Pleasant Plains Church of Christ Podcast: Recent Episodes
Pleasant Plains Church of Christ
Series: Ready to Give an Answer (2024 Theme)
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Ready to Give an Answer (2024 Theme)
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Ready to Give an Answer (2024 Theme)
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Ready to Give an Answer (2024 Theme)
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Growing: Self, Church, Community 2023 Theme
Service: Sunday PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Growing: Self, Church, Community 2023 Theme
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Gospel Meeting With Aric Russell
Service: Gospel Meeting
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Aric Russell
Series: Gospel Meeting With Aric Russell
Service: Gospel Meeting
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Aric Russell
Series: Gospel Meeting With Aric Russell
Service: Gospel Meeting
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Aric Russell
Series: Gospel Meeting With Aric Russell
Service: Gospel Meeting
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Aric Russell
Series: Gospel Meeting With Aric Russell
Service: Gospel Meeting
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Aric Russell
Series: Gospel Meeting With Aric Russell
Service: Gospel Meeting
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Aric Russell
Series: Growing: Self, Church, Community 2023 Theme
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Growing: Self, Church, Community 2023 Theme
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Growing: Self, Church, Community 2023 Theme
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Seeing God's Work Through Psalm 95 (2023 VBS)
Service: Special Study
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Ryan McDonald
Series: Seeing God's Work Through Psalm 95 (2023 VBS)
Service: Special Study
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Alan Brown
Series: Seeing God's Work Through Psalm 95 (2023 VBS)
Service: Special Study
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Chris Benson
Series: Seeing God's Work Through Psalm 95 (2023 VBS)
Service: Special Study
Type: Sermon
Speaker: John Schultz
Series: Seeing God's Work Through Psalm 95 (2023 VBS)
Service: Special Study
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Duane Steinly
Series: Seeing God's Work Through Psalm 95 (2023 VBS)
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Growing: Self, Church, Community 2023 Theme
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Growing: Self, Church, Community 2023 Theme
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Growing: Self, Church, Community 2023 Theme
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Growing: Self, Church, Community 2023 Theme
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Where Do We Go When We Die?
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Where Do We Go When We Die?
Service: Sunday PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Growing: Self, Church, Community 2023 Theme
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: Growing: Self, Church, Community 2023 Theme
Service: Sunday AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Jonathan Glaesemann
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Paul was not known for his long stays in any one location, but we do find him staying in Ephesus for around three years during his third missionary journey. With him spending so much time with these brothers and sister, it should not come as a suprise that he would have a great level of concern and care for them upon his departure. He originally has to run quickly, but he calls for the elders of the Ephesian church to meet him in Miletus where he shares a parting word with them. This lesson examines Paul's speech to these men,…
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Everything Jesus has done over the course of His ministry has led us to the point where He is under arrest and standing before Pilate for judgment. Those who observe His rejection, agonizing pain, and horrific mental and emotional abuse might be under the impression that surely this scene shows that God is truly not with this professed King of Israel, but this lesson is going to show that things are not always what they appear to be from our humanistic point of view. In fact, Jesus's suffering and subsequent resurreciton are all a part of finishing the work His…
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As Jesus continues on during the Tuesday before His crucifixion, we find Him continually being asked questions that were meant to either trap or test Him. As we would expect, He answers these questions in brilliant fashion, and it leaves the crowd amazed, silenced, and even impressed. Yet, there is a commonality with all of His answers, and that commonality is that every answer simply points the people back toward God.
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Mark brings this important section of his Gospel account to a close by emphasizing the need for serving others in the life of disciples of Jesus. Jesus has been shedding more and more light on what it means to be a disciple of His, and this final section emphasizes the vital necessity of following His example in serving others.
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Too many have attempted to paint Jesus as simply being a good teacher who taught others how to be good people. While there is certainly a strong moral aspect to the teachings of Jesus, we must recognize that Jesus was teaching in order to show men and women how they could gain entrance into the Kingdom of His Father which He would soon establish. This lesson looks at two interactions between Jesus and two very different classes of people to show us who we must be if we want to enter into God's Kingdom.
Series: 2021 Focus: Knowing God
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As Christians, we are a unique people when compared to the world around us. The same can be said and must be acknowledged about the great God we serve. We are a unique people because of our unique God, but what is it that makes Him unique? This lesson examines Psalm 89:5-18 to learn about the unique attributes only God can claim.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Several issues faced the church in its infancy, but one of the greatest difficulties surrounded the blending of Jews and Gentiles into one unified but diverse family of God. Why did this difficulty exist? Why did the fault lie? What needed to be understood in order for real unity to exist? This lesson seeks to answer these questions by looking back the history between these two people groups and what Paul and others recognized as being true in Christ.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are people in each of our lives that we look up to as examples of mature spiritual character, and we ought to be continually thanking God for the blessings they are in our lives. However, what happens when we learn of severe spiritual failures on their part? What happens when their spiritual failures are exceptionally heinous in nature? This lesson is going to offer three things we need to keep in mind in such situations and how we ought to respond.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
We live in a world where many deny the existence of God. While this wasn't exactly the case in the times of David, it was practically true because many believed that God or the gods woudn't hold them accountable. This can be seen from Psalm 14, and this lesson is going to show us that this simply isn't the case. God is well aware of what is taking place, and He is going to act against His enemies and for the faithful who trust in Him.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
If there is anything we can be united upon it would surely be the reality that we live in a much divided world. This isn't a new issue, however, for we can find a number of reasons for division even within a singular Biblical text such as Paul's letter to the Galatians. This lesson is going to take us through Galatians in order to identify those reasons for our division, who it is that wants our division, and how we can overcome those things that divide us.
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Most people wouldd surely admit that they would love to be at peace with those around them, but there are any number of issues that can cause peace to be unachievable. In Mark 9:33-50, Jesus address some of those reasons as He impresses upon His disciples that He desires peace to be present among mankind. This lesson looks at those roadblocks to peace and Jesus's teaching on how to overcome them.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In recent days, many of us have been troubled by the unrest that took place in our nation's Capitol Building. Such behavior might cause us to worry about the stability of our nation and our future. However, this lesson from Daniel 2 ought to cause us to come to recognize that our confidence must to be put fully in God's kingdom for it will never fall or be destroyed.
Series: 2021 Focus: Knowing God
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Each year this church has a focus that guides much of our teaching and preaching throughout the year. This year, our focus is on seeking to know God..who He is, what He has done, and what He desires of us. This lesson is the introductory lesson to the 2021 focus series, and it considers Jesus's prayer that is found in John 17.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
One of the greatest struggles we have as material beings is coming to grasp and understand that which is spiritual in nature and unseen. This is especially true when it comes to angels and other spiritual beings. This lesson is going to take a closer look at the the unseen supernatural realm in order to learn more about angels...who they are, what they do, and what they teach us about God.
Series: 2020 Focus: Living Godly In An Ungodly World
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In a world full of prideful people, it should not surprise us that so few people are willing to forgive those have hurt or wronged them. Yet, we are going to see within this lesson focusing on the parable of the unforgiving servant that Jesus expects for His people to embrace humility in order to forigve others their wrongs against us.
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Following the proclamation of Him being the promised Messiah of God, Jesus takes His three closest disciples up on a mountain in order to teach them concerning the path He must take to glory. While we might think success only comes through overwhelming power and victory, Jesus is going to show us, in this lesson, that true glory comes through humility and sacrifice.
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Everything Jesus has done up to this point in Mark's Gospel has been done to help His Apostles come to the proper realization that He is the promised Messiah of God. This lesson looks at Peter's great confession of such, his confusion over such, and what Jesus says the great cost will be for those who want to be prepared for His coming.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are a great number of things that trees tell us without ever saying a word. They give us the first hints that fall is in the air and spring is around the corner. In the Bible, they are also messengers used by God to remind mankind of His faithfulness to His promises. This lesson traces three trees from the beginnng to the end of Scripture that stand as reminders to us of God's desire for our redemption and life.
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
It was not all that long ago in Mark's Gospel account that Jesus miraculously feeds 5,000, but it seems as if His Apostles were not quick to recognize the important truths such an event revealed about their Teacher. The greateset hindrance these men faced was their blinded hearts, and this lesson is going to show us how Jesus is going to help them identify this issue in order for them to be able to overcome it.
Series: 2020 Focus: Living Godly In An Ungodly World
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
We live in a world in which many believe we should all be driven by the "do whatever makes you happy" mindset. Whatever makes you happy should be pursued at all cost. However, God calls Christians to live with an entirely different mindset. We are called to live with self-control even if the entire world allows itself to live unrestrained lives. This lesson looks at these truths from the text of I Thessalonians 5:1-11.
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Following His latest negative encounter with the Pharisees, Jesus gets up and departs to the region of Tyre where He has three powerful encounters with those outside of Israel. In this lesson, we'll see that Jesus desires for more than just those within Israel to have faith in Him. In fact, He desires to draw all of those, even those who are far away to be drawn unto Himself.
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Throughout Mark's Gospel, the Pharisees have shown themselves to be constant thorns in the side of Jesus. They have questioned his authority, accused Him of being in league with demons, and now they are chiding His disciples. While much of this was probably done in hopes of discrediting Jesus, this text shows us where He flips these accusations back on the Pharisees. In this lesson, we will see how Jesus wants nothing to do with the false pretenses of religious devotion as was seen in the Pharisees. He desires for His followers to have hearts full of pure devotion to Him…
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The issue of unbelief has been a major focus over the past few chapters of Mark's Gospel leading up to chapter 9:14-32. Unbelief on the part of a number of groups of people have caused all sorts of issues, and this is even true for Jesus's own disciples. This lesson looks at the consequences of unbelief and how we all can grow in the vitally important areas of belief, trust, and confidence in God.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The "green-eyed monster" known as jealousy is almost universally seen as a negative quality for a person to possess, and it is clearly seen in Scripture as being something discouraged and rebuked. Therefore, it might be confusing when someone reads Romans 11:11-16 where Paul expresses his desire for Israel to have feelings of jealousy. How can these two simultaneous thoughts be expressed within Scripture and there not be a contradiction? This lesson looks at the contextual and translation issues that can blur our understanding of the issue of jealousy within Scritpure.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Chris Benson
Wouldn't it be great to be known as a person who was a constant encouragement to everyone you came in contact with? This might sound like a lofty goal, but effort to imitate the character of Barnabas can achieve such a result. In this lesson, Chris Benson offers some practical tips to help us all be more encouraging people.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Following their efforts in spreading the message of the kingdom of heaven throughout the land, the Apostles are told by Jesus to come away from the crowds for rest and rejuvenation. However, the compassion of Jesus moves Him to spend time providing spiritual nourishment them, instead. Jesus also sees their need for physical nourishment, and performs the famous feeding of the 5,000 miracle. This lesson examines this incredible miracle in order to understand the deeper meaning of what it means for Jesus to be the great bringer of satisfaction to mankind.
Series: 2020 Focus: Living Godly In An Ungodly World
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Though we live in a world where information is more available than ever before, the sad reality is there are many who seek to either suppress or alter the truth in order to accomplish their own plans and desires. As disciples of Jesus, we ought to be committed to an honest pursuit of truth and wholly reject the false efforts of the world. This lesson looks at Paul's writings in Romans 1 which shows us that the problems of our day aren't all that different from the problems he faced in his own day.
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As we make our way through Mark's Gospel, we might be tempted to question why it is that Jesus seems to have such a hard time getting the most obvious canidates for discipleship to actually follow Him. His own family thinks He's out of His mind, and the religious leaders think He's working with the devil himself. What is it that Jesus is doing wrong? I would suggest that Mark anticpates this question and answers it with four parables that Jesus taught to the multitudes. This lesson looks at how the parables of the soils, light, growth, and the mustard…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Unlike times past, we live in a world where it is not uncommon for women to be praised. They are often praised for their beauty and their accomplishments, and sometimes it doesn't seem to matter that their outward beauty is covering up inward warts or that they reached their accomplishments on the backs of others. However, this stands opposed to the way God's Word views what women are worthy of praise. This lesson looks at the text of Proverbs 31:10-31 to see the type of woman who God says is worthy of praise from those around her and even Himself.
