This week we welcome back to the pulpit Sam Raju. Sam is the founder and president of Engage International, an apologetics ministry that engages people all over the world with good reasons to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. He says "his passion lies in reaching people for Christ and seeing them grow in understanding God’s love, ways, and purposes." 

“...the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Hebrews 12:6

...And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

- Hebrews 11:1

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

— Hebrews 9:28

This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

—Hebrews 8:10

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

— Hebrews 7:26

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

— Hebrews 6:19a

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

— Hebrews 4:14

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

— John 15:5

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

— Hebrews 4:12

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

Hebrews Ch. 3 tells us that Jesus is greater than Moses, the great deliverer from Israel's past. Because of this, rebelling against him leads to more severe consequences for us than the Israelites received when they rebelled during the Exodus. "Do not harden your hearts"(v. 8) we are warned. Instead we are to "fix our thoughts on Jesus" (v. 1) who is faithful to us, and persevere in following him as we encourage others to do the same.

This week, Preston will continue our series in the letter to the Hebrews. Our text tells us that Jesus is everything our hearts could desire. He is greater than the angels because by his humanity - living, dying, and rising again - he has done for us what angels could never do: He is the true and better Adam; he is the older brother we all need; he is our deliverer; and he is our merciful and faithful high priest.

This Sunday we continue our preaching series in the Book of Hebrews. In this week's passage, the author of Hebrews uses several Old Testament scriptures to argue that Jesus, as God's Son, is greater even than the angels. Because of this, his message of salvation (the gospel) is more important than any message the angels have spoken in the past, including the law.

This Sunday we begin a new sermon series in the Book of Hebrews. Written to a community of Jewish Christians, Hebrews draws deeply from the Old Testament to make the case that God has spoken finally and completely through his Son, Jesus Christ, in order to bring his people the salvation he has promised for so long. The author starts right in from the beginning, telling his audience that the Son is greater than any of God's messengers who have come before, because in dealing with him we are dealing with God himself.

This week we welcome Vince Corpus to the pulpit. A longtime member of the ICP family, Vince previously directed Youth Praha, and now, along with his wife Kristie, is following God’s call to plant a Czech language church. In his sermon, he continues the Advent series of "Jesus came to...".

This Sunday we conclude our Advent/Christmas sermon series on what the scriptures tell us that Jesus came to do. Our passage this week comes from Luke's gospel, where Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah to describe his mission of bringing good news to God's people.

The scriptures tell us that there is an enemy who is actively seeking to draw us away from God. We see this throughout the Bible, beginning in the Garden of Eden. But as we continue our Advent series looking at what Jesus came to do, we can take hope in the truth that "the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work." (1 John 3:8)

As we continue in our Advent sermon series on what Jesus came to do, this week we consider Jesus' statement in Luke's gospel, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." The scripture tells us that we are all lost in our own way because of sin, but God sent his Son into the world to find us and rescue us. 

This week we continue our Advent series looking at what the New Testament tells that Jesus came to do. In this week's passage Jesus tells his disciples that "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). It is a remarkable claim for the Son of God, with implications for his followers as well. 

This week begins the Advent season, the time each year that represents God's people waiting and preparing for the Savior to come into the world. This year we will be looking at several New Testament passages that tell us what Jesus came into the world to do. This week's passage comes from Jesus's Sermon on the Mount where he says that he came not to abolish the Law and Prophets, but to fulfill them.

This week we consider a passage from Luke's gospel where Jesus has interactions with people in very different life circumstances - little children, and a wealthy and powerful man. His encounter with each of them tells us something about entering the Kingdom of God.

As we conclude our series in Habakkuk this week, we return to the key verse, “the righteous will live by faith” (2:4), looking at how it shaped the Apostle Paul’s understanding of the good news of Jesus Christ.

This Sunday we continue our preaching series in the Book of Habakkuk. In this week's passage Habakkuk responds to God with a prayer of faith. In spite of God's pronouncement of judgment on Judah and the tribulation coming for them, Habakkuk has been brought to a place of trust in God's sovereignty, declaring that regardless of what life may bring "yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior" (Hab 3:18).

This Sunday we continue our preaching series in the Book of Habakkuk. In this week’s passage, God assures Habakkuk that while he is allowing the Babylonians to conquer Judah, wicked though they are, that they will not escape his judgement for their deeds. Even they fall under God’s sovereignty, and in the end it will be God’s own glory that covers the earth.

We welcome Steve Thomas as our guest preacher this Sunday. Steve and his wife Debbie serve as the International Resource Directors for Open Door Libraries (of which Crossroads Center here in Prague is a part) and has preached at ICP several times over the years.

There’s no formula that guarantees you’ll have a great life. But there three things Paul writes that can bring you a richer and fuller one. Three things that are easy to read, but not easy to do.

This Sunday we continue our preaching series in the Book of Habakkuk. In this week's passage, Habakkuk continues to contend with God, questioning God's response to his initial complaint. But God assures him again that he is in control, and calls the prophet to wait on him in faith.  

This week we begin a new preaching series in the Book of Habakkuk. A prophet from Judah in the time leading up to the Babylonian captivity, Habakkuk asks important questions of God about how to reconcile the violence and injustice he sees around him with God's character. In the end he comes to a place of resolute trust in the Lord, even when the world seems to have gone mad. In this week's passage Habakkuk makes his complaint to God, only to receive an unexpected and troubling response.

Join us this Sunday as we conclude our summer series on the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life.

This Sunday we will look at Psalm 134, a song that celebrates finding our true home, in God's presence. 

This summer we are looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life.

This Sunday we will look at Psalm 133, a song that celebrates the goodness of life in fellowship with each other.

This summer we are looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life.

This Sunday we will look at Psalm 132, a song that celebrates God's presence among his people.

This summer we are looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life.

This Sunday we will look at Psalm 131, a song that exhorts us to live in humility in peace as we put our hope in the Lord.

Psalm 130

This summer we are looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life.

This Sunday we will look at Psalm 130, a song about the reality of our own sin and our hope in a God who forgives us.

This summer we are looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life.

This Sunday we will look at Psalm 129, a song about persevering through life's trials and the opposition God's people sometimes face along the way of following Christ.  

This summer we are looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life.

This Sunday we will look at Psalm 128, a song about the ways God blesses his people in this life.

Every person lives under a “spell”—a story that shapes how they see the world, themselves, and others. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only story of truth, beauty and goodness that leads to freedom, identity, and purpose.

This Sunday we will be led in worship by members of the TCK Camp team, with Ian Martin sharing the message. A good friend of ICP, Ian currently serves as the Lead Pastor of New Covenant Christian Community Church in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania in the USA. Previously Ian and his wife Celina worked at ICP, leading various ministries including Youth Praha, and they continue to serve as the directors of Third Culture Kamp. We are glad to have them back with us.

