Encounter at Illinois State University / ISU
Education & Explainer
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Encounter at Illinois State University / ISU
Episodes
- SENIOR NIGHT- Phil Lopez
- WHAT MINISTRY REALLY IS- Ben Miller
Our great God, beyond comprehension, became human. The infinite God subjected himself to a finite world. In doing so, he taught us what real ministry is. (Jn 1:1-14, Gen 1:3, Phil 2:5-8, Heb 4:15-16, John 10:14-15, John 13:34-35, Luke 9:54)
- MOSES’ LAST WORDS {the life of Moses}- Ben Miller
Moses and Jesus seem to agree on what needs to be our greatest priority. (Deut 6:4-6, Ex 14:14, Deut 11:18-21, Mk 12:28-34, Deut 8:6, Jn 13:34-35, Heb 12:1)
- DIFFERENT FROM THE WORLD- Jo Miller
The closer we get to Jesus, the less we need to the World to define us (1 John 2:15-17, Romans 12:2, Hebrews 12:1-2, Romans 8:1-2, Matthew 6:21)
- CURSES BECOME BLESSINGS {the life of Moses}- Ben Miller
Balaam the sorcerer is hired to curse the Hebrew people, but his encounter with Jehovah God will take him down an entirely different path. (Num 22-24, Eph 6:12, I Peter 5:8-9, Matt 6:13, Romans 8:11 2 Tim 1:7, I Jn 1:5, James 1:13, 2 Peter…
- THE POWER OF COMMUNITY {the life of Moses}- Zach Thompson
Community is powerful – will we let it be a force for good or for evil? (Exodus 32:1-20)
- PATHWAY TO THE PRESENCE {the life of Moses}- Ben Miller
The ark of the covenant sits at the heart of the tabernacle. And the message it speaks is that an imperfect people need a pathway to a perfect God. And God in His wisdom has provided that pathway. (Matt 5:17-18, Ex 25:1-22, Deut 10:1–5, He…
- THE POWER OF PRAYER (ALTER OF INCENSE) {the life of Moses}- Ben Miller
The altar of incense reveals that the prayers of God’s people intermingle with his tangible presence. What does it mean to believe that prayer changes things? (Ex 30:1-10, Ex 30:34-37, Ex 40:5,26-27, Ps 141:2, Rev 5:8, Lk 11:9-13, James 5:…
- LIGHT {the life of Moses}- Tyler Ferguson
The golden lampstand reminds us of our dependence on God to be the light of World
- BREAD OF THE PRESENCE {the life of Moses}- Ben Miller
As we push deeper into the tabernacle, we find the table of showbread. This easily overlooked piece of furniture reveals a generous God who is constantly giving an invitation to His table. (Ex 25:23-30, Ex 37, Lev 24:5-9, Heb 8:5a, Rev 21:…
- WHY READ YOUR BIBLE? – Dave Jane
The Bible sustains us in the in between moments in our lives. (Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Matthew 4:4, Matthew 7:24-27, James 1:23-24)
- RELATIONSHIPS & WHOLENESS 4 {winter retreat 2026}- Randy Gariss
How does a true walk with the Lord impact our dating relationships?
- RELATIONSHIPS & WHOLENESS 3 {winter retreat 2026}- Randy Gariss
Emotions we hold on to and don’t unpack are like vampires with all the power in the dark. How do we unpack our box of emotions to live a more healthy emotional life?
- RELATIONSHIPS & WHOLENESS MEN’S SESSION {winter retreat 2026}- Randy Gariss
Winter Retreat Men’s Session
- RELATIONSHIPS & WHOLENESS WOMEN’S SESSION {winter retreat 2026}- Randy Gariss
Winter Retreat Women’s Session
- RELATIONSHIPS & WHOLENESS 2 {winter retreat 2026}- Randy Gariss
A successful marriage has a whole lot less to do with who you are married to and a whole lot more to do with how you treat the person you are married to.
- RELATIONSHIPS & WHOLENESS 1 {winter retreat 2026}- Randy Gariss
Having a successful season of singleness might be the most important way to have a successful life-long relationship.