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In less than three chapters of Mark's Gospel it becomes abundantly clear that Jesus has picked up some pretty significant emenies within the established Jewish religious leadership. The depths of their hatred for Jesus can be seen in the fact that they were willing to make friends with their enemies, the Herodians, in order to bring an end to Jesus and His ministry (Mark 3:6). However, this hightlighting of Jesus's enemies is quickly followed up with the rest of chapter three which details Jesus establishing those who would support Him in His ministry and be the very people who would…
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Mark's Gospel seems to focus on a simple endeavor...who is this Jesus? Through Mark 4:34, we have seen Jesus healing the sick, casting out demons, and teaching with great authority, but in Mark 4:35-41 we see Jesus going next level by performing the incredible feat controlling and calming the sea that had only been attributed to God up until that point. This left the disciples in a curious position of trying to reconcile how the power of God was being seen in this man. This lesson looks at the incredibly significant occurence of Jesus calming the sea and how it showed the…
Series: 2020 Focus: Living Godly In An Ungodly World
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
So many people are constantly asking why we can't simply get along with one another. James answers this question in James 4:1-6, and he identifes the culprit as being pride. We live in a world that is overrun by pride, but we are called by our Lord to be a people who possess hearts overflowing with humility. This month's yearly focus lesson will focus on the Bible's condemnations of the proud and prideful, the issues pride causes, and why humility is the truly honorable way to live.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There has been an unsettling trend of young Christians not only leaving home once they leave off for college, but they are also opening leaving their faiths behind during this transition. Why is this happening? What are they experiencing that leads them to the point of unbelief? What can we do to help this sad trend? This lesson looks at a study conducted in 2013 that asked why these young peopel became atheist. We want to listen to their answers and then learn what efforts can be made to help this trend improve.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
This lesson was originally livestreamed via Facebook Live. Click on the following link for access to that original video. https://www.facebook.com/pleasantplainscofc/videos/273900336939091/In the beginning, God created life. For man and all of creation to live in peace and harmony was God's great desire for this world, but the evil one tempted the woman to disobey God. Thus, death was incurred as the punishment. Every since that point, death has been our enemy, but it is not God's will that we live in complete paralyzing fear of death, especially in times of crisis such as we are in at this moment. Instead, God desires that…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Over the last few days, the grand event that is the National Football League draft was held, and there were a number of young men who were chosen to be the new faces of a number of franchises. Sadly, I have never been chosen for such a position, and my guess is that neither have you. However, there is a position to which we have been chosen that comes with far superior benefits, and that position is as a child of God. The text of Ephesians 1:3-14 teaches us that God has done a lot of work in choosing exactly…
Series: 2020 Focus: Living Godly In An Ungodly World
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
This lesson was originally streamed via Facebook Live. Please visit https://www.facebook.com/pleasantplainscofc/videos/152153202819997/ for access to that livestream.We live in a world where it is growing ever increasingly against the thought of a God who inspired a book that is to guide the lives of mankind. Humanists are especially anti-Bible and anti-faith becuase they see the Bible, faith, and religious living as being detrimental to the health of human society. Therefore, it is their goal to expose the weaknesses and failures of the Bible in order to cause people to lose faith in it as the Word of God and inturn lose faith in God. This…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
With presidential election season upon us, it can be easy for even disciples of Jesus to become anxious and concerned over who is elected. However, we would do well to think upon Psalm 146 to remind ourselves that God the Father and Christ alone are worthy of our full trust and devotion. This lesson looks at the superiorty of the Father and Jesus over any man or woman who might rule over us.
Series: 2020 Focus: Living Godly In An Ungodly World
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
We live in a world that never seems to be satisfied with whatever level of wealth, status, or prestige that is achieved. As disciples of Jesus, we must be purposeful in not allowing the world's mindset to become our own. This lesson will look at Paul's content attitude in Philippians, five keys to it, and some ways we can learn to have this same attitude of contentment.
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As Jesus's ministry continues, so do the continued rejections of various groups and people. For this reason, the examples of faith by the woman with the issue of bleeding and Jairus in Mark 5:21-43 stand out as shining examples of exactly what the Lord was searching for while He was here on the earth. This lesson looks as these wonderful examples of faith and challenges us to seek the same faith.
Series: 2020 Focus: Living Godly In An Ungodly World
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Our lives consist of a long series of choices that will shape who we are and what we will do. Some choices are trivial, but others will come with life long results, and even some other decisions will have an eternal impact. The choices we make will be determined by what we value, and this is especially true when it comes to our faith in God and the temptations presented in this world. This lesson will look at our need to live and make decisions with eternity in mind instead of sacrificing eternity for a momentary pleasure.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Have you been wondering why it seems like nearly everyone during this COVID-19 crisis has seemed to have an agenda when it comes to their reporting or the way they approach the subject? Are you tired of the deception and manipulation of the "facts" to simply get people on "their" side? If this has been your mindset and feelings then we need to realize that the fault for such an environment lies at the feet of one being. That being is the devil, who Jesus refers to as the "father of lies" in John 8. This lesson will take a deeper dive into this as the character of…
Series: 2020 Focus: Living Godly In An Ungodly World
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
What are God's people to do when the world all around them seems to be crumbling at its very foundations? What are we to do when righteousness, justice, love, and truth are no longer practiced or evident? We might ask these as hypothetical questions, but the reality is that we are currently living in a world where these attributes aren't as common or present as they ough to be. Therefore, what are the people of God to do? This lesson looks at these questions from the perspective of King David from Psalm 11. He himself faced a crumbling world, and his words…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
All of us have heard that lesson on our need to be fishers of men. However, how often have we looked at that concept from the perspective of men who were actually 1st century fishermen? I believe this is needed because seeing this desire of Jesus through the eyes of the men He said it to will help us to understand this desire in a way we might never have understood it before. Instead of understanding this teaching from the perspective of 21st century fishermen, this lesson is going to look at and learn from the perspective of the 1st century man…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Like so many ideas and concepts of our day, masculinity is seen as something that is subjective and therefore left up to personal interpretation. This means that I can believe masculinity is manifested in one way and someone else can see it in another. As you can guess, this type of understanding can lead to all sorts of confusion and conflicting ideas. Therefore, it is important for Bible believers to understand this topic from the perspective of God, and this lesson seeks to give the Biblical understanding of what it means to be a man and display true masculinity.
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
It is important for us to recognize that the Gospel writers weren't just slapping words on paper as the wrote their own stories of Jesus. They had a purpose to their writing, and this is especially true of Mark's Gospel account as he strives to give strong and methodical supporting evidence for his opening claim that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Our last lesson focused on Jesus's divine power to command the winds and the waves, and this lesson will now further show Jesus's divine power over demonic forces.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Some might think that the lives of followers of Jesus are full of bliss to the point of enduring little to no difficulties, but it only takes an examination of Paul's life to realize this simply isn't the case. In fact, Paul's life is very turbulent at times as the storms and winds of life continued to oppose him. What we learn from Paul's life is that we might not be able to control the winds, but we can control our response in order to get where we're trying to go. Those thoughts were found in the Bible of a…
Series: 2020 Focus: Living Godly In An Ungodly World
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As we look around us at this world we live in, we recognizet that it is a world made up entirely of matter. It is a physical world, and there is a great temptation to allow this physical world to define how we live this life. However, we recognize from the writings of the New Testament that there is a struggle that exists between this physical world and our physical bodies and the Spirit of God that dwells within the disciple of Jesus. This lesson looks at this struggle and four key characteristics that are necessary for those to desire…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Though we do not know with certainty the subject of Psalms 42 & 43, it does become obvious very quickly that the subject is dejected in his spirit because of the circumstances that he found himself in. He longed for God's presence to bring refreshing to his life, but it just wasn't happening. Does this mean that the subject of these psalms was simply stuck to wallow in his dejection? This lesson will breakdown these texts to see how the subject responds to his dejection, and we will also seek to see ourselves within these psalms to see how we, too,…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
If any man could say he knew what it felt like to feel as if his world was falling apart around him...it would have to be Job. This man endured heartache of almost every sort that literally brought him to his knees. Though he was a man of great faith, the heartache he endured left him feeling as if God was unaware of his plight. He felt as if he were all alone in his heartbreak, and this left him in a very dark place. Instead of criticizing Job, could we instead sympathize with him? Would we be able to…
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
It doesn't take long reading through the Gospel of Mark for it to become abundantly clear that the ministry of Jesus was developing opposition. That opposition was mostly in the form of the established Jewish religious leadership, and it also doesn't take long to see that they recongize that Jesus is bringing about great change to the religious landscape. This great change was a change in direction for the people of God, and sadly many were resistent to such a change. This lesson looks at three instances from Mark 2:18-3:6 in which Jesus and His disciples are challenged in regards…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In decades past, overtly sexual promescuity simply was not all that prevalent. There was a greater sense of decency and modesty back in the day that simply isn't present any longer. This isn't to say that sexual tempations and sins were not present, but they were not thrown in our faces like they are today. This ought to force us recognize our great need to be mindful of the horribly negative influences that are surrounding all of us and especially our young people. This lesson focuses on the need for young people to guard their hearts against our sexually charged…
Series: 2020 Focus: Living Godly In An Ungodly World
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Something that is becoming increasingly rare is to find someone who is willing to humbly admit they have made a mistake and done something wrong. There are too many people who are full of pride and unable to see their own faults. This is especially true when morality or religious practices are introduced into the discussion. So many people are obstinate to the idea of feeling guilt or sorrow for their failures to the point of being willing to change to conform to the will of God. This lesson takes a closer look at why the world is so against the…
Series: 2020 Daily Bible Reading: The Prophets
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There is a strong change of tone that takes place between Isaiah 39 & 40. Some would use this change in tone to question the book's validity, but I would attribute the change in tone to the fact that the author's perspective has changed. The first half of the book focuses on warning God's people against rebellion, sin, and distrust in God, and the second half focuses on comforting God's people as they are in the middle of the exile crisis. While we might not be in exile in the same way that the Jews were in Babylon, we still face…
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are a number of caricatures of Jesus that are believed today. Some see Him as nothing more than a humanitarian and philanthropist. Others see Him as simply a good teacher who taught people how to be better people. However, Mark's Gospel paints for us a Biblical picture of Jesus that shows Him as being focused on preaching, teaching, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The miracles showed His incredible power, but the text of Mark 2:1-17 shows us that He was about so much more than that. This lesson examines this text in order to…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
One of the most important things that we need to realize about God's expectations for us is that He has called us out of an unholy world to live in a holy and righteous way in Him. While we are helped by our recognition of God's expectations for us, we are faced with difficuties once we realize that the devil also knows what God desires for us. He knows that God wants us to to holy in our conduct so he is going to put challenges before us that will strive to hinder us from achieving our calling. This lesson…
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The first eight verses of the Gospel of Mark introduce the Messianic Messenger who is identified as John the baptist. John's message was that the kingdom was coming and there was one coming after Him who was much more powerful than he. Thankfully, the readers of Mark's Gospel don't have to wait long for the powerful one coming after John arrives on the scene. Almost immediately we find this man serving the people all around Him and showing His great power through His teachings and works. This lesson looks at the opening days of Jesus's ministry as He gets off…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The story that unfolds in the book of Judges is one that certainly causes the reader much frustration based upon their continued cycle of rebellion. However, God's love, compassion, and patience are seen in Him continually sending deliverers in the form of judges to deliver Israel. The first four judges of the judges cycle are what you would think a deliverer of Israel would be like. Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, and the team of Deborah and Barak were strong, powerful, and able to get the job done. Therefore, we would expect for the fifth judge to follow in the same pattern,…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are a number of issues that face young men and women who seek to glorify Christ, and one of the most important to consider is that of the influeneces that they have within their lives. We would all love for our young people to only be surrounded by positive influences, but we recognize that this simply isn't the case. In fact, our young people might be surrounded by more negative influences than positive influences. Solomon recognizes the need for young people to listen to wisdom so they might be benefitted by her. This lesson looks at Proverbs 1 and what…
Series: 2020 Focus: Living Godly In An Ungodly World
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are a number of contrasts that are found in Scripture that help us to understand the tension that is present in this world between God and those who are against Him. The most prevalent contrast might be that of light and darkness. The prophet Isaiah wrote of a great Light that would be coming into this dark world, and John identifies Jesus as this Light which would come to bring men from darkness into the light of God. This lesson looks at the importance and implications of both living in and failing to live in the light in this…
Series: 2020 Daily Bible Reading: The Prophets
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
When we think about the Prophets of the Old Testament, we probably often think of special messages from God to His people that would lead them towards repentance of sins and faithfulness to His covenant with Him. While this is certainly a major part of the work of the Prophets, we all need to acknowledge that there are sections of the Prophets that actually don't address the people of Israel. Instead, these sections are addressed to the nations outside of Israel. Why is it that God would focus on these people? This lesson seeks to answer this question by considering…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are some things that God commands of His people within the Bible that make sense to us with our finite levels of wisdom and understanding. But what abou those times where what God tells us to do simply doesn't make sense to us? This isn't some peculiar us today, but this is something that we see throughout the Biblical story. There are stories that show God telling peopel to do things that simply don't make sense to us, and yet they trusted and obeyed. What can we learn from these examples? This lesson talks about those examples and two…
Series: The Incredible Jesus: A Study Through Mark's Gospel
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
We might sometimes catch ourselves thinking that each of the Gospel accounts where written for the expressed purpose of being included in a book that we know as the Bible, but the reality is that each Gospel account was written individually as an effort to simply persuade the readers that Jesus of Nazareth was more than just a man. John Mark's Gospel begins with that claim of Jesus's Messiahship, and then Mark spends the rest of this account seeking to prove that Jesus is who he claims for Him to be. This is the first lesson in a series of…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are few issues that unite the Christian world at large like the belief that baptism is not crucial to the salvation process. So many will shout from the hilltops that no one should think they can save themselves or that there is something special about water. The reality is that I would agree with those statements! I don't believe we can save ourselves, and I don't believe there is anything special about water. However, I do still believe that the Scriptures teach plainly that baptism through faith is a key part of obedience to the Gospel, and I believe that…
Series: 2020 Daily Bible Reading: The Prophets
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Isaiah's book of prophecy is a bit strange for the fact that the first five chapters are actually a preview of what will be found throughout the rest of the book. It is finally in chapter 6 of Isaiah's prophecy that we are told of Isaiah's commissioning as a prophet and the story of this prophecy really begins. This commissioning comes through a vision that Isaiah sees before the throne of the Holy Lord of Armies, and this lesson takes a good at this vision, what we can learn from it, and how it all ties into Jesus of Nazareth…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are a number of themes and motifs that can be found throughout the enitre Bible, and the majority of the time these themes and motifs are tied into the character of God. The Psalmnist are often found to describe the character of God throughout their psalms, and two things that are continuously said to be things that God loves and promotes are righteousness and justice. This lesson follows those themes throughout the Bible and culminates in how these characteristics of God find place in our salvation.