This summer we are looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life.

This Sunday we will look at Psalm 127, a song that celebrates the blessing of God's sovereignty and the gift of resting in him

This summer we are looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life.

This Sunday we will look at Psalm 126, a song that shares the joy that comes from experiencing God's goodness in our lives.

This Sunday, Aleazar Gobena will be preaching from the book of Ecclesiastes. Life isn't always sunshine and harvest. Ecclesiastes says there's a time for everything, even the cold. Yet scripture also reminds us that even the harshest winters are woven into God's larger rhythm. Join us this Sunday as we explore how the Lord refines, comforts, and ultimately redeems our hardest seasons, turning raw pain into raw material for glory.

This week, we look forward to Jano Adamovic preaching God’s Word. We will see how Paul’s letter to the Colossians grounds our thankfulness in Christ irrespective of situation, and how life in Christ transforms all our relationships, thoughts, and tendencies into the new life filled with gratitude.

This summer we are looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life.

This Sunday we will look at Psalm 125, a song which assures us of the firm foundation that is laid for our lives when we put our trust in the Lord. 

This summer we are looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life.

This Sunday we will look at Psalm 124, a song which celebrates God's protection and preservation, reminding us that our lives are always in his hands.  

This summer we are looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life. This Sunday we will look at Psalm 123, which reminds us to look to God for mercy in the midst of life's troubles.

This summer we are looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life. This Sunday we will look at Psalm 122, where the Israelites sing about the joy of worshiping God together.

This summer we are looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134). Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life. This Sunday we will look at Psalm 121, maybe the most well known psalm from this collection. In it, the psalmist points to God as the source of our help in this life and reflects on all of the many ways that God 'keeps' us.  

This summer we'll be looking at a group of Psalms known as the Songs of Ascents, Psalm 120-134. Sung by the Israelites as they traveled up to Jerusalem for different religious festivals each year, these Psalms have come to be seen as the songs that narrate the life of discipleship. As Eugene Peterson describes them, they are "Songs for the Road" as we follow Jesus through this life. This Sunday we will look at the first one, Psalm 120, which describes the discomfort many of us experience in this world, but that ultimately points us toward home. 

Throughout David's early life he faced many troubles, and often the possibility of death, yet the Lord delivered each time. He wrote Psalm 34 in response to one of these episodes, inviting people to praise the Lord with him. David wanted others to share the joy of what God had done for him. He wants everyone to "taste and see' God's goodness in the same way he has. 

This week we welcome to the pulpit Sam Raju. Sam is the founder and president of Engage International, an apologetics ministry that engages people all over the world with good reasons to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. He says "his passion lies in reaching people for Christ and seeing them grow in understanding God’s love, ways, and purposes." Sam is also one of the main speakers on Monday and Tuesday night at Crossroads Center. We are glad to have him with us to preach a message that explores how God works through a man who is totally committed to him.  You can learn more about him here. 

Join us today as elder Preston Pearce delivers the message.

As we continue to move through the Easter season, this week we take a look at a passage from the Old Testament and consider how it points ahead to the salvation offered to us in Jesus Christ. For the Israelites, their Exodus from slavery in Egypt was the story of God's redemption of his people for many years. This week's passage tells us much about our condition as humans, but more importantly shows us God's faithfulness to us in spite of ourselves. 

Mark's gospel recounts the many different responses to Jesus's death and resurrection. To his death - darkness, a torn curtain, a declaration of faith. To his resurrection - wonder, fear, and then also belief. Join us this Sunday as we consider the events of Easter and why a man from Galilee came to be worshiped as the Son of God, whose death means new life for us.  

When Jesus entered Jerusalem the week before his crucifixion and resurrection, crowds of people greeted him shouting "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Mark 11:9). The people were quoting from Psalm 118, a prayer of praise that speaks of human need, God's faithfulness, and ultimately looks forward to the Messiah who would save God's people.  

As we come to the end of our time in James, we have been challenged in many ways. He has instructed us in how to live wisely, and given us a picture of the new life in Jesus Christ. But to end his letter, James calls us to prayer. It is not the first time he instructs us to do this, and it is a good reminder that what he wants most for his audience is that they would tend to their faith in the Lord as they live the life God has given them. 

As we near the end of James's letter, he comes back to a topic he addressed earlier - patience in the midst of suffering. James knows the struggles of his audience and the temptation we all have to take matters into our own hands. But he calls us all to patience and perseverance instead, encouraging us to trust in God's goodness and mercy, even when facing the troubles of life.  

In this week's passage, James gives a hard word to wealthy people who use their money only to enrich themselves more. The message here continues with his earlier themes of caring for the poor, the need for humility, and the temporary nature of this life. The rich oppressors he is speaking to are living in opposition to all of these ideas. Again we hear James's implicit call to repentance and living faithfully and wisely instead.  

As James continues to instruct us in wisdom, this week he turns to an idea that runs through scripture - the brevity of life. It is an idea that is perhaps most explored in Ecclesiastes and the Hebrew word for it is hevel. As James says, we "are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). James ties recognizing this reality to being wise, as does Moses's prayer recorded in the Psalms, "teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12)  

As we return to the book of James this week, he continues to instruct us in wisdom. In this week's passage James contrasts the wisdom of the world with the wisdom that comes from God, and emphasizes the necessity of humility if we are to be wise in the eyes of the Lord.  

We often rehearse our own speeches when coming to the Father, all of them some variation of the same speech the son prepared, “I have sinned, and I’m no longer worthy to be called your son…” As we dig into this parable, we will see the Father’s love in a new light, and come see that he comes to us when we are far off, because he loves us. Join us as a longtime member of the ICP Family, Vince Corpus, brings us God's word this Sunday.

As James continues to instruct us in how to live wisely, in this week's passage he turns to matters of speech. Our words have more power than we give them credit for, with the ability to both build up and tear down. James reminds us again of the fact that all human beings have been "made in God's likeness," and we should always take this into account in how we use our words.  

One of the more well-known passages from his book, here James expounds on the relationship between faith and works. We see here his emphasis on followers of Jesus living with a sort of righteous integrity - where what we claim to believe and how we live are in line with each other. For James, a living faith in Jesus Christ will be expressed in how we live day to day. Otherwise, our faith is as good as "dead" (James 2:17).  

It can be difficult not to judge a person by their external appearance; however, James warns us of playing favorites based on how people dress. This, as with many other warnings in the Bible, is likely to have been an admonishment of an early church - but is just as valid today. Join us this week as we continue to explore the book of James, and hear Pastor Mike highlight the numerous 'take aways' available in this brief passage.

One of James's main purposes is to encourage his audience to live with what might be described as "Godly integrity," meaning that the way they live would line up with what they proclaim to believe about Jesus Christ. In this week's passage he reflects on the role of God's word in all of this. It is through his word of truth that God gives us new birth, and also how he instructs us in this new life.

