Shepherd's Garage: Recent Episodes
Barry Pritchard
Want to meet a man in love? This sermon looks at Nehemiah and how he loves the Lord and wants to make sure He is glorified.
As we continue the series, "he other Christian trinity," (faith, hope, love) we turn our attention to love. God is not concerned with our feelings so much as our actions when he commands us to love one another. How can we do this?
Hope has several elements but learning to he a good "waiter" is important. So is integrity. Hope depends on our integrity.
Hope. Christian hope is not wishful thinking. It is grouded in God and His faithfulness. Hope is also not a feeling. Sometimes hope is still moving forward when you do not feel like it. Think of hope this way: Hope is making heaven happen here.
The steadfast love of the Lord sounds good to our ears. However, have you noticed the context in which those words are written. It was a time of lost hope. Yet it speaks of hope so beautifully. Hope is hard. Hope is not some emotion we have it's a commitment that God is merciful and will keep his word.
Faith is belief, trust and obedience but is there another word we could use besides faith. Matthew Bates has suggested that the word allegiance may be a better word to use in understading the Biblical idea of faith.
When reading Hebrews 11 there are at least three elements to faith. Belief, trust and obedience. Focus for today is on trust.
Faith is certainly belief but it also is a recognition of the authority of Jesus and obedience to him.
What is the gospel and what does it mean that Jesus is messiah? The gospel is so much more than Jesus died for our sins. Messiah may be better understood as king.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God." But we do need to be sure that we have good sense of what Biblical faith is.
We want to be wise and do the right thing and yet we will still find ourselves struggling to be wise. How do we resolve this? Ecclesiastes 7:19-29 has some answers for us. There is one righteous one who never sinned, That makes all the difference. Give it a listen and see what you think.
As we study through Joshua and Judges we keep running into the problem of idolatry. It is easy to dismiss this as a problem they had but we do not struggle with. We have our idols and we keep them for a number of reasons. One reason we keep them around is that we stay focued on what we want instead of what we need. God is more interested in what we need than what we want. So when He does not give in to what we want we look to other places.
Just like the Israelites had a territory to conqueor in Joshua and Judges, we have one as well. Ourselves. That is the hardest thing we will have to conqueor in this life. There are lots of things we can look at and learn from the story of Joshua and Judges but maybe the prime one is this. The last verse of Judges sums up the problem. "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Strive to move beyond yourself and do what is right in the eyes of God.
Abel's blood cries for one things. Jesus blood speaks a better word to us. It's why we can say Happy Easter.
Ecclesiastes chapter 7 begins with the importance of a good name. Ecclesiastes 7:13 tell us this. Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? ESV. Life will at times be crooked and it was God who made it crooked. What's that all about? Let's explore.
We read through the book of Joshua and it's easy to just look at the stories. What meaning do these stories have for us today. Maybe if you looked at like this: We all have a territory to conquer. That territory is ourself. Read this way, Joshua is very useful for us as we see the the ways in which the battles we fight are either won or lost.
Will you be Rahab or Achan? Good question to ask yourself. Will you have faith and work for God's purposes or will you work toward your own ends?
Joshua gets to meet the commander of the Lord's army and then hear a word from the Lord. Lots to talk about here but the main point for today: Quit trying to get God on your side and make sure you are on God's side.
Ecclesiastes 7:9-13 continues the discussion about how to have a good name. Two things are emphasized: Control your anger and do not live in the past.
Everyone has questions they want answers to and should try to get answered. Why and I here and what should I be doing. The Bible has answers to these questions and others.
In Joshua chapter 1 Joshua is taking over from Moses as the leader of the Israelites. God gives him some instructions to be a great leader. However, the advice God gives to him is not what you would hear in leadership seminars today in this world. It's pretty basic. Be holy and obedient. Let's see why this makes all the difference.