Series: 2020 Daily Bible Reading: The Prophets
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
For many people, hearing the word "prophet" immediately brings to mind someone who simply tells what will happen in the future. While this is certaily an aspect of prophecy, I would suggest to you that there is actually a better understanding of what it means for someone to be a prophet. To be a prophet of God is to serve as His mouthpiece for Him in delivering His divine perspective on what is currently taking place or what will take place in the future. This is important to know because our congregations Daily Bible Reading for this year takes us…
Series: 2020 Focus: Living Godly In An Ungodly World
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
We are living in an ever increasingly ungodly world where so many care not at all for God or His will for them in their lives. It begins with individuals moving away from God, but eventually it is entire cultures or societies that behave in such a way that those who profess godliness and live in such a way are easily seen as being different from the rest of the world. While we would love to be able to change our society or improve it over night, the reality is that this earth is where we are and where we…
Series: A Study Of The Seven Churches Of Asia
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Though not a huge section of the book, the second and third chapters of Revelation are a key portion of the purpose behind why Jesus instructed John to write down was told to him and what he saw in the visions he received on the island of Patmos. The third of these seven messages was addressed to the church of Pergamum. This lesson looks at the compromising church of Pergamum, the words of commendation for their refusual to denounce Jesus, but also words of rebuke and admonishment for their allowing of the world and false teachers to have influence within the…
Series: A Study Of The Seven Churches Of Asia
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Though not a huge section of the book, the second and third chapters of Revelation are a key portion of the purpose behind why Jesus instructed John to write down was told to him and what he saw in the visions he received on the island of Patmos. The final of these seven messages was addressed to the church of Laodicea. This lesson looks at the lukeward church of Laodicea and the message that contained only rebukes and admonishments without the presense of any commendations. Surely the Christians receiving this letter would be ashamed for their failures, but Jesus's mercy and patience are…
Series: A Study Of The Seven Churches Of Asia
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Though not a huge section of the book, the second and third chapters of Revelation are a key portion of the purpose behind why Jesus instructed John to write down was told to him and what he saw in the visions he received on the island of Patmos. The sixth of these seven messages was addressed to the church of Philadelphia. This lesson looks at the faithful church of Philadelphia and the encouraging message that Jesus delivers to this church concerning their faithful service, His present and promised blessings, and what will be the reward for all of those who are willing to…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are a number of central focuses and themes that run throughout the entirety of the Bible, and two of the most key themes that we might not think about as often as we should are the themese of birth and life. There are so many verses in Scripture that speak to God being the source of life, and this can be seen as true in every portion of the Bible story. This lesson traces the themes of birth and life from the front cover to the back cover of the Bible as a means of really impressing upon us…
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Throughout this year, our congregation has focused a great deal of time on what it means to be excellent in our faith. There have been so many different areas in which we ought to be striving for excellence, and yet we learn in I Corinthians 12:31 that there is a still more excellent, better, and greater way to go about this life. That still more excellent way is the way of love, and this lesson focuses on I Corinthians 13 and what makes the way of love so much greater.
Series: A Study Of The Seven Churches Of Asia
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Though not a huge section of the book, the second and third chapters of Revelation are a key portion of the purpose behind why Jesus instructed John to write down was told to him and what he saw in the visions he received on the island of Patmos. The fifth of these seven messages was addressed to the church of Sardis. This lesson looks at the dead church of Sardis and the scathing message that Jesus delivers to this church concerning their rock-bottom spiritual state. He also offers a few words of encouragement to the seemingly very few within Sardis who had not…
Series: A Study Of The Seven Churches Of Asia
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Though not a huge section of the book, the second and third chapters of Revelation are a key portion of the purpose behind why Jesus instructed John to write down was told to him and what he saw in the visions he received on the island of Patmos. The fourth of these seven messages was addressed to the church of Thyatira. This lesson looks at the corrupted church of Thyatira, the few words of commendation and encouragment Jesus offered to the remnant who were remaining faithful, and the warnings of the coming judgment that were getting ready to come upon wicked Jezebel and…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
From the days of Paul even until today, men have had some of the same questions pertaining to live. Those questions might be consoldated into three main questions. 1)Where do we come from? 2)What are we doing here? 3)Where are we going and how do we get there? As long as these questions have been asked, they have been answered from the standpoint of the wisdom of men. However as Christians, we ought to only be concered with the answers that come from the wisdom of God. Paul actually answers these questions in Acts 17:22-31, and this lesson examines these…
Series: A Study Of The Seven Churches Of Asia
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Though not a huge section of the book, the second and third chapters of Revelation are a key portion of the purpose behind why Jesus instructed John to write down was told to him and what he saw in the visions he received on the island of Patmos. The first of these seven messages was addressed to the church of Ephesus. This lesson looks at the loveless church of Ephesus and how Jesus admonished and encouraged these brethren to remember the passionate love for God that they had at first and how they could reignite such a love that would be pleasing…
Series: A Study Of The Seven Churches Of Asia
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Though not a huge section of the book, the second and third chapters of Revelation are a key portion of the purpose behind why Jesus instructed John to write down was told to him and what he saw in the visions he received on the island of Patmos. The second of these seven messages was addressed to the church of Smyrna. This lesson looks at the persecuted church of Smyrna and how Jesus encouraged these brethren to remember that thought they were suffering and might even die because of their faith, their committment to that same faith would eventually lead to them…
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Throughout the history of the church there has been opposition to the the Gospel, the Lord, and His people. Acts 6 shows us that in response to this opposition in the form of persecution, the disciples scatter into the surrounding areas. However, there is a positive consequence to their scattering, and that consequence is that the disciples take the Gospel with them into these areas. The fact that this happens shows me the truth that there can be great benefits that come with opposition. This last lesson in our 2019 focus looks at four benefits that can aid and motivate us to…
Series: Sing With The Understanding
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While most of us are well accustomed around the Thanksgiving holiday to giving thanks for the blessings that we enjoy, we are reminded by the song Count Your Blessings that God is blessing us at all times. This means that there are even reasons to give thanks to God during times when we are struggling. This lesson looks at the Biblically based lyrics of this 19th century song so that we might be encouraged and uplifted to always see what good the Lord is doing in our lives, even in those time when we might feel as if we are at our lowest.
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
For so many people, the book of the Revelation of Jesus to John causes anxiety, confusion, and possibly even intimidation. It is a work that looks very different from the majority of the Bible and especially the other works of the New Testament. It is written in a way that includes amazing language and paints incredible pictures. It is the source of much division among religious people concerning the way they interpret what is found within its pages. Because of all of this, some people simply throw their hands up and give up when it comes to their careful consideration…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are many portions of Jude's short letter than might leave us feeling a bit uncertain. We're not exactly sure who Jude was, who he was writing to, or when he wrote this letter. We're definitely not sure about some of the subject matter in the letter like that of his references to Moses's body, Enoch, or love feasts. However, there are some things that we can pretty certain of, and that certainty rests in the fact that these brethren were being bothered by false teachers. Jude writes to these brethren in an effort to encourage them to stand strong…
Series: Jesus: The Son Of God
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
If we are presented with the opportunity to share the most fundamental truths of Christianity with an individual who is seaching for a faith in which to believe, where would we begin? I would suggest that the most logical place to begin with Christianity is with Jesus Christ Himself, but where would we begin teaching about Jesus? Let me again suggest that the Gospel of John would be a great starting point because this Gospel was written with the desire to give strong evidence for Jesus being the Son of God. This lesson is the fourth lesson in a series of lessons…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
We can sometimes allow for human intutition to creep into our perception of different Biblical writings. We often think that the larger a thing...the more important or greater it is. Therefore, the longer the Biblical writing the more important and more meaningful it is. However, this type of perception of Biblical writings could not be any further from the truth. For example, the short letters written by John are full of extremely important and powerful teachings even though they are found in very short letters. This lesson looks at those important lessons from the twin letters of II & III John…
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Though spoke directly to the Apostles, it is understood that Jesus's instructions to share the Gospel and Word of God with others continues to be the missio of disciples even to this day. The question then becomes...how can we do such in the most effective way? I would suggest that our greatest success can be had if we will simply continue to do things as they were done in the earliest days of the church. This lesson looks at a very simple gameplan that finds its roots in the book of Acts and considers how we can put that gameplan into…
Series: Jesus: The Son Of God
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
If we are presented with the opportunity to share the most fundamental truths of Christianity with an individual who is seaching for a faith in which to believe, where would we begin? I would suggest that the most logical place to begin with Christianity is with Jesus Christ Himself, but where would we begin teaching about Jesus? Let me again suggest that the Gospel of John would be a great starting point because this Gospel was written with the desire to give strong evidence for Jesus being the Son of God. This lesson is the third in a series of lessons…
Series: Jesus: The Son Of God
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
If we are presented with the opportunity to share the most fundamental truths of Christianity with an individual who is seaching for a faith in which to believe, where would we begin? I would suggest that the most logical place to begin with Christianity is with Jesus Christ Himself, but where would we begin teaching about Jesus? Let me again suggest that the Gospel of John would be a great starting point because this Gospel was written with the desire to give strong evidence for Jesus being the Son of God. This lesson is the first in a series of lessons…
Series: Jesus: The Son Of God
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
If we are presented with the opportunity to share the most fundamental truths of Christianity with an individual who is seaching for a faith in which to believe, where would we begin? I would suggest that the most logical place to begin with Christianity is with Jesus Christ Himself, but where would we begin teaching about Jesus? Let me again suggest that the Gospel of John would be a great starting point because this Gospel was written with the desire to give strong evidence for Jesus being the Son of God. This lesson is the second in a series of lessons…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
One of the most foundational concepts that must be grasped when considering "the church" is to recognize that it belongs to Jesus Christ. This ought to be something that is firmly understood based upon Jesus's own words that are found in Matthew 16 where He states that He would build His church and the gates of Hades would not overpower it. How should knowing this affect the way we understand the church? I would suggest that this means that we allow for the church to be exactly as Jesus designed for it to be. This lesson looks at the Biblical characteristics…
Series: 2019 Weekend Of Praise
Service: Special Study
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Dan Lankford
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are a number of instances in the Bible where the last words of different individuals have been recorded and preserved for our learning. Some of the most well known are probably the different statements made by Jesus on the cross and then also His words to His disciples before He ascended to heaven. But then there are the words of Paul in II Timothy. It can be easy for us to forget that these were the last words that Paul believed he would be able to write to his son in the faith, and we would expect for these…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
When questioned as to what the greatest commands were, Jesus plainly stated that the greatest command was to love the Lord our God and a very close second was to love our neighbors as ourselves. To those familiar with the story of Jesus within the Gospels, this teaching of Jesus is quite familiar, but why is it that we sometimes fail to actually carry the commands out within our own lives? This lesson looks at what is demanded when it comes to loving God, why we sometimes fail to do so, and what we can do that will help us…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are many people who are constantly looking for that secret weapon that can help them to make strong strides in their faiths, and one might think that such a resource would be rare or even impossible to find. However, those peopel need to recognize that which they seek is actually the most readily available book in the world. In fact, it is the highest selling most sold book of all time. Of course, that book is the Bible, and this lesson examines the Word of God from the standpoints of what it can do for us in our faiths and…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While there is much concerning the background of the letter to the Hebrews that we are uncertain of, there are still very evident truths that are apparent within its pages. For example, the writer makes it abundantly clear that Jesus is God's ultimate mouthpiece to speak to mankind in these last days. But, what qualifies Jesus to serve such an important role? Further, what is it that God is speaking to mankind through Jesus? This lesson seeks to answer these questions from the Hebrews 1:1-3 and a quick overview of the remainder of the letter.
