Prairie View Christian Church: Recent Episodes
PVCC Elders
Note: The first 90 seconds is cut off. Full audio/video can be found on the PVCC page of Facebook.
Faithfully Continue the Work that God's Given You (or The One Where Joshua Said God Hates Retirement)
After some technical difficulties last week, we are back this week. Please rejoin us for Part 3 in our "The Deposit: 1 Timothy" series with 1 Timothy 1:18-2:15!
Despite a few small skips in the beginning, the main sermon body is intact. We invite you all to listen and worship, even while separated during this time of social distancing due to COVID-19. (Recorded 3-14-20)
We read from Psalm 42, mourning together following the passing of one of our own earlier in the week - while also allowing Scripture to remind us of our hope in God even in the midst of grief.
The first ten minutes were lost. However, don't let that stop you from jumping in with us part way!
We welcomed Luke Humphrey, Pastoral Resident for Community Life at College Park Church, to deliver the message from God's Word.
In Christ, we have been made alive and given a new identity in Him. What does this mean for us as a community of people? Whatever else divides them, Christians are in Christ - and when this is lived out and displayed, it is a testimony that cannot be overlooked.
This week we launch our 7-week series in Ephesians, starting with Chapter 1. Paul opens his letter by praising God for all he has done for his people in Christ. As individuals, he has chosen us, made us holy, adopted us, redeemed us, enlightened us, made us heirs, and sealed us. As a people, God has made us his church, the body of Christ in the world today. Join us in celebrating what God has done, and exploring what it means for us today in the weeks to come!
What does the Bible have to say about our time of worship through song? This morning we saw that God cares about worship, worship is a response to his revelation of himself, he is at work in our worship through his word, and music is a good gift from God. God is glorified when we enjoy worshiping him rightly - worshiping in spirit and in truth. Do you make a priority of time with God's people, encountering him together, with good preparation, punctuality, and participation?
As we finish our "Prayer" series this week, we turn to prayers of repentance. Psalms 32 and 51 are excellent examples of a follower of God (David) acknowledging his sin, confessing, repenting, seeking forgiveness, establishing new patterns, and teaching others. Why do we have any reason to think God will hear our prayers of repentance? Because a broken and contrite heart he will not despise, and he loves all who turn to him in Christ. Have you come clean with God, and taught others to do the same?
This week in our "Prayer" series, we consider the requests that we make of God - using the prayers of Jesus as our guide. Jesus taught us to approach God from a posture of helpless desolation - because without his aid, we can accomplish nothing worthwhile. But with the aid of our loving heavenly Father, we can pray boldly for his greater glory, the advance of his kingdom, and all our other requests, because we know that whether he grants or denies, he is always at work for our good - even when we can't see it.
This week we start a 3-week series on Prayer, and we began by considering how remarkable it is we can speak with God at all. Full of majesty and holiness and glory, getting a glimpse of our Creator can be a terrifying experience. But because of Christ's work, we can come before God as forgiven, redeemed, adopted sons, his own children. After seeing who Christ is and what he's done for us, it gives us an unquenchable desire to commune with God in prayer.
This is the last Sunday in 2014 - has it been a good year for you? Or was 2014 one you'd like to forget as quickly as possible? If it's been a great year, Deuteronomy 6 reminds us that it it the Lord we have to thank for anything good in our lives. If it's been a dark and challenging year, Psalm 23 reminds us that God is our Shepherd, and he is with us every step of the way - even when we can't see him for the darkness. Are you taking advantage of your fellow members of God's family, and being of service to others? Are you reminding people that God is always at work, transforming his people into Christ's likeness for our good and for his glory?
Tonight we finish our series about "WHY" Jesus came: he came to save his people from their sins. Jesus's birth is nothing less than God coming to seek us out, even though we were so lost we didn't know we needed him. But his birth was just the beginning, and has no significance without his true saving work - his death and resurrection. When you celebrate Christmas this year, remember that Jesus came to die for sinners!
We sing about "glory to God, and on earth peace, goodwill to men" - but in Matthew 10, Jesus claims he did NOT come to bring peace - but a sword, and division, and conflict. How can this be? Sometimes permanent peace requires temporary conflict. Being permanently at peace with God means being at war with sin, and incurring the hostility of all who oppose the things of God. That can come at the cost of money, security, career, glory, perhaps even our very lives. But Jesus asks us to take up our cross and follow him, because HE took up his cross for us - to bring peace to his people.
Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament - what did he mean by that, and what does it mean for us? It means we can neither disregard the Old Testament, nor treat it as perfect on its own. Jesus fulfilled the promise of victory over sin and Satan, blessings to all through God's people Israel, completion of prophecies, and the perfect completion of the moral code. Jesus changed the idea of what it means for us to be righteous: we have been changed on the inside, so we can now live a life that pleases Him. Are you living through the sufficiency of his work, or trying to prove your own?
How do we know what God is like? Can we make him what we imagine him to be, like some form of Santa, Gandalf, an officer, a judge, or a crutch? Or has he revealed himself to us in the Bible, and specifically in his son Jesus? If you want to know God, study Jesus - his manger, his life, his cross, his empty tomb, and his work in the world today. Are you shining God's light through your life this month?
Last week, we learned it was helpful to each other to be generous with our service, kindness, and truth. This week, our founding pastor Erick Riddle took us to the life of Elijah to remind us that if we wish to be helpful to others in God's kingdom and our circles of influence, we must steward carefully the gifts of time, energy, and health that he has given us. If we aren't operating with good rest and good margins, we won't be in a position to help others, or serve our Lord and Master Jesus Christ!
This week we finish our "Generosity" series, considering how God's great mercy and generosity toward us impacts the way we live. We've been called to be generous not just with our resources and our time, but also within the church. We are to be generous with our spiritual gifts, no matter how "insignificant"; we are to be generous with grace in relationships, even when undeserved; and we are to be generous with the truth of God's Word, even when it's hard to share. All this is motivated by the Gospel and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
So, after coming to believe in Jesus and becoming part of his church, how should that new reality be reflected in our daily lives? What does being a recipient of the mercy of Christ have to do with parenting, marriage, friendship, work, and athletics? Not surprisingly, the Bible has a lot to say about how we can live our lives in a manner that brings glory to God, and especially testifies to the work of Jesus. One of our Elders (Craig Hunter) explores the implications of belief this morning at PVCC.
We're all given the same amount of time, but we use it according to our priorities. Some prefer to live as though life will last forever, even though we know better; others prefer to devote their limited time to purposes without any eternal value. But through the gospel of Jesus, we are given a cause worthy of our days and our years: seeking his kingdom. Whether in our own lives, our families, our churches, or our communities, only what is done for Christ will last, but everything we do for him will be enjoyed for eternity. Are you submitting your schedule to what really matters?
We started our November series on Generosity this week, and we jumped right into our finances. Potentially uncomfortable but frequently discussed in Scripture, it's essential to realize wealth (or poverty) is not innately good or evil. However, wealth can easily become an idol, for those who possess it OR simply wish too. If we are to work hard and be generous with our surplus, what will it look like to give out of gratitude, glad obedience, and a desire to further God's work? Since God has been so generous and merciful with us, we are called to give in a sacrificial, joyful, and generous way with others.
As we finish our "Come To The Table" series, we are in the Book of Revelation, studying the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. Often intimidating and perplexing, the key themes of Revelation are judgment, endurance, hope, and reunion. In particular, the book leaves us looking forward to the day when all of God's church is reunited in his presence, celebrating what Jesus has done. Are you preparing yourself and your friends to be there on that day?
If someone makes an outrageous claim, they need to be prepared to back it up with extraordinary evidence. When Jesus arrived, heralded as the Lamb of God and calling followers to believe in him, he provided a series of noteworthy signs that pointed to his glory. This week in our "Come to the Table" series, we see Jesus deliver a family from shame by providing wine at a feast. Salvation came to them in a small way - has it come for you as well?
Slavery isn't just an issue for history class - it's a real problem around the world today, and its toxic effects last for generations. But in what way are we ALL born as slaves? In our slavery to sin. In our second "Come To The Table" sermon, we see how God used the Passover meal to depict his deliverance of his people. The lamb's blood, the bitter herbs, the urgency - each part helped Israel remember their slavery in Egypt, and helps us understand our own slavery to sin. Only through Christ's death and new life can we be delivered - and that's a story worth sharing and repeating!
