Swamptime: Recent Episodes
Cabin Swamp Church of Christ
On Swamptime, you’ll hear practical and applicable messages from Preacher Gregg Brookins. Cabin Swamp Church of Christ is dedicated to sound biblical teaching.
Description: Satan has power and strategies to cause us to sin and fail in our life. BUT we also have power and strategies given to us by God to use in our battle against Satan and we can WIN.
Key Verse: 1 Peter 5:6-11; John 8:44; Genesis 3:1-7; 2 Samuel 11:1-5; 2 Peter 3:3-10; James 1:1-15; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 4:4 (used 1995 NASB)
Description: The majority of Christians manage to avoid the big “whopping” sins most of the time. Our sins are the grinding “day-to-day” violations that repeat themselves over and over again, and drain us of our faith and spiritual energy. Here are four steps on how to break this habit?
Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 21:1-27 (used 1995 NASB)
Description: In a fast-changing world, where technological and social pressures are remaking the society that we all live in, our faith in God through Christ, is still the mighty rock where we can find security and peace, no matter how much or how quickly things change.
Key Verse: Romans 10:17; Psalm 127:1; Romans 13:1-7; Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 25:31-46 (used 1995 NASB)
Description: Paul looks backward at his past and then sets resolutions for both his present and future, and then he encourages Christians everywhere to follow his example.
Key Verse: Philippians 3:12-21 (‘84 NIV)
Sermon Series: Christmas Conflicts
Description: Considering the contrast between the arrogance of King Herod and the humility of the wise men.
Key Verse: Matthew 2:1-18; Proverbs 29:23; Proverbs 11:2; Matthew 19:24; Psalm 49:20; 1 Chronicles 16:29; James 4:6; Proverbs 28:13; 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Peter 5:5-6; Mark 8:35
Description: What profit is there if you gain things and don’t have the relationships that matter? Lessons from the shepherds about how to overcome our own battle against materialism.
Key Verse: Luke 2:8-20; Matthew 6:24; Proverbs 8:10-11; Philippians 3:8-10; Matthew 13:44
Description: 3 Steps to making this Christmas season a joyful time regardless of any disillusionment or circumstances that surround you.
Key Verse: Luke 1:26-56; Matthew 1:20-25; Acts 20:35; Matthew 16:25; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 5:6
Description: Looking at the conflict in the heart of Zacharias and steps to overcoming doubt.
Key Verse: Luke 1:5-20, 57-66; Proverbs 14:15; Matthew 21:21; James 1:6-7; John 3:18-20; Romans 10:17; Mark 9:22-24
Description: Why is this passage scary? The demands are personal. The demands are radical. And the demands are impossible, right?
Key Verse: Luke 6:27-38; Matthew 6:12 & 15; 2 Corinthians 9:8
Description: Regardless of what point you start from, most religious discussions boil down to one issue - where's the dividing line? Between you and me - Between truth and error - Between what is essential and what is not - Between salvation and loss of salvation.
Key Verse:
Description: Today we will look at the reality of Satan, and ways to use the power of prayer for God’s help in delivering us from him.
Key Verse: Matthew 6:13; Isaiah 14:14; John 8:44; Ephesians 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11, 18; James 4:7; 1 Corinthians 10:13; and many others.
Description: Does God tempt us? We will learn how to identify and understand the differences between trials versus temptations.
Key Verse: Matthew 6:13; James 1:13; Romans 7:18-19; Matthew 6:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 26:2; 2 Corinthians 12:9; John 13:35
Description: Is God’s forgiveness of us truly conditional on our forgiveness of others? To answer that, we will look at a Bible principle, parable, and prescription for forgiveness.
Key Verse: Matthew 6:12, 14-15; 5:23-24; 18:21-35; Luke 12:48; Psalm 103:12; Jeremiah 14:10; Romans 12:17-19; Colossians 3:13; Hebrews 12:15
Description: The simple spiritual discipline of making this petition, every day, from the heart, is the antidote to four of our sin-sick soul’s greatest ailments. It will knock down barriers and open doors to a more vibrant relationship with our Father in Heaven. While this passage can refer to spiritual needs, it is also obvious that every day we ought to look to God for our physical needs.
Key Verse: Matthew 6:11, 31-34; Psalm 104:10-15, 20-28; James 4:1-3; 1 Timothy 6:8; Proverbs 30:8-9
Description: Let’s look at what Scripture says about God’s will, and what it means to pray for God’s will in our lives and our world.
Key Verse: Matthew 6:10; Psalm 139:16; Isaiah 46:9-10; Galatians 5:16-17; John 8:28-29; Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 2:15; Ephesians 5:17; and others
Description: What does it mean when we pray this and what part do you play in the Kingdom?