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
We live in a world that is ruled by the idea that I should be able to do whatever I want to with my body because it is my body. Whatever pleasure I desire should be available to me, and no one should be able to tell me otherwise. However, those who belong to Christ recognize that our Lord has a higher standard by which He desires for us to live by. This lesson looks at Paul's teachings in I Thessalonians 4:3-8 concerning the need for Christians to give great effort to excel in holiness within their bodies.
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Though there was great success concerning the expansion of the church within the first century, that success wasn't experienced without difficulties along the way. Many of those difficulties came in the form of persecutions. The persecutions that first appeared within Jerusalem had spread to the far reaches of the Roman empire as far as the kingdom itself had spread. There were many disciples who were struggling to overcome the tribulations they were facing, and we find the Apostle Peter seeking to be a source of encouragment by writing a letter that was meant to strengthen the brethren who were being…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
We live in a time when there is more wealth across the board than ever before, and yet there continue to be poor and needy people all around us. As God's people who are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves, what is to be our response to those who are needy around us inside and outside of the church? This lesson looks to the New Testament to learn of how the earliest churches and Christians went about helping the needy of this world.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In the eyes of most according to conventional wisdom giving, trials, weakness, humiliation, losing, servitude and death are all experiences that would fall on the negative end of the spectrum of what we experience in this life. However, what if we were told in the Bible that these experiences can actually lead us to good results and blessings? Again, conventional wisdom would tell us this isn't the case, but the wisdom of God confirms these things to be true. This leads us to truths that can only be described as paradoxes, and this lesson considers seven paradoxes that are found…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
True discipleship comes at a cost, and that cost could very well be described as being willing to surrender to Jesus. Surrender is necessary becuase there are battles, struggles, and conflicts that are constantly taking place between the forces of good and evil, and we are all active participants in these struggles. Who side will we find ourselves on? Will we continue to fight and struggle against God and His Son or will we surrender our entire being to His will? This lesson looks at a few areas of conflict between God and men, and then it considers what it…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Our different personalities and upbringings can often cause us to gravitate towards extremes when it comes to our approach in our faiths and the way we operate as local churches. Some people naturally gravitate towards whatever can be done in the name of law, and others will do whatever fits most closely with a prescribed doctrine or law. This lesson puts for the idea that both approaches miss the mark when it comes to our behavior within local churches. Instead, we would do well to consider that there is a much more balanced approach that ought to be taken when we…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
If there is anything that is made evident throughout Paul's letters to various churches and individuals, it would be that there is plenty of work to be done throughout the kingdom of God. This is clearly seen in his letter to Titus as the Apostle seeks to encourage and equip the young minister with what he needed in order for him to set right what was left undone with the churches that were found on the island of Crete. This lesson focuses on the overall theme that I saw as I read through this letter, a theme of what it…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Towards the end of the first letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul addresses wicked practice of some men who sought to be engaged in the work of ministry simply because they saw it as a means to make monetary gains. Paul uses this admonition as a springboard to write about the issues that arise when the love of money enters into the hearts of men. This lesson considers four griefs that come when men desire to be rich, and then it considers Paul's solutions to overcoming these awful griefs.
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17, He makes mention that His desire was not for them to be taken out of the world but that they be protected from the evil one by the Father. His desire was that, though they be in the world, they not be of the world. I am convinced that these desires of Jesus continue to be felt towards His disciples that are living in this world, today. He desires that, though we be in the world, we be not of the world. What does that mean? What can we do that…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The Apostle Paul loved every opportunity that he had to spend in the presence of his brothers and sisters in various places, but even Paul only had so much time and ability to travel. One reason for his inability to travel was the time that he spent in Roman prison, but that didn't stop him from doing everything within his ability to continue to encourage his brethren. Paul used this time in chains to pen numerous letters to various people and churches. One such letter he wrote was to his "son in the faith" Timothy. In the first letter to…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While no two people have the exact same experiences in life, there is a commonality found in the lives of all people who live in any society across the world. That commonality is the experience of interacting with other people on a daily basis. We would love for all of our interactions to go smoothly and be enjoyable, but the reality is that sometimes we experience conflict and tension with others. Why is that? While these problems have been attributed or worded in different ways, I have never found an explanation for these issues that makes more sense than what…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Series: 2019 YPW The Church Of Right Now
Service: Young People's Weekend
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Terry Francis
Series: 2019 YPW The Church Of Right Now
Service: Young People's Weekend
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Terry Francis
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
From the very beginning of his ministry, it seems that John the Baptist was focused on one thing: The holding to and teaching of truth. He had been given the truth that the Messiah and kingdom were at hand, and he wanted for the people of Israel to be well prepared for such an occasion. This committment to truth continued even when it landed John in difficult circumstances, and that committment to truth should stand as a great example to us. This lesson looks at John as a man of truth and just how far he was willing to go…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The divine nature of Jesus has been a hotly contested issue from the very days that our Lord walked upon this earth. The Gospel accounts and a number of the Letters were written to focus on this particular issue, and they were necessary for good reason. Whether or not we acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God has deep implications on those who claim to be Christians. The foundation on which we build our faiths matters, and this lesson considers those implictions by looking at five things that cannot be accepted if we reject Jesus as the divine Son of God, our…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Priorities. The word itself is problematic because it gives the idea that we can have mulitple priorities in our lives. To have multiple priorities would be a self-defeating proposition. For this reason, we ought to consider that Jesus alone should be our priority, and we move on from that fact by recognizing that our focus on Jesus influences everything else that we do in life. There are few New Testament letters that emphasize these thoughts better than the Letter to the Colossians, and this lesson traces these thoughts throught this short letter of the Apostle Paul. It considers why Jesus…
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As disciples of Jesus, it can be very difficult at times to live out the command of being in the world but not of the world. Yes, we are told to be lights in a dark world and to influence those around us as best we can. However, even as adults this might be much more easily said than done because the negative influences all around us are strong. And what about the youngest disciples among us? Surely this is even more difficult to do since they might not feel all that capable of exacting real change all around them because…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While there are some very obvious first ballot "hall of faithers" in Hebrews 11, we must also acknowledge that there are at least a few names included in that well known chapter that might seem a bit out of place for us. We get why people like Abel, Noah, Abraham, and others would be included in this section, but what about Samson? We often throw glitter on Samson's story to our youngest students because he was a judge of Israel, but as I read through his story I am left a little unimpressed by his faith. And yet, he is…
Series: 2019 VBS Journeys With Paul
Service: Vacation Bible School
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Chris Smith
Chris Smith closed out our VBS for 2019 by speaking to us about Paul's final journey, and the need that he felt to be right before God through faithfulness to His will for us. We are so appreciative to Chris and all of the other men and women who made this great year of VBS possible!
Series: 2019 VBS Journeys With Paul
Service: Vacation Bible School
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Mike Prestininzi
Mike Prestininzi, of the Northside church in Trenton, Tennessee, presented a fine lesson from the journeys of the Apostle Paul that focused on Paul's ability to be ready for whatever situation in which he found himself. Paul's efforts to always be ready ought to motivate us to be found with the same abilities, and this lesson seeks to encourage us in that way.
Series: 2019 VBS Journeys With Paul
Service: Vacation Bible School
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Brian Meade
Brian Meade, of the Meek Street church in Corinth, Missippi, presented a wonderful lesson that encouraged us all to be happy no matter the situation in which we might find ourselves. All throughout Paul's journeys, he found himself in difficult situations, and yet he always seemed to have joy in his heart. This lesson gets to the root of Paul's joy, and how we can have the exact same joy down in our hearts.
Series: 2019 VBS Journeys With Paul
Service: Vacation Bible School
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Ryan Goodwin
Our first auditorium VBS study was presented by Ryan Goodwin of the East Shelby church in Collierville, Tennessee. He spoke to us concerning the great bravery that Paul showed throughout his ministry in the Gospel, and he encourages us to learn and imitate Paul's great example.
Series: 2019 VBS Journeys With Paul
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are a great number of lives that are detailed for us throughtout the Bible, but there are few that seem as compelling as that of the Apostle Paul. Where we find his life ending in II Timothy 4 is very different from where we first meet him in Acts 7. The end as Paul is nothing like the beginning as Saul, and this lesson takes a 10,000 foot look at Paul's life while considering a few lessons that he teaches us through this incredible journey that he experienced.
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The letter that Paul wrote to the Romans is often said to be a difficult letter to understand, and this is often true because we are often very unfamiliar with the religious climate of that day and age. We don't have a worldview where the Law of Moses is present or has had great influence over the masses. Therefore, when Paul starts comparing and contrasting salvation in Christ to that which existed within the Law, we often get confused and have difficulty comprehending. This lesson takes a simple look at Paul's arguments concerning salvation in Christ through the first six chapters…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
For many people in this world, Father's Day is a wonderful day to reflect on the men who have raised us to be the people that we are today. They have shaped us by their love, care, and concern for our well-being. However, I recognize that not everyone has been so blessed. Some among us were not blessed with a good earthly father who loved them and cared for them in the proper way. I'm here to tell you that this isn't anything new to our time for there are even examples of poor fathers in the Bible. To those…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Romans 1:16-17 are two of the most encouraging verses in all of Scripture because they remind us of God's great power to save man through the message of the Gospel, and yet we would do well to consider the following verses as they tell us of the need for the Gospel message of salvation. This lesson looks at the text of Romans 1:18-32 to consider the reason why God would pour out his wrath upon the nations of the world, His immediate response to their actions, and His ultimate response to their continued rebellious behavior.
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There is a real temptation for us to treat our Christian lives like our work lives. We plan out how long we have to work in order to enjoy a retirement of a particular length. We work really hard for those number of years, and then we finally are able to kick back, do nothing, and simply count the years as they pass by. In the same way, we can work hard in our faiths for a certain number of years, think that we have accrued the right amount of spiritual treasures, then we take our feet off the proverbial gas pedal,…
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
It is very clear from Acts 2:42-47 that the earliest of Christians were "all-in" Christians. Their acts of discipleship were not simply things that they did, but they were part of a new identity that they had taken on in Christ. Discipleship and growth were not just things they gave attention to on Sundays, but these brethren were dedicated all week long to their Lord. This lesson looks at three reasons why we must embrace Monday-Saturday spiritual growth and then a few suggestions as ways we can make that happen.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul describes this life as a spirutal battle that is taking place between the forces of good and evil. On one hand, God is seeking to lead us in truth toards righteousness. On the other hand, Satan is striving in every way to deceive us into unrighteousness. This isn't anything new, but it is only a continuation of what was true in the beginning. Jesus describes Satan as a liar from the very beginning, and this lesson looks at how he seeks to alter our perception of reality so that we might reject God's truth…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In I Peter 5:8, the Apostle Peter warns the recipients of his letter that they must remain sober-minded and alert if they want to be able to resist the attacks of the devil. He desires to devour them as a lion would its prey, so we, as disciples, must remain vigilant and aware of the dangers that are around us. This demands that we remain clear in our thoughts and actions. The devil knows our need for sobreity which is why he seeks to cause us to lose our sobriety in any way that he can. This lesson looks at our need for…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The situation could not have been any more fortunate for the children of Israel. They were being delivered out slavery. They were on their way to a land that is described as overflowing with milk and honey, and yet all they could focus on was the temporary difficulties they were facing. Instead of embracing the journey, these people complained and grumbled about everything that wasn't perfect, and it led them to go so far as to desire to return to that place from which they had just been delivered. This lesson looks at the failures of Israel in their evil…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
I don't know if anyone can make a truly legitimate argument for there being a strongly human relationship than that which is had between a mother and her children. The Apostle Paul and even our Lord Jesus would use this relationship to describe just how much they cared for those whom they were striving to teach and influence. However, I do believe that there is a relationship that transcends earthly relationships that is even strong and more important. That relationship is between us as humans and our heavenly Father. This lesson looks at the all-important instructions given by John to…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The plain truth is that we often don't pay great attention to those things that we deem as being less than impressive. This is even true when we think about Biblical writings. The Psalms are held in high esteem as God's large book of praise. The Book of Acts is revered for its fantastic story containing the beginning of the church and its early growth. Then there is the tiny letter that Paul wrote to Philemon. What great theological teachings of importance could the Apostle fit into a short twenty five verses? This lesson looks at this letter in its…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Within our New Testaments, we find the Apostle Paul putting more writing effort into the brethren in Corinth than he does with any other specific group of Christians. He truly wanted for them to grow into a holy and righteous people that would be able to do good work for the Lord, and yet we find some among the Corinthian brethren giving effort to cast doubt upon Paul's apostolic authority. Because of these efforts being made by troublemakers in Corinth, Paul usings a large section of his second letter to the Corinthians to address his qualifications as an apostle. This…
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
True excellence does not happen by accident, but it is a result of someone having a burning desire within them to be excellent. This is true about just about everything in life including our faith. If I am a person that wants to be excellent in my faith then I must be a person who has a strong burning desire to be excellent in my faith because such excellence is going to take time and effort. I must be a zealous person! This lesson looks at a few other reasons why we ought to be zealous for the Lord, and…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are some songs we sing that could be described as sermons set to music. We might think this because the songs were written in such a way that the lyrics convey messages that are so very clear that they might even be found within the lessons that we here from the pulpit on Sundays. One such song that might fit into this category is the song "Send The Light." This song might have been written over 100 years ago, but the message that we are teaching one another as we sing together is a message that we need to hear…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Every day that we have been given on this earth comes with its own set of unique circumstances, experiences, and even issues. However, there is one thing that is constant with every single day that we live and that is time. Every day marks another passsage of time, and we would do well to consider how it is that we approach the time that has been given to us. This lesson looks at four truths regarding time and concludes with three important takeaways.