Joshua chapter one describes the land that the Israelites will one day occupy. Yet, to my knowledge, they never occupied all this territory. Why? Was it a failure on the part of God or the people or something else? Let's explore.
Correction. It's hard to give and hard to take but so essential to all aspects of our life, especially spriritually.
Luke 15: The Lost Sheep, Lost Coin and Lost Son. Tough being lost and tough being the one who lost something important. What can we do about it. This is not just stories about lost but asking us what we will do about the lost.
How is the day of death better than the day of birth? Sound counter intuitive. Very interesting passage from Ecclesiastes 7:1-8. Let's tak a look at what it means to have a good name.
For the Christmas story let's consider Joseph. He was a righteous man and that made all the difference.
Why do we sing? We sing for lots of reasons and singing is vital to our worship. Let's explore why.
started a short series about thanksgiving: Being thankful for things we usually do not think about being thankful for. November 9 was was this: Be thankful that Jesus can redeem our suffering. November 16 learned to be thankful that Jesus redeems our mistakes. Today we talk about being thankful that Jesus teaches us about our diet. We are what we eat and each week we have the honor of joining Jesus at his table. A table he asked us to come to and that is the best food you will have all week.
This morning I want us to reflect on being thankful that God works in our failures. With God, our failures do not have to be the final word on our lives. God can redeem our suffering and he can redeem our failures as well.
November in my mind gets to thinking about Thanksgiving. As I get older I find Thanksgiving to be a favorite holiday. The theme of Thanksgiving is very Biblical so it is always appropriate to focus on it. When we usually ask what someone is thankful for we get the usual and appropriate, answers like family, health etc. I want us to focus on some other things we may not usually think of first. The sermon today is about being thankful that in Jesus our suffering will be redeemed. If we suffer as a Christian we can find joy in that. Pick your battles in life and if you choose them well then the struggle and fight will be worth it. Promise! Dustin will be leading our singing Sunday and he has selected these songs and an explanation as to why they were selected.
The phrase Jesus uses about passing from death to life by believing is interesting. We still will die but we have moved from death to life? With other things in John, there is a deeper meaning than the surface one. Could be that we now have eternal life and that is what is meant. Could also be that we move from a dead way of living to a way of living that is fully alive. Eternal life starts now and because of what we have it changes everything about how we live now. The future determines the present for Christians. We often like to say that we are not guaranteed tomorrow and there is a sense in which this is true. But in Christ, we are promised tomorrow, an eternity of them!
It is good to be strong and to persist in something. I admore who people who are persistent. However, there is also a great strength in learning when to let go of something. If it is something you need to let go of it's really going to hurt when god finally rips it from your hand.
Fear and faith with start with an “F” but with faith we should not fear. That slogan sounds good but fear is with us all the time. Maybe it is not so much about ever getting rid of fear as it is realizing that if your faith is in what is stronger than your fear then you should overcome your fear. Maybe think not so much in terms of feelings, but action. If we make fear about how we feel, then we will always be fearful. But of we think of courage as moving ahead in spite of our fears there we are not “fearful” but faithful.
The question has come to me about charging interest. Is it right or not. Let's take a look.
It seems like all can agree that the world is a mess. We are like the prodigal son who told his father to give him what he has coming and he will do things his own way. Didn't work out well for the prodigal and it's not working out well for us either. It's time to come to our senses and return to the father.
The question was brought to me about why we meet on Sunday and what about churches that meet on Saturday evening. Is that all right. Take a listen.
What does it take to get heard? It seems like to really get attention you have to be over the top these days. That should have an effect on how we listen and judge others as they speak in this day and age when pretty much anyone can pick up a mike and potentially broadcast their ideas to millions.
Jesus asks us to daily take up our cross and follow him. Maybe to understand this cross should not be understood as a burden, but as a mission. The cross is not a problem but a purpose.
The last in this series of looking at the Happy Lies book. The last installment looks at seeker sensitive churches and her criticism of those.