Key Verse: Matthew 6:10; Colossians 3:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:20; Matthew 6:33; Acts 1:6-8; and others
Description: The Lord’s Prayer contains 6 specific petitions or requests, but Jesus directs us to begin our prayers by expressing our concern for the Glory of God. Why is this important and what does it look like?
Key Verse: Matthew 6:9, and others
Description: Today we begin a study of the Lord’s teaching on How to Pray. The core of what we call ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ appears twice in the Gospels. This model prayer contains everything we need to know about prayer. We will also discuss what we don’t find in it.
Key Verse: Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4
Description: To be a Biblical church, living the Word means verse by verse we submit and reshape our imaginations to the Holy Scriptures.
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 6:1-10; Genesis 4:7; Matthew 6:16, 19-21
Description: When it comes to remembering, we might get by with letting some things slide, but there are other things that we must not forget. The apostle Peter reminds his fellow Christians of some wonderful ways in which God has blessed us and also admonishes us as to our need to grow spiritually and what can happen if we fail to grow.
Key Verse: 2 Peter 1:12-15; various passages throughout 1st & 2nd Peter; and several other Scriptures
Description: Paul gives us 4 principles on how we as a congregation are to do ministry in the local church.
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 5:1-16 (ESV); Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 3:16; James 1:27; Galatians 6:10
Description: A church’s ability to fulfill this calling is dependent on the quality of its leadership. Much of 1 Timothy is devoted to the qualifications and functions of church leaders, but today Paul is clearly speaking to the broader audience of the whole church. This text tells us how we are all to treat the church leaders God has placed in authority over us. Now these principles have application for every area of life where there are leaders and followers, but the focus of this text is the church’s spiritual shepherds. Local churches, just like nations, families, and businesses rise or fall on their leadership. What makes great leaders? It’s a bunch of great followers.
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 5:17-25 (ESV); several others
Description: Paul instructs Timothy in what makes a good pastor. Pastors should be people of discipline, constantly growing in God’s Word, developing their calling, and working hard at it. All of us as servants and followers of Christ should do the same.
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 4:6-16 (ESV)
Description: In today’s scripture, Paul begins with a warning about trusting the wrong authority in your life. This warning from the Holy Spirit is for us today also. We are living in the end times.
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 John 2:18; 1 Peter 1:20; Hebrews 1:2; others
Description: From the very beginning, God has been trying to teach us authentic leadership. We are going to look at the ideals found in Timothy through the lens of some Biblical narratives that, when taught side by side, illustrate the ingredients of authentic leadership. There are four ingredients that capture all the characteristics on Paul’s Deacon list.
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Genesis 38 & 39
Description: Of the qualifications for elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, fourteen of them are related to character, only one of them is related to giftedness. Let’s examine these requirements.
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-2
Description: Independence Day - As we celebrate America’s birthday, every American should be grateful and feel blessed that we call ourselves Americans. Let’s look at the good and bad that we face as a nation.
Key Verse: Psalm 44 (ESV); Acts 17:30; 2 Chronicles 7:14
Description: Paul lays out 3 universal commands to all truly “godly women.”
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 2:9-15; 1 Timothy 3:15
Description: Fathers Day - Although in Christ Jesus we are all equal, Paul has different instructions for men and women in the Church. Men and women are uniquely gifted for different functions in the body of Christ. Today, we are going to focus on the problem of men in the church and then offer a path for men in the church.
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Galatians 3:28
Description: The apostle Paul opens his soul about his past and the difference Christ made in his life. What is your story? What difference has God made in your life?
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Description: Today we look at Paul’s goals for Timothy and truths about false teachers.
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 1:3-11; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; & many others
Description: Today we will look at the objectives for this study, the occasion of this epistle, why we are taking the time to piece together the story of a once great church, and the opening of this epistle.
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 2 Timothy 2:2; 3:14-16; Acts 20:29-30; Revelation 2:4-5; 1 Timothy 1:1-2
Description: From Hannah, we can learn valuable lessons about raising children and committing our children to God.
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 1:1-28; Psalm 127:3-5; Luke 12:15; Proverbs 1:7; 1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 16:26 (‘84 NIV)
Description: You and I were put on this earth with gifts, talents and relationships that are waiting to fulfill God’s purpose. The story of Nehemiah suggests 3 actions that we need to take to answer the question…“What is the purpose of my life?”
Key Verse: Nehemiah 1:1-11, 6:1-2; Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)
Description: There are things that are within our control to break free from and start fresh again. And, if we are going to do it the right way, we may need to take some drastic measures. Elisha is a good example of this.