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While the majority of Paul's writings could be described as very logically structured, the reality is that some people often see the letter of II Corinthians to not fit such a mold. Instead, we see Paul's writings in this letter to be a little all over the place and maybe even a bit out of order. This lesson looks at II Corinthians 5:1-6:2 in an attempted to iron out some of the extremely important teachings that can be found in these verses concerning what it means to be found in Christ so that we might be able to more fully…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
We would expect for those who are kings to only ever experience the best of the best in every respect. They would have the best food, clothing, and shelter, and they would have it all at the moment they ask for it. They would receive what we might refer to as the "royal treatment." However our King Jesus received no such things when He arrived on this earth. In fact, our King could easily be characterized by as the Suffering King because of everything that He was willing to endure on our behalf. This lesson looks at the sufferings of…
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
I don't believe that it was simply a coincidence that Paul began his letter to the divided church of Corinth by strongly rebuking and admonishing their divided nature. I am convinced that Paul knew that any other issues that they might have could not be remedied until the the whole church was unified upon a solid foundation. This lesson looks at Paul's instructions to the Corinthians concerning the needed foundation and things that would naturally grow out of them standing upon this strong foundation towards the goal of becoming an excellently unified church.
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
If we're all being honest then we have to admit that there are a large number of details concerning the return of Jesus and the resurrection that we simply cannot know from what is given to us in Scripture. However, this doesn't stop people from coming up with some pretty wild and crazy ideas of what they believe will take place. Don't believe me? Just go google what will happen at the end of time and your eyes will be opened to just how much liberty some people take when it comes to end of time events. Nonetheless, we are…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
All throughout the Bible we can find declarations that undeniably affirm the sovereignty of the God of heaven. Everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen only takes place because He has allowed for such things to be possible through everything which He provides. He is active among the happenings of this world, and that might lead us to wonder just how He is active in each of our own lives. How does God operate within our lives? How does He use us to accomplish His purposes? This lesson seeks to answer these questions, and we hope you'll give…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
It has been suggested by some that the destruction of the temple in the sixth century BC brought about a new era in God's relationship with His people. In their minds, the absence of the literal temple could only result in God's presence no longer dwelling among His people. However, it seems that the Apostle Paul would disagree with such thoughts. This lesson considers what Paul says in three separate instances in his letters to the Corinthian Christians concerning their need to remember that they were the new temples of the living God. What does it mean that we, as Christians, are…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
If there is a word that should be closely associated with Hebrews 11 besides the word "faith" then it must be the word "encouragement." This must be the case because all of the great name and unnamed men and women of faith are recorded in this text to show us that it is possible for the people of God to overcome the world and remain faithful to the Lord until the end. One of those giants of great faith that is not mentioned by name in this chaper is the prophet Isaiah. This man was able and willing to do some…
Series: Bible Lessons For Families Of All Shape & Sizes
Service: Special Study
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Greg Chandler
Series: Bible Lessons For Families Of All Shape & Sizes
Service: Special Study
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Greg Chandler
Series: Bible Lessons For Families Of All Shape & Sizes
Service: Special Study
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Greg Chandler
Series: Bible Lessons For Families Of All Shape & Sizes
Service: Special Study
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Greg Chandler
Series: Bible Lessons For Families Of All Shape & Sizes
Service: Special Study
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Greg Chandler
Series: Bible Lessons For Families Of All Shape & Sizes
Service: Special Study
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Greg Chandler
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Every now and then a well known preacher or religious figure will make a statement or statements that sends shockwaves through the religious community. Andy Stanely made some such remarks early last summer, and there are individuals that are still responding to his comments on the lack of need that New Testament Christians have for not just the Law of Moses but the Old Testament as a whole. This lesson will look at two extreme positions that can be taken in regards to how we view and use the Old Testament, and then it will suggest how we can be…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
A particular denomination recently made headlines for having to call a special conference to make a denomination-wide decision on what ought to be done on the subject of homosexual membership and leadership. After a few days of intense debate and discussion, it was decide through a vote that this denomination would continue to uphold God's clearly stated stance on the issue. While this type of process might seem normal to some, this lesson suggests that this process is foreign to the Scriptures. This lesson looks at the issues that arrise when this type of process is used, and it also…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Not all churches within the first century faced the same kinds of problems and difficulties. Sometimes they faced difficulties based upon the background of the disciples that made up the chruch, sometimes they faced difficutlies based upon the environment in which they found themselves, and then there was Corinth that faced basically every problem that could exist. Yes, Corinth was a very wordly city, but these brethren had Paul there with them for a full year and a half teaching them the Gospel and who they were expected to be in Christ. Unfortunately, they had some pretty significant issues that show…
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There is a concept referred to as nominative determinism that operates on the premise that what something is named can have an influence over what it becomes. This concept would find its evidence in meteorologists with the last names of Freeze, Storm, or Rainwaters; veterinarians with the last names of Pett and Furr; and even the fact that the guy preaching this lesson has the last name of Angel! All kidding aside, there just might be something to this whole concept especially when it comes to who we are in Christ. As we are striving to grow in our ability to…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While we often bemoan the racial tension that is present in our own society, the reality is that this problem is one that has been around for a very long time. Even within the first century there was a great divide among people depending on whether or not they were a descendant of Abraham. This was an issue that Jesus Himself encountered at times, but it was a Roman centurion who came to Him seeking His help that shows us the type of attitude that Jesus truly desires. This lesson looks at the faith of this nameless centurion and what it…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The church in Thessalonica was certainly a church that Paul had deep feels of love towards. He is extremely complimentary of their faiths in the first letter he writes to them, but it isn't very long at all before he realized the need to write to them again. What was included in this very quick follow-up letter to the Thessalonians? This lesson looks at what I noticed as I read through Second Thessalonians, how it ties into the first letter, and some good lessons for us to take away.
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The disciples that were established in Christ in the Macedonian city of Thessalonica were obviously very near and dear to the heart of the Apostle Paul. This is would only be a little strange for the fact that Paul spent so little time among them teaching and preaching. Yet regardless, Paul quite took to pen and paper so that he might encourage them in continuing to devote their lives to the living and true God of heaven. This lesson looks at some things that stood out to me and some lessons I concluded as I read through Paul's first letter to the…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As the congregation of Israel found themselves in the wilderness of Paran just on the doorstep of entering into the promised land, we would naturally think that the next chapter in their history would contain joyous accounts of them entering into the great rest given to them by Jehovah. Unfortunately, their habits of doubting, complaining, and rebelling against the plans of God once again showed up on the scene. This lesson looks at Israel's mistakes, Caleb's courage, and some important lessons that can help us to be courageous like Caleb so that we might be able to entering into God's…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
We often find ourselves living in a world of extremes, and this is the case when it comes to how we are told that we ought to interact with the world of nature that is around us. On one hand we have people who tell us that we ought to treat animals as equals and give every effort to save the earth because we are on the brink of destroying it. On the other hand we have folks to tell us that we have the right as top dogs in the food chain to do whatever we want when it…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
It is not uncommon for most of us to use the word "love" multiple times a day and in a variety of different contexts. I might say, "I love you" to my wife as I leave the house in the mornings, but then I might turn around and yell out, "I love this song!" as a favorite song comes on the radio in the car. Is it that I love my wife and a song in the same way? For my sake I better hope that isn't the case! Therefore, it is important for us to come to know what…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Many of Paul's writings were send to specific churches in specific cities, but the Letter to the Galatians was sent to multiple churches within the entire region of Galatia. It is my belief that this was done because each of these churches were facing similar issues that even Paul himself faced as he spent time among them establishing them in the faith of Jesus Christ. This lesson looks at some specfic aspects of this letter that stand out and the solutions that Paul believed would resolve the problems these Galatian brethren were facing very soon after his departure.
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Right on the heels of Paul's admonitions for the Thessalonians to continue to excel still more in eveything they were doing, we find Paul's admonitions narrowed to their need to be sanctified in their lives. The specific issue centered on sexual immorality, but we can easily expand the scope of our need for sanctification to all temptations and sin that might come our way. This lesson looks at five keys that will aid us in our efforts to be excellent in our ability to overcome temptation and sin.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Many of us might take a look at the world around us and be left shaking our heads at the wickedness that is seemingly growing worse and worse as the days go by. We might even take those thoughts a step further and wonder if there have ever been days so dark as the ones we are living in. The answer to that question would have to be a resounding, "yes!". There have been many dark days in the history of mankind, and the Bible even gives us some details concerning the darkest of days in man's history. This lesson…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As people of faith, we are well aware that our faith comes from hearing and that hearing is of the Word of God. We are confident that the Bible is what it claims to be: The inspired Word of God. We are confident that it is able to teach us, convict us, correct us, and intruct us in all of the ways of God. We are confident that is is authentic based upon the myriad of internal and external evidence surrounding it veracity. To discount the entirety of Scripture would simply be irresponsible. However, there are some who might point to…
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As a person who grew up playing sports and enjoying video games, I knew that there were always goals that I could look forward to as I competed. In sports the goal was to be the best team and improve in my skils. With the video games, I knew there was a final boss to beat or a storyline that I had to accomplish. In almost any competition or endeavor there is a goal to achieve and a finish line to cross. These same principles are also true of our faiths. There is a finish line that we are trying…
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
If we are striving to be like the blessed man in Psalm 1 then that demands that we give continual devotion to God's Word. Through meditating upon His Word day and night, we will be made stronger in our faiths and we will come to understand His will for us more fully. This will allow for us to be able to see big picture ideas that are found within the different books and letters that make up the Bible. This first daily Bible reading lesson of 2019 looks at what I noticed as I read through the Letter of James.
Series: 2019 Daily Bible Reading: NT Letters
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In 2019 our congregation will be reading daily through the New Testament Letters. This Daily Bible Reading Schedule was created to building upon the reading of the Gospels and Acts from 2018. Many of the disciples that were established in the Book of Acts are revisited in the New Testament Letters, and this lesson seeks to show the importance and value that these inspired writings ought to have within our minds. We hope you'll read and study the New Testament Letters with us in 2019!
Series: 2019 Focus: Excelling Still More
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As is the tradition of this local church, there will be a yearly focus for 2019 which will build upon the efforts that were put forth in 2018. For an entire year, we focused on how we could grow as disciples and a local church through considerations of the Gospels and the book of Acts. Through our efforts we were able to come to know more about Jesus, His expections for His followers, and His desires for the church He gave His life to purchase. With such a foundation laid in 2018, we are seeking to build upon this foundation in…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
If you were to spend any amount of time around the Apostle Paul then you could almost certainly make the claim that you were well aware of the Gospel story and your need for obedience. The governor of Judea, Felix, kept Paul within his custody for two years, but unfortunately the Scripture reveals to us that he continually delayed any sort of positive response to the Gospel. This lesson looks at what Luke records for us concerning Paul's interactions with Felix, the governor's delaying, and some important lessons we can learn from this story within the book of Acts.