After instructing us to ask for wisdom from God in responding to life's trials, James addresses one of those trials that is common to all people - temptation! Why is temptation so powerful, and how can we persevere when faced with it? James points us back to the goodness of God, and the good gifts that have been given freely to us from him.

This Sunday we are glad to welcome Josef and Daniel Pavliňák to our worship service. Josef is the founder and director of In-Life, a ministry to university students in the Czech Republic and Slovakia where Daniel works as well. ICP has partnered with In-Life for many years. You can find out more about them here. We look forward to hearing more about their ministry and to hearing Josef bring us the message from God's word.      

This week we begin a new series in the Book of James, a letter written to the early church by one of its main leaders. Similar to the wisdom books of the Old Testament, James uses his letter to teach God's people how to live well in this world. James addresses many topics, from trials and temptations to faith and works, but always with the purpose of instructing us in how to live out our faith in practical ways. It is a challenging book, but one from which there is much to be gained    

As we begin a New Year, we look to Paul's letter to the Ephesians and his prayer for them in Chapter 1. Paul prays specifically that they "may know him better" and in several specific ways. May we adopt this prayer for ourselves and our church family for 2025 as we grow in our knowledge and love of God together.    

This Sunday we’ll be looking at the story of the Magi from Matthew’s gospel, considering how the different character respond to the news that a new king had been born in Bethlehem.    

We continue in the season of Advent, the time each year when the church prepares for Jesus Christ to enter the world. It is meant to be a time of reflection and repentance, of hope and joy. This year, each of the four Sundays of Advent we'll consider the different themes of the candles on the Advent wreath and explore what it means that Jesus is the source of our hope, peace, joy, and love. This week: Love    

We continue in the season of Advent, the time each year when the church prepares for Jesus Christ to enter the world. It is meant to be a time of reflection and repentance, of hope and joy. This year, each of the four Sundays of Advent we'll consider the different themes of the candles on the Advent wreath and explore what it means that Jesus is the source of our hope, peace, joy, and love. This week: Joy!   

This week we continue in the season of Advent, the time each year when the church prepares for Jesus Christ to enter the world. It is meant to be a time of reflection and repentance, of hope and joy. This year, each of the four Sundays of Advent we'll consider the different themes of the candles on the Advent wreath and explore what it means that Jesus is the source of our hope, peace, joy, and love. This week: Peace.  

This week begins the season of Advent, the time each year when the church prepares for Jesus Christ to enter the world. It is meant to be a time of reflection and repentance, of hope and joy. This year, each of the four Sundays of Advent we'll consider the different themes of the candles on the Advent wreath and explore what it means that Jesus is the source of our hope, peace, joy, and love. This week: Hope.  

This week we return to the psalms, this collection of prayers, songs and poems that guide us in our own prayers and worship. Psalm 110 is said to have been used at the coronation of Israel's kings, assuring them of God's presence with them. But it is also the most quoted psalm in the New Testament, one consistently used in reference to Jesus and the authority given to him by the heavenly Father. This psalm has something to tell us about Jesus and what it means to see him as our king.  

This week we'll be looking at Psalm 26, a psalm of lament. The psalms are full of laments; honest prayers from places of hurt and hardship where people make their complaints to God and call out to him for deliverance. As we learn how to pray, these psalms teach us important lessons about how to be open and honest with God ourselves. In Psalm 26 we see how David makes his complaint before the Lord, and how by being honest with God he is brought from a place of lament to praise.  

Circumstances in life – the short days and long nights of winter in Prague, the daily challenges, the latest news, or meaningless distractions can rob us of our intimacy with Jesus. We can fill the void with more activities or noise or more distractions, but eventually we’re left empty and realize something is missing. This text shows us how the new covenant – which we will celebrate in communion this Sunday – shows us the way to intimacy with Jesus, enjoying him more, and becoming more like Him. 

As we come to the end of 1 John, we are reminded once again of the same themes the Beloved Apostle has been emphasizing throughout his letter - What do we believe about Jesus? Do we obey him? Do we love each other? How we answer these questions are good indicators of whether or not we are walking in the light of God's truth. But we're also reminded that it is God's love that comes first, and that in his great love God claims us as his children and assures us of our eternal life in him.  

In his letter, John seeks to assure believers of the salvation they have received in Jesus Christ. In this week's passage, John addresses the role of the Holy Spirit in this assurance. John reminds us that not everyone who claims to be a prophet actually speaks through God's Holy Spirit, and that we are to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (v. 4:1). But in the end we are to be encouraged because "the one who is in [us] is greater than the one who is in the world" (v. 4:4). It is God's Spirit who lives in us, and as we look to him he will guide us as we walk in the light.. 

In our last passage, John emphasized our identity as God's children, reminding us of our heavenly Father's great love that has been poured out on us in Christ. In this week's passage, John reminds us again that with the love God has given us we should also love our brothers and sisters in Christ - not just by what we say, but by what we do. 

One of John's main purposes in this letter is to reassure his audience. He wants them to have certainty of the things they have learned about Jesus, sin, salvation and the life of discipleship. In this week's passage, John makes his strongest appeal yet, reminding us of God's great love for us, and that in Christ, we have been made God's children. 

The psalmist David declares that the one who is forgiven is in a very happy place—an enviable position. But very often, in our culture we tend to think that it’s God’s job to forgive (“To err is human, to forgive, divine.”). David instructs us in the way to forgiveness and fulness of joy. It’s only when we clearly see the seriousness of sin and the great cost of forgiveness, that we can begin to experience the joy of being forgiven by a holy God. 

One of John's main purposes for writing this letter is to refute the lies that some former members of their community had been spreading, seeking to lead people astray in what they believed. John writes to remind people of the truth that they already know, and to affirm it for them once again. In particular John is concerned about the truth of Jesus Christ, knowing that what we believe about him serves as the foundation for everything else in our faith. 

One of 1 John's main purposes is to encourage people to walk in the light, meaning to live according to God's truth. In this week's passage, John reflects on the relationship between our love of God and our obedience to him, reminding us that our love for God can't be isolated from our love (or lack of it) for other people.

This week we begin a new series looking at the first letter of John. Written in response to some false teachings that had come into the church, this letter emphasizes many of the basics of the Christian faith, reminding it's readers of the truth of the Gospel and how we should live in light of it. John writes particularly about love: God's love for us in Christ, and how we should love each other in return.

This week we conclude our series in the Book of Acts, with Paul having made his dramatic journey from Jerusalem to Rome, the capital of the Empire. We know from history that Paul's life ends there, but not before he continues to share the gospel with the people he met there. And while this brings us to the end of Luke's narrative, the Holy Spirit's work of drawing people to salvation in Jesus Christ continues on.