Key Verse: 1 Kings 19:19-21; Romans 13:14; Colossians 3:5-10; Romans 8:7
Sermon Series: Philippians (verse by verse study)
Description: Why should Christian people be generous? Why should citizens of heaven be concerned with managing earthly resources? Why should you regularly, sacrificially and, of course, cheerfully give to the Lord’s work? Paul gives us 3 huge reasons.
Key Verse: Philippians 4:10-19; John 15:1-8; Matthew 6:21; 2 Corinthians 9:6; Acts 20:35 (‘84 NIV)
Sermon Series: Philippians (verse by verse study)
Description: Paul had a secret, the secret of being content. Contentment is the foundation for the generous spirit that the Holy Spirit wants to reproduce in each of us. Being content is a choice of character we can learn and cultivate.
Key Verse: Philippians 4:10-13; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; Matthew 6:25-26; 2 Corinthians 9:11, 12:9; Philippians 1:20-21 (‘84 NIV)
Description: Jesus has defeated death—that is the full message of the Gospel. Let’s look at 5 basic truths established by the resurrection.
Key Verse: Matthew 28:6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6 (NIV); many others
Description: What is true peace? Paul gives us God’s own 8-step peace plan for our lives.
Key Verse: Philippians 4:1-9; John 14:21 (‘84 NIV)
Description: Paul had a constant concern of false prophets and teachers, and humanistic philosophy invading the Lord’s church. He continually warned the church to watch out. How can we know if we are an example or an enemy of Jesus?
Key Verse: Philippians 3:17-21; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Acts 20:28-31; 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 (‘84 NIV)
Description: Using illustrations from the world of athletics, Paul lays out 5 steps to Christian maturity and why we cannot just sit on the sideline and try to skate our way into heaven.
Key Verse:Philippians 3:12-16; 1 Corinthians 10:12; various others (Scriptures from 1984 NIV)
Description: Paul learned that one can never find true joy until he discovers true treasure. The Church in Philippi was discouraged and in desperate need of a joy transfusion. Paul was in prison and they were under persecution. So Paul gives them, and us, keys on how they can keep on rejoicing in Christ.
Key Verse:Philippians 3:1-11; various others (Scriptures from 1984 NIV)
Description: How did the Church grow so quickly? God’s plan was for the Word to go from Christ to Paul to Timothy to faithful men and on to others who would teach others. And everyone who truly loves Jesus is to be an active participant in that plan. Just like Paul and Timothy, we all need to figure out first how to be, and then how to find, faithful people.
Key Verse: Philippians 2:19-30; 2 Timothy 2:2; Mark 16:15; various others (Scriptures from 1984 NIV)
Description: Is the Christian life essentially a matter of passive trust or of active obedience? Paul gives us 3 incredibly practical action points which flow from the What, the How and the Why of our salvation.
Key Verse: Philippians 2:12-18; various others (Scriptures from 1984 NIV)
Description: Nothing destroys our fellowship and evangelistic success like the sin of division. We will look at 3 principles in Paul’s plea for unity and what we should do.
Key Verse: Philippians 2:1-11; various others (Scriptures from 1984 NIV)
Description: Paul addresses the hope he has for the Church no matter what happens to him. He encourages the Church to stand strong when persecution, suffering, obstacles, and opposition come to them – and us.
Key Verse: Philippians 1:27-30; various others (Scriptures from 1984 NIV)
Sermon Series: Philippians (verse by verse study)
Description: What can others see in your life as a Christian that is unique and compelling, making them want to know more of Christ? There are four extraordinary choices that marked the Apostle Paul and, if we have the right perspective, should mark us as truly different.
Key Verse: Philippians 1:12-26 (Scriptures from 1984 NIV)
Sermon Series: Philippians (verse by verse study)
Description: Let’s look at the joy of our partnership in the Church and steps to the love we should have for each other.
Key Verse: Philippians 1:3-11; Matthew 22:36-40; John 13:35 (Scriptures from 1984 NIV)
Sermon Series: Philippians (verse by verse study)
Description: Paul wrote this letter from prison, yet he encourages the church at Philippi. You will be challenged to identify with the Philippian saints in this series. Although in this message, you will be challenged to identify with Paul.
Key Verse: Philippians 1:1-2; various others. (Scriptures from 1984 NIV)
Description: Paul looks backward at his past and then sets resolutions for both his present and future, and then he encourages Christians everywhere to follow his example.
Key Verse: Philippians 3:12-21; 1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Proverbs 16:18; 1 Corinthians 10:12, 9:24. (Scriptures from 1984 NIV)
Sermon Series: A Child is Born
Description: When God wants to save the world, it involves a birth announcement. Let’s look at different ways Jesus relates to B.C.
Key Verse: Jude 1:25; various others.
