No Limits with Pastor Delman: Recent Episodes
Dr. Delman Coates
Dr. Delman Coates serves as Senior Pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, MD. During his tenure, Mt. Ennon has grown to more than 9,000 members. Dr. Coates has initiated and revitalized ministries, expanded the church's physical campus and land holdings, and incorporated the Mt. Ennon Development Corporation. In October 2009, Outreach Magazine named Mt. Ennon as one of the 100 Fastest Growing Congregations in the United States.
Pastor Coates is founder and president of the Black Church Center for Justice & Equality, and he is a board member of the Parents Television Council and the National Action Network. He also serves as member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Morehouse College Board of Preachers, and the NAACP. In 2008, TAAP honored him as one of the "20 To Watch." In 2012, "The Root" named Dr. Coates as one of their 100 African American achievers and influencers. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) honored Dr. Coates in 2013 for his commitment to advancing civil rights and liberties for all. The same year, Ebony magazine selected him as one of their "Power 100."
Dr. Coates's ministry, messages, and social activism span a variety of media platforms. He has appeared on national media programs such as MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, Essence Magazine, NPR, VH1, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Huffington Post, and is featured in the documentary The New Black.
Finally, he is the proud father of four children: sons, Nathaniel and Joshua, and twin daughters, Ava Marie and Leah Blair.
Joy is often confused with happiness because both evoke feelings of positivity and contentment. However, joy is unique; it’s not based on circumstances but rather a steadfast sense of inner peace and assurance rooted in God. This distinction allows believers to experience joy even in hardship. The Bible illustrates this in James 1:2, "Count it all joy when you go through various trials," emphasizing that true joy can be experienced even in the midst of life's difficulties. Just as the children of Israel rediscovered joy amidst their struggles, we too can choose joy, find joy-nourishing places, and surround ourselves with joy-nurturing people.
The work of transformation is an inside job, wherein we yield our emotions and our emotional lives to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. That’s the point of today’s key Scripture passages; there’s a work that Christ performs on us, and there’s a work that God is doing in us. And if we want to experience all that God has for us, then we must bring our impulses, our attitudes, our ways, and our behaviors in line with the will of Christ.
It’s time to "level up"—to become better versions of ourselves by not settling for the status quo, but instead, taking intentional steps toward growth and transformation. With this in mind, we are going to explore how we can avoid stagnation and live lives that reflect God’s desire for us to grow, progress, and reach new heights. Just like Jesus’ parable of the fig tree, we are encouraged to examine ourselves, seek improvement, and take action toward becoming all that God has called us to be.
From today’s key passage, we can learn some things about the spirit of contagious generosity in the congregation that made that exact thing possible. By reading about the Israelites, we can glean principles that can help us in our own efforts to further God’s work on the earth.
Have you ever had beef with someone? Or has anyone ever had beef with you? By “beef,” I mean something more than just a disagreement or an argument. By “beef,” I’m not just talking about a difference of opinion or a misunderstanding. Instead, I’m referring to a deep division, dislike, discord, disrespect, distaste, or disgust not just for a person’s opinion, but for the person themselves. If you have, then this message is for you. We’re going to look at the writings of Paul for guidance and direction on how to handle the “beef” we have with others.
In today’s key passage, the Israelites find themselves on hold with God. They are stuck between their “right now” and their hopeful “will be,” stuck between where they are and where they want to be. There was nothing they could do on their own. There was no way out because they were barricaded in on every side. If a door was going to open, God was going to have to do it. If a way was going to be made, God was going to have to make it. If provision was going to come, God would have to provide it. And so, I want to explore this passage because I believe it provides us with some insights on what we can do to manage the meantime in our own lives as we’re waiting for our breakthrough.
This sermon is not a prescription about sex. It’s about the discomfort many of us feel with the word “sex.” At the mention of this word, maybe you’re already feeling uncomfortable. You would really like me to move on. You’re starting to cringe, your body temperature is beginning to rise, and you’d really like this sermon to be about something else because for you this subject is inappropriate. Well, it’s that discomfort that we need to address because when people are unable or are not allowed to talk about something that is natural and God-designed, then we’re in trouble as believers.
The woman in today’s key text teaches us how to worship God with our service, our sacrifice, and our substance, and how that spirit of generosity can literally transform the life of the believer and the culture of the Lord’s church. When God gets a hold of our giving, when we put Him first in our faith and our finances, it has little to do with how much money we make, or how much wealth we have. It has everything to do with the depth of our commitment, the breadth of our confidence in God, and the extensiveness of our devotion to God.
From today’s key passage, we learn that Eli was one of those dads who didn’t have a backbone. He saw his sons doing things he knew were wrong, things that were harmful to them and destructive to the nation, but he could not and would not tell his boys “No.” He preferred to avoid conflict with them and would not discipline them, which seems to have been the reason for their downfall. Eli made his two sons priests even though they lacked their father’s character, and as a consequence, their conduct disgraced the family and shocked the nation. Their behavior did not reflect the values, the virtues, and the vision of men of God. God eventually gets fed up with their foolishness, and we learn that from God’s perspective, He holds their dad responsible. It is from this section of Scripture we learn here how to identify the characteristics of a man who is on daddy duty, whether that man is a biological father, surrogate father, or a spiritual father.
In today’s key text, the Lord gives us guidance on how we can stand on His promises. What stands out to me are the three assurances found in verse 5 that we can stand on. He says, “As I was with Moses, so shall I be with you, I will never leave you nor forsake you.” That’s good news! As we go from one season or station in life to another, what will help us to successfully navigate this season is to be able to stand solidly, securely, and firmly on the three assurances God makes in this text. So let’s dive in together.
Today we are going to talk about the importance of having a humble heart that is open to God’s work. In our key passage of Scripture, Jesus is talking about the religious leaders of the day and how they were so focused on appearing spiritually strong on the outside, but they didn’t focus at all on their internal spiritual strength. We can’t neglect what’s going on inside of us because we’re too distracted by how we are perceived by others. In order to make sure we don’t make this mistake, there are four steps we can take.
We have perfected the art of discarding people when they are no longer deemed useful. We have mastered the art of disposing of people once their value has been extracted. But I want to challenge us to become countercultural in this regard. In today’s key text, Mary makes it clear that when others try to disqualify you, you don’t have to let them count you out. There is another path to take.
Have you ever found yourself dealing with a toxic person? They are abusive, they bring you down, they stress you out, cause you harm, bring you distress, and sometimes they downright get on your nerves. If so, the question becomes what should we do about the presence of a toxic person or toxic people in our lives? In 1 Samuel 25, there’s a story about a woman named Abigail who was married to a toxic man, and she models for us how to handle the toxic person in our lives, whether it’s a spouse, a family member, friend, co-worker, or church member, Abigail teaches us how to handle toxic people, and we’re going to learn a lot from her in today’s message.
Christians dealing with toxic emotions and exhibiting toxic behaviors wasn’t just a problem in the first century. It’s still a problem now. Whether it’s road rage on the highway, angry parents at a child’s game, or people fighting in church, at work, or in the home, people dealing with toxic emotions is a serious problem. And Paul says we need to stop it. Stop letting bitterness, rage, and slander dominate your spirit. Stop getting so heated that you can’t control yourself any longer. And so, the question becomes how do we heal these toxic emotions? That’s exactly what we’re going to discuss in today’s message.
In our text today, we are delivered to the scene in the life of King David during a time when he had much to look down about. David learns for the first time of the passing of his child. He must have felt down, mortified, and broken. There’s no doubt he was suffering under immense pain, but we get a glimpse at what he does to rebound when he must have been feeling down. He has a family to provide for, he has a nation to protect and lead, and he has enemies to fight and defeat. And in the midst of it all, he models for us how to handle grief and loss, not if it happens, but when. Grief and loss are universal and inevitable. So how does David make it? How does David keep looking up when he’s been feeling down? That’s what we’re going to dive into in this message.
While having your heart broken may not be preventable, it is conquerable. You can make it after disappointment, and today’s key Scripture passage shows us what makes it possible to move through, rise above, and thrive after disappointment. It’s like what Paulo Coelho once said, “Disappointment, defeat, and despair are the tools God uses to show us the way.” What determines whether you move on or whether you shut down after heartbreak depends upon how you assess the situation. If you view the event positively, seeing it as an opportunity for growth, versus viewing it negatively and seeing it as a moral judgment, then you are more inclined to grow through what you go through.
If you’re looking for healing, you have two options. You can either give up hope, or you can pursue healing by seeking out your Heavenly Father. In today’s message, we’re going to look at the story of two blind men who needed healing and reached out to Jesus for help. They were healed by their faith and their persistence, and you can experience healing too if you follow their example. Let’s look at what it looks like to live out that example.
As you read today’s key verse, you’ll see that Paul’s counsel to the church then, and us now is “to cleanse ourselves of anything that might damage, distort or defile the flesh or the body.” One of the things I find as a pastor is that many people’s journey with God has been damaged by distorted perspectives, twisted views, and false theories about the body. Throughout the history of the Church, many well-intentioned Christians have endeavored to live their lives for Christ in a religious culture that has placed an unbiblical and unrealistic moral hedge around the body in hopes that it would prevent people from falling or being susceptive to its urges, its drives, and its proclivities. So many people are struggling in their walk with God because we have not given them a healthy, helpful, and holy way to treat and view the body that God gave us. So in today’s message, we’re going to look at some helpful tips in hopes that we can have a better outlook and perspective on our God-given bodies so that we can live healthier lives all around.
You’ve probably heard of a “detox” in the context of health and wellness. Many people will perform a detox cleanse in order to rid their bodies of all of the impurities and unhealthy substances so that they can be healthier. Well, I believe that detoxing is not only necessary for our natural lives, but it’s also necessary for our spiritual lives. In order to fulfill the mission, the purpose, and the assignment that God has for all of us, we must remove impurities, pollutants, and contaminants that keep us from having that kind and the quality of life that God wants us to have. In today’s key verse, Paul tells the church at Corinth that the path toward their spiritual empowerment calls upon them to engage in a detox, which I’m defining as “the elimination of impurities or unhealthy things that damage our faith, damage our hearts, pollute our minds, disrupt our relationships, and block our destiny.” Anything that keeps you from possessing what God wants you to have, going where God wants you to go, being who God wants you to be, and doing what God wants you to do needs to go. And in today’s text, we discover why detoxification is necessary for the child of God.
Today’s key passage, written by the Apostle Paul, is designed to let us know that baptism and giving our lives to Christ is not the end of the struggle. We do not arise from the waters of baptism free from the struggle between what we want to do and what we end up doing. And Paul explores here the contours of this struggle and shows us how to navigate life despite the struggles we will inevitably face.
Today’s key passage, the second chapter of the book of Acts, is very significant because it is the primary text that tells us what happened at the inception of the New Testament Church. The first church was a spirit-led church, and we get a glimpse here of what characterizes a spirit-led church.
When Jesus takes the wheel of our lives, we shift from allowing the wounded parts of our lives to control and govern how we treat people, handle situations, and make decisions. Instead, we allow the God-image and Christ’s consciousness within to lead the way. When we allow our hurts, our wounds, and our baggage to dictate, determine, and direct the course of our lives, things go astray. Instead, as followers of Christ, our goal should be to live a spirit- filled life. But what does that look like? Well, Paul shows us very clearly in today’s key passage what happens when we live a spirit- led life.
If you want to experience true joy, if you want genuine peace, if you want to be more connected to God, you need to make sure that the vehicle of your life, that is how you show up in various situations, is being driven by the Spirit and not the flesh. But how do you figure that out? That’s exactly what we’re going to discuss in today’s message.
When we consider what the Gospels tell us about Judas and Jesus, I think God is trying to tell us something about life and about people so that we can find a way to heal not if we get hurt, but when. I think Jesus selected Judas to be a disciple to let us know that life does not always deliver perfect circumstances to our door, but we can still be helped by those imperfect circumstances.
When I think of distractions, I think about speed bumps. We really don’t like them when we encounter them because, quite often, we want to hurry up and get where we want to go. Sometimes, we become frustrated because they’re in our path, but they are there for a purpose. They are there to help us slow down and remind us of where we are in that moment so we can proceed without causing harm to ourselves and problems for others. The speed bump is not there to keep us from reaching our destination. It’s only there to help us manage distractions while en route to where we’re going. And no one handles distractions better than Jesus. He was able to avoid being derailed by temptations and distracted by life’s pressures, and He shows us in Scripture what we can do to stay focused in the midst of so many distractions.
God is preparing a feast, and whether we like it or not, God reserves the right as the host, and convener, and furthermore, as the one who has paid the price to invite whoever He desires to sit down at His table. None of us has a say in who God invites to His table. In fact, when we get to heaven, many of us will be surprised by who we see there. There will be some we thought would make it who won’t be there, and others we didn’t think would who’ll be sitting right there. And that’s because God and God alone can invite whomever He chooses to have access to the Kingdom. John 3:16 reminds us that an eternal life spent with Jesus is available to WHOSOEVER believes in Him. May we never forget that.
Over and over again in Scripture, we are told “Do not fear.” I think the Lord knew how often we would need this reminder considering all that we face during our lives on this earth that could cause us to be afraid. However, because we have a relationship with Almighty God, we don’t have to fear, because He has made us more than conquerors. In today’s key text, we are given advice on how to approach life with fearless faith. Let’s dive in together.
