PVN Students

James ends his letter by talking about the importance of prayer. We have such an important gift that God has given us through prayer. It can help us in suffering and it can help us stay grounded in the good times. But the most important part of prayer is not the prayer itself, but the God to whom prayer points.

What do we do when suffering enters our lives? How can we possibly hope to endure? James shows us the way in God's Word.

Jesus is asked why his disciples do not Fast. He responds by telling two parables and calling himself The Bridegroom. What can we learn from this section of scripture? Plenty. But Pastor Ryan draws out 3 important truths.

James has some harsh words for the evil rich who are persecuting the church. God is furious. Yet in these harsh words the church can find comfort. God really does care about us, and he is angry when we are mistreated. This is the news we need to help us endure.

James is tackling the topic of Worldliness in the Church. How does the Church look too much like the World? James shows us two ways in this text: In how we speak to one another, and in how we plan our future. But what is the solution to these problems? James tells us that too.

We are so caught up in sinful jealousy of other people and other things. Thankfully, God is jealous too. He is jealous for us, and seeks our whole heart. His good jealousy overwhelms our sinful jealousy, and He changes us for the better. Will Ashworth explains the good news of a jealous and gracious God.

Wisdom is the difference between life and death. It is the difference between finding happiness, or always looking for it. How does someone become wise? James tells us.

The number 1 way that our faith shows itself is through our words. Words reveal what is happening in our heart. They are also extremely powerful and extremely important. James takes words seriously and explains to us why we should too.

In this section, James teaches us that faith and works are not two separate things. Our works are the end goal of our faith. Faith leads to works. Faith shows itself to be genuine through the works we do in our lives. Faith and works are not two separate things, in fact, when faith has reached its complete form, it shows itself in our works.

In our first week back, Ryan walks us through the major themes of the book of James and how they can help us understand not only the entire book better, but also understand ourselves.

Pastor Ryan walks us through the opening verses of the greatest letter ever written. In these verses we not only learn more about Jesus Christ, but about ourselves as well.

In his final sermon as a PVN Intern, Owen Vinson continues our walk through the book of James and explains what the writer means in his relationship between faith and works.

How should the Church treat those who are less popular or less fortunate? What does it look like when the church starts to fail in this area? James sees warning signs that the ancient church is getting something terribly wrong, and it has great meaning for the Church of today.

The good doctor: Bo Bradshaw, kicks off our study in James chapter 2 by walking us through the sin of partiality and explaining to us how we can love one another.

James continues to show his people what God is doing during their suffering. When we are suffering it is important that we are quick to listen with a humble heart. James goes on to show that during the storms of life, God's word is the safest place to be.

James concludes his discussion on suffering by continuing to remind us of all the good things that are happening while we go through hard times. Then he ends this section by giving us the best news of all.

(Sunday Sermon) - In one of the most famous passages of Scripture Jesus shows us 2 things: Who we truly worship, and who He truly is.

Suffering is something we all experience. How can the book of James help? It can provide us with a new and better perspective that brings hope on our darkest days.

James is one of the most popular books in church history, but why is that? Pastor Ryan walks us through the major themes of this book as we learn more about what God's grace really does in our lives.

What does the Bible actually say about abortion? Ryan walks us through several scriptures to show us God's heart on this important issue.

We all know about the concept of Abortion, but what is the legal background of Roe V. Wade? What actually happens in the womb during a pregnancy? Ryan walks us through the legal and scientific sides of this important topic.

We end our time in the 7 Churches of Revelation with the only 2 churches that Jesus does not correct. Philadelphia & Smyrna are in deep trouble with the world. Some of them are even about to die. But Jesus goes with them, even into death, and He will bring them out again.

The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira relate to our own day and age perfectly. While both churches are doing several things right, they struggle in 2 main areas: sexual immorality, and idolatry of politics. The American Church has much to learn from these two groups.

The 7 Churches of Revelation begin with Ephesus. They are a church that is doing many things right, but idolatry has crept in and hardened their heart. Could the same be true of us?

What should a Church stand on? What should a Christian build their life on? What did Jesus think about the Bible? Ryan walks us through the importance of God's Word.