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The narrative that takes place between Acts 21:17 and the end of Acts 26 very clearly shows us the conviction that Paul possessed in the Gospel through his willingness to be dragged from place to place over and over again sharing his story and testimony of his efforts in the Gospel. No matter who Paul was put before, he simply spoke of Jesus's love, grace, and power, and there is much that we can learn from his strong example. This lesson takes a look at Paul's final testimony before king Agrippa and three important lessons that can help us to…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
It is the time of year when many people and even many churches are focused on celebrating the birth of Jesus. However, here at Pleasant Plains we have not planned any sort of special celebration. That might prompt some questions from others such as, "Do you not think that Jesus's birth is important? Do you not think that the birth of Jesus matters?" These are legitmate questions that deserve to be answered, and I am convinced we can answer these questions from Scripture. This lesson seeks to show that the birth of Jesus is absolutely important, and then it finishes up by…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The Apostle Paul seemingly spent a fair amount of time behind bars. No, it wasn't because he was breaking the law, but it was because people often took offense to the work he was doing in the ministry of the Gospel. However, Paul wasn't one who was going to allow for difficult circumstances to hinder or stop him from continuing to use every situation in the best way he could. This is especially true during his imprisonment in Philippi. This lesson looks at the night that a jailer, two prisoners, and an earthquake came together and how lives were changed…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are many Biblical characters that are spoken of in glowing terms, but few of them come with the reputation of king David. The young David slew the wicked giant Goliath. As king he restored Jerusalem, the Ark, and defeated the heathen armies. He was so faithful to the Lord that he was referred to as a man after God's own heart. All of these things are true, but his mistakes with Bathsheba are also true. Sure David wasn't perfect. He had his fair share of shortcomings, but godly men aren't supposed to fail in the manner in which he…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Throughout the book of the Acts of the Apostles, we find the Gospel finding its way into the hearing and minds of many different people from many different places and from many different backgrounds. These people had varying levels of knowledge and faith concerning Jesus and the Gospel, and sometimes the Gospel had a great impact on them while other times the Gospel was of no affect. This lesson looks at the very encouraging interaction that took place between Apollos and Aquila and Priscilla when they realized that he had an incomplete knowledge of Jesus and the Gospel.
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Romans 12:1-2 teaches us that part of becoming transformed within our minds is the fact that we will no longer seek our own will, but instead we will seek to find out what is the will of God in all that we do. However, what exactly does it take to determine what is God's will on any particular subject or question? This lessons looks to a great example of a group of peopel doing this very thing in Acts 15:1-31.
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Throughout the New Testament the topic of unity is discussed at great length becuase it is of the utmost importance for great success to be experienced by any group or body. If there is disunity then more than likely there will be factions and groups pulling in different directions which will cause for any progress to be hindered. Therefore, unity is commanded among God's people. However, what does this unity look like and exaclty how much does it help? To answer these questions, this lesson looks to the Old Testament story of the people who sought to build a great…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While there are some disputable aspects of the Christian faith that we simply have to study and grasp as best we can, there are other subjects that are clearly spelled out within Scripture that serve as the foundation for the faith that unites all believers of God. One such subject revolves around God Himself and how He is the one true God and Father of all. This foundational pillar of Christianity can be found in Ephesians 4:6, and this lesson centers around who this God is and what that demands of us.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are many issues within our society that might leave us scratching our heads and wondering how such an issue is even an issue to begin with. However, instead of just brushing the issue aside because of our perception of it not being that big of a deal, we would do well to take time to examine the issue and learn why it is an issue and what can be done to help remedy it. An example of such an issue would be that of the gender idenity crisis that is gaining more and more traction in our society, today.…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are numerous conversion stories that take place throughout the book of the Acts of the Apostles, and not all of them look alike. Some were mass conversions, some were of households, and others were single individuals. Yet what we see in all of these stories is the process that these individuals had to go through in order to turn their lives around and become true disciples of Jesus. This lesson looks at the conversion of Simon from Acts 8 and what we can learn from his story.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
This upcoming Thursday marks the day when many of us will sit down around a table and feast while expressing thanksgiving for the many blessings that we enjoy in this life. For many of us, this is one of the most cherished days of our year because we recognize just how well good food and communion with loved ones goes together. And yet there is a meal that disciples share every first day of the week that comes with an extreme amount of meaning that should fill us with all sorts of emotions. This lesson looks at what we are…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In Luke 18:9-14, we find Jesus sharing a parable with those who trusted in themselves and were self-righteous. While the primary focus might be on our general disposition, I believe we can also look at this parable and draw some specific applications as to how we approach our daily prayers in regards to the attitude and mindset we possess. This lesson looks at what a proper prayerful mindset cannot include, and then we turn around and look at what a prayerful mindset demands of us.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While we might sometimes be wary of the way we approach the penitent thief on the cross because of the way he is sometimes misused and abused, the reality is that this man showed a tremendous change of heart that results in a great example of faith. This lesson looks at how we should strive to have a faith that is more like the faith that is seen in the penitent thief that hung on the cross besides our Lord Jesus Christ.
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The fortunes of the early church could truly be described as a mixed bag. They had great success on Pentecost and in the efforts of the Apostles and disciples in preaching and teaching, but there were also some difficulties that were faced. One of the greatest difficulties faced would have been the stoning death of the disciple Stephen. This lesson looks at the circumstances surronding his death and some lessons we can learn from it.
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In a world where we are seemingly be served on every side, it shouldn't surprise us that people approach the church body as simply another service organization that has been established to scratch our itches and appease our desires. However, this is clearly not what the church of the New Testament is described as being. This lesson looks at how the "Consumer Church" mentality is manifested, and then it finishes up by looking at what it actually means to be a part of a local church.
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As we begin on the homestretch of this year's daily Bible reading schedule, we took some time this past Sunday night to focus on some major themes that can be found within the book of the Acts of the Apostles. This lesson looks at the Gospel, the Holy Spirit, the Apostles, the church's early growth, and even the sufferings of some of the saints to paint a strong and clear picture for what one can expect from reading through this tremendous part of the New Testament story.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Jesus, the master teacher, often taught in various ways. One such teaching tactic was to compare and contrast. This might be exactly what Jesus is doing in Mark 12:38-44 when Mark goes from His rebukes of the scribes to His swelling words of commendation for the widow who gave an offering of two small copper coins to the treasury of the temple. This lesson looks at what impressed Jesus so much about this woman and some important lesson we, too, can learn from her.
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As Paul made his way around the known world of his day seeking to expand the borders of the Lord's church, we find him not only finding great success, but we also find him having to overcome various obstacles to those successes. The reality is that our efforts of taking the Gospel to those of the world will be met by various obstacles that must be overcome. This lesson seeks to identify and address how to overcome three outward obstacles that seek to block our efforts in growing and strengthening the church.
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Even though we see great success and growth being experienced by the disciples who made up the early church, we must note that such success and growth didn't come without their share of obstacles. Social, religious, and practical obstacles had to be overcome, and we in much the same way face our own obstacles as we seek to grow as individual disciples who make up the Lord's churches. This lesson focuses on four inward obstacles that we will face and must overcome if we want to see that same sort of success and growth replicated in our own lives.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are many portions of the story of Jesus's betrayal and execution that could fill us with a sense of frustration and anger. We could be upset with Judas. We could be upset with the Jews. We could be upset with Pilate. We could even find ourselves upset with Barabbas for getting a second chance at life that he wasn't deserving of. However, this lesson looks at how we have much more in common with Barabbas than what we might first think.
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
No one can read the entirety of Scripture and come away with any thought other than the fact that the God of heaven is an extremely patience God who is full of mercy, compassion, and lovingkindness. He daily extends mercy to us and is patient with us in our many weaknesses. He even sent His only Son to die on a cross for the opporutnity for sinful man to be reconciled back to him. However, that doesn't mean that God does not exercise justice. It does not mean that He isn't willing to offer rebuke or chastisement. We can see…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Multiple times in the New Testament we find inspired writers telling the readers of the great value that is found within the writings of the Old Testament. Those stories show us great examples of people who were faithful to God and the blessings they enjoyed. However, we also find examples of individuals who were not faithful toGod and the downfalls they experienced. This lesson looks at one such downfall that can be found within the life of king Saul.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Although Paul states in Ephesians 4:5 that there is one baptism that ought to unite all believers in Christ, the reality is that there is great disagreement on the subject of baptism among those who claim Christ. The disagreements range from who should be baptized, why they should be baptized, and even how they should be baptized. This lesson looks at many different aspects of baptism in order to determine which baptism of the New Testament is the one baptism of Ephesians 4:5.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Both Peter and Paul make it extrememly clear that this life we are living is a spiritual battle against the evil one who is known as the devil. He seeks to devour our souls so that we might be lead to spiritual ruin. In his book "The Art Of War", Sun Tzu wrote, "If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." The meaning of this quote is that if we will come to know the strategies and schemes of the devil then we will find ourselves with an advantage in…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are only so many parables that have been recorded for us in Scripture, and it can be easy for us to read them time and time again while only rehashing the same thoughts that we have had all of the previous times we have read them. Therefore, it can be a real treat to see something that might not have been seen before that leads to a new angle and perspective on the way we understand or apply one of Jesus's parables. This lesson does that very thing by looking at the parable of the sower in a new…
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As one reads through the book of the Acts of the Apostles, it is nearly impossible to not be impressed with the tremendous success that was being experienced by the Apostles and the earliest of disciples. The message of God and the kingdom of heaven was being heard by so many, and people were being added to the body of Christ day by day. It would be a logical for us to ask the question, "What were these people doing that caused such great success?" We might fall back on the fact that they were working hand in hand with…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are many times throughout the Bible that writers and characters used the teaching method of comparison and contrast to help the listeners and readers to learn valuable lessons. This lesson does that very thing with two men who are recorded very close together in Luke's account of the Gospel. In chapter 18 we are introduced to a rich ruler who had a conversation with Jesus, and then in Luke 19 we meet a small man named Zaccheus who had a tremendous opportunity to spend time with our Lord. This lesson looks at some ways in which these men were…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Paul was a man who put tremendous stock and value in the Gospel and it's message. This was the case because he understood that salvation could only be found in God through the Gospel. The fact that salvation and the goodness of God could be found in the Gospel should bring much joy and excited to those who come in contact with the Gospel, and yet that isn't always the case. Why is that? This lesson looks at some of the more unappealing portions of the Gospel that serve as roadblocks to some who hear it, and it considers what…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The parable that Jesus speaks in Luke 18:1-8 probably is one that we can relate to in some form or fashion. The sad truth is that some people are just cruel. They are so self-centered that they care for no one but themselves...even those who are the most helpless. This lesson looks at the cold-hearted nature of the judge and the persistence of the widow that teaches us really important lessons about God and ourselves.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In Ephesians 4:1-6, we read of Paul's admonitions that all disciples be busy preserving the unity of the Spirit. In order for their to be unity among all believers, Paul lays down seven pillars that are to serve as the foundation of what disciples are to believe and live by. Arguably the most important of these pillars is the one faith that Paul mentions in verse 5. This lesson looks at what this faith includes and why it is so crucial to the spiritual health of believers in all places across all times.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
It should be a very natural thing for parents to pray for their children. On a daily basis parents pray for their children's health, growth, and success among many other things, and that doesn't stop once they begin school. In fact, the prayers just keep on coming because parents will then add prayers for good grades, good behavior, good friends, and so much more. However, parents who are disciples of Jesus ought to also put great emphasis on praying for their children's spiritual wellbeing. This lesson looks at 4 things parents can be praying for on behalf of their students…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
One of the greatest dangers that face disciples of Jesus is the temptation to just go along with the flow of the world. This is a danger because the Bible shows us that God's people have always been called to be different from the world around them. This lesson looks at just how it is that disciples are to be different, what is needed in order for them to be different, and what the reward will be for giving great effort to fulfill this important desire of God.
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While some of the parables of Jesus center around every day happenings that don't stir up too much emotion, there are some parables that leave us shaking our head. One such parable is probably the parable of the foolish rich man from Luke 12. This lesson looks at this parable of Jesus, considers what it was about this man that made him a fool, and then finishes up with two important lessons for the listen to take home.