If you listen to many Christian preachers, the impression is given that if you can just come up with the right formula in prayer, God will grant you the blessing you want and the health and healing that you need. And while I certainly believe in healing, I do not believe that God’s divine healing ought to be the starting point for thinking about a healthy lifestyle. To optimize good health and to live the abundant life that Christ offers, we must practice what we pray for. After Jesus forgave, freed, or healed the woman caught in adultery, He told her to go and not keep doing what she had been doing. The same is true for us if we want to be healthy, if we want to be well. So how do we get well? That’s what we’re going to dive into today.
Managing your money well is no small task. It is easier than ever to find yourself in debt these days, leaving you not just struggling financially in the present, but also struggling with leaving a strong financial legacy. In today’s message, we’re going to learn from our key text four steps we can take so that we can live and leave a legacy of wealth and avoid financial downfall.
Every child of God needs to know and needs to hear that they are forgiven, for when you come into fellowship and communion with Jesus, and begin cultivating and nurturing your relationship with Him, the Lord’s forgiveness means that no matter what you have done, no matter how horrible your past, and regardless of your moral transcript and profile, the good news today is that “you are forgiven.” You are officially pardoned from your past, and the devil and no one else can hold you hostage to what you’ve done. From today’s text, we’re going to see Mary Magdalene show us what it looks like to walk in that assurance.
Light is the first entity that God created. This suggests that the darkness we are in should not cause us to feel resigned to futility; it should not cause us to throw up our hands in surrender. For when things are at their darkest, God is just starting to move. When things are at their worst, God is just beginning to turn things around. We can trust that there is something on the other side of darkness, and what’s on the other side is going to be better, brighter, and bigger than what existed before.
When Jesus called His followers “salt,” He actually bestowed upon us a badge of honor. He was giving them then and us now a sense of our identity, purpose, and function in the Kingdom. He was saying that when people ask who you are as a believer, you should be able to tell them, “I’m salty.” Being salty is not something bad, it’s something good. When we’re salty, we’re living the way Jesus commanded us to in His Word. But how do you know if you’re living a salty life? Well, that’s what we’re going to look at in this message.
Jesus Christ orchestrated the greatest comeback in the history of the world. And there is no event in history more memorable and none more life-changing. And as we read the story of His comeback, we can learn so much about what it will take for Him to help us with the comeback we’ve been waiting for in our own lives. So in light of that, we are going to look at three things that need to happen if we want to experience a God-sized comeback.
Simeon was a man who received a promise from God that he would not see death without seeing the birth of the Lord’s Messiah. And it was that promise that moved him to get his life in order. That promise led him to get in the right position, to get to a place of peace, and to develop and maintain the right spiritual and moral posture to see Jesus. Take note of those three things I just mentioned: He had a promise, he gets in position, and he maintains the right posture. He hears God’s voice, he puts himself in an environment where there is peace and not confusion, and he is active in developing himself spiritually and in being a man of integrity. And by getting his life aligned with God, he’s able to see what God wants him to see. The same can happen for you too. If you open your heart and mind to hear God’s voice, if you position yourself in places and with people that produce peace, and if you order your steps to get in line with what God says, then you can see what God wants you to see, go where God wants you to go, be what God wants you to be, and do what God wants you to do.
I am fully confident that God wants each of us to experience the joy that comes from having our hopes realized. God wants us to experience the fulfillment that comes from having our dreams actualized. God wants us to experience the satisfaction of having our ambitions fulfilled and our aspirations achieved, and to express that joy by breaking out in spontaneous praise to God for all He has done. Simeon has that exact experience in today’s key text because his soul’s desire was to see Israel’s Messiah for himself, and it finally happened. He did not know when the Messiah was coming. He did not know how He would appear, and quite frankly he didn’t know exactly where, but his heart’s desire was to see the Messiah for himself. Every step he takes in this text epitomizes what he did and what we all should do if we want to have our dreams fulfilled and our hopes come to pass.
As followers of Christ, we have a very important responsibility to uphold the Word of God. Unfortunately, many people fall short in doing this all the time. It is absolutely possible to wrongly divide the word of truth. In today’s message, we’re going to look at the reasons why this happens so that we can be aware of how to avoid this danger ourselves.
Have you ever found yourself dealing with a toxic person? They are abusive, they bring you down, they stress you out, cause you harm, bring you distress, and sometimes they downright get on your nerves. If so, the question becomes what should we do about the presence of a toxic person or toxic people in our lives? In 1 Samuel 25, there’s a story about a woman named Abigail who was married to a toxic man, and she models for us how to handle the toxic person in our lives, whether it’s a spouse, a family member, friend, co-worker, or church member, Abigail teaches us how to handle toxic people, and we’re going to learn a lot from her in today’s message.
Christians dealing with toxic emotions and exhibiting toxic behaviors wasn’t just a problem in the first century. It’s still a problem now. Whether it’s road rage on the highway, angry parents at a child’s game, or people fighting in church, at work, or in the home, people dealing with toxic emotions is a serious problem. And Paul says we need to stop it. Stop letting bitterness, rage, and slander dominate your spirit. Stop getting so heated that you can’t control yourself any longer. And so, the question becomes how do we heal these toxic emotions? That’s exactly what we’re going to discuss in today’s message.
In our text today, we are delivered to the scene in the life of King David during a time when he had much to look down about. David learns for the first time of the passing of his child. He must have felt down, mortified, and broken. There’s no doubt he was suffering under immense pain, but we get a glimpse at what he does to rebound when he must have been feeling down. He has a family to provide for, he has a nation to protect and lead, and he has enemies to fight and defeat. And in the midst of it all, he models for us how to handle grief and loss, not if it happens, but when. Grief and loss are universal and inevitable. So how does David make it? How does David keep looking up when he’s been feeling down? That’s what we’re going to dive into in this message.
While having your heart broken may not be preventable, it is conquerable. You can make it after disappointment, and today’s key Scripture passage shows us what makes it possible to move through, rise above, and thrive after disappointment. It’s like what Paulo Coelho once said, “Disappointment, defeat, and despair are the tools God uses to show us the way.” What determines whether you move on or whether you shut down after heartbreak depends upon how you assess the situation. If you view the event positively, seeing it as an opportunity for growth, versus viewing it negatively and seeing it as a moral judgment, then you are more inclined to grow through what you go through.
Each one of us sees life through our own unique lens, a set of assumptions and expectations that govern how we see ourselves, our lives, and the situations around us. It’s that mindset, according to research, that plays a significant role in determining life’s outcomes. With this in mind, I want to suggest that an unhealthy, ungodly, unholy, and unproductive mindset can adversely affect our lives. The solution according to today’s key text is to rid ourselves of any thought, any belief, any perspective, or any philosophy that does not line up with God’s will for our lives. But how do we do that? Well, that’s exactly what we’re going to discuss in today’s message.
If you’re looking for healing, you have two options. You can either give up hope, or you can pursue healing by seeking out your Heavenly Father. In today’s message, we’re going to look at the story of two blind men who needed healing and reached out to Jesus for help. They were healed by their faith and their persistence, and you can experience healing too if you follow their example. Let’s look at what it looks like to live out that example.
As you read today’s key verse, you’ll see that Paul’s counsel to the church then, and us now is “to cleanse ourselves of anything that might damage, distort or defile the flesh or the body.” One of the things I find as a pastor is that many people’s journey with God has been damaged by distorted perspectives, twisted views, and false theories about the body. Throughout the history of the Church, many well-intentioned Christians have endeavored to live their lives for Christ in a religious culture that has placed an unbiblical and unrealistic moral hedge around the body in hopes that it would prevent people from falling or being susceptive to its urges, its drives, and its proclivities. So many people are struggling in their walk with God because we have not given them a healthy, helpful, and holy way to treat and view the body that God gave us. So in today’s message, we’re going to look at some helpful tips in hopes that we can have a better outlook and perspective on our God-given bodies so that we can live healthier lives all around.
The idea that throughout our lives our bodies have been storing the moments and the memories of trauma and past pain came up for me when I read today’s key text. In this verse, Paul admonishes the church at Corinth to cleanse themselves of every defilement of the body and spirit, for in doing so, they would find freedom and empowerment by becoming more like God. The same is true for you and me. When we experience cleansing and healing by the power of the Holy Spirit, we become more like Christ. So in order to begin that journey of healing, we need to ask ourselves a few questions.
You’ve probably heard of a “detox” in the context of health and wellness. Many people will perform a detox cleanse in order to rid their bodies of all of the impurities and unhealthy substances so that they can be healthier. Well, I believe that detoxing is not only necessary for our natural lives, but it’s also necessary for our spiritual lives. In order to fulfill the mission, the purpose, and the assignment that God has for all of us, we must remove impurities, pollutants, and contaminants that keep us from having that kind and the quality of life that God wants us to have. In today’s key verse, Paul tells the church at Corinth that the path toward their spiritual empowerment calls upon them to engage in a detox, which I’m defining as “the elimination of impurities or unhealthy things that damage our faith, damage our hearts, pollute our minds, disrupt our relationships, and block our destiny.” Anything that keeps you from possessing what God wants you to have, going where God wants you to go, being who God wants you to be, and doing what God wants you to do needs to go. And in today’s text, we discover why detoxification is necessary for the child of God.
In today’s message, we are going to talk about a subject that isn’t often associated with the church. When we think about malpractice, we tend to think about legal, medical, or even financial malpractice, but rarely do we think about religious malpractice. However, this is a sad reality of many churches today. Therefore, this is a topic worth discussing and studying Scripture for so that can make sure we avoid religious malpractice and instead follow Jesus the way we are commanded to in God’s Word.
I would venture to say that at some point in your life, you’ve had moments in which a breakdown in communication led to division, misunderstanding, and flat-out confusion. Breakdown in communication is a real thing, and it’s an issue we need to address in a way that honors the Lord and aligns with His Word. In this message, we’re going to look at the book of James and see how Jesus’ half-brother hones in on a few tips to help bridge the many gaps that impact communication. If we apply these tips to our own lives, we will surely become better communicators.
We should all be able in relationships where we can communicate what we like and what we don’t like without fearing that doing so will cause the other person to abuse us, abandon us, or walk away. That stood out to me as I reflected on Jeremiah’s conversations with God in today’s key texts, where the prophet expresses his grief over the conditions that had befallen God’s people and the feelings he has about a God who oversaw it all and permitted it to happen. Jeremiah lays it all on the line and puts it all on the table. No wonder Jeremiah is called “the weeping prophet” because he writes from the heart, not trying to hide his agony or disappointment in God. He wasn’t afraid to have a courageous conversation with God. In essence, he says, “God I’m not so happy with you right now. While I trust your character, I’m struggling with your conduct. I don’t understand why you would allow this to happen to me, my family, or my people.” And the truth is we have moments like that where we are like Mary and Martha who said to Jesus, “Lord if you would have been here our brother would not have died.” There are seasons in life where challenges can test the core of who we are and our relationship with God. And we do ourselves a disservice when we act as if hiding our disappointment is an act of holiness. So in this message, we are going to learn that God can handle more than we often think He can, and we don’t have to hold back in our relationship with Him.
When we look at today’s key passage, we learn a lot about the life of Tamar. She suffered quite a bit, but her story is one of strength and hope, even in the midst of pain, loss, and struggle. She didn’t like that these things happened, she didn’t endorse them, but she didn’t let them keep her from living. Despite the succession of losses she sustained, she survived. Think about it—she lost her virginity, dignity, sense of decency, virtue, innocence, and confidence. She had been preserving herself for the distinct privilege of presenting herself as pure to the man of her dreams, and now all of that had been taken away. Yet, while life had robbed her, she wasn’t robbed of life. With everything that Amnon took from her, he didn’t take everything. She had lost a lot, but she also had a lot left. And the same is true for you. So in this message today, I want us to look closely at what we can learn from Tamar’s life so we can apply her example to our own experiences of suffering and loss.
When Paul finished preaching in Derbe in Acts 14:21, he realized that while he made it out of Lystra, there were others who did not. While he was able by the grace, goodness, and power of God to move up, move on, and move out, there were others who saw what happened to him. In their minds, they were stuck with the last image of Paul that they saw. And they were left wondering, “Whatever happened to that preacher who went through all that? Is he crippled? Is he in a mental institution? Is he dead? Has he given up on ministry?” Do you ever wonder what ever happened to someone? That’s exactly where these people found themselves regarding Paul. And that’s the other reason Paul came back, which is what we’re going to talk through in this message.
There is a poetic proverb that states, “If religion were something that money could buy, the rich would live and the poor would die.” We all know that religion falls far short of what is required if we are to enjoy a healthy relationship with God, and rather than trying to appease God through performance, let us find comfort in the capacity to be at peace with God. Rest is a remedy for spiritual anxiety. It is a remedy for religious striving and feeling that we have to prove our fidelity to God and hold on so tight out of fear we might lose Him. In this message, we’re going to look at how we can lean on the everlasting arms of God and rest in His presence, rather than continuing to strive for perfect performance.
We live in a world where people feel the pressure to act like they have more going on in their life than they really do, and to pretend that they are something they are not. However, as followers of Jesus, we’re called to live differently. In today’s key passage, John teaches us that we all must have the capacity within ourselves to resist inauthenticity by knowing who and what we are not.
In today’s key passage, Jesus tells the formerly paralyzed man that he got better because of the people in his corner. Their faith, their commitment, and their determination was the anecdote that enabled him to come out of his state of immobilization. This is confirmation that in the same way that your relationships can hurt you, they also have the power to heal you. In the same way that people can bring you down, people can bring you up. This man got a breakthrough not because of anything he does for himself, but because of what others on his team, in his corner, and in his circle do for him. And the truth is, we all need that. We all need a village of caring, compassionate, committed, consistent, and courageous people who are aware of what’s going on with us, are willing to assist us and don’t mind going the extra mile.