Sermon Series: A Child is Born
Description: Jesus said that John the Baptist was the greatest man ever born! What made him so great? Why did Jesus say that? Making it personal.
Key Verse: Luke 7:2-28; Luke 1:66; various others.
Sermon Series: A Child is Born
Description: When God needs to save His people, when God wants to save the planet, He sends a child.
Key Verse: Judges 13; Romans 5:6-8; various others
Description: The fact that over 2,500 years ago, God chose Zerubbabel to rebuild the city of Jerusalem may not mean much to you and me. But the manner in which it was rebuilt has everything to do with you and me. Let’s look at the desperate need for God’s power today and His divine plan for us to receive His power.
Key Verse: Zechariah 4:1-7; Colossians 4:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:29; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Romans 8:14
Sermon Series: Dream Intruders
Description: There is a time when it is not God’s will to heal. Some sickness is terminal. There will be a time when we all are called to eternity. How do we prepare for this time? What do we do before the illness, during the illness, and after the illness? All of us are in one of these 3 stages. Unless Jesus comes again first, it will touch all of our lives or the lives of those we love.
Key Verse: Hebrews 9:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:13; Romans 6:23; various others
Sermon Series: Dream Intruders
Description: What do you believe the future holds for your kids? We have big dreams for them. Today we are going to look at some negative influences parents might have on their children, indisputable Bible truths about prodigal children, and then what you should do if you have a prodigal child?
Key Verse: Luke 15:11-17; various others
Sermon Series: Dream Intruders
Description: Accidents do happen. Although God allows them, they are not always God’s will. Let’s look at some accidents in Scripture, how accidents reveal our character, and provide opportunities for growth. How do you respond?
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Samuel 18;Acts 27; Luke 13:4-8; Acts 20:7-12
Sermon Series: David
Description: The death of David, Israel’s greatest king, marked the end of an era. Our spotlight has followed through David’s life, but the reality is we’ve been learning all about God. Let’s look at four amazing truths about the nature of God and God’s gifts to those “after His own heart.”
Key Verse: Acts 13:36; 2 Samuel 22; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 46:1-2
Sermon Series: Homecoming
Description: God places a tremendously high priority on our remembering certain things.
Key Verse: 2 Peter 1:12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; Philippians 1:3; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 Peter 1:3-4; Romans 8:18; 1 Peter 2:21; Matthew 5:16; various others.
Sermon Series: David
Description: David’s life is a light for us on how to finish strong, leave a legacy, gracefully handle life’s inevitable transitions and how to age with class. Let’s look at 4 specific things that became David’s focus during the last decade of his life.
Key Verse: 2 Samuel 19:15-17; 1 Chronicles 28-29; Matthew 6:20; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 7:21-23; various others.
Sermon Series: David
Description: There is a great myth in the modern church concerning God’s forgiveness and grace. What does grace actually mean and does God eliminate the consequences of our sin? Nowhere is the eternal truth more vividly demonstrated than in the life of David.
Key Verse: 2 Samuel 12:10-12; Galatians 6:7-8; Hosea 8:7; 2 Samuel ch. 13-18
Sermon Series: David
Description: All of us on occasion need a loving confrontation. Let’s learn from Nathan’s confrontation with David “The 5 Keys to Effective Confrontation.”
Key Verse: 2 Samuel 12:1-24
Sermon Series: David
Description: From the negative example of David’s best-known failure…what wisdom can be learned to protect our marriages? Where adultery has occurred, how do we find God’s grace to forgive and to be forgiven?
Key Verse: 2 Samuel 11:1-27
Sermon Series: David
Description: The word “no” is a ready word on the tongue of every parent, most of the time not to punish, but an act of love seeking to prevent harm. Many times when parents say “no” to a child’s requests, it is because they have something bigger or better in mind for their kids. We can spend our whole lives struggling, not in understanding, but in accepting the word “no.” For the same reasons God sometimes says “No” to His people.
Key Verse: 2 Samuel 7; Acts 2:38; 2:17; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12
Sermon Series: David
Description: Do you believe Christians ought to be happy? Not that everything should be peaches and cream, but with a life whose past is forgiven, whose present is provided, and whose future is secured, there ought to be some expression of JOY.
Key Verse: 2 Samuel 6; John 17:13; Nehemiah 8:10; Galatians 5:22
Independence Day
Description: Today we pause to thank God for His blessings on America. Revival and patriotism have to do with truth.
Key Verse: Psalm 85:1-13; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:13; Proverbs 28:13; 2 Chronicles 7:14
Sermon Series: David
Description: “When I get my ducks in a row, then I’ll be what I am supposed to be and do what I’m supposed to do. You’ll see. Life will be simpler.” Tragically millions cling to that illusion! Let’s learn from David’s mistakes and be the person we dream of becoming today.