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While we might not like to think about it, the reality is that each of us will one day pass on from this earth. What this means is that the roles that we currently play within the church will be left open, so who will step up to fulfill those roles? The answer is obvioulsy those who are coming up after us, but what are we doing to help prepare them for the season of their lives? This lesson looks at the idea of replacing myself and why it is so important for disciples to take a serious look at…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The story of the prodigal son is one that we are all probably very familiar with. When we consider this story most of our attention is usually put on the son, his mistakes, and his coming to his senses. However, this lesson not only looks at what can be learned from the younger son about sin, but it also looks at some important lessons about grace and ourselves that can be learned from a consideration of the dad and the older son.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The hope that we have as Christians is that which drives and motivate us towards the future. Our God has extended to us many amazing promises of what awaits us in the future, and that day in which we take hold of those promises will be the day in which the difficulties of this life will be made seen as completely worthwhile. This lesson talks about those promises of God that we hope for, and what it means for us as we live in this life right now.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Often when we use the word hope in our everyday vocabulary, we use it in a way that doesn't mean much more than wishful thinking. Therefore, it can become easy for us to approach our hope as disciples as nothing more than wishful thinking for what might happen in the future. If we're being honest, we must ask how wishful think can actually help us to overcome the difficulties of life. Therefore, we must conclude that the Christian's hope is more than wishful thinking. This lesson examines the true nature of the one true hope of the disciple's calling and…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While there are some parables of Jesus that might seem difficult to accurately grasp the lesson He wants us to take away, there are others that are pretty plain and quite simple to understand. One such parable that seems pretty straight forward is the parable of the unmerciful slave from Matthew 18:23-35. It doesn't take much guesswork for us to figure out Jesus's points with this parable, but we gain so much more when we consider the verses leading up to the parable because they truly set the stage for what Jesus shares. This lesson looks at this powerful parable and…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
It can be a real temptation for us, in our daily readings of Scripture, to just skim quickly through the text without stopping to give a proper consideration to those things that we have just read. Especially in our busy lives with all of the different parts of life fighting for our time and attention, we can fail to give God's Word the proper attention that it demands. This lesson takes a look at the need for meditating upon the Word of God. We consider what it means to meditate, what it looks like, why it's important, and the benefits…
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In Hebrews 5:11-14, we find the inspired writer delivering a strong rebuke to the recipients for their lack of spiritual growth. It seems obvious that he expected for them to have grown spiritually, but that had not happened because they had become "dull of hearing." Basically, these disciples had become disinterested in spiritual things, and this had lead to their lack of growth. These disciples needed to have their zeal reignited, and it might be that at times in our lives we find ourselves in the same position. This lesson looks at the need to be zealous for growth, how…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
If we were ranking he most fascinating chapters in the Gospel accounts from the standpoint of amazing things taking place, then Mark 5 would have to be up there with the best of them. In this single chapter we find Jesus healing a demon possessed man, the woman with a twelve year long hemorrhage being healed just by touching the clothes of Jesus, and our Lord raising a little girl from the dead. What amazement must have been present within the minds of the individuals! However, that amazement only appeared after these individuals came to Jesus in the most desperate…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
When I hold my phone in my hand, I am holding more technological power than collective generations before me could ever dream of, and as the great uncle Ben once said, "With great power comes great responsibility." For disciples of Jesus this is especially true because we are expected to do all things to the glory of God. Knowing this, we ought to be mindful of our usage of technology and the impact that it has on our lives. This lesson considers all of these issues as we seek to be disciples who are wisely using the technology that is…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
All throughout the Bible we find redemption pouring forth from its pages. It truly is a book that can give hope to the one who has sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Men like David, Peter, and Paul all failed to live up to God's standard of holiness and righteousness, and yet they found forgiveness for their mistakes. However, these men can sometimes be difficult to relate to because we find ourselves very different from them for various reasons. There is a man of the New Testament, though, that nearly all of us should be able to relate to…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Much of Jesus's ministry was spent focusing on preparing the people for the kingdom of heaven which was at hand and shortly to be a reality. In order to prepare the people, we find Jesus often speaking of the kingdom through the use of parables. We find a number of such parables in Matthew 13, and this lesson focuses on some lessons that we can learn from these parables told by our Lord.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The story of Job is one that many of us know so well. A good and blameless man was cursed by the great tempter. His children were taken, his property was stripped from him, and his own body was ravaged. On top of it all, his friends spoke to him as if he had brought all of his misery upon himself through sinful actions. Job must certainly have been frustrated by these strong accusations that were being brought against himself, and he finally pauses to consider the type of man that would be worthy of his misfortune in Job 31. This…
Series: VBS 2018
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
From our youngest of days we can all probably remember singing "Jesus Loves Me" together with other students in our Bible classes. Surely if there was a vote for the most popular children's song of all time it would win by a wide margin. Yet, it isn't so popular just because of its simplicity or catchy tune, but this well known song is so popular because it contains strong spiritual truths that should be learned from the earliest of ages. This lesson looks at the song "Jesus Loves Me" and considers four great truths that are contained within its lyrics.
Series: VBS 2018
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
It can be easy to look at the world around us and convince ourselves that Satan has the upperhand in the battle for men's souls. There are so many people who have turned their backs upon God and seek only to serve self and ultimately Satan. However, we must remember that it is the Lord our God who truly has the upperhand and the power over Satan. This lesson looks specifically at Jesus's power over Satan. He has shown us His power, He is showing His power, and He will show His ultimate power over Satan in the last day. Hope…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
The message often preached by Jesus and His Apostles was simply, "repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" This message was the means by which others would know what it was that God desired of them, and yet how much could these thirteen men do by themselves? It is no wonder then that Jesus would often speak of His disciples being the salt and light of the earth, and it is no wonder that Jesus would speak parables concerning the sowing of the word of God and how the recipients would react. This lesson focuses on that parable of…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Having worked at a grocery store for a few years, I have developed the habit of wishing others a good day. Sadly, not everyone that I wished a good day to would actually go on to have a good day. In fact, we all have bad days from time to time, and that means that we are the ones that are going to have to make good days every now and then. This lesson looks at why bad days happen and what we can do to make them better.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Each year on the last Monday of May this country observes the holiday of Memorial Day. This day has been established and set aside as a day in which citizens of the United States should pause to remember those men and women to gave their lives in an effort to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. This type of day of remembrance is necessary because we are often a forgetful people, and that is something that has been true for a very long time. This lesson looks at ways in which God has established reminders to help…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
No one would claim that the Pharisees were fans of Jesus, but the reality is that the Pharisees were not fans of many people outside of themselves. This is why we find them reacting so poorly when they find Jesus gathered in the house of Matthew the tax collector sharing a meal with other tax collectors and sinners. They strongly scoff at what Jesus is doing, but our Lord responds with equal conviction as He states that these were exactly the type of people He had been sent to save. This lesson looks at Jesus as the great Physician, the…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In Ephesians 4:4-6 we are introduced to seven foundational principles that are pillars to the Christian faith. We would hope that those things mentioned in these verses are those things that most people claiming Christ actually agree upon, but sadly that isn't exactly the case. Maybe no greater example of this can be pointed to than that of the one Spirit that Paul mentions. So many people disagree on who or what the Holy Spirit is. They disagree on how it is that He has worked and works today. They disagree on just about everything possible. This lesson seeks to…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
You may be familiar with the term stolen valor. If you are familiar then you know this is the term used to describe what someone has done with they wear the uniform or dress uniform of a branch of the military without ever having actually served in the military. To those who are currently inlisted or who are veterans of the military this action of an imposter is quite infuriating, and we can understand why. That person has stolen that which must be earned through hard work and sacrifice. While this matters greatly to a great many people, what should…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
There are many differences that can be pointed out between the way that man thinks and the way that God thinks, but probably one of the most obviously differences is the way men judge as opposed to how God judges. While men judge by outwards appearences and such, God chooses to judge based upon what is of much greater importance and that is what truly matters...the heart. We learn this valuable truth when Nathan goes to choose the next king of Israel from the household of Jessie, and it is important for us to be a people who judge in…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
We have all probably heard or read Jesus's parable of the wise man and foolish man many times, but have you ever considered the fact that we, too, are in the house building business? Each and everyone of us has the opportunity in this life to build up within ourselves strong spirual houses of faith. We know that the storms will come, and therefore it is up to us through the strength and provisions of our Lord to build up strong houses brick by brick. This lesson looks at this parable and considers some simple yet powerful lessons that we…
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Throughout the ministry of Jesus we find different instances of individuals either coming to Jesus or being called by Jesus to be His disciples. There were some, like the eventual Apostles, who dropped everything they were doing and followed Jesus right then and there. Then there were others who didn't seem nearly as eager to leave it all to go and follow the Lord. This lesson looks at three of those hesitant followers from Luke 9:57-62 as we consider the all in nature of true discipleship.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
When one looks out around the Christian community it becomes very obvious very quickly that there are great dividisions that exists. The divisions within the Christian world fly in the face of what Paul describes as being God's design for all believers. In Ephesians 4:4, Paul says that there is one body, yet what is this one body? This lessons looks to answer this question while also looking at God's and Jesus's greatest desires for this one body and how those things can become a reality.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While this world comes with its fair share of worries and cares that can cause us to be anxious, the Apostle Paul admonishes the Philippians to be a people who rejoice at all times and allow the peace of God for fill their hearts. Was Paul naive to the worries of this world? How could he expect for others to always rejoice in this life? This lesson looks at some of the blessings given to us by God that allows for His children to live lives that are not overrun with worry and anxiety, so that we can truly be…
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Just as there were some who distorted the the pure Gospel of Jesus in the church in Galatia in the first century, so are there some who distort pure discipleship of Jesus in the 21st century. Where Jesus demands that we take up our cross and follow Him, some today say that we just need to be a part of a local church and be in attendance on at least a semi-regular basis. This lesson looks at this type of distorted view of discipleship, which is termed "Churchianity", in order to highlight its issues and stress the importance of true…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As Paul says in response to a hypothetical question as to whether or not disciples ought to continue in sin so that grace might abound all the more, "May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" God expects for His people to be a people of holiness and righteousness. This would be much easier to achieve if not for the work of Satan in tempting us to sin against our good God. This lesson looks at the tempations of Satan and lessons we can learn about him and our responses to his temptations…
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
One of the greatest hindrances to our growth of discipleship is the weight of the chains of sin upon our shoulders. The guilt of sin can be a great roadblock to our moving forward in service and dedication to God, so it is important that we take diligent steps to rid ourselves of the sin that might be present within our lives. This lesson looks as to why we should be motivated to break the chains of sins and then how we can actually accomplish this worthwhile effort.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While there are some things we might not know about the letter to the Hebrews, we can quickly figure out what was on his mind as he wrote. One of the first things he addresses is the need for the recipients to make sure they were paying close attention to their faiths so that they would not drift away or neglect the great salvation they had obtained from God. This lesson looks at three specifc things that the Hebrew writer says disciples must be sure to do if they want to avoid the neglecting of their salvation. Apologies for the late…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As Jesus and John are preparing to making their ways into the world, their parents find themselves experiencing times of great uncertainty. Zacharias and Elizabeth find themselves expecting John long after the usual age of child bearing, not to mention that Elizabeth has been barren all of her life. Joseph and Mary find themselves in the midst of possible scandal with Mary becoming pregnant without ever coming together with a man. For both couples these were difficult and quite confusing days, yet they were able to make it through because of their faiths. This lesson looks at how their faiths…
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In Matthew 16, we find Jesus asking His Apostles who men thought Him to be. They give varying answers, but then Jesus gets to the real question, "Who do you say that I am?" This question asked by Jesus is a question that each of us must ask ourselves, but more importantly we must answer this question for ourselves. This lesson looks at the implications of this question and its answers in regards to our discipleship. We cannot follow Jesus as He deserves to be followed if we don't truly know Him as He truly is.
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In the battle for our souls, we must recognize Satan as a strong opponent. His is crafty and will show no mercy as he seeks to turn our hearts against God. While God seeks to help us in this battle through zeal, conviction, and strong leadership, Satan is looking to kill our spiritual growth through deploying weapons of his own. This lesson looks at four growth killers that Satan looks to put in our lives so that we will become easier opponents to destroy.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As Jesus is preparing to endure great evil at the hands of godless men, He takes some time to prepare His closest disciples for the difficult days ahead. While He wants to encourage them, He also wants to strongly remind them of the place He must have within their lives. When Jesus declares Himself as "the true vine," He is making strong statements concerning what they would face, what He expects of them, and how they could live up to His expectations. This lesson looks at Jesus's final "I Am" statement in John's Gospel as we seek to understand what…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
With our church family beginning our reading through the synoptic Gospels this week, we took some time to consider a couple of questions that usually come up when there is consideration of Matthew, Mark, & Luke. There are some who would question the need for multiple Gospel accounts, and there are even other who would draw attention to any number of alleged inconsistencies and contradictions found within the synoptics. This lesson looks at the questions and seeks to give clear and logical answers.