In today’s message, we are looking at a few verses in Esther chapter 4, where we find the story about a young Jewish woman who lived along with her people in captivity in Persia. The King of Persia, King Xerxes I, was not the most thoughtful king. He was an impulsive leader who influenced by hateful, vengeful, racist, spiteful, bloodthirsty advisors to act upon their hatred of Jews, and here in our text, it all comes to a head. The king’s lead advisor Haman devises a scheme to have every Jew in Persia killed, and he convinces the king to sign it into law. When Esther learns of the plan, she is confronted with a decision of what to do. Should she remain silent and play it safe or should she take a stand and go to the king which runs the risk of losing her life?
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, then you know what it’s like to go from having blurred vision to being able to say, “Wow, I can see clearly now!” It’s also important to note that that declaration, I can see clearly now, applies not just to reading words on a page, but also for navigating your way through life. Just as this statement applies to the natural world, it also applies to the spiritual. It’s hard to function when you can’t see. It’s difficult navigating your way through life when you don’t have a clear understanding of who you are, what you’re doing, and where you are going. But when you get clarity, when God gives you a revelation about your situation, you are able to move peacefully through life knowing that you can see clearly now.
As much as you want to be in control of your life, there comes a time when you have to give up control and yield to a higher power. Once you get saved and begin to live your life for Jesus Christ, you relinquish control and then let the Holy Spirit take control because you’ve been bought with a price. Greater victory comes for Christians when we learn to walk in the authority and by the power given to us in Jesus Christ. That life giving, life sustaining, life changing power is the power of the Holy Spirit. And it is that power that should impact every aspect of our lives as Christians. We should be under the influence of the Holy Spirit, rather than under the influence of anything or anyone else.
According to one study almost 70% of people who came up in church leave it by the time they are young adults. 32% said it’s because the church is too judgmental, 29% said it’s because they didn’t feel connected with the people in the church, and 25% said it’s because the church’s political and social views on matters such a sexuality, gender identity, justice and poverty were not in not in keeping their values, beliefs, and understanding of God. But whatever the reason, more and more people find their love for the church eclipsed not by the Savior for whom the church stands, but by the people who occupy the pews. In this message, I want us to take a look at an example in Scripture of how hypocrisy can impact those who need Jesus, and how Jesus modeled so well what it looked like to be the Church.
There’s probably no experience more thrilling for a parent than to experience the birth of a child; to see them come into the world, to watch them grow up and mature, is certainly one of the joys of every parent’s life. I imagine that same thrilling feeling is similar to what God felt as He observed the birth and growth of His creation, the Church, as is recorded in the opening chapters of the book of Acts. The birth of the Church was no small matter. After facing so much adversity, the Church still prevailed, and in doing so modeled for us what the Church should look like still today. Therefore, in this message, we’re going to take a closer look at what we can learn from the early Church and how we can apply their example in modern times.
Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy once said, “Let us forgive each other – only then will we live in peace.” Forgiveness, which means to release, to dismiss, or to let go is the required remedy for a heart that has been made cold and callous by the hurts, heartaches, and disappointments of life. I’m sure you know what it’s like to have someone hurt you, betray you, cheat on you, lie to you, or talk about you behind your back. You understand the feeling of your heart being taken over by bitterness and your mind consumed with revenge because the pain of betrayal seems like it just won’t go away. But Tolstoy was right. Forgiveness is the gateway to living in peace, and when we do not forgive, our faith is corroded, our hearts are hardened, and our peace is robbed. But the question we must wrestle with in light of today’s key passage is whether there is an answer for a heart that has been overtaken by unforgiveness.
Coming to grips with death is no easy task. When someone close to us passes away, we often find ourselves caught in the tension of mourning their loss but also feeling the pressure to move forward with our lives because we know that’s what our loved ones would have wanted us to do. But that’s much easier said than done. So how do we walk through such circumstances? How do we grieve the loss of those we love and know when it’s time to move on with life? Well, that’s what we’re going to learn from the words of Isaiah in this message. We’re going to look at three specific truths that we can take from Scripture that will help guide us and encourage us as we walk through a season of loss.
The 14th chapter of the book of Acts gives us a picture of what is perhaps the greatest role the church can play in people’s lives. And that is the ministry of PRESENCE. This chapter reveals a perfect picture and ideal image of the role of the church in the lives of people who have been beaten, battered, and bruised by a cold and callous world. The response of the disciples during the time of Paul’s greatest need suggests that the ministry of presence is perhaps the greatest role that the church can play in people’s lives. In this message, we are going to look at three things that happen when the church shows up. So let’s dive in.
In our text, we are looking at the end of the story of Elijah’s great showdown at Mount Carmel with the prophets of Baal. Baal was the Canaanite God of rain who had miserably, publicly, and embarrassingly failed to come through by creating rain. Yahweh, on the other hand, the true and living God, came through on Elijah’s behalf and exceeded all expectations. He set the altar on fire even though Elijah drenched the altar with water leaving no doubt in the minds of people that God did this. Elijah prayed, and God opened the portals of heaven, and it began to rain! It happened because God had the power, and Elijah possessed the faith. And the good news is that the same can happen for you. I don’t know what obstacles or adversaries you’re facing, but if you pray by faith, a door that has been shut can be opened, and a way that has been blocked can be cleared. I do not know how. I do not know when, but I do know who. God’s going to do something great, something big, something phenomenal, something major. And we’re going to see specifically how that can happen by diving into Elijah’s story and seeing what steps He took that we can apply to our own lives.
We all hate when we’re trying to use our cell phone, talk on a zoom call, or stream a movie or TV show and we lose connection. It’s frustrating. It’s annoying. And it’s inconvenient. It’s a disruption that you’d rather not have to deal with. But as frustrating as that type of disruption can be, experiencing a spiritual disruption is much worse. Maybe you’re currently experiencing a disruption in your spiritual life. You’ve been experiencing an interference of sorts. Your spiritual signal has grown dim. You’re struggling to hear and obey what God is saying. You can’t put your finger on exactly what’s happening, but you know that something is off, the connection is weak, and you’re not as fruitful as God wants you to be. And when that happens, connection is key. So in this message, I want to give you three ways that you can remain connected to God.
In today’s key passage of Scripture, the disciples and the followers of Jesus are trying to understand from Jesus what is the best way to get to God the Father. It starts with Jesus telling them in John 13:33 that He is going someplace that they cannot go as long as they keep thinking the say way. He then proceeds to unfold for them then and us now another way to get home to God the Father. I like this because people tend to think that the way they know or the way they’ve been taught or the way they’ve experienced God is the only way to know Him. But these verses challenge us to think outside the box when it comes to understanding what we need to do and how we need to live in order to be acceptable to God.
Life has a way of dealing us one difficult blow after another. And when we feel down, it is not unusual to find ourselves looking down. We look down by falling into despair. We look down by worrying about the future. We look down by contemplating giving up and throwing in the towel, not just on the problem, but for some, on life altogether. But we don’t have to keep looking down. Instead, we can choose to keep looking up. For if we continue to up, we are refusing to let what we’re going through get to us. No matter how bad things appear at the moment, and no matter how painful your reality is, your outlook can impact your outcome. So in this message, I want us to take a look at three things we can do to keep looking up when we’re feeling down.
Trauma is the most significant factor that shapes and informs why we do what we do, and yet it is something that many of us fail to consider because when we’ve experienced something bad, something painful, or something that hurts us, the mind tries to protect us by forgetting about it. But even when the mind suppresses it, the body records it. It’s stamped in our nervous system and even as we move on from the moment, the sights, sounds, smells, and encounters can trigger the same responses, the same fears, the same thoughts, and the same anxieties that are rooted in our past. Have you ever taken the time to stop and ask, “What happened to me? Why am I the way I am?” Perhaps the problems you are dealing with are a result of never dealing with what happened in your past. That’s exactly what we’re going to dive into in this message.
Did you know that the plans God has for your life are BETTER than anything you have planned for your life? That is right. Even if you have the highest dreams and hopes for yourself, they cannot even compare to God’s plans for your life. Since we serve a God who wants us to succeed, who wants us to be better, do better, and have better, it is possible that rather than discarding us, He will put us on a plan to develop us. He doesn’t want us to be average, mediocre, or ordinary. And so, when He sees that we are living beneath our potential, when He sees that we are going down the wrong path, when He sees that we could do better, have a stronger prayer life, expand our knowledge of the Word, or increase our service, our sacrifice, our worship, our obedience, and our giving to Him...He gives us opportunities to improve. So how do we take advantage of these opportunities? Well, that’s exactly what we’re going to look at in this message.
Jesus Christ orchestrated the greatest comeback in the history of the world. And there is no event in history more memorable and none more life-changing. And as we read the story of His comeback, we can learn so much about what it will take for Him to help us with the comeback we’ve been waiting for in our own lives. So in light of that, we are going to look at three things that need to happen if we want to experience a God-sized comeback.
There is a lot of hope to be found in the story of Nehemiah. As you read through this particular book of the Bible, you’ll see that even though the walls of Jerusalem have been torn down and destroyed, they could rebuild and rebound. And we are given a template in the book of Nehemiah for how to rebuild our lives after a season of great suffering, disappointment, and shame. There are three specific steps Nehemiah and the others took as they moved forward with rebuilding, and those three steps are what we’re going to look at today.
Nobody likes to wait. We live in a society that centers around instant gratification. So when we have to wait for something for any length of time, our reaction usually isn’t positive. However, if we’re waiting for something we really want, our perspective on the wait seems to change. In other words, when the object of your waiting is deemed valuable, you don’t mind waiting because you tell yourself, “It’s worth the wait.” That is exactly why it is so important that we wait on God. What God wants to give you is more valuable than the things you are accustomed to waiting on. Yet, for some reason, we struggle to wait on the Lord. If you’re currently struggling with waiting on the Lord, this message is for you, as we will look at the story of Anna, someone who was determined to wait on the Lord because what she was waiting for was most valuable.
As a follower of Christ, you have a special assurance. In the face of life’s uncertainties and in the midst of life’s ups and downs, you don’t have to worry because God will take care of you. After all, Jesus described Himself in Scripture as “the good Shepherd.” And as our good Shepherd, Jesus promises to take care of us in three specific ways. Let’s look at those three ways now.
Does life have you down and discouraged? Are you anxious or worried about how your current circumstances are going to play out? If so, I want you to know something today; Your problems, no matter how great, cannot cancel God’s promise. Your problems cannot nullify His purpose and plans for your life. What God has in store for you is still possible because with Him all things are possible! In today’s message, we are going to look more closely at that truth and unpack three ways you’ll know God can make all things possible.
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Don’t get your hopes up too high.” The point of the expression is to discourage people from becoming too confident in a particular outcome or else they run the risk of being very disappointed should things not turn out the way they thought they would. And while the expression means well, the problem is that it derives us of that which is the lifeblood of life and living. For without hope, we lose our reason for being. Hope is to life what oxygen is to breathing. You can’t make it without it. As believers, I want to remind you that the God we serve is a God of hope. His Word contains one admonition after another encouraging people in the face of loss that even if they lose everything around them, they must hold on to their hope. So with that in mind, I want us to look at three truths surrounding hope that we can hold onto when life starts to feel hopeless.
We should all be able in relationships where we can communicate what we like and what we don’t like without fearing that doing so will cause the other person to abuse us, abandon us, or walk away. That stood out to me as I reflected on Jeremiah’s conversations with God in today’s key texts, where the prophet expresses his grief over the conditions that had befallen God’s people and the feelings he has about a God who oversaw it all and permitted it to happen. Jeremiah lays it all on the line and puts it all on the table. No wonder Jeremiah is called “the weeping prophet” because he writes from the heart, not trying to hide his agony or disappointment in God. He wasn’t afraid to have a courageous conversation with God. In essence, he says, “God I’m not so happy with you right now. While I trust your character, I’m struggling with your conduct. I don’t understand why you would allow this to happen to me, my family, or my people.” And the truth is we have moments like that where we are like Mary and Martha who said to Jesus, “Lord if you would have been here our brother would not have died.” There are seasons in life where challenges can test the core of who we are and our relationship with God. And we do ourselves a disservice when we act as if hiding our disappointment is an act of holiness. So in this message, we are going to learn that God can handle more than we often think He can, and we don’t have to hold back in our relationship with Him.
When we look at today’s key passage, we learn a lot about the life of Tamar. She suffered quite a bit, but her story is one of strength and hope, even in the midst of pain, loss, and struggle. She didn’t like that these things happened, she didn’t endorse them, but she didn’t let them keep her from living. Despite the succession of losses she sustained, she survived. Think about it—she lost her virginity, dignity, sense of decency, virtue, innocence, and confidence. She had been preserving herself for the distinct privilege of presenting herself as pure to the man of her dreams, and now all of that had been taken away. Yet, while life had robbed her, she wasn’t robbed of life. With everything that Amnon took from her, he didn’t take everything. She had lost a lot, but she also had a lot left. And the same is true for you. So in this message today, I want us to look closely at what we can learn from Tamar’s life so we can apply her example to our own experiences of suffering and loss.