Spiritual stagnancy. We all experience this, at some point in our Christian walk. How do Paul's instruction to Titus help us with this, and how does the gift of God's grace and the work of the Holy Spirit change us? What role do we play in this, and might God be accomplishing something during this time?
Our 4th Trustworthy saying is on the topic of suffering. Paul invites Timothy (and all believers) to share in suffering for the gospel, and throughout history, it has been more common than not for Christians to endure persecution and hardship. As the atmosphere in the US becomes more toxic, what hope or strength can we call on to help us endure? As Paul did, we must remember that God has given us mercy, is training us for service, and that he is always at work to advance the gospel - even redeeming our suffering for his glorious ends.
When Joshua led the people of Israel into the Promised Land, he wanted to leave a long-lasting legacy of strength and courage. He challenged them to serve the Lord only, or to choose some other idol of their option. We face the same challenge: God has called us to himself in Christ, but we face many other rivals for our attention. Whatever promises to give us purpose, meaning, comfort, security, and direction can become an idol - things like wealth, entertainment, work, or family. Are you serving the Lord with single-minded devotion?
Paul's 2nd "trustworthy saying" to Timothy was about the sort of leadership a church needs to have. Rather than the most gifted, talented, high-capacity leaders by the world's standards, Paul sets out a completely different model for leadership: men of integrity, maturity, and humility, who are already respected and esteemed in their home, their work, their community, and growing in their walk with Christ. Whether you aspire to church leadership or not, it's important to know what God calls for in those who shepherd his flock - those who are being used by God in spite of their sin. Is that you?
When Paul wanted to give encouragement to a beloved friend serving in a challenging location, he reminded him of what he already knew: God saves sinners. No matter how offensive the sin, God is a God who is merciful and gracious to his people. No matter how toxic the environment, he is at work in his people, extending his mercy further and further. We each have a story to tell about how God has been merciful in our lives, and there are people that need to hear it; how will God be using YOU this week?
This week we finish our 10 Commandments series with the commandment that perhaps summarizes them all - coveting. When we covet, we are failing to love God purely and singly, by putting other things ahead of him; and likewise, we are failing to love our neighbors, by being jealous of what is theirs. How do we avoid this sneaky, contagious, gateway sin? By cultivating our desire and pursuing that which can truly satisfy - a relationship with Jesus Christ. Are you more in love with the Savior, or what he can do for you and offer you?
Lies have consequences - we've all felt them, whether we've been the liar or the lied-to. The 9th Commandment is about honesty, integrity, and trust, and it reminds us of something important about God: he defines truth, creates truth, decides truth, and reveals truth. He calls us to be honest with ourselves, with him, with others, and with how we represent him to others. And he sent us his only Son to show us what it is to live a life of integrity, and to pay the price for our falseness. Have you done honest business with God about your sin, and his Son?
Very few of us are brazen daylight bank robbers. But, as usual, when God says "do not steal", he has more in mind than the simplest and worst offenses. Do we improperly acquire anything which is another's? Do we have anything we weren't able to come by honorably? Stealing can come in many subtle forms, and not just in the workplace and the marketplace. But when you already possess and treasure the one thing worth having - a relationship with God through his son Jesus Christ - then you don't need to steal anything from anyone, but can freely share what YOU have found.
This week we come to the seventh commandment, the prohibition against adultery. God cares about marriage, and God cares about sex - he created them both! But like all the commandments, these aren't just issues of the body, the eyes, and the mind, but of the heart. And in our hearts, we are all unrighteous and sinful, impure and unfaithful. This makes God's redeeming grace shine all the brighter, since Jesus was willing to pay the highest price to bring back those who had done him the greatest wrong. This gives us the opportunity to provide positive examples of what marriage should be, and to speak of God's redeeming, purifying, and sustaining grace in our lives!
You shall not murder - is it as simplistic as that? In this series, we've seen that God is at work, forming us into the likeness of Christ. Christ is the one who loved his enemies so much, he gave up his life for them - for us. That is the very opposite of the anger, frustration, and selfishness that is epitomized in murder. We are to be known for the love that we have for each other, even when it's most challenging and most difficult. Does that describe the direction your heart is moving?