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul establishes seven foundations pillars of the Christian faith. One of these pillars is the belief that there is but one Lord. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to accept that there is but one Lord, Jesus of Nazareth. To some, this might not seem like something of great consequence to some, but the reality is that this belief in Jesus as Lord is of the utmost importance. We must believe that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. This lesson looks at this belief and establishes why it is so important and how we can be so…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
It is almost like clockwork. When a terrible tragedy occurs, very soon after will come out the well wishes from people of all kinds as they send their thoughts and prayers to the victims of the tragedy. While these well wishes are often quite sincere and well meaning, there are some who would attack these comments by saying they are empty and worthless. They would say that these thoughts and prayers mean nothing because they are being offered up to nothing. The question we want to consider is, are these people right? Do our thoughts and prayers not matter at…
Series: "I AM" Statements Of Jesus
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In the midst of a pep talk of sorts that Jesus is giving to His closest disciples, the Apostles, Jesus tries to reassure their hearts by letting them know that they know the way in which to get to where He is going. Thomas responds by saying that they didn't even know where He was going, so how could they know the way? Jesus then replies with one of His famous "I Am" statements when He says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father but through Me." Many people know this…
Series: Face To Face With Jesus
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While Jesus truly loves all people, He like us had people who He was closest to. Some of those people whom He loved the most were Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary. In John 11, we find these sisters sending word to Jesus that His beloved friend Lazarus was sick. Soon after he passes from this life, but the story doesn't end with Lazarus staying in the grave. This lesson looks at Martha and Mary's face to face encounter with Jesus and what they came away understanding about Jesus.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
One of the main focuses of Jesus's conversation with the multitudes in Jerusalem was to show them the failure of those who sought to be their leaders. The Pharisees and other Jewish leaders had failed as the shepherds of Israel. We find Jesus in John 10:1-18, Jesus setting Himself up as the true door and good shepherd of His sheep. This lesson considers what it means about this world, Jesus, and ourselves when Jesus says that He is the door and the good shepherd.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In the midst of His prolongued conversation with the Jews in Jerusalem, Jesus pronounced His second "I Am" statment by declaring that He is the light of the world. In saying such a thing, we recognize that Jesus is proclaiming truths about this world, Himself, and our need for Him. This lesson looks at this statement of Jesus and considers the truths that we must take away from it.
Series: Face To Face With Jesus
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In John 6, Jesus finds Himself as the center of attention for a great multitude of people. Concerned for their needs, He uses miraculous means in order to feed them, and this only leads them to seek Him all the more. Once they find Jesus again, instead of Him receiving them with open arms, Jesus rebukes them for only focusing on the bread which would leave them hungry for more. This face to face conversation between Jesus and the multitude would leave them realizing some deep truths concerning Jesus, who He was, and what they needed to do in response.
Series: Face To Face With Jesus
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In John 1:43-51, we find our Lord Jesus coming face to face with a man named Nathanael. As we'll see in this lesson, this face to face encounter almost did happen because of a presumption held by Nathanael. Thankfully, He was able to get past this presumption so that he could have his life changed by coming face to face with the Son of God, the King of Israel.
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In Romans 1:16-17, we find Paul putting a strong focus on the Gospel. In fact, Paul states that he was both eager to preach and unashamed of the good news of what God has done for mankind, but what exactly is that good news? What constitutes the Gospel of God? This lesson seeks to give a strong examination of the Gospel so that we might come to know that which ought to be the foundation of our faith in God.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In Revelation 21:8, we find John giving a list of the different types of people who will find themselves experiencing the second death if they continue in this type of behavior without repenting. For the most part, these people will not have much to say as far as protesting their eternal fate. Those who kill, live immorally, and continually lie cannot expect to live in the presence of a holy God for all eternity. When they find themselves in hell, they will have to admit that this was to be expected. However, this lesson suggests that there might well be…
Series: Face To Face With Jesus
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In John 4, we find Jesus having a conversation with someone that, in the minds of others, He should've never conversed with. Yet, Jesus is willing to sit down and have this conversation with this Samaritan woman because He had something to offer that she was in great need of. This lesson looks at this conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well to see how it was that this woman was changed from her face to face encounter with the Messiah.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As disciples of Jesus, we understand well that if we want to be strong and successful in our faiths then we must be a people who are in and who know the Word of God. I don't think I have ever met a Christian who just flat out thought he or she could be strong without knowing God's Word. However, we recognize that knowing God's Word is much easier said than done because true knowledge of the Word takes great diligence and effort to get in it, dig around, and gain knowledge and understanding. Sadly, there are some times when…
Series: Face To Face With Jesus
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In the first chapter of John's Gospel, we see Nathanael and Philip coming to Jesus. As they approach, Jesus calls out to Nathanael, and Nathanael is astounded by Jesus's ability to know him without having ever met him before. From this alone, Nathanael is convinced that this man, Jesus of Nazareth, must be the Son of God, the King of Israel. What we come to see is that coming face to face with Jesus will change a person. When we come face to face with Jesus, we will come to see and realize things that we didn't know or understand…
Series: 2018 Daily Bible Reading (Gospels & Acts)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
If we were to put the four Gospels side by side, very quickly we would recongize that one of these doesn't quite fit. The Gospel of John just does not look like the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Unlike the other Gospels, John's account focuses on a very specific aspect of Jesus Christ, and that focus is on is His deity. For the next couple of months, our congregation will be reading through the Gospel of John, and this lesson seeks to prepare us for the reading of such and what that reading should do within us.
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
This year, our congregation has taken on the task of growing mightily and prevailing. We want to grow in our knowledge of Jesus, our discipleship, and our efforts in sharing the Gospel. These are our goals, but are we actually willing to put in the effort to achieve the desired growth? This lesson looks at three additional questions that will hopefully motivate us to seek growth in our lives as disciples.
Series: 2018 Growing Mightily & Prevailing
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Paul's time in Ephesus could be summed up in a single word...productive. Through his efforts those who had only known the baptism of John were baptized into Christ, people were being healed, magic books were being burned, and people were so affected by Paul's work in the kingdom that they wanted to run him out of town. In fact, Lukes recollection of what took place in Paul is summed up in him writing that "the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing." For 2018, this church will focus our attention towards this idea of growing mightily and prevailing,…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
For many, the holiday season is a favorite time of the year. Holiday parties, time with family, and many other activities all create a time of excitement, enjoyment, and fun. However, what about those Christians who some believe to be "sticks in the mud" because their faith and religion and all of its rules keep them from having fun? What are these people supposed to do? Can Christians have fun during the holiday? Can they live lifes that involve excitement, joy, and fun? This lesson seeks to answer these questions as we consider the Lord's will for us in how…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
One of the most significant recordings of Scripture must be what is said in John 1:14. "The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us..." These words carry with it such significance because this occurence set off a chain of events that ultimately culminated in the opportunity for mankind to be delivered from the punishment that was due them because of their sins. This lesson looks at the birth of Christ, the life He lived, and the way He died in order to recognized just how connected and intertwined both the incarnation and death of our Savior must be. Yes, He…
Series: 2017 Daily Bible Reading (Wisdom Literature)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
King David was not only a mighty warrior, but he is also known for being a man of music. Upon his death, the Scriptures refer to David as the "sweet Psalmist of Israel." Out of the last sixteen Psalms in the Psalter, seven are attributed to having been written by David. Psalm 145 is a Psalm that gives us insight into the mind of David and how we view praise towards God. This lesson looks at how David believed praise should be offered up to God from mankind, and it also details why it is that the God of heaven…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As each year draws to a close, we often take some time to look back over the year and self-reflect. This is a good and useful practice for all people, and this is especially true for disciples of Jesus. At the end of the year, it is a good time for us to look back and see if we have grown. This lesson looks at why we should be asking ourselves this important question, and what it means for us moving forward.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Earlier in this year, Vice President Mike Pence came under harsh criticism when his practice of not dining alone with women other than his wife came to be known. Many saw this as sexist and viciously attacked him for his prudence and caution. While the reaction was most unfortunate, let's recognizet that this type of response to good behavior is not anything new. In I Peter, the Apostle Peter addresses the problem of disciples being attacked and reviled for simply living good lives of godliness and righteousness. This lesson focuses on why this takes place and how the Christian can…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In Colossians 2:12, we come to understand very clearly that there is a powerful working of God that is present when an individual puts their faith in Jesus and submits to be immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins. That person is washed of their sins by the blood of Jesus, and at this point it is time for their lives to take a change of direction and change in purpose. However, it also needs to be said that there are some things that don't happen when we are baptized in faith for the forgiveness of sins. This lesson focues on…
Series: 2017 Daily Bible Reading (Wisdom Literature)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As the people of Israel made their way of the incline towards Jerusalem for their yearly feasts, they would often sing songs that played upon different characteristics displayed by Jerusalem. One well known aspect of the city of David is that it was a stronghold and a fortress for those who resided within it. It was no small task to go up against Jerusalem in battle, and the sentiment of Psalm 125 is that we too can be strong like Mount Zion in our faiths. This lesson focuses on how that can be done and the strength in which we…
Series: 2017 Focus: Seeking Wisdom From Above
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
After a year of focus on God's wisdom from above, we concluded our studies by considering the tremendous blessings that come from submitting ourselves to His wisdom. Possibly no other portion of the Bible more aptly details such blessings than what is written in the first Psalm. This lesson considers Psalm 1 and the blessings that come as a result of living a life guided by the wisdom of God.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
One of the unfortunate consequences of being fallible creatures, is that we sometimes fail to live up to God's higher standards and we sin against one another. When this takes place, we somtimes might want to naturally respond to the evil done to us with further evil. However, the Apostle Paul instructs us that we are not to return evil with evil, but we are to overcome evil with good. So what is the good way in which we are respond to a situation in which sin has been committed against us? This lesson seeks to answer that question by considering…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
One of the things that each of us will experience at some point in this life is confict with others. Because this is something that is at least somewhat common in our lives, I think that we sometimes become resigned to the fact that it will always exist in one way or another so instead of seeking to resolve the conflicts we have with others...we just live with them. However, the Apostle Paul says that we ought to give our best effort to live at peace with all men. This means that we ought to be willing to strive to…
Series: 2017 Daily Bible Reading (Wisdom Literature)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As the children of Israel would make their journeys up to Jerusalem for the annual feasts, they would often join their voices together in song so that they might be constantly reminded and motivated for why they were making such a difficult journey. This lesson considers the message of Psalm 121 which encourages the reader to ever keep their eyes looking up to the Lord. apologies for poor audio quality
Series: Sing With The Understanding
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In Colossians 3:12-17, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the necessity for those chosen in God to be a people who have hearts full of gratitude and thankfulness. The thanksgiving that ought to be overflowing from within us can often be expressed as we sing together to one another and to God. One of the songs that expresses this mindset of thanksgiving is "O Thou Fount Of Every Blessing." This lesson looks at the message of this song so that we might be able to even better sing with the understanding. apologies for poor audio quality
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
In John 13, we read of the awesome example of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples just prior to His betrayal and eventual death. This ultimate example of servitude should have been an occasion for appreciation and teaching, but instead the always outspoken Peter rejects this act of service from his Lord. Peter's message seemed pretty clear, "Your service is denied." This lesson looks at what might be the cause of such an attitude, what we can do to be better, and why we ought to always be willing to serve others and be served when the moment is right.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Out of these three persons of the Godhead, we are probably well familiar with the Father and the Son. Unfortunately, we are probably not all that familiar with the Holy Spirit, who He is and what He does. Sadly, the Holy Spirit is often relegated to the place of being the forgotten God. This lesson focuses not on those things that leave us with more questions, but it focuses on those things that we can be assured of when it comes to the Holy Spirit. It focuses on those…
Series: 2017 Daily Bible Reading (Wisdom Literature)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Psalm 119 is by far the longest division in the Bible when it comes to the simple number of verses that it contains, but besides that fact...what else do we really know about this Psalm? This lesson looks at the central theme of Psalm 119 which is a celebration of God's Word, it's power, and the impact that it can have on each of us by considering the eight different synonyms that the author uses all through the Psalm.
Series: 2017 Focus: Seeking Wisdom From Above
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
860,300,000. That number is pretty massive, but something that makes this number even bigger in our eyes is the fact that this number represents the number of words that the average person speaks in his or her lifetime. If we are going to be doing something this much, then would it stand to reason that we ought to be good at using all of these words? I certainly think so, and this lesson focuses on four things that we must understand if we are going to wisely use our words.
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
While society might not expect much from the younger generations, a quick read of Ecclesiastes 11 and 12 would make it evident that the Preacher and ultimately our God expects much from those who are still in their youth. This lesson considers the command for the young person to remember God in their youth, but it also addresses how those of us who are older can assist the young man or woman to be successful in this great endeavor.
Series: 2017 Daily Bible Reading (Wisdom Literature)
Service: Sun PM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
As Christians, we would all strongly affirm that all of God's Word is good and useful for us to know and appreciate. We could look through the entirety of the Bible and quickly recognize how each part is beneficial to our faiths. However, we must admit that there is one book that we probably have a much more difficult time understanding where it fits into our faith. That book would be the Song of Solomon. This lesson considers the Song of Solomon...its backround, some tips for reading, and some things about the work that should impress us and that can…
Series: N/A
Service: Sun AM
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Nick Angel
Have you ever experienced a time that was so peaceful and happy that you thought that it might just be a little taste of heaven here on earth? I'd say that many of us have probably been blessed in such a way that we have experienced such, but can we really say that moment could actually compare to the glory of heaven? In this lesson, we consider what truly makes heaven heaven, and how it is a place of glory far beyond anything that this life could offer to us.