When Paul finished preaching in Derbe in Acts 14:21, he realized that while he made it out of Lystra, there were others who did not. While he was able by the grace, goodness, and power of God to move up, move on, and move out, there were others who saw what happened to him. In their minds, they were stuck with the last image of Paul that they saw. And they were left wondering, “Whatever happened to that preacher who went through all that? Is he crippled? Is he in a mental institution? Is he dead? Has he given up on ministry?” Do you ever wonder what ever happened to someone? That’s exactly where these people found themselves regarding Paul. And that’s the other reason Paul came back, which is what we’re going to talk through in this message.
There is a poetic proverb that states, “If religion were something that money could buy, the rich would live and the poor would die.” We all know that religion falls far short of what is required if we are to enjoy a healthy relationship with God, and rather than trying to appease God through performance, let us find comfort in the capacity to be at peace with God. Rest is a remedy for spiritual anxiety. It is a remedy for religious striving and feeling that we have to prove our fidelity to God and hold on so tight out of fear we might lose Him. In this message, we’re going to look at how we can lean on the everlasting arms of God and rest in His presence, rather than continuing to strive for perfect performance.
As followers of Christ, we have an all-access pass to the presence and power of God. The image of a door or gate that is described in today’s key verse is not the same as a door in your house with hinges and a handle to open and close them and lock them for security. No, this door is a stone enclosure or gate that provided access to the entrance of a stockade where sheep were kept. A shepherd would sit at the opening of the entrance to allow sheep to come in and go out. Jesus here is appropriating that metaphor to describe the way that His care and constant devotion to those who belong to Him gives them access to greater things in life. Jesus is saying that in order to experience the blessings and benefits that are available from the shepherd, His sheep must go through Him as the door. It is an invitation to experience something that they could not experience any place else: comfort in a world of discomfort, peace in a world at war. So as we dive into this message, let’s look at what happens when we walk through the door Jesus is talking about.
One of the greatest challenges we face as humans is figuring out how to keep the torch of our lives lit while we are trying to run our race. So many people, start this race filled with hope, optimism, and determination, but then somewhere along the way, the flame that lights their lives goes out. Extinguished by hardship, trauma, or racism. Extinguished by trying to survive in a world of diminishing finances. Their light gets snuffed out of them by violence, depression, addiction, and a lack of proper support. In many ways, the world in which we live has a way of blowing out our light. Is your light still shining? What has “dimmed” your light, so to speak? As a follower of Christ, your light never has to burn out because nothing the world can throw at you is dark enough to put out the light of Christ. And He wants you to use that light to shine in and through you as you continue to run your race. In this message, I want us to look at three ways Jesus models for us what it means to remain lit in the midst of life’s darkness.
Do you know who you are? Do you know where your identity is rooted? If you’ve been asking yourself these questions, I want to help you answer them. You are not your past mistakes, you are not a relationship you were (or are) in, and you are not the sin you struggle with. If you have given your life to Christ. You are His. Your identity is found in Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” When you give your life to Christ, you are made new. You are not a product of anything you have done. But your identity is found in your relationship with Christ. You are His.
One of my favorite things to talk about is prayer, specifically, the power of prayer. When we pray, we access the power of Almighty God. We can see amazing things we’ve only dreamed of come to fruition through prayer. But in this message, I want us to look at how exactly we get results through prayer. There are three specific things you must do if you want to see your prayers bring results. Let’s look at those three things now.
Our world has changed so much in the last few years. Technology has changed. Traveling has changed. Communication has changed. Even the way we order food and go grocery shopping has changed. It is important that we realize that all of this change is going to affect the church, and we might need to be willing to do church differently if we’re going to exist in such a different world. I believe based on Acts 2, there are three steps we can take to do church differently so that people will want to come to know Christ and the love that He has for them.
If we’re being honest, many people are drifting further and further away from God every day. Life has caused many to stop praying, to stop reading the Word, and to stop giving. This is a spiritually dark time, therefore we need a light that’s going to help us find what God has for us. In the same way, the wise men followed the light of that star until they found Jesus, we too need to find Jesus. Finding Jesus is about strengthening your faith in faithless times. Finding Jesus is about reaching your next level in life. Finding Jesus is about getting back what the enemy has stolen: joy, peace, and love. All of us need to find Jesus during this Christmas season. And for that to happen, we must consider the model the wise men gave us for what it’s going to take to reach that place that God has for us. During this Christmas season, there is an opportunity for all of us to find Jesus, to discover the answer we’ve been seeking, to experience something new in God, and for it to happen, all you have to do is just follow the light.
Coming to grips with death is no easy task. When someone close to us passes away, we often find ourselves caught in the tension of mourning their loss but also feeling the pressure to move forward with our lives because we know that’s what our loved ones would have wanted us to do. But that’s much easier said than done. So how do we walk through such circumstances? How do we grieve the loss of those we love and know when it’s time to move on with life? Well, that’s what we’re going to learn from the words of Isaiah in this message. We’re going to look at three specific truths that we can take from Scripture that will help guide us and encourage us as we walk through a season of loss.
The 14th chapter of the book of Acts gives us a picture of what is perhaps the greatest role the church can play in people’s lives. And that is the ministry of PRESENCE. This chapter reveals a perfect picture and ideal image of the role of the church in the lives of people who have been beaten, battered, and bruised by a cold and callous world. The response of the disciples during the time of Paul’s greatest need suggests that the ministry of presence is perhaps the greatest role that the church can play in people’s lives. In this message, we are going to look at three things that happen when the church shows up. So let’s dive in.
Based on today’s text, I want to suggest that Gomer models for us what it means to be a church girl. She is a strong, beautiful woman who didn’t let society, men and institutional religion put constraints and limitations on how to live her life. That’s what it means to be a church girl. Church girls have a voice and use it, even if it makes others uncomfortable when they see your strength. This sermon is about who gets to define what it means to be a church girl. And Gomer shows us that a church girl avoids the trap of letting the patriarchal views of men, the ecclesiastical views of institutional religion, and the sexist views of society delimit her options and silence her voice.
In our text, we are looking at the end of the story of Elijah’s great showdown at Mount Carmel with the prophets of Baal. Baal was the Canaanite God of rain who had miserably, publicly, and embarrassingly failed to come through by creating rain. Yahweh, on the other hand, the true and living God, came through on Elijah’s behalf and exceeded all expectations. He set the altar on fire even though Elijah drenched the altar with water leaving no doubt in the minds of people that God did this. Elijah prayed, and God opened the portals of heaven, and it began to rain! It happened because God had the power, and Elijah possessed the faith. And the good news is that the same can happen for you. I don’t know what obstacles or adversaries you’re facing, but if you pray by faith, a door that has been shut can be opened, and a way that has been blocked can be cleared. I do not know how. I do not know when, but I do know who. God’s going to do something great, something big, something phenomenal, something major. And we’re going to see specifically how that can happen by diving into Elijah’s story and seeing what steps He took that we can apply to our own lives.
We all hate when we’re trying to use our cell phone, talk on a zoom call, or stream a movie or TV show and we lose connection. It’s frustrating. It’s annoying. And it’s inconvenient. It’s a disruption that you’d rather not have to deal with. But as frustrating as that type of disruption can be, experiencing a spiritual disruption is much worse. Maybe you’re currently experiencing a disruption in your spiritual life. You’ve been experiencing an interference of sorts. Your spiritual signal has grown dim. You’re struggling to hear and obey what God is saying. You can’t put your finger on exactly what’s happening, but you know that something is off, the connection is weak, and you’re not as fruitful as God wants you to be. And when that happens, connection is key. So in this message, I want to give you three ways that you can remain connected to God.
In today’s key passage of Scripture, the disciples and the followers of Jesus are trying to understand from Jesus what is the best way to get to God the Father. It starts with Jesus telling them in John 13:33 that He is going someplace that they cannot go as long as they keep thinking the say way. He then proceeds to unfold for them then and us now another way to get home to God the Father. I like this because people tend to think that the way they know or the way they’ve been taught or the way they’ve experienced God is the only way to know Him. But these verses challenge us to think outside the box when it comes to understanding what we need to do and how we need to live in order to be acceptable to God.
Life has a way of dealing us one difficult blow after another. And when we feel down, it is not unusual to find ourselves looking down. We look down by falling into despair. We look down by worrying about the future. We look down by contemplating giving up and throwing in the towel, not just on the problem, but for some, on life altogether. But we don’t have to keep looking down. Instead, we can choose to keep looking up. For if we continue to up, we are refusing to let what we’re going through get to us. No matter how bad things appear at the moment, and no matter how painful your reality is, your outlook can impact your outcome. So in this message, I want us to take a look at three things we can do to keep looking up when we’re feeling down.
As followers of Christ, we have an all-access pass to the presence and power of God. The image of a door or gate that is described in today’s key verse is not the same as a door in your house with hinges and a handle to open and close them and lock them for security. No, this door is a stone enclosure or gate that provided access to the entrance of a stockade where sheep were kept. A shepherd would sit at the opening of the entrance to allow sheep to come in and go out. Jesus here is appropriating that metaphor to describe the way that His care and constant devotion to those who belong to Him gives them access to greater things in life. Jesus is saying that in order to experience the blessings and benefits that are available from the shepherd, His sheep must go through Him as the door. It is an invitation to experience something that they could not experience any place else: comfort in a world of discomfort, peace in a world at war. So as we dive into this message, let’s look at what happens when we walk through the door Jesus is talking about.
One of the greatest challenges we face as humans is figuring out how to keep the torch of our lives lit while we are trying to run our race. So many people, start this race filled with hope, optimism, and determination, but then somewhere along the way, the flame that lights their lives goes out. Extinguished by hardship, trauma, or racism. Extinguished by trying to survive in a world of diminishing finances. Their light gets snuffed out of them by violence, depression, addiction, and a lack of proper support. In many ways, the world in which we live has a way of blowing out our light. Is your light still shining? What has “dimmed” your light, so to speak? As a follower of Christ, your light never has to burn out because nothing the world can throw at you is dark enough to put out the light of Christ. And He wants you to use that light to shine in and through you as you continue to run your race. In this message, I want us to look at three ways Jesus models for us what it means to remain lit in the midst of life’s darkness.
Do you know who you are? Do you know where your identity is rooted? If you’ve been asking yourself these questions, I want to help you answer them. You are not your past mistakes, you are not a relationship you were (or are) in, and you are not the sin you struggle with. If you have given your life to Christ. You are His. Your identity is found in Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” When you give your life to Christ, you are made new. You are not a product of anything you have done. But your identity is found in your relationship with Christ. You are His.
One of my favorite things to talk about is prayer, specifically, the power of prayer. When we pray, we access the power of Almighty God. We can see amazing things we’ve only dreamed of come to fruition through prayer. But in this message, I want us to look at how exactly we get results through prayer. There are three specific things you must do if you want to see your prayers bring results. Let’s look at those three things now.
Our world has changed so much in the last few years. Technology has changed. Traveling has changed. Communication has changed. Even the way we order food and go grocery shopping has changed. It is important that we realize that all of this change is going to affect the church, and we might need to be willing to do church differently if we’re going to exist in such a different world. I believe based on Acts 2, there are three steps we can take to do church differently so that people will want to come to know Christ and the love that He has for them.
As a follower of Christ, you have a special assurance. In the face of life’s uncertainties and in the midst of life’s ups and downs, you don’t have to worry because God will take care of you. After all, Jesus described Himself in Scripture as “the good Shepherd.” And as our good Shepherd, Jesus promises to take care of us in three specific ways. Let’s look at those three ways now.
Are you feeling spiritually deficient? Does it seem like God is farther away than He should be? Has your faith river gone dry? As you face the difficulties of life — the parts you cannot speed up, the tough and trying times — have you failed to connect with God in a meaningful way? If so, you probably feel as though your river has dried up. Though you are thirsty and in need of water, you have nowhere to draw it from. Thankfully, the God we serve is one of Living Water that never goes dry. In this message, we are going to talk about how we can quench our thirst with the water that will never leave us wanting more, and how Jesus is our only true source of satisfaction.
Everything we do is predicated on trust. Stephen Covey said, “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” Trust is so central to the moral arc of the universe that Scripture is replete with aphorisms and admonitions about it. Proverbs 3:5 famously says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.” Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you, God whose word I praise. In God I will trust, I will not be afraid.” Trust is the glue of life, and that glue is what sticks us to God. We must trust Him. Without that trust, we have nothing to hope for and nothing to believe in. As we soak in that truth, let’s look at three steps we must take if we’re going to fully put our trust in God.
The distance between where we are and where we want to be is what I call “the meantime.” As you read this, do you find yourself waiting “in the meantime?” Are you content with where you are, or do you just long for the destination? Do not skip over these days, God wants you to find joy in the journey. And that truth is what we’re going to look into further in today’s message. Specifically we’re going to look at three things we need to learn while we’re in the meantime. Let’s dive in.
In Jeremiah 33, he and his people find themselves in a world that is near the brink of utter ruin and near collapse. The armies of King Nebuchadnezzar are advancing on Jerusalem, and the city streets are soon to be lined with dead people who once walked upon them. From all accounts, the situation is bleak; the city is doomed. Jeremiah himself is in prison for preaching against the king and his government, and the people of Jerusalem are suffering at the hands of their Babylonian oppressors. And yet, amidst all the devastation, the preacher utters a word of encouragement and promise to these beleaguered and anguished people. With their backs up against the wall and their enemies on the attack, the prophet proclaims that restoration is going to return to this devastated community, and the life they had will return once again. What does this mean for you? The same news it meant for Jeremiah, help is on the way! So with that in mind, let’s look at three specific facets of the help we receive from God.