Paul's missionary journeys took him to many of the major cities in the eastern Roman Empire, including Athens and Corinth. Paul was adept at presenting the gospel in response to the culture of each place he visited, yet the heart of the message was consistent - Jesus is God's Messiah. And in the face of growing opposition, God tells Paul "do not be afraid...for I am with you."

Join us this week to hear how Moses' exclaimation "Yeshua is salvation" is equivalent to "Jesus Saves" nearly 1500 years before the birth of Christ - and how you can be confident in your own salvation.

After being directed by the Holy Spirit to go and preach in Macedonia, Paul and his companions go to the city of Philippi. There they find both opposition and openness to the gospel, so that by the time they are asked to leave the city, they leave behind many people who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus.  

We return to the book of Acts this week as the focus shifts to the Apostle Paul and his ministry. In today's passage we find Paul preaching a powerful sermon that walks through God's work in Israel's history, ending with Jesus Christ and the forgiveness and freedom that are found by believing in him..  

Mark 5:21-43

This text looks at two desperate lives; both find their answer in Jesus. No matter what we face, he is, indeed the answer.  

We are glad to welcome Chuck Lawless to the pulpit this Sunday, good friend of Preston Pearce. 

Dr. Chuck Lawless currently serves as Richard and Gina Headrick Senior Professor of Evangelism and Missions, Dean of Doctoral Studies, and Vice-President for Spiritual Formation and Ministry Centers at Southeastern Seminary, in addition to serving as Team Leader for Theological Education Strategists for the International Mission Board (IMB). He previously served as a Vice-President for Global Theological Advance for the IMB. Prior to that, he was dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he also served as Vice President for Academic Programming and the Director of Professional Doctoral Studies. He received a B.S. degree from Cumberland College and M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from Southern Seminary. He is the author or co-author of thirteen works, including Spiritual Warfare in the Storyline of Scripture and The Potential and Power of Prayer and has written numerous articles. He and his wife Pam have been married for 33 years and reside with their dog, Max, in Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA.

Do You Do Well to be Angry?

Jonah 4

God is faithful and merciful, always fulfilling his promises. But what happens when God works in unexpected ways – or in ways that don’t align with the purposes or causes that we hold dear? Or what about when we are faithful and obedient to his word, but God desires to show favor to someone else? How do we respond to God in such situations?  

Will Brooks is the Provost and Director of the Doctor of Missiology and MA in Intercultural Studies programs at Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Love Lost for the Cause of Christ (2018), Interpreting Scripture across Cultures (2022), and the co-editor of World Mission (2019). Will is an avid runner and has completed multiple ultra-marathons and endurance obstacle course events.

Romans 1:15-16

In his epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul wrote, “So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:15-16).” In those two brief verses, Paul tells all of us who are sincere followers of Yeshua (Jesus) at least five crucial truths. He tells us what we must proclaim (the Gospel); he tells us how we must proclaim (without shame); he tells us why we must proclaim (because only the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation); he tells us to whom we must proclaim (to the Jew first and also to the Greek); and he tells us when we must proclaim –now (with eagerness).  

 After pioneering the work of Jews for Jesus in Ukraine and Russia, Avi and his wife Ruth launched the German and Hungarian works of the ministry as well. Avi received his theological training from Fuller Theological Seminary, the School of World Mission, and he’s written two books: Jews Don’t Need Jesus – and Other Misconceptions, and Never Ashamed – Stories of Sharing Faith with Scoffers and Skeptics. You can feel Avi's passion for Jewish evangelism in Central and Eastern Europe when he says, “For us Jews to proclaim God’s message of eternal life in the countries where so many of us died – that’s a redemption of history. That’s life from the dead” (Romans 11:15). For more information, click here.

The visions of Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10 are together a significant moment in the spread of the gospel. While there have been a few individual instances of gentiles (non-Jewish people) putting their faith in Jesus before this point, it is here that the door is opened wide for the gospel to be spread to all peoples of the earth. Again we see how the gospel breaks down barriers between people, as God tells Peter "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 10:15).  

The story of Saul's (soon to be the Apostle Paul) conversion is Acts 9 is one of the better known stories in scripture. A zealous persecutor of the early church, Saul's life is completely turned around when he has an encounter with the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus. From that moment Saul's life is committed to the spread of the gospel so that others might come to know Jesus as he has. 

As the gospel continues to spread, opposition grows against the early church until Stephen is killed and the other believers begin to be persecuted for their faith. But even as they are scattered across Judea and Samaria, they carry the gospel with them and more people come to faith in Jesus Christ. This week's passage recounts the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian. As Philip explains the scriptures to him, the Ethiopian comes to faith and is baptized, becoming another follower of Jesus Christ, who then carries the gospel home with him. . 

In this week's passage the apostles find themselves right back in front of the council, once again on trial for spreading the good news and teaching people about the new life available through him. The council is ready to take drastic measures to stop them, but the wisdom of Gamaliel prevails when he tells them that if the work of the apostles "is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God" (Acts 5:39). We see in these verses the apostles' unwavering commitment to telling others about Jesus even in the face of opposition, and the power of God at work to fulfill his purpose for them. 

The events of Acts chapters 3 - 5 are all set up by the healing of a paralyzed man by Peter and John, which leads to their trial before the Sanhedrin. In this passage we see the Holy Spirit continue to heal and empower people to speak boldly in Jesus's name. And while the gospel is finding opposition from many, more than that it continues to spread and change lives as people put their faith in Jesus of Nazareth, the one name under heaven by which must be saved.

The Holy Spirit arrived on the day of Pentecost in a powerful way, leaving the people there amazed and asking the question "What does this mean?". By pouring out his Spirit in this way, God was not only giving his followers the gift of his power and presence, but he was creating a new community of people, one whose life together was (and still is) centered on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

This week we begin our sermon series in the book of Acts which will carry us through the summer. The sequel to Luke's gospel, Acts recounts the birth and spread of the early church as the gospel begins to spread "to the ends of the earth." What we'll see is that this is the continuing work of Jesus Christ through the power of his Holy Spirit. We begin with a look at Jesus' ascension, and consider how it is a source of great encouragement in our life of faith.  

Before we begin our series in Acts next week, we're taking a break from Luke's writings to look at a passage from the Apostle Paul considering the cosmic significance of Jesus Christ and his supremacy over all things, and how we are called to live in response to Him.

This week we come to the conclusion of Luke's gospel as the resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples again and gives them a new role - to be his "witnesses". This is a role his followers are still called to play.

This Sunday our guest preacher is Simon Marshall, International Director of European Christian Mission International. Simon and his family were part of ICP for several years when they lived in Prague and he is the brother of current elder Trevor Marshall. We look forward to him sharing God's word with us this week. 

When the Risen Christ met two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus on the first Easter they did not recognize him. They were downcast because their expectations for Jesus and what he would do had not been met. This is true for many of us in life. There is often a disconnect between what we think God should do for us and what he actually does. Yet as Jesus reminds these men, God fulfills what he has promised, and in Christ has given us all that we need. 