Paul gives a third "trustworthy saying" to Timothy - God is the savior of those who believe, so we are freed to work hard and exert effort in his service. If you are a believer, do you also recognize that you are a servant of Christ, and need to be trained by his Word for service? That's a key reason we preach every weekend and have so many opportunities to volunteer.
Live long and prosper - Star Trek silliness, or a promise from God? Is that what God promises us for obeying the 5th Commandment, to honor our parents? As we continue seeing God reveal himself through the 10 Commandments, Pastor Ben shows us that it isn't about moralism - doing good things to get God's favor - but it's about a God who speaks, who redeems, and who sanctifies. What does the way we honor our parents say about our relationship with God the Father, and others in whom we can invest?
The 4th Commandment is easily forgotten and overlooked: honoring the Sabbath. Why is this one of God's Top 10? Because more than being just about rest, the Sabbath is about trust in God's provision, thankfulness for his deliverance, and being set apart as his people. Those 4 aspects are just as important today as they have ever been, and we will spend eternity enjoying each of them. Are you accepting the gift of work, resting properly, trusting God for sustenance, thanking him for his deliverance, and speaking of him to others when they ask why you Sabbath?
We continue our Ten Commandments series by considering the third Commandment - honoring God's name. Is this just about cussing, or maybe carelessness in our speech, or does it go even further? We "profane" God's name by claiming to be part of his family, but then living a completely different life. Fortunately God has given another name, by which we can be saved - the name of Jesus.
Last week, the 1st Commandment told us that God alone is to be worshipped. This week, we continue with the 2nd Commandment - when we worship God, we are NOT to make any images. Why is this important? Because images and representations always cheapen God, and fail to capture his glory. How might we be tempted to do this? By creating a god of our own imagining, creating him as we wish him to be, instead of how he has revealed himself to us - in his Word, and in his son Jesus, and especially at the cross!
Before the 10 Commandments were part of cinema history or a political football, they were God's self-introduction to his people. Far more than just a list of rules to check off, the 10 Commandments is God revealing himself to us, and what is important to him. He is a God who speaks, who redeems, and who sets apart his people. Has he spoken to you, redeemed you, and set you apart in Christ? Have you turned to him to become part of his people?
If you want to get something meaningful accomplished, it's helpful to have a concise summary of what you're trying to do so you don't get distracted! Jesus gave his church the Great Commission, and PVCC has its mission firmly aligned with Christ's. Do you know what your purpose is, your mission? When we are focusing on what God wishes, pursuing him through the spiritual disciplines, and believing and sharing the Gospel, we will be on mission for Christ, individually AND as a church.
God has given each of His people various gifts and abilities, and He wants us to use them for the church's good and His glory. In which areas of your life are you using your gifts well and in which areas do you have room to improve?
This week we finish up our Spiritual Discipline series focusing on the discipline of prayer, which we do in order to increase and deepen our dependency on God.
This week in our "Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People" series, we considered Fasting. Not as vital as study or prayer, it is still a good gift from God - when used for the right purposes. When we face times of mourning, emergency, decisions, preparation, or repentance, fasting from food can be an excellent way to heighten our dependency upon God. That's because he is the only one who can eternally supply ALL of our needs.
If we are expecting spiritual growth in our church, how should we go about pursuing that? God has given us "spiritual disciplines" - good, time-tested, Biblical habits that are absolutely essential for growth. The first is STUDY - getting deep into God's Word so we can meet him there, grow in him, and let it work in our lives. Have you found a good way to make time in God's Word part of your regular pattern of life?
What if the resurrection did not happen? What does that say about God? What does that say about Jesus? What does that say about us? Fortunately, the resurrection changes everything. The tomb is empty and He is risen!
Value #5 in our church direction series. "We expect both Spiritual and Numerical Growth."
In Matthew 25, Jesus gives a parable of a master who entrusted vast resources with his servants. Was it the prudent tightfisted servant who was praised, or the industrious risk-taker? Jesus commended the ones who invested his resources in Kingdom opportunities. We strive to do the same at Prairie View, putting God's resources to work in a way that pleases him as good managers and stewards. Is it the same way in your life also?