Why do I need the church?” It is an interesting question many people are asking. You can date online, shop online, and be educated online. This is not to say that watching online should not be an option. It has its place, but why take the time to get up, shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, and deal with traffic, when you can just relax and recline at home? It is a question that just a cursory search on Google reveals that many people both inside and outside the church are already wondering. In this message, we are going to talk about the importance and value the church still has. What we will find is that the church is important because it is where we encounter the person of Jesus Christ, and it shows us how to experience the power of Jesus. As believers, we all NEED the church!
Grief is an emotion that no one desires to experience, but that everyone inevitably faces. It’s the complex of feelings and emotions that consumes one’s heart when tragedy strikes – from shock to denial to anger to guilt to mourning. But as tough as grief is, as difficult as it is to lose someone you love, there is something redemptive about it. Yes, there is pain, but there is also such a thing as good grief; there is something of a silver lining that can be found in this most difficult of season of life. There is a flip side to it all. We know that God can make good out of all things, and that includes grief. It may not feel like it right now, but there can be good grief. And that’s exactly what we’re going to dive into in this message.
God has a way of interrupting our regular routine in life with a challenge designed to determine the integrity of our walk and the strength of our love for Him. The test is designed to determine if we are as serious as we say we are. Often times, we do not know when this test is going to come, and therefore we must stay ready. This means being consistent and strong in our faith. If God sent a test right now, would you pass? Are you spiritually ready for the potential of adversity or a trial in your life? If God came in and interrupted your life, would you graciously embrace it and turn to Him? You never know when it will come, but it is best to be ready so that when it does, you know exactly who to turn towards. So in this message, let’s look at three things to consider when a test comes your way.
When you wait on God, when you remain obedient to Him, you will gain strength. He will strengthen and set you up for a future greater than you can imagine. God has plans for you that are beyond your wildest dreams. There is no greater plan for your life than God’s. And this is why we so often have to go through trials and tribulations, to prepare us for the future. God uses these trials and tribulations to grow our faith and strengthen us in ways we could not have otherwise been strengthened. And while the preparation God is giving you for the future is important, there is something else that is also important: the promise. When you wait, it is often waiting on something God has promised you. And so today, we are going to look at why it's worth the weight of waiting and obeying to see God’s promises to you come to fruition.
As I read today’s key text, I wonder why the writer of this text would duplicate such a shameful incident from Abraham’s life? Why tell us again about this moral flaw and ethical vulnerability in the character profile of such a great man of God? Why tell us that? What are we to gain from reading about his moral weakness again? Why not tell us about his riches, his wealth, his possessions, his success, and great faith? Why not tell us about his worship life, the people he has helped, the progress he is making? Why remind us about this again? And I think it’s because God wants us to understand what it is that makes for true spiritual success; that spiritual success does not mean we are morally perfect and have no flaws. It means that we are able to rely on God in the midst of our weaknesses and have a posture of humility as we grow in our relationship with Him.
In this message, we are going to look at the story of someone who might not be a “star” but played such an important role in the historical account of the Bible. We often talk about the big plans God has for your life. And that is most definitely true. God may have big plans for you... as the backup singer. Not as the lead actor or actress...but as the one holding the camera...as the one writing the script. You might be the star of the show, or you might not be. Whatever role God decides to place you in is not by mistake. He is intentional in where He places each and every one of His children. God wants to bless you, but God also has His own way of blessing each of us. You do not have to be the star of the show to make a huge impact for the Kingdom of God!
If you are being honest, are you content with your relationship with God? Maybe you are content with your life right now. When things are not going well, we as believers, are quick to turn to God. We will pray, read the Word, and go to church. We will look for any answer possible to help fix our troubles. But what about when life is going good? What about when we have nothing to complain about. Are you content with “just good?” No matter where you are in your relationship with God, His will is never for you to stay stagnant. He wants you to stay committed to growing in your relationship with Him. Do not become content with “just good” because what the Lord has for you, is so much more! In order to make sure you don’t stay stagnant in your faith, let’s look at three steps you can follow.
What is entangling your life right now? What is holding you back? Many of us are getting in our own way of pursuing the life God has planned for us because we’re allowing certain things or certain people to hold us back and keep their claws in us. But we must realize one thing: if we’re going to follow after Jesus, we have to let go of everything else. In today’s message, we’re going to look at a passage in Scripture where the importance of letting go is magnified, and we’re going to learn about the steps we can take to letting go of what’s holding us back so that we can follow after our Heavenly Father with reckless abandon.
In today’s key passage of Genesis 18 we see not just the significance of Abraham’s promise, but also the strength of Abraham’s prayer. Of the 650 prayers recorded in the Bible, there can be no question that this specific prayer stands in a category all by itself. It is a dialogue between a desperate man and a determined God concerning the fate of a community that departed from God’s will and God’s way. It is a marvelous picture of what happens when believers go to God in prayer. In it, Abraham makes audacious appeal to God to save his family, and he models for us what happens when you walk with God in faith and live in His power. Abraham had access to the throne room of heaven to ask what he wanted of God, in prayer. So in today’s message, we are going to learn how we can follow Abraham’s example in our own prayer life and see God move as we pray to Him.
Have you ever wondered, where does help come from when tragedy strikes or when trauma torments their lives? And what about when disappointment, pain, and heartache linger in the heart, the mind, and the soul and cause one to be perpetually sad? You might be reading this and nodding your head right now because you have fallen emotionally and can’t get up. You are held hostage by the wounds and the injuries inflicted upon you in the past, perhaps the incident is months, years, or maybe even decades old. Yet the anguish and the emotional turmoil you’re feeling can feel as fresh as if it all happened this morning. Being a child of God does not make you immune to heartbreak and hard times. Troubles will come your way. But as a believer, every child of God should rejoice. There is a way to treat your triggers and overcome your obstacles, and it all starts with Jesus.
How do you handle what you feel you cannot handle? Many people are asking this question. According to surveys, alcohol use, drug use, and overeating, especially during this pandemic, are up as people turn to tried and true vices hoping to make things better. In reality, we know these methods of coping are just making things worse. Thankfully, there is a better way. The Lord gives us an answer, or rather, He is the answer. In this message, we are going to look at how God came through for the Israelites and see that, in the same way, He can come through for us too.
Fasting is one of the weapons God has given us to engage in spiritual warfare whenever the enemy tries to defeat us, discourage us, or deter us. Fasting is one means of tapping into power from on high, to deal with and confront obstacles, hurdles, hindrances, and trials down here below. Why is fasting important? Because you are showing God He is worth giving something up for. God wants to see you “put your money where your mouth is.” But in this case, it is not your money, rather it is something of value to you, something that you rely on or consistently do, and He wants you to give it up and give it to Him. There are so many great benefits to fasting that we will talk about in this message. But the most important thing to remember is that if you want to have access to a spiritual power unlike any other, fast for it!
We live in a world filled with people who feel they are constantly under pressure. Pressure to succeed, pressure to perform, pressure to keep winning, pressure to keep going, pressure at work, pressure at home, pressure in relationships, pressure with finances, and the list keeps going. It doesn’t matter what your bank account says, where you went to college, what zip code you live in, or how many followers you have on social media; none of us is exempt from the pressures that come in life. The symptoms range from impaired judgment, irritability, restlessness, sleeplessness, fatigue, increase muscle aches, soreness, and the inability to concentrate. If you’re dealing with anxiety, recognize the symptoms and talk to someone – a professional, a counselor – and get help. In our text today we discover that God has something to say about how to handle anxiety, not if it happens, but when. And in these short yet salient verses in 1 Peter chapter 5, I believe we are given some answers on how to deal with anxiety.
There is nothing worse than feeling surrounded by the challenges and circumstances of life. Financial hardships, health issues, and family challenges can all leave us feeling overwhelmed and on the verge of being conquered. But we can find solace in the fact that the enemies, trials, and troubles that surround us are ultimately surrounded by God. Isaiah 41:10 tells us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” No matter what you face, God is surrounding you, not only you but everything that comes against you. And He promises to strengthen you and help you. He will uphold you with His righteous right hand. Let’s take a look at exactly how God surrounds us in our everyday lives as we follow Him.
Oftentimes what constrains and restrains us is not what is going on around us, but what is happening within us. If we can begin to think differently about where we are, who we are, and what we are going through, then we can literally turn our lives completely around. But that means we’re going to have to change our minds about a few things. So as we look at the story of the man Jesus healed at the pool of Bethesda, let’s talk about what it looks like practically to change our minds and what we need to be changing our minds about.
Sometimes, we find ourselves veering off course in life – spiritually, morally, or ethically. We get off the path God has for us, and when that happens, we find ourselves unhappy with our current circumstances. We become frustrated with ourselves, unfulfilled in life, and dissatisfied spiritually. We get off course because we think there is something better out there in the world, and we experiment with things that do not align with God’s purpose and plan for our lives. Just like the Prodigal Son, we get off track. Our relationships suffer, our faith is weakened, we end up in sin, and consequently, there is wreckage all around us. Our family life may be horrible, we do not pray as we should, and we find ourselves in a place we never thought we would be in. But life doesn’t have to stay that way. There’s a way to get our lives back on track, and that’s exactly what this message is all about.
As Abram and Sarai wait for the Lord to answer their prayers for a child, they instead decide to come up with their own plan. Sarai suggests that Abram sleep with her slave, Hagar. Sarai and Abram are not patient in waiting for the right pitch (God’s pitch). Instead, they swing at a bad pitch (their own idea) in hopes of getting the same result. Have you ever found yourself swinging at a bad pitch? Have you ever prayed and asked God to give you something. Maybe you felt like He did not answer it, so you came up with your own plan. No matter what the situation, let me encourage you to never get ahead of God. The right pitch will come, but you must be patient and wait. So let’s look at a few things we should consider if we want to avoid swinging at a bad pitch.
If you and I are ever to succeed in life, or do what God wants us to do, it will require faith. We have heard it our whole lives, but it really is faith that is going to lead you to the depths God desires for you. It will grow you in ways you never imagined. But in order to get the proof you need, you have to have faith. There is no way around it. It was God’s intent from the beginning. Abraham was called the “father of faith” because faith is both the difference maker and the deal breaker when it comes to our walk with the Lord. Our faith is the foundation on which our relationship with God is built. So today, we’re going to look at two things we discover about faith from reading God’s Word, and particularly, the story of Abram.
Something you do not see anymore is doctors making house calls, as things have changed from the ways they were done back then. Doctors don’t come to you. You have to go to them. But there is a Physician who STILL makes house calls. Genesis 18 tells us about a God who makes these house calls. The reason that is significant is because at the time, there was a theological debate in the ancient world about where one can find God. See, God is not just out there, residing in come celestial abode in the sky. God is not just manifested in the elements of the air and nature, God is not confided to the confines of a cathedral, temple, or religious place of worship. God can, does, and wants to show up at your house, as well. So today, let’s look at three things that happen when God shows up for us.
As believers, we have all faced times when God takes His time to manifest His promises or your requests. This is the dilemma that faced Abram in Genesis 15. He has a promise from God, but it seems as if God is taking His sweet time. Abram found himself at that point where most people never realize their dream or experience what God has for them because the passage of time causes them to give up on God. So in this message, we’re going to learn a lot from the story of Abram and take away some lessons on what we need to do when God takes His time fulfilling a promise He’s given you.
Are you feeling spiritually deficient? Does it seem like God is farther away than He should be? Has your faith river gone dry? As you face the difficulties of life — the parts you cannot speed up, the tough and trying times — have you failed to connect with God in a meaningful way? If so, you probably feel as though your river has dried up. Though you are thirsty and in need of water, you have nowhere to draw it from. Thankfully, the God we serve is one of Living Water that never goes dry. In this message, we are going to talk about how we can quench our thirst with the water that will never leave us wanting more, and how Jesus is our only true source of satisfaction.
Everything we do is predicated on trust. Stephen Covey said, “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” Trust is so central to the moral arc of the universe that Scripture is replete with aphorisms and admonitions about it. Proverbs 3:5 famously says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.” Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you, God whose word I praise. In God I will trust, I will not be afraid.” Trust is the glue of life, and that glue is what sticks us to God. We must trust Him. Without that trust, we have nothing to hope for and nothing to believe in. As we soak in that truth, let’s look at three steps we must take if we’re going to fully put our trust in God.
The distance between where we are and where we want to be is what I call “the meantime.” As you read this, do you find yourself waiting “in the meantime?” Are you content with where you are, or do you just long for the destination? Do not skip over these days, God wants you to find joy in the journey. And that truth is what we’re going to look into further in today’s message. Specifically we’re going to look at three things we need to learn while we’re in the meantime. Let’s dive in.
In Jeremiah 33, he and his people find themselves in a world that is near the brink of utter ruin and near collapse. The armies of King Nebuchadnezzar are advancing on Jerusalem, and the city streets are soon to be lined with dead people who once walked upon them. From all accounts, the situation is bleak; the city is doomed. Jeremiah himself is in prison for preaching against the king and his government, and the people of Jerusalem are suffering at the hands of their Babylonian oppressors. And yet, amidst all the devastation, the preacher utters a word of encouragement and promise to these beleaguered and anguished people. With their backs up against the wall and their enemies on the attack, the prophet proclaims that restoration is going to return to this devastated community, and the life they had will return once again. What does this mean for you? The same news it meant for Jeremiah, help is on the way! So with that in mind, let’s look at three specific facets of the help we receive from God.