Sometimes when our trust in Christ is tested, we are tempted to think, “if only God would ___, then I could trust him.” In Thomas’ encounter with the risen Lord Jesus, he learned that he didn’t really need what he thought he needed. And this story helps us see what we really need to move from unbelief to belief in Jesus – not only to receive forgiveness and everlasting life, but also to continue to trust him, and to help others come to faith in Christ. 

The resurrection of Jesus Christ, three days after he was crucified, is the event that that gives us our eternal hope. It tells us that sin and death, both so prevalent in this life, do not have the final say, but the grace of God in Jesus Christ does. It is the best day! 

This Sunday we'll be looking at Luke's passion narrative. Jesus's death on the cross is what his life and ministry have been building to, and it is the ultimate example of God's faithfulness to us. As Jesus takes our sin upon himself, he fullfills his mission "to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). 

On the night that Jesus was betrayed, he shared a meal with his disciples. It was a meal rich with symbolism and significance, pointing to God's saving work in Israel's past. Jesus also used it to point to the saving work God was about to do through him. We still take part in this meal today in remembrance of him. This Sunday we'll look at the significance of this sacrament, how we might approach the table, and how God uses it to strengthen our faith. 

On the night that Jesus was betrayed, he shared a meal with his disciples. It was a meal rich with symbolism and significance, pointing to God's saving work in Israel's past. Jesus also used it to point to the saving work God was about to do through him. We still take part in this meal today in remembrance of him. This Sunday we'll look at the significance of this sacrament, how we might approach the table, and how God uses it to strengthen our faith. 

Jesus's encounter with Zaccheus is another well known story unique to Luke, and it brings together several different themes that run through this gospel. There were many barriers to God in Zaccheus's life, but Jesus calls him by name and declares that salvation has come to this house this very day.

One of the most well-known of Jesus parables, there is something for everyone in the story of the prodigal son. At the heart of Jesus's teachings here is the heart of our loving Father for his lost children, you and me included. 

One of the themes that comes up regularly in Luke's Gospel is wealth and what we are to do with it. In this parable unique to Luke's gospel, Jesus warns his listeners against the temptations of greed and the futility of chasing material wealth in this life. Instead, he reminds his disciples of God's great love and generosity, and to put their trust in his provision instead. 

The first part of Luke's gospel spends a lot of time exploring the questions "Who is Jesus?" and "What did he come to do?". Luke chapter 9 serves as a point of transition in Jesus' ministry as he begins to move toward Jerusalem and the cross. But as he does he confronts us with the question we each have to answer for ourselves - "But what about you? Who do you say that I am?". 

The first part of Luke's gospel spends a lot of time exploring the questions "Who is Jesus?" and "What did he come to do?". Luke chapter 9 serves as a point of transition in Jesus' ministry as he begins to move toward Jerusalem and the cross. But as he does he confronts us with the question we each have to answer for ourselves - "But what about you? Who do you say that I am?". 

The feeding of the 5,000 is the only one of Jesus' many miracles that is recorded in all 4 Gospels. This week, we will take a very different look at the narrative. We will not focus on the miracle, nor the boy who offered the loaves and fish. Instead, we will delve into how Jesus uses the situation to teach the disciples a lesson about the service standard he expects of them. This same service standard he expects of us also.  

In Luke 6 Jesus delivers his 'Sermon on the Plain' where he gives much of his ethical teaching in this gospel. Jesus describes for his listeners some of what it looks like to be his disciple. Not surprisingly, much of what he says runs counter to what his audience would have expected (and what we might want to hear), leaving us with the challenge to love others in the same way God has loved us in Christ.  

As Jesus embarks on his formal ministry in, he quickly gains a following by people drawn to his teaching and miraculous healings and works. In this passage Jesus begins to call his first disciples and we see how their encounter with him, experiencing both his mighty power and gracious provision, changed the purpose and direction of their lives.  

Just before beginning his public ministry, two significant events occur in Jesus's life: his baptism and his time in the wilderness. Both are important in preparing him for ministry, and both continue to reveal to us just who this Jesus is.  

As we continue to look at Luke's gospel, we come to a passage this week that is unique in all of the accounts of Jesus's life as it shares an episode from his boyhood. As the young Jesus attends the passover with his parents, we catch a glimpse of the ways he already understands who he truly is and what he has come to do.  

As we begin the season of Advent this Sunday we turn to a well known passage from the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 61 tells about the mission of the coming Messiah and the great liberation he will bring to God's people. It raises the question of how Israel would have received it so long ago, and how do we receive it as God's people today? It's a passage that gives us great hope in this life, and one that Jesus claims for himself in the Gospel of Luke. 

As we begin the season of Advent this Sunday we turn to a well known passage from the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 61 tells about the mission of the coming Messiah and the great liberation he will bring to God's people. It raises the question of how Israel would have received it so long ago, and how do we receive it as God's people today? It's a passage that gives us great hope in this life, and one that Jesus claims for himself in the Gospel of Luke. 

We finish our sermon series this week on The Living Church, considering what it means to live as God's people in the world, and how we are to do it together as the body of Christ. What are the qualities of a church that is alive?  This Sunday we'll look back over what we've covered, along with some instructions Paul gave to Timothy regarding the life of discipleship that remain relevant to Christ's followers today. 

We continue in our sermon series this week on The Living Church, considering what it means to live as God's people in the world, and how we are to do it together as the body of Christ. What are the qualities of a church that is alive?  This Sunday we'll be looking at two of Jesus's parables as we consider prayer and it's importance in the life of the church. 

We continue in our sermon series this week on The Living Church, considering what it means to live as God's people in the world, and how we are to do it together as the body of Christ. What are the qualities of a church that is alive?  This Sunday we'll be considering the importance of God's Word in the life of the church, both hearing and proclaiming it. 

We continue in our sermon series this week on The Living Church, considering what it means to live as God's people in the world, and how we are to do it together as the body of Christ. What are the qualities of a church that is alive?  This Sunday we will consider the way God uses his Church to influence the world around us. What does it mean to be "salt and light" as he describes us in the Sermon on the Mount? 

How do we know if we have a healthy church? What factors nurture a healthy church? What kinds of things happen when a church is spiritually healthy? We’ll discover answers to these questions when we explore the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. 

This week we welcome to the pulpit Mike Tilley. A long time staff member with Cru, Mike now serves as Pastor Emeritus and elder at Lake Baldwin Church in Orlando, Florida, USA and as pastor at large for International Christian Community (ICC) Eurasia.

We live in challenging times marked by spiritual and moral rebellion and confusion that appear to threaten the church. The church at Philippi lived in similar times, and Paul’s instruction to them points us to what we as a local church need to conduct ourselves consistently with the gospel. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

We continue in our sermon series this week on The Living Church, considering what it means to live as God's people in the world, and how we are to do it together as the body of Christ. What are the qualities of a church that is alive?  This week we are talking about giving and the importance of being generous in our lives together.  