This may be the sinner's prayer we all need to be praying. "God be merciful to me a sinner." Why? Let's explore.
As we continue to look at the book "Happy Lies" I discuss the idea that I want Jesus to save me from myself, not to affirm me. It makes a lot of difference as to how we listen to him.
People come to Jesus for all kinds of reasons. Some are spiritual and some are not. Jesus welcomed all who came for whatever reason. We should too.
Let's take a break from the review of "Happy Lies" and look at the other side. There are those who have not had success in life and they do need to hear a message that life can be more than what they currently have. I'll get back to reviewing the book next week, but want to pause for a side commentary.
Do you want to get well? This is a question asked by Jesus a long time ago and we need to be asking ourselves. Our first response might be, "Yes, of course." But do we really. Many do not want to get well. Why?
If we ask and God does not do what we ask is that a lack of faith on our part? If we just had more faith would God give us what we want? Maybe not. It is likely something else. Let's explore.
In John 4 there is the story of the official whose son was near death. Jesus spoke the word and the son lived. However, the man had to wait the night to gete the news that his son was well. How hard is it when Jesus makes a promise but we have to wait for it to be experienced? Sometimes it can be a day and sometimes it can be years. Jesus can still be believed.
We take a look at Chapter 7 of the book Happy Lies. Is there any danger to the Law of Attraction?
Back to school time. Let's hear what the parents and teachers have to say as the children go back to school.
Why do Christians meet each week? The meaning of the word church is assembly. Why is it so important to get together each week. Let's explore. My apologies, the first part of the sermon was cut off.
A fundamental question you have to ask yourself is this: Am I enough and I just need to discover myself or do I need a savior?
The series from Ecclesiastes continues from chapter 5 today. "Whoever loves money will never have enough." We also know it is so easy to fall in love and it is easy to fall in love with money as well. How do we keep from this evil. Is what you have an achievement or a gift. It matters how you view it.
Don't think of the church as a building or even an institution but an assembly of those who desire to follow Jesus.
This week i take a look at chapter 4 of Melissa Dougherty's book "Happy Lies." Truth is not found inside us. it is external to us. One reason why we struggle with pursuing truth and loving it is that the truth is hard and may even cause is to suffer. There are a lot of other reasons why we pursue truth inside ourselves instead of outside so check them out in this episode.
Why? Such a small word with so much power. We want to know why but are not given answers. What is going on? With all the problems in the world it seems like God could do more.
We continue our look at Melissa Dougherty's book "Happy Lies." We desire to be God. Maybe not even in some metaphysical or ontological sense, but just wanting to exert and have control and make the world the way we want it. This is one reason "New Thought" has such a powerful influence and can make it's way into our lives.
The 10 Commandments are in the news again. But, do yoou even know what they are? Many believers cannot even name them, so what does that say about those who want them in public cpaces but cannot even name them. Let's explore.
How do we live among those who do not believe? First, we make sure that we have our own house in order. We need to hold each other to a high standard and then we can walk more confidently among those who do not believe.
As Christians how do we have conversations with those who do not believe. We start first with the understandng that if we have the Holy Spirit we have been given a gift to help us understand spiritual truths.
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." ESV Colossians 4:5-6
How do we live among and talk to those who do not share our faith? This is the beginning of a series that addresses how we can live and talk about what we believe in ways that are wise, gracious and seasoned with salt. Main point today: It matters how we act and how we talk if we want to be heard.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." These famous words delivered by Joshua so many years ago are words we still need to hear today. In fact every choice we make matters, but there are some fundamental choices that determine all else.
It's the fool who is not afraid of anything. Fear of God is the the beginning of wisdom.
It's Mother's Day and I want to look at a "bitter" mother. Naomi had a lot of reasons to be bitter. Life had not worked out for her. She said her name was now Mara, which means bitter. Yet through her life and story God was at work and I would like to image that at the end when someone called her Mara she corrected them and said, "You can call me Naomi." She was no longer the bitter one.