Like most of you, I enjoy the conveniences that come with owning electronic devices. Inside my home I have devices that are designed in one way or another to make my life easier, to make performing certain tasks more efficient, and even to make life better. But here’s the thing. With all that these devices are intended to do to make life better, with all of the capabilities, and abilities they have, none of that potential becomes actual until the devices are plugged in. Without a connection to the power, the potential of the devices lay dormant, and the devices are merely good ideas without purpose, without function, and without a reason or being. None of the benefits can be experienced, and none of it comes to life, until they are connected to the power. The same thing is true when it comes to Christian life and living. We can be saturated with a range of possibilities, we can be made by our maker for a host of capabilities, but that potentiality doesn’t become actuality unless and until we are plugged into God’s power.
As a pastor, I’ve come across several people over the years struggling to have thriving and successful relationships because of some painful experience in their past. Many have even experienced psychological injuries from their childhood that affect how they communicate, how they handle conflict, how they manage their emotions, and how they handle stress. This kind of trauma manifests with people having trust issues, abandonment issues, financial problems, addictions, and the inability to function in a healthy way. When people have been wounded emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically it prevents them from being able to have healthy relationships. They often struggle with depression and some find themselves trapped in a cycle of dysfunction, going from one dysfunctional relationship to another. Thankfully, we don’t have to remain in bondage to this trauma forever. The Lord is more than capable of bringing you out of the darkness of your trauma and bringing you into His light and His freedom. In this message, we’re going to take a closer look at how the Lord can help you navigate your own trauma.
Grief is an emotion that no one desires to experience, but that everyone inevitably faces. It’s the complex of feelings and emotions that consumes one’s heart when tragedy strikes – from shock to denial to anger to guilt to mourning. But as tough as grief is, as difficult as it is to lose someone you love, there is something redemptive about it. Yes, there is pain, but there is also such a thing as good grief; there is something of a silver lining that can be found in this most difficult of season of life. There is a flip side to it all. We know that God can make good out of all things, and that includes grief. It may not feel like it right now, but there can be good grief. And that’s exactly what we’re going to dive into in this message.
God has a way of interrupting our regular routine in life with a challenge designed to determine the integrity of our walk and the strength of our love for Him. The test is designed to determine if we are as serious as we say we are. Often times, we do not know when this test is going to come, and therefore we must stay ready. This means being consistent and strong in our faith. If God sent a test right now, would you pass? Are you spiritually ready for the potential of adversity or a trial in your life? If God came in and interrupted your life, would you graciously embrace it and turn to Him? You never know when it will come, but it is best to be ready so that when it does, you know exactly who to turn towards. So in this message, let’s look at three things to consider when a test comes your way.
When you wait on God, when you remain obedient to Him, you will gain strength. He will strengthen and set you up for a future greater than you can imagine. God has plans for you that are beyond your wildest dreams. There is no greater plan for your life than God’s. And this is why we so often have to go through trials and tribulations, to prepare us for the future. God uses these trials and tribulations to grow our faith and strengthen us in ways we could not have otherwise been strengthened. And while the preparation God is giving you for the future is important, there is something else that is also important: the promise. When you wait, it is often waiting on something God has promised you. And so today, we are going to look at why it's worth the weight of waiting and obeying to see God’s promises to you come to fruition.
As I read today’s key text, I wonder why the writer of this text would duplicate such a shameful incident from Abraham’s life? Why tell us again about this moral flaw and ethical vulnerability in the character profile of such a great man of God? Why tell us that? What are we to gain from reading about his moral weakness again? Why not tell us about his riches, his wealth, his possessions, his success, and great faith? Why not tell us about his worship life, the people he has helped, the progress he is making? Why remind us about this again? And I think it’s because God wants us to understand what it is that makes for true spiritual success; that spiritual success does not mean we are morally perfect and have no flaws. It means that we are able to rely on God in the midst of our weaknesses and have a posture of humility as we grow in our relationship with Him.
Those of us who believe in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior are not immune from the pressures of life weighing on our minds and spirits. Even people of faith are seeing increases in anxiety, fear, and depression. Perhaps you have gone through phases of life that have caused these emotions. Maybe you are going through a time like that right now. Just because you are a follower of Christ, does not mean you are expected to have it all together. It does not mean that you will never worry or fear things in this life. But the difference is, you have immediate access to a God ready and willing to relieve that fear. So if you’re wanting to be relieved of these feelings and emotions you’re struggling with, here are some steps you can consider taking.
What is entangling your life right now? What is holding you back? Many of us are getting in our own way of pursuing the life God has planned for us because we’re allowing certain things or certain people to hold us back and keep their claws in us. But we must realize one thing: if we’re going to follow after Jesus, we have to let go of everything else. In today’s message, we’re going to look at a passage in Scripture where the importance of letting go is magnified, and we’re going to learn about the steps we can take to letting go of what’s holding us back so that we can follow after our Heavenly Father with reckless abandon.
There are many different types of malpractice; medical malpractice, legal malpractice. There’s even malpractice for engineers if they provide mathematical and structural recommendations that result in building being built with faulty foundations, and walls that cause harm and death. When an error occurs due to negligence, or when a mistake occurs that could have otherwise been avoided, the practitioner is guilty of malpractice. And while malpractice cases can be brought against people in various professions, there’s unfortunately no such option when it comes to the spiritual malpractices that occurs in pulpits all across America. Tragically, there is no theological analogue of the Hippocratic Oath that preachers and those who claim to represent God have to take, which is unfortunate because millions of people past and prevents have been hurt, harmed, and injured by the toxic theologies and poisonous preaching that is promulgated in pulpits, television programs, and in Christian publications all around the world. So in today’s message we are going to look at the dangers of theological malpractice and discuss how to avoid misusing Scripture in our day-to-day lives.
In today’s key passage of Genesis 18 we see not just the significance of Abraham’s promise, but also the strength of Abraham’s prayer. Of the 650 prayers recorded in the Bible, there can be no question that this specific prayer stands in a category all by itself. It is a dialogue between a desperate man and a determined God concerning the fate of a community that departed from God’s will and God’s way. It is a marvelous picture of what happens when believers go to God in prayer. In it, Abraham makes audacious appeal to God to save his family, and he models for us what happens when you walk with God in faith and live in His power. Abraham had access to the throne room of heaven to ask what he wanted of God, in prayer. So in today’s message, we are going to learn how we can follow Abraham’s example in our own prayer life and see God move as we pray to Him.
Fifty-six years ago on February 1, 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led more than 250 activists to the Dallas County Courthouse to register to vote. Despite their peaceful protesting, their collective demonstration of democracy was abruptly halted, and they were arrested. Being arrested was nothing new; it often happened during the civil rights movement. Yet, what made this day and these arrests worthy of history was a photograph taken immediately before protest and subsequent arrest. A picture was taken of Dr. King, kneeling in prayer as others followed suit. Years later a historian interviewing one of the people there, and asked about the photo, wondering whether or not that was a pivotal point in the movement for them. The person replied "the photo was the first time someone captured us praying, but not the first time we prayed. Prayer was a part of our normal routine. It’s what we did before, during, and after we marched.” You see, prayer helps us harness the power of the Holy Spirit, so if we want to become a powerful Church, we need to prioritize prayer.
From reading the story of Elijah, we can see how impactful it is when those of us in the Church speak up. As long as we stay silent, our world will become increasingly more evil and will venture further and further away from God. That is why it’s so important that we use our voice to point others to Christ and His truth. So as we look at Elijah’s story in this message, I would encourage you to pay special attention to the repercussions of his choice to speak up as part of the Church, and as you do, figure out ways you can emulate his courage and his boldness to speak up on behalf the Church in your own life.
Many people may struggle with the idea of taking inventory of their blessings because they tend to view blessings through the prism of the world. The world tends to equate blessings with physical things, material items that can be measured, touched by the hands, and seen by the eyes. But the best blessings are not always based upon material, tangible realities we can see. The best blessings are spiritual; intangible things we cannot see. You can live in a big house and drive a nice car and be nervous because you can’t afford to pay the note. You can have a big bed and be unable to sleep at night. While blessings can include the material, they are much bigger than that. You are blessed when you are no longer possessed by your possessions. You are blessed when the things you have don’t have you. With that in mind, we are going to learn more about the intangible blessings we have received from Jesus as His followers.
As Abram and Sarai wait for the Lord to answer their prayers for a child, they instead decide to come up with their own plan. Sarai suggests that Abram sleep with her slave, Hagar. Sarai and Abram are not patient in waiting for the right pitch (God’s pitch). Instead, they swing at a bad pitch (their own idea) in hopes of getting the same result. Have you ever found yourself swinging at a bad pitch? Have you ever prayed and asked God to give you something. Maybe you felt like He did not answer it, so you came up with your own plan. No matter what the situation, let me encourage you to never get ahead of God. The right pitch will come, but you must be patient and wait. So let’s look at a few things we should consider if we want to avoid swinging at a bad pitch.
If you and I are ever to succeed in life, or do what God wants us to do, it will require faith. We have heard it our whole lives, but it really is faith that is going to lead you to the depths God desires for you. It will grow you in ways you never imagined. But in order to get the proof you need, you have to have faith. There is no way around it. It was God’s intent from the beginning. Abraham was called the “father of faith” because faith is both the difference maker and the deal breaker when it comes to our walk with the Lord. Our faith is the foundation on which our relationship with God is built. So today, we’re going to look at two things we discover about faith from reading God’s Word, and particularly, the story of Abram.
Something you do not see anymore is doctors making house calls, as things have changed from the ways they were done back then. Doctors don’t come to you. You have to go to them. But there is a Physician who STILL makes house calls. Genesis 18 tells us about a God who makes these house calls. The reason that is significant is because at the time, there was a theological debate in the ancient world about where one can find God. See, God is not just out there, residing in come celestial abode in the sky. God is not just manifested in the elements of the air and nature, God is not confided to the confines of a cathedral, temple, or religious place of worship. God can, does, and wants to show up at your house, as well. So today, let’s look at three things that happen when God shows up for us.
As believers, we have all faced times when God takes His time to manifest His promises or your requests. This is the dilemma that faced Abram in Genesis 15. He has a promise from God, but it seems as if God is taking His sweet time. Abram found himself at that point where most people never realize their dream or experience what God has for them because the passage of time causes them to give up on God. So in this message, we’re going to learn a lot from the story of Abram and take away some lessons on what we need to do when God takes His time fulfilling a promise He’s given you.
One of the often-overlooked problems within American society is the problem of anger. Whether it’s road rage, domestic violence, angry TV commentators, or even angry politicians, we are in a society that is drowning in anger. Thankfully, Scripture has a lot to say about how to handle our anger. Psalm 37:8 says to not give into anger because it only leads to trouble. James 1:19-20 says to be slow to anger because anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. And then of course, there’s the story of Moses. And if anyone needed to learn how to control his anger and keep his cool, it was him. We can learn from Moses in Exodus 2 that anger can ruin our lives if we’re not careful. Out of anger, we can say and do things that we’ll regret. So in order to not make that mistake, here are three steps you can take to make sure your anger doesn’t get the best of you.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, then you know what it’s like to go from having blurred vision to being able to say, “Wow, I can see clearly now!” It’s also important to note that that declaration, I can see clearly now, applies not just to reading words on a page, but also for navigating your way through life. Just as this statement applies to the natural world, it also applies to the spiritual. It’s hard to function when you can’t see. It’s difficult navigating your way through life when you don’t have a clear understanding of who you are, what you’re doing, and where you are going. But when you get clarity, when God gives you a revelation about your situation, you are able to move peacefully through life knowing that you can see clearly now.
Are you missing something you once had? It could be a physical possession, an emotion, a connection, or any number of things. God does not intend for you to lose the things you need the most. He is a loving God who wants the best for you. In today’s key passage, we see what happens when Abram is robbed, and how he goes to take back what is rightfully his. We can do the same with God’s help. In this sermon, we’re going to take a look at how exactly we can take back what is rightfully ours with the help of the Holy Spirit inside of us guiding us and instructing us along the way.
As much as you want to be in control of your life, there comes a time when you have to give up control and yield to a higher power. Once you get saved and begin to live your life for Jesus Christ, you relinquish control and then let the Holy Spirit take control because you’ve been bought with a price. Greater victory comes for Christians when we learn to walk in the authority and by the power given to us in Jesus Christ. That life giving, life sustaining, life changing power is the power of the Holy Spirit. And it is that power that should impact every aspect of our lives as Christians. We should be under the influence of the Holy Spirit, rather than under the influence of anything or anyone else.
According to one study almost 70% of people who came up in church leave it by the time they are young adults. 32% said it’s because the church is too judgmental, 29% said it’s because they didn’t feel connected with the people in the church, and 25% said it’s because the church’s political and social views on matters such a sexuality, gender identity, justice and poverty were not in keeping their values, beliefs, and understanding of God. But whatever the reason, more and more people find their love for the church eclipsed not by the Savior for whom the church stands, but by the people who occupy the pews. In this message, I want us to take a look at an example in Scripture of how hypocrisy can impact those who need Jesus, and how Jesus modeled so well what it looked like to be the Church.
There’s probably no experience more thrilling for a parent than to experience the birth of a child; to see them come into the world, to watch them grow up and mature, is certainly one of the joys of every parent’s life. I imagine that same thrilling feeling is similar to what God felt as He observed the birth and growth of His creation, the Church, as is recorded in the opening chapters of the book of Acts. The birth of the Church was no small matter. After facing so much adversity, the Church still prevailed, and in doing so modeled for us what the Church should look like still today. Therefore, in this message, we’re going to take a closer look at what we can learn from the early Church and how we can apply their example in modern times.