In the sermon on 25 September, the Lausanne Covenant was mentioned as being an important statement on the priority of evangelism in the Church. It is a good resource and worth reading and studying. You can find it at this link - https://lausanne.org/content/covenant/lausanne-covenant#languages (it is available in different languages at the top of the page).

We continue in our sermon series this week on The Living Church, considering what it means to live as God's people in the world, and how we are to do it together as the body of Christ. What are the qualities of a church that is alive?  This week we are talking about evangelism - sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  .

Revelation 7:9-11

Last Sunday we began a new sermon series for the autumn - The Living Church. Throughout the series we will be considering what it means to live as God's people in the world, and how we are to do it together as the body of Christ. What are the qualities of a church that is alive?   

This week we will talk about our main task as God's people - Worship.

This Sunday we begin a new sermon series for the autumn - The Living Church. Throughout the series we will be considering what it means to live as God's people in the world, and how we are to do it together as the body of Christ. What are the qualities of a church that is alive?   We will start by looking at God's vision for his people found throughout scripture as we seek to better understand our unique identity and calling as God's people.

This week we wrap up our series on the life of David looking at 2 Samuel 22 (which also appears as Psalm 18) in which David looks back over his life, with all of its ups and downs, and offers back to God in a prayer of thanksgiving and praise.

The sin in David's life eventually catches up to him, with dire consequences for his family and all of Israel. David's life gives us the opportunity to consider sin's destructive nature, which points us back to the one who took our sin upon himself.

What does a “real Christian” look like? You can find all kinds of answers to that question. This text tells us that one of the first ways genuine faith in Christ shows itself in our lives is in our response to who God is. This in turn changes our relationships with others and our posture toward sin.

In the story we’re studying together this Sunday, we learn of David’s catastrophic personal moral failure. We learn of how he does a terrible thing, tries to cover it up by doing more terrible things, and how he is caught. We see Nathan rebuke David, and we see David respond and repent. Throughout this passage we will take time to consider how we can engage in behaviors and habits that can help lead us to spiritual health. We'll discuss how we can invite a community of people, or a person to speak into our lives and help us stay on the road that leads to God’s kingdom. And finally, how through Christ Jesus' life, his sacrificial death and his resurrection, we can experience God's love and grace.

Matthew 5:27-30

Lust is misplaced desire that runs rampant through the world, ruining relationships and dehumanizing people in its wake. In this message we learn from Jesus the Master how to not only avoid lust, but address its source.

We welcome Ian Martin to the pulpit again this week for part two of his sermon series on healing for the causes of relational breakdown. A good friend of ICP, Ian currently serves as the Lead Pastor of New Covenant Christian Community Church in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania in the USA. Previously Ian and his wife Celina worked at ICP in various ministries including Youth Praha, and they continue to return each year to run Third Culture Kamp. We are glad to have them back with us.

Jesus taught us that relationships are the reason we exist. But how do we live out that idea in a world where relationships are so broken? In this, the first of two Sundays with Ian Martin, we will learn from Jesus the Master about two essential tools to uproot the sources of relational breakdown.

Ian Martin currently serves as the Lead Pastor of New Covenant Christian Community Church in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania in the USA. Previously Ian and his wife Celina worked at ICP in various ministries including Youth Praha, and they continue to return each year to run Third Culture Kamp. We are glad to have them back with us.

After he becomes king, David has grand ambitions to honor God with a temple. But David's plans are not in line with the Lord's, and God makes known his own ideas about building a house instead. 

As we continue to look at King David this summer, we pause from the events of his life to look at one of his Psalms. David was a poet, a musician. He loved to write songs in praise of the Lord. In reading Psalm 103, not only are we given a picture of David's heart for God, but of God's heart for his people and his steadfast love for us.

When our troubles or failures overwhelm us, or when our hearts grow faint, we might question God’s love and goodness. Our text proclaims the amazing goodness of Jesus in his gentleness – both in his response to his opponents and his attitude toward broken and discouraged people. His gentleness is a balm to our souls. 

We often think that in the Old Testament we only see God's judgment, but in this passage we also see that "God is rich in mercy." We to receive God's mercy, but more than that we receive God's grace through Jesus. 

After he becomes king of Judah and Israel, one of David's first priorities is to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. David knows that it is God's presence and work among them that will allow Israel to prosper, and one of his main roles as king is to lead them in their worship of him. What David believed, and what he wanted Israel to know, it that God's activity in our lives isn't just reserved to "sacred" moments or celebrations, and worship isn't reserved to weekly service. God is present in all of life, and we can worship him at all times. 

In scripture, the wilderness plays an important role in the lives of God's people. It is a place of trial, but also which God uses to form and prepare people for their lives ahead. Before he becomes king, David spends time in the wilderness being pursued by Saul. When faced with the opportunity to take Saul's life, David's trust in God's sovereignty is put to the test. 

1 Samuel 18-20

So much of our lives are defined by our relationships with other people. This is as true for David as for anyone else. This week we consider David's friendship with Jonathan and how good friends are God's gracious gifts to us, and how being a good friend can point others to Christ.

1 Samuel 17

David vs. Goliath - it's one of the most familiar stories in the Bible. Today we bring fresh eyes to examine why this story is embraced by the world and what new things it has to teach us about confidence.

We welcome Steve Thomas as our guest preacher this Sunday. Steve currently serves as the Director of Member Care for Open Door Libraries (of which the Crossroads Center is a part) and has preached at ICP several times over the years. Looking at these well known passages from the Old and New Testaments, Steve will will be encouraging us to leverage the summer by making intentional plans to “impress” God’s design for living and loving on our families and on our individual lives.

Saul disobeys the Lord and so God rejects him as King of Israel. This leads to the anointing of David as the next king. It's from this passage that our theme verse is drawn "People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). From these two chapters we begin to see the contrast between Saul and David and what God desires from those who will lead his people.

We have just begun a new sermon series looking at the life of King David from the books of 1 & 2 Samuel. As we read the stories and meet the characters presented to us in these books we find, as pastor Eugene Peterson says "that we are not being led to see God in our stories but to see our stories in God's."  

In this week's passage, the Israelites demand a human king to rule over them, rejecting God's own rule and ignoring Samuel's warnings of how it will turn out for them. As people, we often choose what isn't best for us, thinking we know better than God. Thankfully, God's faithfulness remains sure, in spite of ourselves.

This Sunday we begin a new sermon series looking at the life of King David from the books of 1 & 2 Samuel. David was the great king of Israel, to whom God gave the promise that the Messiah would come from his line, and he is described in scripture as "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). But David was far from perfect, and the most valuable lessons for us come from his interactions with God in both his victories and failures. As we read the stories and meet the characters presented to us in these books we find, as pastor Eugene Peterson says "that we are not being led to see God in our stories but to see our stories in God's."  