Practice generosity. This means with more than just your money. How else can we be generous? Let's explore.
We should be consistent and steadfast in our prayers. We also need to be watchful. How can we be more watchful in our prayers and what difference does it make?
The Road to Emmaus story in Luke 24 is what I like to call the "First Supper" after the Last Supper. Jesus is present with us whether we recognize it our not. And when we do, it makes all the difference.
Work as though you are working for the Lord. It matters how we do the jobs that we have.
“The best way to forget the high cost of living is to live so that life is worth more.” I do not know who to contribute this quote to, but there is a truth there. One way we make life worth more is to grow ourselves spiritually as well as physically. Proverbs chapter 10 has some ways we can do this. Let's explore.
Is there a solution to the way in which the world beats us down and oppresses us? Let's explore Ecclesiastes chapter 4 and see a different way that life can be done.
Paul tells fathers not to exasperate their children. Good advice but what does that look like? Lets explore.
Rocks, hills, stones, trees and so many other things in creation can praise and teach us about God. We jsut need to listen.
Wives submit to your husbands. Submit can seem like a bad word today. Is it or does it have a different meaning in the Bible than our culture uses it today? Let's explore.
Letting the peace of Christ rule in your hearts is something we wish for. But it seems an impossible task, at least sometimes. How can we have this peace?
We return to dust Solomon tells us. But the news is that God knows what to do with dust. That makes all the difference.
It's so easy to be misled we have to be careful what we believe. One way we are easily misled is when what we hear is sensational or affirms something we already believe.
"All You Really Need is Love." That can be true if you understand what love is. If you do not it can cause lots of problems. Paul tell us that love is what binds the other graces together so how does that work? Let's explore.
How does Christ being in all change the way we treat each other. Anger, wrath, slander and obscene talk are all something we need to putout of our lives, but they just keep coming up time and time again. Putting on Christ does make a difference in how we live.
Jesus or Barabbas? It's a question as to which one you will choose. The way of Jesus or the way of Barabbas is one question we need to ask ourselves each day. Choose wisely.
We are told by Paul is Colossians 3:5 to put to death sexual immorality in our lives. Why do Christians have such a different standard about sexuality than the world around us. Let's explore why God cares so deeply about how we express ourselves sexually.
God has put eternity in our hearts. We know there is more and we have questions about purpose and meaning in our lives. Let's see what Ecclesaistes 3:9-15 can tell us about this.
That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; Ecclesiastes 3:15 ESV. Interesting verse! How are we to understand this? Let's explore how "that which is to be has already been."
When the wise men came to Jerusalem and asked about the king of the Jews Herod was upset. He was bothered there was another king. What about us? Are we really willing to let Jesus be king or are we bothered as well that Jesus is the true king and not us?
Jesus was a "man of sorrows" yet we sing "Joy to the World." It was because he bore our sorrows that we are able to sing about Joy.
Distractions can come from worldly things and they can come from religious ones as well. Paul warns us about getting caught up in religious things that are bot really important, but others will try to impose things on us. Do not let yourself be judged by another over some "shadow" issue.
There is a time for everything we are told in Ecclesiastes 3. Timing means a lot in life and so does getting things into the right order and sequence. We ahve to plant before we harvest and even then it matters when we plant and when we harvest. Take a listen as we explore this famous passage.
"What possessed you?" Ever had somone ask you that question? Let's explore what might have possessed you.
Is it the destination or the journey that matters? I have known people who hold that it's the journey and others who say it is the destination. I say it is both and this has implications for our life as followers of Jesus. Paul tells us how hard he is working to present those he knows as mature in Jesus. Why does it matter? Let's explore.
This episode we take a look at Trinitarian thinking in Churches of Christ in our hymnody.
Colossians 2:1-10 we hear Paul emphasizing that in Jesus we are complete. He warns us against getting caught in worldly ways of thinkiing and how this under mines what Jesus is doing in our lives.