The 18th chapter of 2 Kings is a handbook on how God brings about restoration in lives of God’s people. What is noteworthy about this text is the way in which this comeback happens in the nation as a result of the transformation that happens in the life of one man. The renewal of the temple, the revival of the community, and the rebuilding of the home occurred all because God did something first in the life of one brother. Society changed, the culture shifted, the community got better because a change happened in, for, and through one man. We need the same thing to happen today. In this message, we’re going to take a look three steps we must take in handling our trauma if we want to experience the kind of renewal and revival we read about in 2 Kings 18. Let’s dive in.
Life is filled with waiting. And when we have to wait, discouragement sets in because the passage of time can bring us down; it can cause us to lose sight of our goals, our dreams, and even our aspirations. The Gospel of Luke introduces us to an elderly man by the name of Simeon who waited his entire life to see the Messiah, the one who would save and lead the people of God and establish a new kingdom. According to the text, Simeon is told by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he sees the new king. So when the infant child—Jesus—was brought into the temple by his parents to be consecrated before the Lord, Simeon was there; and because he was there, he bore witness and recognized Jesus as the Promised One he had been looking for. As difficult as it must have been waiting month after month, year after year, decade after decade, Simeon doesn’t grow weary while waiting. He doesn’t give up on God. He doesn’t throw in the towel. He isn’t at the bar drowning his misery in the bottom of a bottle. He’s in the house of God worshipping and waiting on God to do what he said he would do. And it’s that model of persevering faith that is an example for all of us, whether we are waiting for our change to come, waiting for a new day, or waiting for things to turn around.
Paul spent five and a half years in jail, and he used that experience as he wrote most of the New Testament to compare what life is like when you are living your life without God in it. Without Christ, we are trapped by Satan, imprisoned by the world, and chained to our passions that lead us on a path of unfulfillment and destruction. So he tells the believers in our key text that once you’ve been set free from the yoke and bondage of sin, you can’t allow yourself to be chained to and shackled by the very thing that used to hold you down.
Finish this saying for me, “Where there’s a will, there’s a ______.” No, not “way,” there’s a “family fighting over it.” Since the beginning of time, even as far back as creation, family has been both the bedrock of community and the beehive for contention. Family conflicts are something that all of us can relate to. So it’s important that we learn how to handle confrontation with our family in a way that makes our relationships stronger and ultimately honors the Lord and obeys His Word. Today, we’re going to look at three things you can do if you want to win at family feud and handle family conflict in a healthy way.
There can be no question that the day of Christ’s birth is a day that has changed human history ever since. We may not know the exact day or dated of his birth, but for the believer it is one of the most important days in church and human history. It is a celebration of the fact that something has changed, and that something is going to change, and it’s not just for the people who were around to witness it; it is for us now. With this in mind, I want to remind you that in this season of your life, you should have expectancy. You should possess a perpetual hope that God is up to something; God is working on your behalf, and though you may not see it, although you may not feel it, and you may not recognize it, something is about to change.
The heart is so central to the body, so significant for our health, that failure to care for, maintain, and protect the heart results in 17 million Americans dying each year from heart related diseases. But as central as our heart is to our physical well-being, it is of even greater importance to our spiritual well-being. When the heart experiences shock and sadness, troubles and trauma, hurt and heartache, it can weigh us down, and if left untreated, can literally tear us apart. It is no wonder that in one of Jesus’ last earthly conversations with His disciples, Jesus spoke to them about caring for the heart. He warned them not to allow the negative circumstances around you or the things have agitated or frustrated you to create conflict and tension within you. Because if you leave those things unattended in your heart, it can cause major problems. In light of that, here are three things you can do to overcome a troubled heart.
Whether in the natural or in the spiritual realm, when there is no power, it affects you. It affects you, your family, your relationships, and everything around you. The patriarch Abram had just begun his faith walk with God, when all of a sudden, the power went out. There was a famine in the land, a period of extreme scarcity of food that can result in starvation, conflict, and even death. When this happens, you can feel as if your prospects of success are over. You lose hope. You don’t do the things you used to do. You might lie in bed for hours at a time. It is what you do in these moments that become key and will determine whether we go on and thrive or give up and fail. It’s what will determine whether we rise to the occasion or whether we crack and crumble under the pressure. In this message, I want us to look at three things we can do in the context of our walk with Christ to help get our power back.
In the book of Revelation, John has a vision of Jesus returning to the churches of Asia Minor offering them commendation and critique, complements and correction, with the aim of perfecting the church, edifying the saints, glorifying His Father, annihilating the kingdom of darkness, and ushering His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. But for it all to happen, Christ must invite those who follow Him to turn the circumstances of their lives, their communities, and their churches around, and he does so with an image of Christ standing at the door knocking. It is an invitation of help, hope, and healing, one that is rooted in Christ’s desire to enter their lives, if only they would let him in.
In order to fulfill our assignment in the earth, in order to further and advance God’s will for our lives, we are not able to do it on our own strength, with our own ability, under our own power. We need God’s power. Jesus promised to give us His power, but the question becomes are we ready to receive it? In this message, we are going to take a look at how the disciples harnessed God’s power to fulfill their calling so that we can follow their example and live out the calling God has placed on our lives through the power He gives us in the Holy Spirit.
God calls each and every one of us to stand in the gap whenever, however, and wherever there is a need in the world, in the community, or in our families. Where there is injustice in the world, we are to oppose it. Where there is pain and suffering in our community, we are to confront it. And whatever threatens the spiritual, physical, and mental stability of our families, we must stand against it. God is looked for bold, courageous, and spirit-filled believers who will stand in the gap for the less fortunate, minorities, and the downtrodden – those who are often forgotten, ignored, and pushed to the margins of society. Such a position in the church is called being an intercessor. Intercession entails some act on behalf of another. It could be an act of advocacy, an action of meditation, and most importantly, it can be and is often in scripture an act of prayer. Throughout the Word of God, the Lord calls and challenges those of us who claim to be concerned about the well-being of the world to stand against the forces of death and darkness that seek to destroy what God has established.
Judas is the one character in the Bible nobody wants to be. He betrayed Jesus, and that is the reputation he will always have. However, what most people do not realize is that we are all more like Judas than we would like to admit. We all betray God. Every time you sin, you are betraying God. Obviously, you do not set out to sin or to do the exact opposite of what God is asking you to do, just as Judas initially had no intentions of betraying Jesus. But instead, he became frustrated as he waited on God. Judas wanted Jesus to be the Savior in military fashion and overtake the Roman Empire. When he realized this was not Jesus’ plan, he became frustrated and instead decided to betray God. If we’re not careful, we can make the same mistake. So in this message, we are going to take a look at the three things that can tempt us to fall into betrayal and take matters into our own hands.
In our world today, it’s so easy to become overwhelmed by fear. We have plenty to be afraid of and to be worried about. But thankfully, God’s Word gives us so much encouragement and reassurance that we don’t have to be fearful because God is a refuge and a shelter for us. The safest place in the world is to be in His will and under His protection. So to live with that knowledge and that security, there are three things we need to understand, and those three things are what we’re going to look at in today’s message. Let’s dive in.
As Coretta Scott King once said, “Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation.” The restoration Christ seeks is not just individualistic. It’s wholistic. It is not merely about the redemption of souls destined for heaven, but it is also about the structures and the society in which those souls live. We are called to be the hands and feet of God, all endeavoring to further the work of God. That means we are to bring restoration to our society, our neighborhoods, our communities, and our world. The work of making the world a better place was on the mind of Jesus when He sent His disciples out to teach and preach in Matthew 10. The fulfillment and realization of God’s will come when those who regard themselves as His disciples go out to make a difference in the world – to help reconcile and restore a broken world and bring it back into a relationship with a good, great, and merciful God.
In our text we learned last week about a smart, beautiful sister, with a relationship with God who ended up in a relationship with a fool. Her name is Abigail, and his name is Nabal which in the Hebrew means fool. And the truth is that good people, Godly people, can find themselves trapped in relationships with foolish people; with people who aggravate them, irritate them, and frustrate them. Whether it’s a close friendship or a marriage, or a bond with a colleague or family member, relationships that are rooted in confusion, drama, and immaturity can cause your more problems than bring you peace. This couple ended up entangled because as we learned last week they got in a relationship for the wrong reason. But today I want to suggest that they got entangled because Abigail missed the warning signs, and we’re going to look closely at those warning signs and figure out how not to overlook them in our own relationships.
As you are probably well aware, the United States government has provided many Americans in need with stimulus checks at different times throughout the year. You likely have received these checks. But the government of the United States isn’t the only source of stimulus in times of need. In God’s kingdom economy, there is a stimulus plan designed to provide an injection of hope, an infusion of peace, and a supply of resources in a time of our greatest need. Yes, we should advocate for what is ours when it comes to public policy, but as God’s people there is another plan to get our needs met; there’s a means, another strategy. God provides relief for His people, not just to redeem our souls bound for heaven, but to fix our society right down here on earth. God has a plan for every person on earth. But He needs you to assist in that plan. God still wants your obedience and for you to trust Him financially.
In this week’s text, we read a rather fascinating narrative about a woman named Abigail who is married to a man named Nabal. In one sense, it seems as if she has so much going on for her. She is described as smart, and attractive, and when one reads the entire chapter, it appears that she has good wisdom and great communication skills. The problem is that despite everything she has going on for her, she is linked up with a man who is not good for her. She spends all of her energy and her time trying to help a man, and love a man, and protect a man from destroying himself, but he is so immoral, unspiritual, and devoid of character that he is willing to harm himself, and everyone else in the process. In fact, his name, Nabal, translates to “fool.” And there’s nothing worse in life than being linked up and in relationship with a fool. The question is how can we avoid this situation? How can we keep from finding ourselves in relationship with people who don’t share our morals and convictions, are emotionally unhealthy and unstable? What can keep us from dating or marrying a fool? Those are the questions we are going to answer in this message.
Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy once said, “Let us forgive each other – only then will we live in peace.” Forgiveness, which means to release, to dismiss, or to let go is the required remedy for a heart that has been made cold and callous by the hurts, heartaches, and disappointments of life. I’m sure you know what it’s like to have someone hurt you, betray you, cheat on you, lie to you, or talk about you behind your back. You understand the feeling of your heart being taken over by bitterness and your mind consumed with revenge because the pain of betrayal seems like it just won’t go away. But Tolstoy was right. Forgiveness is the gateway to living in peace, and when we do not forgive, our faith is corroded, our hearts are hardened, and our peace is robbed. But the question we must wrestle with in light of today’s key passage is whether there is an answer for a heart that has been overtaken by unforgiveness.
I truly believe God is saying to the church, “Don’t be so stingy.” What good is it to draw attention to the good God that we have, if we’re not going to tell everyone about Him? Instead, we should be eager to share. We should have the mentality that the grace and love of God that we’ve experienced is so great that we want as many people as possible to experience it too. So don’t be stingy. Don’t keep the good news to yourself. Instead, share the love, grace, and mercy of God with others so that they might seek out a relationship with the Father as well.
Today, I want to explore the nature of God. In particular, I want to understand the character of the God who led our people from slavery to freedom, and the God who continues to provide hope, and inspiration, and power for us today. As we read the story of the Israelites while they were under Pharaoh’s rule, we learn that God is with those of us who are oppressed. He is with us when we are being treated unkindly and unfairly. He is with us as we struggle and as we hurt. Even when we feel like the underdog, God is rooting for us, helping us, and walking with us so that we might overcome whatever obstacles we face on this earth.
Fifty-six years ago on February 1, 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led more than 250 activists to the Dallas County Courthouse to register to vote. Despite their peaceful protesting, their collective demonstration of democracy was abruptly halted, and they were arrested. Being arrested was nothing new; it often happened during the civil rights movement. Yet, what made this day and these arrests worthy of history was a photograph taken immediately before protest and subsequent arrest. A picture was taken of Dr. King, kneeling in prayer as others followed suit. Years later a historian interviewing one of the people there, and asked about the photo, wondering whether or not that was a pivotal point in the movement for them. The person replied "the photo was the first time someone captured us praying, but not the first time we prayed. Prayer was a part of our normal routine. It’s what we did before, during, and after we marched.” You see, prayer helps us harness the power of the Holy Spirit, so if we want to become a powerful Church, we need to prioritize prayer.
From reading the story of Elijah, we can see how impactful it is when those of us in the Church speak up. As long as we stay silent, our world will become increasingly more evil and will venture further and further away from God. That is why it’s so important that we use our voice to point others to Christ and His truth. So as we look at Elijah’s story in this message, I would encourage you to pay special attention to the repercussions of his choice to speak up as part of the Church, and as you do, figure out ways you can emulate his courage and his boldness to speak up on behalf the Church in your own life.
I firmly believe that the church should not be viewed as some out- of-date, religious congregation that is out of touch with reality. No, we should be viewed as a powerful Church, full of God’s faithful followers, willing to do whatever it takes to point others to Him and give people hope through the message of Jesus Christ. Do you see the difference? As we read look at Matthew chapter 16 in this message, I hope you’ll be reminded, just like I was, that the church is still relevant, it’s still powerful, and it’s still the tool God wants to use to bring change to this dark and sin-filled world. With that in mind, let’s take a look at three characteristics of a powerful church.