At Prairie View, one of our values is that we value all people as valuable. Why is that? Because we are all made in God's image. That changes how we view people - especially people we view as beneath us, or sinful, or less valuable. It also means God's esteem is more significant than self esteem. How can we best show people they are valuable? By sharing Christ with them, whether or not they value the message.
This week we began considering the 5 Values that we want to distinguish us as a church. How will these five values help us achieve our mission of making devoted, maturing, and multiplying followers of Christ? We start by remembering that all we do is to honor God. We seek not to honor any other God, earthly pursuit, or person, or even ourselves, but to seek first his kingdom. This is what he has made us for, and where we will be truly satisfied.
We worship together every week, but why? What is the church supposed to be about, anyway? Jesus gave his followers a mission: go and make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them. Sunday morning is part of that, and so is small group - but the moments when we can be most "on mission" for God is when we are speaking about what he has done to people who don't know him yet. God has given us his word, his people, and his Spirit - are you carrying his story and his message to those who need to hear?
What is faith? It's a commonly used word in our culture, but it means different things in different contexts. At root, faith is belief in testimony. For the Christian, faith is belief in GOD'S testimony about his Son, Jesus Christ. As we finish our study in 1 John, we consider how true Christian faith must impact the way we live, especially since it is God himself who is making the promises.
Continue in the 1 John series, Because He First loved Us as we discuss how Christians must lean on the Holy Spirit in their walk with Jesus.
God expects his children to be growing in his likeness. One key way we do this is growing in love. If our lives are characterized by hatred - the way of the world - then we are demonstrating that we don't have the life of Christ in is. If we're not growing in the fruit of the Spirit, we show we don't have the Spirit. Just like we see God's love for us at the cross, the world sees his love on display in the way we love each other. Not just on Sunday mornings, or when it's easy - but even when it's hard, awkward, uncomfortable, or costly.
Children naturally imitate their parents, and where the bond between them is warm and strong, this imitation is even stronger and more intentional. We have been adopted by our loving heavenly Father who paid a great price for us, so it is natural that we should seek to please him and be more and more like him. Those who are not His will not make a practice of obeying him. What will the balance of your life testify? Do you make a practice of sinning, or of pleasing the Father?
John's church faced false teaching, and he wrote to warn some and reassure others. True followers of Christ do not walk in darkness; they are growing in the knowledge of God, obedience to him, and love for his people. People who are not growing in knowledge, righteousness, and love are demonstrating that there is something very wrong in their spiritual life. What do you find when you examine your life, and what should you do about it?
The church in Acts 4 faced severe challenges from a society that did not welcome talk of Jesus. In the face of hostility, they were faithful to preach the gospel with boldness, maintain a spirit and culture of unity amongst themselves, and practice an unheard-of degree of generosity. Will those descriptions fit Prairie View in 2014 and beyond?
Even when he was still growing up, Jesus provoked lots of different responses - curiosity, hostility, polite respect. But there were a few who recognized he was God's Deliverer, sent to save his people from their sins - and from these people, he received worship. How will YOU respond to Jesus?
The birth of Jesus happened exactly as God had said it would. But, it was a scene of great contrast: a very humble family, in humble surroundings, with humble witnesses, yet prophesied about for hundreds of years, and heralded by angelic messengers. But the greatest contrast of all was in the manger: the sovereign eternal Lord of the universe, born as a human infant. How could this baby be fully man, and also fully God? It's a question that was filled history's greatest minds with wonder, and has a great deal of significance for how we follow in our Lord and Savior's footsteps today.
God sent John to prepare the way for Jesus, but even before that, he sent angels to their mothers. When the time came for them to be born, the parents were praising God with humility for his fulfillment of his promises. John pointed the way to Jesus gladly and without resentment; when we see Jesus for who he is, we will want to do the same.
When God was ready to have Jesus begin his time on earth, he sent angels ahead to give word. Some people responded with skepticism, but there responded with faith, even at great risk. When God moves in your life, how will you respond? Will you be ready?
Malachi describes a time when God's people found themselves wondering whether he was done with them, or whether he had more in store for them. The answer was very clear: God is always at work, continuing his work of redeeming and gathering a people. In fact, Malachi was his final prophet before the time of Christ. Are you joining God in his ongoing work?