What do we do when a friend is grieving? So often we know more about how to care for ourselves, but how do we care for others? in this sermon we get 7 tools for how to help others, and maybe even how to help ourselves.

If God is real, then why doesn't He show Himself? Isn't that what a loving God would do? In tonight's sermon, we walk through the reasons God reveals Himself to us slowly and gradually, rather than all at once.

What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? How do we speak with our neighbor who is same-sex attracted? What does Jesus think of all this? Ryan kicks off our Apologetics series with this very important topic.

The encounter between Jacob and Esau is one of the most unexpected meetings in the entire Bible. Esau's forgiveness is so surprising to us. But as Christians, how surprised should we really be?

In our final sermon in Daniel, Pastor Ryan takes us through Daniel and the Lion's Den. What does Daniel's salvation teach us about surviving in Babylon, and how does it point to Jesus being seen in our own lives?

Tonight we go through one of the most well-known stories in the entire Bible. Jesus meets a woman who has no idea who He is, but He knows everything about her. In this amazing text we learn so many incredible truths about the Bible, about ourselves, and most importantly, about our savior.

New King. Same problems. Tonight Owen Vinson shows us how God moves in our lives and how only what is done for Him will last.

In Daniel chapter 5 we meet a new king with an old problem. We learn that as empires change and fade, we can take great comfort in knowing that our God remains the same.

Sunday Morning Sermon: What can the Christmas story teach us about Church & Politics? How does God work throughout our lives? When is Christmas at its best? Ryan walks us through these topics in the early part of Luke's Gospel.

In Daniel Chapter 4 we discover something we never thought would exist: a nice King Nebuchadnezzar?! How did he get like this? Ryan walks us through how God did an incredible work in Nebuchadnezzar's life, and how He will do the same thing for us.

Why is there a fourth man in the furnace? What can we learn about God's presence with us as we follow Him in a diffuclt culture? Owen Vinson walks us through this awesome and very important text and the end of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego's story.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are three of the most famous people in Scripture. But what makes them so famous? In one of the most well-known stories in the entire Bible we see that worship really is everything.

In a special night we hear from Bryon Schirner and finally learn the meaning of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream.

King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream and is looking for answers. He is looking for what we are all looking for, and Daniel is the only man in Babylon who has the answer. But Daniel will show us, it's not about the answer at all.

How can Daniel point us to Jesus Christ? How do we thrive in a culture that is leaving Christianity? Wisdom is the answer, and Daniel tells us not just where to get it, but who to get it from.

What do we do when our whole world seems to be collapsing? Where is God when we struggle in a culture that has forgotten Him? The book of Daniel helps us answer these questions.

Should you be baptized? Should you be re-baptized? Should your baptism be private or public? Why do we only baptize Believers at PVN? Ryan walks us through all these questions and more!

What is Baptism? Why does someone get baptized? In this first of a two-part series, Ryan walks us through one of the most ancient and important parts of the Christian faith.

In Acts 27 and 28 the Apostle Paul goes through deep trouble. While on his way to Rome he encounters a storm that is beyond his control. So often this happens in our lives. Ryan walks us through three ways Paul finds hope in his storm, and ultimately how we can find hope in ours.

What does true religion look like? What does it really look like to follow Christ in a complicated world? Bryon Schirner shares the way with us from God's Word.

What does the Bible teach about Abortion? How can we be better equipped to have this conversation with our neighbors? Ryan walks us through this important topic in God's Word.

We often forget that in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the main focus of the story is not the younger brother. The focus of the story is on the Pharisee: the older brother who refuses to go in to the party. Bryon explains his situation and what Jesus is trying to tell us.

Through telling two similar parables, Jesus explains to us what we should expect the world to like like, and what we should expect the Church to look like before He returns.

When will Jesus return? The better question is: how do we get ready for it? What should we doing as we wait? Tonight we learn from Christ's story of three servants given gifts, by their generous Master.

What is Christianity really like? What does it mean to truly follow God? Tonight Ryan walks us through Matthew 13 and a man who finds treasure hidden in a field that will change his life.