Key Verse: 2 Samuel 1-5; Psalm 78:7-72; 2 Samuel 5:4
Sermon Series: David
Description: One of the most debilitating emotions we wrestle with is anger.. It can be destructive, paralyzing and unpredictable. Life lessons about anger and how to diffuse anger in others.
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 25; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Ephesians 4:26-27; Proverbs 15:1, 16:24, 25:11.
Sermon Series: David
Description: When someone does you wrong, have you ever had the opportunity to get them back? We can relate to the feelings David must have had. Enduring injustice, waiting on the Lord, waiting for His peace, those are some of the most difficult things God has called us to do in life.
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 24; Matthew 5:43-48; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 12:17-21; Deuteronomy 32:35a.
Sermon Series: David
Description: The moment David cut off Goliath’s head, his life changed forever. We see the good things David received, but also what he lost and how he ended up in a cave. Are you living in a dark cave? How did David get out of his cave and what must we do to get out of our cave?
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 22 (overview of 18-23)
Sermon Series: David
Description: These were dangerous times for Israel. The Philistines would not leave them alone. We will look at basic truths about the giants in our lives today, how we can face them, and how we can kill our giants.
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 17
Sermon Series: David
Description: It makes a huge difference when your whole heart is totally into something. Let’s concentrate on becoming a people after God’s own heart. Make a commitment, not just to listen, but to learn every lesson God wants to teach us.
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 13:14, 16:7; Psalm 78:71-72
Sermon Series: David
Although David was a great man, he was human to the core. Yet God chose to detail in the Scriptures the record of David’s life, thoughts and prayers because we can so readily relate. There is a striking parallel between the times of David and our own. We will discover that the heart matters. We must keep a godly perspective in our choices.
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 13:14; 2 Chronicles 16:9a
Let’s look at Mary as a model of motherhood and note some of the difficulties and resources she experienced in trying to be a good mother to her family. Key Verse: Luke 1:26-38
Something probably every one of us has struggled with from time to time is having doubts about our salvation. The Bible teaches us that it is possible to know we are saved. The Lord wants us to have the confident assurance that we are saved. So how do we examine ourselves and determine whether our faith is real and genuine? (A thank you to our minister friend Reggie Braziel for this sermon material.) Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:5-6
Your name is special! Your name is your Identity. Do you wear the name Christian? Let’s consider three truths the Bible teaches us about being a Christian. (A thank you to our minister friend Reggie Braziel for this sermon material.) Key Verse: Acts 11:19-26
What if the resurrection really happened? What if forgiveness was available, restoration was possible, hope was living and salvation really was by grace? Key Verse: Mark 16:2-8
Week 6 of "All About Spiritual Gifts."For several weeks we have been studying all about spiritual gifts – their unity of purpose, diversity of roles, definitions and functions. Today we will consider six ways God’s gifts can be abused if we are not diligent. Key Verse: Ephesians 4:1-16
Week 4 of "All About Spiritual Gifts." We have gained a general understanding of spiritual gifts, but our goal is to examine and define the gifts so that we can each discover, develop and begin using our gifts in ministry for the edification of the body and the Glory of God. In order to get a thorough understanding of these essential concepts for functioning as a member of the body of Christ, I have broken down the gifts into categories (similar in function). Key Verse: Ephesians 4:11-12; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Corinthians 12:12; 1 Cor. 12:9-10; Matthew 12:39; 1 Cor. 13:8-10; John 17:21-23
Week 3 of "All About Spiritual Gifts." The Corinthian people were gifted, but…giftedness does not mean spiritual maturity. God does not want us to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 12
Week 2 of "All About Spiritual Gifts." The Corinthian people were gifted, but…giftedness does not mean spiritual maturity. God does not want us to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 12
Week 1 of "All About Spiritual Gifts." Spiritual gifts are God given abilities through which the Holy Spirit ministers to others through us. We will learn why they are so important. Key Verse: Romans 12:4-8; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14; Acts 2:38-39; various others
Week 6 of "The DNA of our Faith." What does the Bible say about the Church? What is it? Who is it? What is its purpose in the world? Key Verse: Various Scriptures
Week 5 of "The DNA of our Faith." The different views and 4 foundational facts. What did Jesus say would be the signs? And 3 lessons for us on how to be ready. Key Verse: Matthew 24 and 25
Week 4 of "The DNA of our Faith." Who is He and what does He do? How can we work with the Holy Spirit so that he can accomplish His will in our lives? Key Verse: John 14:16-17, 25-26; 1 John 4:4; Acts 2:37-39, 41; John 16:5-14; various others