- DEAD THINGS {the life of Moses}- Ben Miller
Our sin has a cost, in our own lives and others. All sin leads toward death, and our great God is the source of life. He wants us to leave behind the things that harm us. (Ex 27, Ex 38, Lev 1-7, Heb 8:5a, Rev 21:22, Heb 9:22, Acts 17:25, J…
- TABERNACLE & THE PRESENCE {the life of Moses}- Andrew Courtney
God spends 25% of the book of Exodus explaining how to build the Tabernacle. Why was it so important then, and why is it important to us now? (Exodus 25:8-9, Exodus 13:21-22, Exodus 40:36-37, Matthew 27:50-51, John 16:7, John 14:16-18, 1 C…
- THE HOW-TO GUIDE ON HANDLING CONFLICT- Ben Miller
Nathan risks everything to confront David with his sin, and the result is deep confession and repentance. David is no longer hiding and manipulating. How are we similarly called to speak truth into the lives around us? (2 Sam 12:1-13, Eph…
- OLD RULES NEW RULES {the life of Moses}- Ben Miller
Now that the Hebrew people are free from slavery, they find themselves at the foot of Mt. Sinai, where God gives them the 10 commandments, and the law. What purpose do these old rules have for Jesus followers? (Ex 20:19, Eph 2:6-10, I Jn 1…
- REST. OR ELSE. {the life of Moses}- Ben Miller
As Moses leads his people into the desert, God provides manna and quail for His people. He insists that they take one rule very seriously. Rest. (Ex 16:13-26, Matt 5:17-18, Gal 3:24-27, Matt 6:25-34, Ex 20:8-11, Gen 2:2-3, Is 40:28, Matt 1…
- DEAD ENDS AND SPONTANEOUS WORSHIP {the life of Moses}- Ben Miller
Moses’ incredible story reaches an impossible moment. As they leave Egypt, God leads them into the dead end of the Red Sea and we glean some beautiful lessons along the way. (Ex 12:31-33, Ex 12:37-38, Ex 13:17-18a, Ex 13:20-22, Ex 14:5-7,…
- FIGHTING GOD {the life of Moses}- Tyler Ferguson
Pharaoh repeatedly tells Moses he won’t let God’s people go, and in turn, his heart is hardened. Where are we repeatedly saying no to God in our own lives? (Exodus 5-13)
- GOD CAN’T USE SOMEONE LIKE ME {the life of Moses}- Ben Miller
Moses looks at his own resources and knows they don’t equal the task at hand. If Moses would dare to lift his eyes up, he’d realize that God’s power is made perfect not through our strengths but our weaknesses. (Ex 3-4, Acts 7:22, M…
- AWARE AND LISTENING {the life of Moses}- Ben Miller
Moses has an Encounter with a holy God through the burning bush. How do we make ourselves more aware of God’s movement in our own lives? (Ex 3:1-10, I Kings 19:11-13, Job 33:14, Rom 1:20, Heb 4:12, Jn 16:13, Col 3:16, Mk 1:35, Lk 5:…
- FORCING GOD’S HAND {the life of Moses}- Ben Miller
When we try to force God’s hand, bad things happen. If we have the faith to wait on His timing, we’ll get to see His power at work instead of our own. (Ex 2:11-25, Ex 1:1, Num 32:33, James 1:14-15, Col 3:5, Rom 8:13, Gal 5:24, Rom 6…
- ZOOMING WAY, WAY OUT {the life of Moses}- Ben Miller
It may feel like God is distant in the MICRO-transactions of our lives. But we know through the Word that He is constantly using everything to further His incredible META story. (Gen 15:13-14, 2 Peter 3:8, Josh 21:45, 2 Cor 1:20, De…
- LIVING A LIFE ON MISSION {grace leads series}- Phil Lopez
Because we have been saved by grace, we are called to live a life of loving others even when it’s hard. (Luke 10:25-37)
- AWAY FROM ISOLATION {grace leads series}- Ben Miller
God calls us not only to meaningful connection with Him, but also to each other. (Gen 1-2, I Cor 12:12-20, Col 3:12-13, John 17:11, Eph 3:6, Ecc 4:9-12, Acts 2:42-47, John 13:35, Heb 10:24-25, Ps 133:1)
- KNOWING & EXPERIENCING GOD {grace leads series}- Ben Miller
Our life in Christ takes us into spaces of deep intimacy. It is far more than knowing about Him. It is knowing Him. (Is 41:10, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 23:4, Matt 28:20, Gen 28:15, Jn 10:14, Matt 7:22-23, Ps 139:1-2, Ex 33:17, Gen 4:1, Is…
- BELIEVING THROUGH DOUBT {Fall Retreat 2025}- Dave Jane
Fall Retreat Session 4 – Sunday AM (John 20:24-25; Jeremiah 29:13-14; Matthew 7:7; Proverbs 27:17; John 6:67-69)
- YOU ARE NOT ALONE {Fall Retreat 2025}- Dave Jane
Fall Retreat Session 3 – Saturday PM (Daniel 3:19; Daniel 3:22; Daniel 3:24-25; Daniel 3:28-29)
- FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS {Fall Retreat 2025}- Dave Jane
Fall Retreat Session 2 – Saturday AM (Ecclesiastes 3:1; Esther 4:13-14; Esther 1:16; Esther 1:19; Esther 2:7; Proverbs 16:4; Psalm 139:13-16; Esther 2:20; Esther 4:15-17)
- A STEP OF FAITH {Fall Retreat 2025}- Ben Miller
Fall Retreat Session 1 – Friday PM (2 Kings 5:1-14; Luke 7:11-19; Matthew 14:22-33; Luke 5:12-13)
- SEEKING HIS TRUTH {grace leads series}- Ben Miller
In our Jesus-following life, we must recognize that He is the ultimate source for truth in this world. (Matt 16:24-25, Gen 1:27, Jn 18:37-38, Prov 14:12, Is 46:9-10, Is 55:9, Ps 86:11, John 14:6, John 17:17, John 3:30)
- THE CHRISTIAN LIFE {grace leads series}- Ben Miller
While there are many false motives that may lead us to faith, there is only one that sustains our faith. (2 Cor 5:14-15, I Cor 2:2, I Jn 4:10, Matt 18:21-33, Ps 136, Jer 31:3, I Jn 3:1, Rom 5:8, Eph 3:17-19)
- ROYAL PRIESTHOOD {becoming series}- Andrew Courtney
1 Peter 2:9 reminds us that followers of Jesus are God’s chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and His treasured possession. This sermon explores what it means to live out that identity, moving from passive consumers to active…
- NOT HOME {becoming series}- Ben Miller
Peter gives us a reminder that our true home is heaven. If that’s true, how do we go about living in a place that isn’t our home? (I Peter 2:11-12, I Peter 2:4, Eph 2:19-22, Gen 15:13, Ex 2:22, Matt 8:20, Rev 21:3, Jn 1:1-5, Jn 1:14, Jn 13…
- HOW YOU START MATTERS {becoming series}- Ben Miller
We come to God as living stones of a house, built on the cornerstone of Christ. You’re building a life this year. Pay attention to where you build it, what you’re building with, and the foundation you’re building on. And why. ( I Peter 2:4)
- TELL YOUR STORY- Ben Miller
Paul’s “defense” in Acts 22 provides a beautiful glimpse into how we can share Christ with others. One of the most powerful ways to share the Gospel involves knowing our own story and speaking it. (Acts 22:1-16, I Peter 3:15-16, I Jn 4:10,…
- HOW TO DISAGREE- Dave Jane
In the end of Acts 18, we see Apollos teaching in a way that doesn’t fully represent the Gospel, and Priscilla and Aquila take him aside to help sharpen his gifts and help him become exactly who he needs to be. Proverbs tells us that “woun…
- A NEW GOD IN ATHENS- Ben Miller
When Paul arrives in Athens, he is invited to share the story of God with a very different group of people. What lessons can we glean from Paul on what it means to interact with people who are completely unfamiliar with Jesus? (Acts 17:16-…
- GOOD TEACHING – Tyler Ferguson
Do we know the scriptures well enough to know when things are said that aren’t true? Do we examine the Scriptures to see if what we hear is true? What is our source of Truth? How do we understand it? (Acts 17:1-15)
- WHAT IS JOY? – Ben Miller
Paul and Silas, beaten and thrown into prison, sing their songs to the Lord. What does this teach us about the difference between pleasure, happiness, and joy? (James 1:17, Acts 16:16-40, James 1:17, Rom 15:13, John 15:9-11, Gal 5:22)
- IDOLS – Ben Miller
We think of idols as remnants of ancient civilizations, and yet each of us has a heart that is quick to produce them. How can we recognize this worthless form of worship for what it is? (Isaiah 44:9-20, Acts 14, Ex 32:19-20, Ps 144:2, Ps 1…
- FAITH IN THE STRUGGLE {mental health Q&A}- Ben Miller & Dr. Cedric Williams
The people of God earnestly pray for Peter and he is miraculously rescued from prison. But how do we live in a world where we do not always see an immediate healing or resolution when we pray? Dr. Cedric Williams joins us for a conversatio…
- IT’S A TEAM SPORT- Ben Miller
Barnabas might not be a flashy superstar in the New Testament, but his strong influence in Paul’s life is a great reminder of how we help others become who God has called them to be. (Acts 11:19-30, Acts 4:36, Acts 9:27, Acts 12:25, Prov 2…
- KNOWN BY TRUTH 4 {winter retreat 2025}- David Lasley
Winter Retreat- Session 4- Sunday AM
- KNOWN BY TRUTH 3 {winter retreat 2025}- Chip Ewald
Winter Retreat- Session 3- Saturday PM