Proverbs 22:13 says. "The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!” What in the world does this mean? Maybe it's a warnning about all the excuses we like to give. Give it a listen and see what you think.
We continue the series in Ecclesiastes. This time I looked at chapter 2 and all the things that we think will bring us happiness but do not. It may be much simpler than we think and it may not be the answer that we want, but there is hope for how to find your way in life.
We continue our series in Colossians. Paul puts before us the importance of keeping Jesus first in your life.
Continued our series on Colossians by looking at 1:3-14. Special emphasis on thinking spiritually and what that looks like.
Paul was a praying man. It's good to pay attention to what he prayed about for the churches then and see how his praying can instruct us today.
A mistake was made and the sermon was not recorded. What is here is a short (6 minute) recap of the main points of the sermon. Sorry
Ecclesiastes is either liked or disliked. I am starting a series from Ecclesiastes but will just preach on it once a month as I work my way through it. Today we looked at chapter 1. Main focus: Life is fleeting. How do we make the most of it?
Teaching children is fun. They make us relook at things that we would usually go on by. Teaching the children about Satan testing Jesus they want to know why didn't Jesus go ahead and turn the stones to bread. Seems reasonable. I tried to explain that it matters who you listen to. Choose, will you listen to God or Satan?
Ruth was a worthy woman for several reasons, but one that stands out is that she never thought she was worthless.
The story of Ruth is obviously about Ruth, but there is also a man, Boaz, who is also worthy of study. Let's take a look at this worthy man and see what we can learn from him.
Back to school time. Let's take a look at some things it's important for our children to know as they go back.
How well do you take care of your fences? Itr makes a difference in you life. Not really talking about fences, but take a listen and I will teach you a truth about life.
Every man needs a Nathan. That person who says no to him and challenges him on the things he is in denial about. This is part one of a sermon on the need to be challenged in life.
Moses led a very interesting life. Yet the end of his life did not go as he wished. While he was dissapointed at the time, God was still not through with him.
Samson is a tragic man. So much potential and was more obesessed with what is right in his eys than anything else. It was after he could no longer see that he finally realized wherre his real strength was.
This is the third and final episode talking about Barnabas. Barnabas was a man who did not let his ego get in the way.
Are you open to correction and how you react determine a lot about how your life will go spiritually and physically.
Last week we looked at Barnabas and how he was an encourager. This second part explores how Barnabas encouraged by standing by and promoting someone when others would not. Isn't it great when you have someone who believes in you and will tell others he believes in you.
The word pride is used a lot in our culture today. The Bible has positive and negative things to say about pride. Let's explore the negative side of pride and how we can learn to be proud of the right things.
We all need encouragement. The Bible tells us about Barabus who was an encourager. What makes this man so special? Let's explore what it means to be a generous giver.
Happy Father's Day!. A father needs God as his Father. We all need some help as fathers and there is one who can help us.
Why would Esau sell his birthright? Seems like such a dumb thing to do. Is it possible that he cannot bring himself to ask for help?
The Blame Game. We need to quit playing the blame game and accept responsibility for what we do.
"Work out your salvation with fear and trembling." These words from Paul all these years ago to the Philippian church still need to be heard today. And maybe we have misunderstood them and applied them wrong. Let's take a look.
Fear is a powerful emotion and it wants control over our lives. We do not have to let fear run our lives. One powerful way to fight fear is through faith and facts.
I take a look back at a quote from Shane Claiborne's book, "The Irresistible Revolution." This explores the idea that we have too many Christian celebrities and not any martyrs.
Why it's important to not shoot the hostages. Satan has this world and so many held hostage and if we are not careful we direct our anger toward the wrong one.
Rejection. Jesus experienced rejection. Doubt is always with us, but do not reject Jesus because he is not doing things the way you want.
We use and hear the word hero a lot these days. Are we using that word the way we should? Let’s explore