As we close the book of Nehemiah, we see the end result of all Nehemiah's labors. After many years of pursuing excellence, leaning on God, building on Jerusalem's glorious past, praying through opposition, and caring for the spiritual health of the people, the city of Jerusalem dedicated its walls. Yet in spite of these blessings, they still fell into the same familiar pattern of neglect and forgetfulness. If human leaders can only deliver temporary and fleeting successes, how can we ever make progress? Fortunately, we have more than a human leader - we have Christ our Savior, the Lord.
Revival- It is a word that can evoke either positive or negative feelings within people. It is a thing to be desired. Yet, it can only spill out from the church when it happens within the church. Only when we realize we are under a curse, can not try hard enough to free ourselves from it, and only Christ can save us can true revival come.
When the construction projects were finished, Nehemiah knew there was still important work to do in Jerusalem - bringing the people back into observance of God's law. Reading the law exposed their attitudes toward it, and toward God - which brought them through the familiar cycle of hearing the Word, submitting to it, mourning over sin, rejoicing over salvation, and putting it into practice. We who know Jesus through the scriptures can rejoice that much more than the people of Nehemiah's day!
Just like Nehemiah, we often face opposition in our daily lives from distraction, lies, and temptation. How should we handle these distractions and how does going through opposition give glory to God? Continue with us on our walk through the book of Nehemiah.
Doing God's work often provokes opposition. In Nehemiah 3-4, we see that each person has part to play and a role to fulfill, if we are to accomplish God's work. And when the opposition comes, turning the matter over to the Lord and continuing the work, faithfully and diligently, leads to fruitfulness. In your own life and at PVCC, are you striving to please God on your own terms, or are you building on the firm foundation of Jesus' finished work?
This week we wrap up the book of James with another challenging lesson - this time about prayer. We all know none of us prays as we ought, but why is that? Do we blame schedules and distractions, or is it deeper - that prayer is a last resort, crisis-only tool? When we pray with, for, and about each other, we are submitting ourselves to God and seeking his aid in our lives - aid that is 100% necessary to do all that James (and Jesus) call us to!
What does it profit us if we proper materially in this life, but are destitute in eternity? Some of James' original readers were tempted to over-prioritize the present at the expense of their eternal souls. Are we so different? As usual, James speaks directly to us with clear words, reminding us that we need God to change our hearts and give us an eternal perspective.
What does "Humunity" mean? Join Pastor Ben Halliburton as he brings us a message from God's word on James 4:1-12
We've all had the experience of saying something foolish, or having something hurtful said to us. James tells us this is deeper than a simple common human foible - this is us revealing the content of our hearts. Only God can change us from the inside out, and transform our natural language from foolish and selfish into encouraging, wise, wholesome words from above.
James has been addressing his readers about faith - and how our faith, if genuine, will always lead to a changed life. If our faith doesn't make us more like Christ, can it save us? In Chapter 2, he specifically asks - if we show favoritism, are we loving our neighbor? If we have received such mercy from God, can we withhold it from others? In our day, how must we never show favoritism?
Faith in Jesus is often presented as truths to believe and faith to accept. But if that faith doesn't change your life, can it save you? James says true saving faith will change how we speak, what we do, and even how we spend!
Pastor Ben Halliburton brings us the first message in a sermon series walking through the book of James.
As we finish our series in the Psalms, we examined another common type of Psalm - the 'Call to Worship'. Not just singing and not just on Sundays, worship means glorifying God in all aspects of our lives - the way we live, work, play, and rest. God is the Creator and our Savior, so there is no area of our lives that does not owe him worship. Are we worshiping the one true God in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ his Son? Or do we worship a God of our own imagining, in a time and manner convenient to us?
This week, we looked at the 'Psalms of remembrance', specifically 136. We are always vulnerable to forgetting where we came from, what God has done for us, and the condition from which he saved us. God is the only God, the creator God, the God who delivers, and the God who keeps his promises. It was true of Israel, and it is even more true of us in Jesus. Do you often reflect on how great a work he has done in your life, and share that story with others?
Psalm 23 is known in the culture as the psalm of comfort in times of tragedy. Why? Because God is presented as the shepherd of our soul - guiding, leading, feeding, protecting, and caring for us. No matter how deep the valley or how dark the shadow, we have confidence that death and sin don't have the final say. The good shepherd gave his life so that by grace alone, we can dwell with God forever.