In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul wants to inform the church that they have power; power from on high, to do what they could not do on their own. It is a power you might say that is based upon what they have underneath the hood. It is not based upon external appearances, or in fancy titles or in religious regalia. It is a power given to us by God through the Holy Spirit, and as a result of that power we are able to live a victorious Christian life. If you’re a child of God, you have that same power available to you as well. Sure, it might be under the hood and not immediately visible to an onlooker. But that doesn’t diminish its value. The power of the Holy Spirit is a force to be reckoned with, and my hope is that in this message, you will learn to use that power as you understand how valuable it truly is.
Many people may struggle with the idea of taking inventory of their blessings because they tend to view blessings through the prism of the world. The world tends to equate blessings with physical things, material items that can be measured, touched by the hands, and seen by the eyes. But the best blessings are not always based upon material, tangible realities we can see. The best blessings are spiritual; intangible things we cannot see. You can live in a big house and drive a nice car and be nervous because you can’t afford to pay the note. You can have a big bed and be unable to sleep at night. While blessings can include the material, they are much bigger than that. You are blessed when you are no longer possessed by your possessions. You are blessed when the things you have don’t have you. With that in mind, we are going to learn more about the intangible blessings we have received from Jesus as His followers.
Paul’s goal in the second half of the letter to the church at Ephesus, chapters 4-6, is to teach the Ephesians how to live a victorious Christian life. He wants to help them learn how to have successful families, successful marriages, and victory over the enemy. But to do that, he wants to help them understand why they have the power. In today’s key passage, we discover that the power we have, the power that Ephesians chapter 3 verse 20 says is working within us, is the result of a set of benefits and blessings that come from God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And it’s important to understand this because you might think the power is based upon something you have done. But the Bible teaches that it’s not because of us. It’s all because of Him. Today, I want to look at verses 1-6 of this first chapter, to consider the blessings we have that come from God the Father.
Anyone who has spent any time with God knows that discovering the will of God is anything but an exact science. There’s aren’t 6 easy steps like the scientific method and boom, you have the will of God for your life. It’s a journey that requires careful attention and constant cultivation over an extended period of time. One cannot microwave faith into maturity. It requires slow, methodical engagement, and a desire to love and worship God with your whole heart. But just because you are faithfully following and pursuing God doesn’t mean He’s going to answer all of your prayers the way you want Him to. Just because you pray 5 times a day, tithe, worship every Sunday that God is somehow obligated to give you what you want, but He’s not. So, if we want to be in the will of God, we have to be ready sometimes for God to say, “No.”
Most people in our modern-day world pursue paths that are neat, safe, and predicable. You are to go to school, make good grades, get a scholarship to college, graduate and get a job...in the field of your major, get married, buy a house, have children, retire, live comfortably on our pension, see the grandkids during the summer, die, and go to heaven, and it’s all supposed to happen in that order. And because we live our lives that way, inside the lines, we assume that the path that God has for us is neat, structured, and clean. God’s will for our lives must conform to this pretty trajectory for life that we imagine for ourselves, and we struggle to accept or to do anything that is presented to us that is outside those lines. The problem with this perspective is that we do not serve an inside the lines kind of God. The God captured in Scripture is a God who challenges His children to think outside the conventional frameworks in order to reach other people and honor Him with the way we live.
Like most of you, I enjoy the conveniences that come with owning electronic devices. Inside my home I have devices that are designed in one way or another to make my life easier, to make performing certain tasks more efficient, and even to make life better. But here’s the thing. With all that these devices are intended to do to make life better, with all of the capabilities, and abilities they have, none of that potential becomes actual until the devices are plugged in. Without a connection to the power, the potential of the devices lay dormant, and the devices are merely good ideas without purpose, without function, and without a reason or being. None of the benefits can be experienced, and none of it comes to life, until they are connected to the power. The same thing is true when it comes to Christian life and living. We can be saturated with a range of possibilities, we can be made by our maker for a host of capabilities, but that potentiality doesn’t become actuality unless and until we are plugged into God’s power.
As a pastor, I’ve come across several people over the years struggling to have thriving and successful relationships because of some painful experience in their past. Many have even experienced psychological injuries from their childhood that affect how they communicate, how they handle conflict, how they manage their emotions, and how they handle stress. This kind of trauma manifests with people having trust issues, abandonment issues, financial problems, addictions, and the inability to function in a healthy way. When people have been wounded emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically it prevents them from being able to have healthy relationships. They often struggle with depression and some find themselves trapped in a cycle of dysfunction, going from one dysfunctional relationship to another. Thankfully, we don’t have to remain in bondage to this trauma forever. The Lord is more than capable of bringing you out of the darkness of your trauma and bringing you into His light and His freedom. In this message, we’re going to take a closer look at how the Lord can help you navigate your own trauma.
At some point in all our lives, we are confronted with critical decisions, and choices that have to be made, and we want to know which way we should go, which choice we should make, which direction is God’s will for our lives. George Truett said, “to know the will of God is the greatest of all knowledge,” and yet as important as it is to be in God’s will, we oftentimes struggle to find the will of God for our lives. But it doesn’t have to be so complicated. God doesn’t want us to be in the dark when it comes to His will. He wants us to have clarity. He wants us to know which direction to go. He wants us to be confident in which path we should take, which is why He gives us His Word, so we don’t have to be confused. We don’t have to second-guess, and we don’t have to suffer with decision paralysis. So here are a few tips on how to find the will of God for your life.
Fifty days after Easter is the celebration of Pentecost in the Christian calendar. This day calls for us to observe and celebrate the miracle recorded in Acts chapter 2 of the Holy Spirit being poured out onto 120 followers of Jesus in the Upper Room, giving birth to the New Testament Church. Pentecost is fundamentally about God empowering the Church through His Spirit to restore what was dead, to revive what wasn’t alive, and to give purpose, meaning and value to people who seemed to have lost it. The point, purpose, and plan for Pentecost was for God to empower a group of Palestinian Jews, who spoke the same language, to speak multiple languages; to empower a group from this one cultural background to be relevant to people of various and different backgrounds. And that’s exactly what this group of 120 people did. They took what happened in the Upper Room and went out to the world below. They didn’t keep their faith to themselves but shared it with everyone they had the chance to speak to. They reached out to those outside of the Upper Room so that they might become part of the family of believers as well.
A pandemic is defined as the spread of a disease on a worldwide scale, and for almost a year now we have been dealing with a public health pandemic of colossal proportions. People are becoming ill and dying, the economy is tanking, people are losing their jobs in droves, and our normal way of life has been dramatically altered in all likelihood forever. It is not a good time. And in the midst of it all, many people are really losing hope; fears about what the future holds is causing people to wonder how they and how we are going to make it like this. And as levels of depression increase to all-time highs, Christ is still present in the crisis. So with that in mind, let’s learn how we can remember that truth and find prosperity even amidst a pandemic.
So many people today are sadly attached to and entangled by the wrong things. Rather than establishing good character, integrity, and a love for God as key features of a great relationship, popular culture is glorifying big houses, banging bodies, and dollar bills as essential to success in life. And if we are not careful, this emphasis on that which is surface, transient and superficial can lead us into financial bondage and can distance us in our relationship with God. Materialism and financial entanglements are the kind of thing that can literally sneak upon you, and before you know it, you can find yourself overwhelmed by stress, drowning in debt, and struggling just to survive. Do you realize that you can actually love money so much that it can override your relationship with God? Do you know that you can be so enmeshed with the material things of the world that it can cause you to compromise your morals and your convictions? That’s precisely what happened in today’s key text. The wealthy man talking to Jesus was so preoccupied with pursuing a career, so bent on making and maintaining money, and so obsessed with amassing wealth, that it became a spiritual problem. And so, the question becomes, how do we keep from becoming victims of the money trap? How do we reach a point in our lives where prosperity doesn’t become a problem?
In today’s message, we are looking at a few verses in Esther chapter 4, where we find the story about a young Jewish woman who lived along with her people in captivity in Persia. The King of Persia, King Xerxes I, was not the most thoughtful king. He was an impulsive leader who influenced by hateful, vengeful, racist, spiteful, bloodthirsty advisors to act upon their hatred of Jews, and here in our text, it all comes to a head. The king’s lead advisor Haman devises a scheme to have every Jew in Persia killed, and he convinces the king to sign it into law. When Esther learns of the plan, she is confronted with a decision of what to do. Should she remain silent and play it safe or should she take a stand and go to the king which runs the risk of losing her life?
When you read today’s key passage you can easily see all that has torn this family apart, caused them to be at odds and in some instances at war with one another. But God says it’s time to push beyond their grievances and hurts, to rise above divisions and disagreement and build a community of unity and peace. God is not a God of division. Simply put, "A house divided against itself cannot stand.” When holding the two sticks up beside each other, the prophet is trying to make the point that these two branches of the family that came from a common source are one, and need to come together, for where there is unity there is strength. Just like this principle was true for them, it’s true for us as well. We can accomplish more as one unit, than we'd ever be able to accomplish separate and apart.
So many people struggle with having productive relationships and living the kind of life God wants for them because experiences in their present trigger thoughts and emotions and pain that they have buried, and now it is wreaking havoc on their lives. In a real sense, that’s what comes to mind for when we think about what’s going on in today’s key passage with Jacob, the patriarch of the children of Israel. Here he is on the verge of walking into a new season of life; a season of greatness, and season of leadership; a season he is destined for as a spiritual father of God’s people. The problem, however, is that he is unable to walk into his future because he is hindered by a series of things in his past. So in this message, we are going to take a look at how to overcome your past pain and move forward from the trauma you’ve experienced in your life so that you might walk in the freedom of Jesus Christ.
What do you do if you’re already married to a fool like Nabal? In other words, what if you’re relationship entrapment is not about a potential relationship in the future, what if you lay down at night, look at every day, have dinner with someone you don’t like, someone who don’t enjoy being with, and someone who make life flat out miserable? Sadly, many people find themselves in relationships like this today, so we’re going to look at what to do if you’re stuck in a bad marriage.
While this time of year is all about giving thanks, sometimes it can be difficult to be thankful when our circumstances aren’t ideal. Maybe you find yourself asking, How can I give thanks in the midst of thankless times? It may not be a question you’re willing to ask publicly, but privately it is something you struggle with and ask yourself on the inside. It’s easy to give thanks when you have a lot and when things are going well, but it’s different when things aren’t going well. Paul put it this way in our text – when we face challenges, we should, offer thanks always, continually, and in all circumstances; not simply and solely for what we have, or for what God has done, but just for who God is. The psalmist would put it this way, “I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
When the Lord asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” this is a question we all qualify to answer. But sadly, rather than saying, “Yes Lord, send me, I’ll go,” far too many of us, “say no; not yet, Lord. Hold on or wait until I get my life together, then I’ll go. Lord, let me get this promotion, let me start a family first and get my kids through college first, then I’ll go.” That’s wasn’t Isaiah’s answer. And His willingness to serve the Lord at whatever time, in whatever way, for however long is the same willingness we should all strive to have as we follow Christ. So in this message, we are going to take a look at the different characteristics God is looking for in the people He uses to further His kingdom. This way, we can be diligent and intentional to develop these characteristics so when God asks, “Whom shall I send?” we will be ready to go.
Sometimes God calls us to embark upon new ventures without having a clear sense of what we will encounter, without knowing exactly how long it will take, or without knowing what we’ll have to go through along the way. Even still, we must step out on faith and do what it is that we sense God is leading us to do even when we are uncertain of what to expect and unclear what the outcome is going to be. That was Abram’s plight in our text when he received God’s call to go into a land of purpose and promised ordained by God. The Lord directs him to leave his country and to travel to a land of fulfillment that the Lord would show him. God says if he does that, He would bless him, make his name great, and that all of the families of the earth would be blessed because of Abram. There’s only one problem. God doesn’t give Abram the complete picture of what to expect along the way. He doesn’t tell him how long this trip is going to take, what direction in which he is to travel or what necessities he is to take. The Lord just tells Abram to go. And in full obedience, Abram went. If we want to display this same kind of faithful obedience in our own walk with the Lord, here are four things we need to do.
The book of Micah was written to the people of God whose kingdom had been divided. Their civil rights had been violated, and their hopes had been extinguished by the Assyrians. The Assyrians used violence and military force on God’s people, and therefore oppressed them socially, politically, and economically. In the face of this unrest, Micah instructed the people on what the Lord wanted from them in times such as this. Micah declared that the Lord required three things–justice, mercy, and humility–as necessary responses in perilous times. We can take this same advice today as we each face our own struggles and trials. For the Lord has not changed what He requires of His people. Rather, He wants us now, just like He wanted His people back then, to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him.
In the face of all that our country is enduring right now, and perhaps rightly so, people are wondering, “Where is the church?” It is a question that has risen from those who have been disaffected with and disappointed by the church. It is a question that comes from those outside of and have no part of the church. But it also comes from those within the church who are simply looking for answers about the presence of God, the problem of evil in the world, and about the role of the church in crisis. When trouble hits, people want to know, “Where is the church?”
There are many people today who are stuck, upset, frustrated, and stressed out with life because they made decisions based upon hoe something appeared, only to have their dream become a nightmare. And now here they are, praying, praising, and listening to preaching to see if God will fix up what they messed up. Today’s key passage is intended to provide a divine remedy for that kind of condition. Here we have Jesus making what some scholars and theologians call his triumphant entrance into the city of Jerusalem during the final week of his life. But Jesus didn’t enter the way you think a king would enter a city under these circumstances. Instead, he entered on a donkey, choosing to be humble rather than to flaunt his power and lordship over all. We have a lot to learn from the example Jesus set for us in the moment.