Week 3 of "The DNA of our Faith." Sin always brings double trouble! …the legal problem before a Just and Holy God and the health problem of a sin infected soul. Fortunately God provided a double cure for our double trouble. Grace. God’s Salvation (Grace) has 2 distinct and important elements. Key Verse: Various
Week 2 of "The DNA of our Faith." Who is Jesus and what has He done for us? We must consider two questions: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” and “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Key Verse: Matthew 16 (‘84 NIV); various others
Week 1 of "The DNA of our Faith." DNA = Doctrines Necessary for Application. Acts 17 shows us a mission, a method and a message that all relate to God’s nature. Key Verse: Acts 17:22-24 (‘84 NIV); various others
Week 6 of "Fundamentals of Christian Discipleship." Unfortunately, evangelism is often a scary subject for Christians. You must be convinced your faith in Christ is genuine and that His love, sacrifice, and atonement are the true source of eternal salvation. Key Verse: Matthew 4:18-19; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Daniel 12:3; various
Week 5 of "Fundamentals of Christian Discipleship." What is true Christian fellowship and why is it important? Key Verse: Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24-25
Week 4 of "Fundamentals of Christian Discipleship."To all fruitful branches drawing their life from the vine, the Lord makes the incredible promise of answered prayer. Let’s look at prerequisites for answered prayers and His purpose for answered prayer. Key Verse: John 15:5-7; various
The American veteran was willing to give his life for you to have freedom on earth. God was willing to give the life of His only son, Jesus Christ, for you to have freedom from sin and life eternal with Him. Key Verse: John 3:16
Week 3 of "Fundamentals of Christian Discipleship." The Word of God is powerful and vital to our spiritual life. Open it! Consume it! Use it! Key Verse:2 Timothy 3:16-17; Various
Week 2 of "Fundamentals of Christian Discipleship." Obedience is the key to every aspect of the Christian life. Nothing will more radically change your life than becoming an obedient Christian. Key Verse: John 14:21
Week 1 of "Fundamentals of Christian Discipleship." Our calling is not just to baptize, but to equip all believers to be fully devoted, self-feeding, reproducing Christ followers. Key Verse:Galatians 2:20
Week 2 of "Wine and Women." Culture has a massive moral deficit - Adultery. We will look at the peril, penalties and prevention of adultery. Key Verse:Proverbs 5, Proverbs 4, and other Scriptures.
Week 1 of "Wine and Women." All of our backgrounds color both our view of others and unfortunately of what the Bible actually says. Any intoxication, drunkenness, being out of control, is always sinful and strictly forbidden, not just in Proverbs but throughout Scripture. Let’s look at 7 Proverbial principles about wine and believers. Key Verse:Various
Week 2 of "Wisdom for Relationships." According to the book of Proverbs, the way in which we respond to those in authority says a lot about our relationship with God and determines how we are going to treat others. Let’s look at 4 truths about authority and how God expects us to respond. Key Verse: Multiple (or various) Scriptures.
“Come” to the Church, to its teachings and foundation of where your spiritual life began. “Go” into the world: to save the lost, to serve, and to set a proper example. Our job is to bring people and God together. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus: be clear-minded, have a clear vision, and clear speech. Key Verse: 2 Corinthians chapter 5
Week 1 of "Wisdom for Relationships." A relationship with God always starts with a proper understanding of who He is, as He has revealed Himself to be. A look at God’s character and sovereign nature. Key Verse:Multiple (or various) Scriptures.
Week 3 of "Ancient Wisdom for Modern Families." The image of grandparents has certainly changed over the years, but the importance of grand-parenting has not. Key Verse: Proverbs 16:31; Job 12:12; Proverbs 17:6
Week 2 of "Ancient Wisdom for Modern Families." No job on earth is more important than parenting. Parental success or failure impacts not only the eternity of a child, but generations. Parenting is hard! We will not be perfect! We will make mistakes and when we do...err on the side of love. Key Verse: Lots of Scripture; 1 Peter 4:8
Week 1 of "Ancient Wisdom for Modern Families." Proverbs mentions 4 blessings God wants for all married couples. Let’s identify these blessings and some of the specific things Proverbs says we can do to receive them. Key Verse: Proverbs 5
Week 4 of "Wisdom on Leadership."King Lemuel’s mother gives him three stern warnings about how all good leaders must live. How exactly do we heed these warnings? Key Verse: Proverbs 31:1-9; Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Week 3 of "Wisdom on Leadership." A vision is a compelling picture of what could be and the power of a shared vision is immeasurable. Key Verse: Proverbs 29:18
Week 2 of "Wisdom on Leadership." Thinking about the qualifications of elder people tend to go to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, but we need to understand…every quality listed in those two chapters applies to every Christian. Prerequisites for leaders in Proverbs…these truths apply to every husband, parent, pastor, teacher, coach, governor, general and manager. Key Verse: several
(Memorial Day) America is involved in a cultural war right now. It’s a war between Biblical Christianity and secular humanism. We need to be like the men of Issachar described in 1 Chronicles 12:32, “men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do--200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;” Key Verse: Lamentations 5:21-22.
