wisdom of God's word in the book of Proverbs.

"New Year, New Me" (Proverbs 3:1-8)

What are your New Year's resolutions? This season is a time where many reflect on the previous year and consider how they might change and grow in the next year. This month, we'll consider some typical New Year's sayings and weigh them against the wisdom of God's word in the book of Proverbs.

"Prepare for Jesus" (John 1:6-8)

There were centuries of preparation and prophecy leading up to the first advent of Jesus. On this third Sunday of Advent, we consider how we might prepare for Jesus—not only in light of his first advent, but looking ahead to when he comes again.

"Know Jesus" (John 1:1-5)

This week is the second Sunday of Advent, and advent is all about the coming of Jesus. But who is he? For the rest of the season we'll dive deeply into the identity of our savior from the Gospel of John's prologue. This Sunday, we'll consider him as God and Creator, Life and Light.

"How the Gospel Transforms Family and Work" (Ephesians 6:1-9)

The gospel impacts every area of our lives. As we continue in Ephesians this Sunday, the Apostle Paul applies his exhortation to submission in two significant places—our home and our work. We'll see how our union with Christ transforms our relationships with our parents and our bosses.

"If the Son Sets You Free" (John 8:31-36)

We have an incredible privilege this Sunday to hear from Neel and Chalor Roberts, missionaries to Thailand. Neel preached on the freedom only Christ provides. Neel joined Ruggles back in 1984 and was sent as a missionary from our church to Thailand with OMF in 1987. In 1993, he married Chalor, who is Thai and a graduate of Phayao Bible Institute. Chalor works with Shan Migrant Children in Mae Sai and Chiang Rai in North Thailand. Neel supervises Christian workers in the Upper Mekong Region.

"Living Like Christ in a Lost World" (Ephesians 5:1-21)

It's tough to follow Jesus when we're surrounded by people who don't—particularly when it comes to issues concerning sexuality. How can we faithfully live as light in the darkness? That's what our passage is all about this week.

Be Your (True) Self (Ephesians 4:17-32)

How do people change? How do you change? Make a new year's resolution? Finding a new experience? Turn over a new leaf? In our passage this Sunday, we'll see more specifically how a Christian's union with Jesus Christ transforms our identity and enables us to live together as "members one of another."

How the Church Grows (Ephesians 4:1-16)

What makes a church grow? Is it up to the pastor or a specific music style or a kind of program? We come this Sunday to a significant transition in Ephesians. From "grace in" to "grace out" or generally, from teaching to application. How does our union with Christ work out into unity with one another? And this Sunday, how does our union with Christ grow us in maturity together?

A Prayer for Strength (Ephesians 3:14-21)

The Apostle Paul has, so far in Ephesians, offered an incredible vision of how God's grace in Christ saves his people and unites them in the church. Yet the reality often falls short of this beautiful picture. We need God's help to live this out! How? That's what this Sunday's passage is all about.

God's Power in His Church (Ephesians 2:11-22)

Last week, we saw how the power of God is at work in Christians as individuals, saving us from God's wrath by raising us up through our union with Christ. This week, we'll consider the other area where God's word points us to see his power at work: the church.

God's Power in You (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Ephesians 1 ended with a glorious declaration of God's immeasurable saving power at work in our world. But when we look around at the death and sadness and ungodliness the world today, sometimes it's hard to see evidence of God's power. Where do we see God's power at work today?

What God Wants You to Know (Ephesians 1:15-23)

What do you pray about most? As we continue in our sermon series in the book of Ephesians, we move from praise (last week) to prayer. The Apostle Paul prays that the church in Ephesus—and Ruggles—would know Jesus better: his hope, our value, and his power.