Before his crucifixion, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. The Risen Christ responded by asking Peter three times "do you love me?" before giving him the task of caring for his people. Jesus then gives Peter the same invitation he gives to all of us forgiven sinners, "Follow me." 

Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them on the first Easter, and demands proof before he will believe in the resurrection. Thomas is not so different from many of us who carry doubts and look for proof from God. But the Risen Christ responds graciously to him as he does to us, saying "peace be with you" before calling us to believe in him.  

Over the next few weeks we'll be looking at some of the post-resurrection passages from John's Gospel and considering what the risen Christ had to say to his disciples before he ascended to heaven. In this week's passage Jesus finds his disciples hiding in fear, but he brings them words of encouragement and exhortation, and gives them the Holy Spirit as he sends them out.  

It seems obvious to most people that life ends in death. It is the natural end for all living creatures. But the resurrection of Jesus turns that understanding of the world on it's head, proclaiming that in Christ death ends in life. This is the good news in which we put our faith.

Zechariah 9:9-10, John 12:12-19

Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to a welcome for a king, but he disappointed the expectations of many of his followers over the coming week. What were people expecting of him then, and what do we expect of him today, and do those expectations line up with what Jesus actually came to do?

 This Sunday we conclude our time in Paul's letter to the Philippians. In this passage Paul spends time thanking them for their gift to him, and says has found the secret to being content no matter what life brings.

Philippians 4:2-9

We return to Philippians this week and to two of God's great promises for us in this life - joy and peace. Paul continues to instruct the church in faithful living, and reminds us of the greatest promise we have as God's people, his very presence.

Our guest preacher this week is Manny Efthymiadis. Manny is a former member of ICP who has recently sensed God calling him to serve his church in Milovice full time. ICP is partnering with him as he responds to this call. 

Join us this Sunday as Manny shares more about his ministry and brings us a message from God's word.

Work, toil, and labor - are these gifts or a curse? Could they be both?

This week we return to the wisdom of Ecclesiastes to explore the good things God has given us to do under the sun (even though “everything is meaningless”). We will follow a path that starts with Genesis and ends in the New Earth - and in between find the things that are good and that we are instructed to do.

The following verses were referenced in the message (listed in order of reference): Ecc 2:10b; Ecc 3:12-13; Gen 1:27-28; Gen 2:15; Gen 2:2-3; Gen 3:17-19a; Isaiah 65:17-18; Isaiah 65:21-22b; Ecc 10:18; Ecc 11:6a; Ecc 4:5; John 5:16-17; Ecc 9:4-5,§0; Ecc 5:12; Ecc 5:10; Ecc 6:7,9; Ecc 2:24, 3:12, 3:22, 5:18, 5:19, 8:15, 9:7-9  

The guest preacher this week is David Novák, Chairman of the Council of Církev Bratrská (the Czech denomination with which ICP is connected) David joins us this week to officially install Paster Mike as the new pastor of ICP and to speak to us about John the Baptist.

Paul implores the church to follow his example in the faith. He knows that there are many who would lead them astray, but there are those who set a good example for them as well. Discerning between the two is an important task in our discipleship. 

The Apostle Paul had a lot going for him by the world's standards. He held what we would say is a privileged position in society. And yet, in this week's passage Paul shares just how little those things mean to him and what he considers to be truly important in this life.

Considered to be one of his most powerful passages, here the Apostle Paul explains the significance of what Christ did for us. The life of Christ is the basis for everything else Paul says to the Philippian church, and to us, because we are all to have "the same mindset as Christ Jesus" (Phil 2:5). 

Paul exhorts the Philippian church to "stand firm in the one Spirit, striving as one for the faith of the gospel" (1:27). Why does unity within the body of Christ matter for the spread of the gospel? And how do we get there? These are questions we'll be considering as we continue in our study of Philippians.  

This week we'll look at Paul's commitment to the advance of the gospel, regardless of what that means for his circumstances. We'll also consider his bold statement that for him "to live is Christ, and to die is gain" and what it says about the Christian view of life and death.

This Sunday, we begin a new series of sermons working through the book of Philippians. Written from prison, likely near the end of his life and ministry, Paul wrote this letter to a community of people he considered to be his friends. Philippians has been called Paul's “happiest” letter, with the joy of the Lord as one of its main themes. However, its main emphasis is on knowing Christ and finding our life in him so that God may be glorified.

This Week - Partners in the Gospel

Philippians 1:1-11

Paul begins his letter by sharing his thanksgiving and affection for the church in Philippi, and his confidence in God’s work among them. We’ll consider Paul’s prayer for them at the end of the passage, and what it all means for us as Christ’s followers today.  

Join us as we examine the relationship between waiting and fulfillment - and how they give meaning to each other.

"Unto you, is born this day...a Savior" 

Come and hear once again the powerful and personal good news about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

This Sunday we'll be looking at a passage from the Apostle Paul that interprets for us what happened at Christmas, and what it means for our lives.

Genesis 3

John 1:1-14

Praising God on the mountain top and praising God in the valleys 

This Sunday we have very special guests from Youth Praha who will lead us in worship & teaching. 

God wants to challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and to press into His calling in your life. If you are committedto Jesus you will be tested. How has he tested you?

This Sunday we will explore how disobedience to God’s commands invites judgment, but his steadfast love provides grace. Join us as we start a study of the book of Jonah and explore God’s Grace in a Foreign Place.

The term “mission drift” is used these days to describe the inherent tendency of organizations to slowly and subtly drift from their original purpose. This can happen to a church as well. In chapter 3, Paul challenges the Thessalonians – and us – to stay focused on our purpose and warns against things that can consume our time & energy and turn us aside.

Deception is all around us – besides spiritual deception about end times and other matters, there are lies that harm relationships, plus the constant barrage of false promises of the good life in advertisements. How do we avoid being deceived? Paul’s words to the Thessalonians in chapter 2 give us hope in an age marked by deception.

By the time Paul, Silas, and Timothy wrote their second letter to the Thessalonians, some things were better, but other things – like suffering – had grown worse. Paul’s words to them give us hope for now, that our present sufferings are not without purpose; and for the future, when our sufferings will end and justice will be served. And his words encourage us to keep our focus on Jesus Christ and press on.

This series in 1Thessalonians has been called “The Cactus Church” because the church, like the cactus, flourishes in a hostile environment. We live in challenging times, but the gospel was made for times like ours, and one of the best things we can do is make the church a place of strong and healthy community. In the closing verses of 1Thessalonians 5, Paul has given us a good idea of what this looks like in various areas of the church’s life.

Prepared for Jesus’ Return

1Thess 5:1-11

The return of Christ will mean judgment for the unbelieving world and deliverance for his people. We are waiting for Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. Because of his gracious work in us and for us, we are to live in a state of preparedness for his coming: alert and self-controlled, and full of faith, hope, and love.