Week 1 of "Wisdom on Leadership." Every relationship and social group to which we might belong requires leadership. Every marriage and family, every community group, every church, school, business, and nation will rise or fall on its leadership. So we all need to understand how leaders and leadership work best. Today I will lay the foundation for our study with 4 general facts about leadership in every sphere of life and 4 special aspects of leaders. Key Verse: Romans 12:6-8
Happy Mothers Day! Moms, the most important thing that you will ever do is to teach your children to “Love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.” Let’s look at 3 priorities every Christian mother must both model and teach her children (actually these are 3 essential priorities for all of us). Key Verse:Matthew 7:7-8; 1 John 5:14-15; Hebrews 11:6; 1 John 5:3
Week 8 of "Wisdom’s Fight Card." God is the standard for justice. Justice is whatever is right or lawful in the sight of the eternal lawgiver. The truth is none of us truly wants God’s justice in our lives because we are all sinners. What we want is Justification--standing before God’s law ‘just as if we’d never sinned’. Through Jesus, His son, God offers His justification to all who will put their trust in Him. Key Verse: Proverbs 14:12; 28:5
Week 7 of "Wisdom’s Fight Card."Many are facing difficult circumstances in which every day you must battle many fears. Fear of the unknown – fear of the future – fear of consequences – fear of loss – etc. Fear is an involuntary response. Every true believer can defeat fear. Key Verse: 1 John 4:4
Week 6 of "Wisdom’s Fight Card." Each of us will ultimately deliver the decision about whether our character will be defined by kindness or, on the other side of the spectrum, some degree of indifference or cruelty. Key Verse:
Week 5 of "Wisdom’s Fight Card." Looking at what the Bible and particularly Proverbs says about the impact of envy and the cure. Key Verse: Proverbs
Week 4 of "Wisdom’s Fight Card." Once again, high stakes are riding on who will win the ultimate decision in each of our lives. All of us have been impacted by the unrestrained anger of others and all of us struggle at times with our own self-control. Proverbs talks about self-control and anger and how to have victory over uncontrolled anger. Key Verse: Proverbs
Easter/Resurrection Sunday: What Day Is It? Hope changes one’s perspective on everything, and Easter is all about a hope that truly changes everything. Easter weekend changed the world… Friday - Christ died, Saturday - He laid in a tomb, Sunday - He arose. All of our lives are now defined by the day we rejected hopelessness and trusted what God did on those three days. Each of us needs to recognize that one of those days is particularly relevant today in our own particular season of life. Key Verse: Ephesians 2:12; Romans 8:18, 22-25 (NASB 1995)
Week 3 of "Wisdom’s Fight Card." Now at some time all of us have both righteous and wicked attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and motives. Our focus today is specifically on intentional or willful acts motivated by a desire to honor God and His authority OR disregard and rebel against God’s will. Key Verse: Matthew 5:6
Week 2 of "Wisdom’s Fight Card." Looking at blessings of integrity and curses of hypocrisy. What is our Fight Plan? Essential steps toward becoming men and women of integrity. Key Verse:
Week 1 of "Wisdom’s Fight Card." We will look at how pride works against us, what we must do to fight back and become people of humility, and 3 steps Naaman took in II Kings 5 to overcome his pride and act in humility. Key verse: James 4:6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Week 3 of the series "Why Did You Say That?" Not everyone is to be a teacher but everyone is to teach. To whom has God called you to teach his wisdom? Key Verse:
Week 4 of the series "Why Did You Say That?" Why do we need to speak encouraging words? How are we to speak them? Key Verse: Proverbs 18:21a “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Prov. 15:23 A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word! Prov. 25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.
Week 2 of the series "Why Did You Say That." Unity and peace is the Lord's desire for us. But the New Testament warns us of the danger of divisive speech in the church. Key Verse:
Our 2nd series from the book of Proverbs is "Why Did You Say That?" We will look at five kinds of destructive speech and then four simple steps to help us avoid them. Key Verse: Proverbs 18:21, James 3:5-8.
Week 5 of the series "The Choice." Good News! Proverbs doesn't say "Once a fool, always a fool." Let's look at a 5-step plan to avoid foolishness. Key Verse: Titus 3:3-5.
Week 4 of the series "The Choice." True wisdom always begins in the heart as part of one's character and value system, and then works itself outward into practical words and deeds. Prepare your heart for it. Prioritize it as your highest value. Pursue it in all the right places.
Week 3 of the series "The Choice." To fully understand the Bible's concept of wisdom, we must study what the Bible says about the opposite of wisdom which is foolishness. We will look at the results of foolishness, the road to foolishness, and our response to foolishness. Key Verse:
Week 2 of the series "The Choice." Awesome blessings of God's wisdom for those who truly pursue and practice it. Key Verse: Proverbs 3:13-26
Week 1 of the series "The Choice." Wisdom is the practical ability to know God's will or the right thing to do in any situation. Key Verse: James 1:5-6 (NASB).
Week 11 of the Ten(der) Commandments. While all the other commands focus on behavior, the 10th commandment "Do not covet" focuses on the heart. What is coveting? Why is it so wrong? How do we find contentment and overcome covetousness? Key Verse: Exodus 20:17.
Week 10 of the Ten(der) Commandments. "Do Not Lie." The 9th commandment is a call to integrity. Why is truth so important to God? What are some common lies? What is the solution for lying? Key Verse: Exodus 20:16.
Week 9 of the Ten(der) Commandments. "Do Not Steal." The 8th commandment establishes the privilege of personal ownership and clearly prohibits stealing. Key Verse: Exodus 20:15.
Week 8 of the Ten(der) Commandments. All of God's commandments are designed to increase not to decrease joy. Sex outside of marriage is always destructive and always detrimental. What exactly does God prohibit and how can we maintain purity in such a permissive society? Key Verse: Exodus 20:14.
Week 7 of the Ten(der) Commandments. The issue here is the deliberate and unlawful killing of another person. What is God's purpose in this command? What is not prohibited by this commandment? What exactly does this command prohibit? What did Jesus say on this subject? Key Verse: Exodus 20:13.
Week 6 of the Ten(der) Commandments. This commandment is the foundation for all relationships. Respect for authority is essential and it begins in the home.Key Verse: Exodus 20:12 ('84 NIV).
Week 5 of the Ten(der) Commandments. Everything God created has a rhythm. God knew that mankind also needed rhythm and balance in life. Steps to a balanced life. Key Verse: Exodus 20:8-11.
Week 4 of the Ten(der) Commandments. What is profane speech? Why do people use it? What is the remedy? Key Verse: Exodus20:7
Week 2 of the Ten(der) Commandments. What is an Other god? What are the Other gods in our lives? With all the appeal of Other gods, how do I put God first in my life? Key Verse: Exodus 20:1-3 (NIV) focusing on vs. 3.
Week 1 of the Ten(der) Commandments. God wants a personal relationship with his people. "When the foundations are being destroyed what can the righteous do?" Rebuild those foundations and get back to the basics. Key Verse: Exodus 19:16-19, Psalm 11:3.
Week 5 of the series "Basics for Christian Living." There is tremendous amount of confusion regarding God's will. We will look at 12 truths about God's will which God Himself has revealed to us in His Word. Key Verse:
Week 3 of the series "Basics for Christian Living." We will be looking at facts the Bible teaches us about the Holy Spirit. Key Verse: John 14:16-17, 25-26.
Week 2 of the series "Basics for Christian Living." Gregg will be sharing 5 insights on forgiveness from the life of David that will help us to serve Christ more effectively. Key Verse: Psalm 32.
Week 1 of the series "Basics for Christian Living." We will look at some of the most foundational and practical teachings of our faith. Two goals for today's study: To remove any nagging doubts you might have about your salvation and to remove, actually to obliterate, any false assurances you may have about your salvation. Key Verse:
When we face our giants in life by faith in almighty God, God is honored and glorified, and He will give us the victory! The battle belongs to the a Lord! Key Verse: 1 Samuel 17
Let’s parallel a popular OT story involving the nation of Israel to where we find ourselves today as Americans. Key Verse:
To be a good father you need a model, an example of a father, that you can pattern your life after. Key Verse: Romans 8:38-39
We can be confident of our faith. It is true. It works. It is needed. Key Verse: Acts 25 & 26
Procrastination is one of the most powerful weapons the devil uses on us. Key Verse: Acts 24:22-27
Through the apostle Paul's difficult experiences we can take away 3 lessons: God's will is often difficult to understand, so be obedient. God's will might involve controversy, be courageous. God's will always ends in blessings, be confident. Key Verse: Acts 21:1 - 23:11
We cannot allow ourselves to become Cultural Christians. A Cultural Christian is one who pursues the God he wants instead of the God who is. Key Verse: Acts 4:23-31
Don't lose heart in serving God, no matter what bad things happen. Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:1-10