Of the many things everybody needs in life, Paul offers three that are essential for every follower of Jesus.  This week, Guest Preacher Steve Thomas explains why Endurance, Encouragement and Unity give us what we need (must have, really) to live a meaningful and fulfilling life in Christ. 

If you search Nehemiah on the web - your top results are likely to be "Nehemiah's 5 principles for leadership" or "10 ways to manage volunteers." This week, Ian Martin joins us to explain why he believes Nehemiah is a much better blueprint for community development (common good) - than leadership principles of a single man.

Join us this week as Ian digs in to Nehemiah and details why it is so important to rebuild walls - both for individuals, as well as the community, in order for left-brain principles to thrive. Intrigued? You should be - this is not an episode to miss.

Most of us have faced the loss of a loved one. Death seems so final, so hopeless. But the glorious news is, for those who know Jesus Christ, it is neither. Jesus has died, risen, and will return; because of him, even though we grieve, we have a sure hope in the face of death.

One of the most pressing questions we have as followers of Jesus is this: How can we live to please God? Two weeks ago we considered the challenge of holiness – God is pleased when we embrace his will and acknowledge that every area of our lives rightly belongs to him. And as we shall see this week, God is pleased when we love one another, especially in practical ways that even earn the respect of outsiders.

This Sunday Job Yan will address some myths and misconceptions many of us have about heaven, & how these may affect the way we now live. 

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Holiness is often misunderstood as shorthand for all the enjoyable activities we should not be doing. This week we’ll consider that holiness for Christians actually means that we are set apart first and foremost for the God who has loved us infinitely and forever. Everything else we do or avoid flows from this primary relationship. 

Our Christian life is like a long race for which we need endurance. We are not in competition with each other; rather, we help each other press on despite our various trials and common adversary. As Paul shares his “heart’s journey” after he had to leave the Thessalonians, we can learn valuable lessons about pressing on and helping others press on toward the glorious finish line together in the presence of the Lord Jesus.

We all suffer with various trials that test our faith. Some suffering is directly related to persecution for following Christ. Paul models for the Thessalonians faithfulness to the gospel in several ways – faithfulness to the message, living consistently with the message, and as we’ll see this week, by challenging these new believers to press on in faith even though they are suffering.

Most of us can think of times when someone’s words have been undermined by the way they acted. If we’re honest, sometimes we’re that person. Our actions affect the way people receive our words, so we should seek not only to share the message faithfully but also to live faithfully. As we resume our series in 1 Thessalonians, we see the faithful way Paul and his team conducted themselves reinforced the gospel to the Thessalonians and provide a powerful example for us.

Wouldn’t it be great to have it all? All the things, all the power, all the information? Would it surprise you to hear that the author of Ecclesiastes had laid claim to everything he could see – and that his worldview (repeated 37 times!) was: “meaningless, meaningless. Everything is Meaningless.” How can this be possible? How relevant is his perspective nearly 3000 years after Ecclesiastes was authored? Join us this week to learn if “everything is meaningless under the sun” is still true – and how the answer should provide you reassurance in your daily life. 

We live busy lives in a noisy world while God speaks in a gentle whisper. We will talk about the need for creating space to hear God's voice and how to do that. 

God came close to us so that we could come close to Him. 

We will be thinking and talking about how big is God and how far He is, what He did to come close to us and how I can get closer to Him.

No one can do it all. Collaboration is an important part of living in community and contributing to society. It allows us to work together to seek the good of our community and expand the reach of the gospel message as we live and serve in the here and now.

It’s free!! Most of us hear that and wonder, “what’s the catch”? Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.” Well, come this Sunday to hear about an offer that is truly free to everyone. *Spoiler alert – it has to do with Jesus!

"Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."

Join us as we dig deeper into God's Word to learn about that breakfast and learn about opportunities to see Jesus in our daily lives.

1 Cor 15:1-8

He is risen! This Sunday we focus especially on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is one of the essential differences between Christianity and the world’s religions. Two questions we will think about together: (1) Did Jesus really rise from the dead? And (2) Does it matter?

[TL:DR - It does. Tune in to find out why!]

Matthew 21:1-17

This Sunday we will begin to prepare our hearts for next week’s celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead as we consider Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. His bold claim to be Israel’s true king sets in motion the events of that week and points us to several truths that remind us that there is no one like Jesus! 

We are often around relatives, colleagues, neighbors, friends, and others who do not know Christ. We naturally want to see them come to know Christ, but we may struggle to steer the conversation that way or get through the gospel. God does not expect us to be or eloquent or obnoxious; he does expect us to be faithful. He enables us to share, blesses our faithfulness, and does what only he can do in the hearts of people. What does faithfulness to the gospel look like? We get a good picture from 1Thessalonians chapters 2 & 3, where Paul describes faithfulness in terms of having a foundation in the gospel, of living consistently with the gospel, and continuing to encourage those who respond. 

1 Thess 1:8-10

Most of us would like to change something about ourselves – maybe alter our appearance or break a bad habit. We may also desire deeper change and wonder it is possible. In the gospel, the answer is a resounding yes. As we continue in 1Thessalonians we see that in Christ real change - radical, profound, lasting change in desires, character, and attitude is possible, even inevitable. Paul gives us a beautiful picture of this with his description of the deep changes that took place in the lives of the Thessalonians. We need a clear understanding of this for our own spiritual health and the health of the church.

Even without the vivid reminders from current events, we know that life is uncertain and that we have very little control over what happens. How do we endure? Our faith, love, and hope in Christ keep our lives grounded in a good and sovereign God. This week, God willing, we will see this in 1Thessalonians 1 as Paul continues his theme of gratitude for what God has done for the Thessalonian believers and how they responded.

Jesus is the way to the Father. He has promised us a future and a hope that transcends the brokenness of the world.

Jesus is the truth. In an age of confusion, we need the person of truth to speak into our lives.

Jesus is Life. The life Jesus offers is one of wholeness. He offers peace with God, peace with one another, and peace with ourselves.

Thomas Kempis summarizes Jesus' words well.

"Follow me. I am the way and the truth and the life. Without the way there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living. I am the way which you must follow; the truth which you must believe; the life for which you must hope.

Join us this week as we explore Jesus' Encounter with our Anxiety.

We begin by stepping back in time to the night before Jesus was crucified, with Jesus and his disciples gathered together celebrating the Passover. It was an incredible meal and a great time of teaching where Jesus shared his heart and some of the richest teachings in all of scripture. In the midst of that meal there's a conversation between Jesus and Peter that is incredibly telling. Luke 22:31-34

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

How can we study the word of God to see how he has walked together with his people throughout history and see our story as part of the whole?

How can we fulfil the great commission?

God’s Love and Ours

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.