David frequently found himself in situations where only God could deliver him. He learned how to be humble before God, call out to him, and rejoice in the Lord's deliverance. Like David, we also face our own challenging circumstances, but none greater than the sinful condition into which we were born. Have you humbly called out to God for deliverance from your greatest affliction of all?
The Laments are the biggest genre of the Psalms. They are honest in showing pain, grief, and hardship. Yet, they do it with hope and awareness that God is still there, even when it seems He is not. The authors refuse to stop trusting and God and show us that no matter what our hardship is, the relief we all need can be found in only Him.
Psalm 1 is all about wisdom - not just making smart decisions in the here and now, but making godly decisions that will matter in eternity. Wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord, but it is completed in Jesus. The cross doesn't appear wise by worldly standards, but God determined, in his own wisdom, that by it we should be saved.
Mark set out to tell the story of Jesus, the Son of God, and this week the story hastened to an abrupt conclusion. We followed Jesus from Gethsemane to the cross, and then in and out of the tomb. His story intersected with several other characters' this week, none of whom could grasp the significance of what was happening. But thanks to Mark, we CAN understand - Jesus was dying for our sins, and his story continues in us. Have you decided to participate in the ongoing story of Jesus?
The Gospel of Mark doesn’t just tell us about Jesus – it has Peter’s story, too. But while Mark gives the story of Jesus’ whole life, Peter’s story stops at his very lowest moment. After Peter abandoned and denied Jesus, what hope was there for him? The same as for any of us: that through Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, we can have new life. And, Jesus sends his Spirit to enable us to live a life that pleases him, no matter what has already happened in your life. How have you responded to Jesus?
Jesus was much more than a miracle-working moral teacher - he came to fulfill the Law, and to enable US to keep it as well. Jesus knew that keeping the law was a matter of the heart, not behavior. And he knew that we could only truly keep the law - loving God with our whole being, loving our neighbor as ourselves - because God first loved us. He showed his love for us on the cross - how have you responded to it, and shown it to others?
Jesus said some things that are hard to accept. Divorce is a bad thing - so how do we live in an age of broken families and abusive relationships? Wealthy people can't enter heaven - so how DO we enter heaven? Desiring personal greatness is a sign of profound selfishness - so how do we channel our desires for significance? It all comes down to how you view the cross: by receiving God's grace, we can extend his grace and love to others - even in hard marriages, hard financial times, and with people who are hard to serve. How have you responded to God's grace?
Jesus gives spiritual life to our hearts and spiritual sight to our eyes, allowing us to see him for who he is. But do we understand what he came to do? Do we recognize his call to humbly serve others, like he did? And do we heed his command to rid ourselves of sin? Find out how he wants us to respond to what he tells us.
When God begins a work in our lives, we begin to see things differently. As Jesus reveals himself to us, we come to see him more and more as he truly is. Just as Jesus healed the blind, he also gave sight to his disciples. Do you see Jesus as not just a man or a teacher or a myth, but as he really is - our Lord and Savior? Ask him for eyes to see this week.
The Bible sure has a lot of rules, commandments, and instructions. But that hasn't stopped us from adding more, with the hope of staying even further away from sin. But can self-discipline and behavior-modification make us righteous? Can our external activities change our heart and our motives? Change on the inside is something only God can do, and Jesus came to make it possible for us to have that new life. Has God begun to change your heart? Are you helping or hindering his work in your life?
Mark 5 features Jesus performing three familiar miracles: casting out a demon, healing a chronically sick woman, and raising a young girl from the dead. What do these three have in common? Why are they grouped together by Mark? On the surface, they have nothing in common. The one common theme: these people were desperate, out of resources, and flung themselves at Jesus' feet, seeking his mercy and blessing. Have you come to the place where YOU know you're out of options, and need to humble yourself at the feet of the Savior who loves you?
Jesus spent a great deal of time teaching his followers, and his moral teaching has been loved through the ages. But he was more than a moral teacher - he was God, revealing his kingdom, even the parts that are hard to understand or accept. Are we willing to hear what he has to say about himself, and us, and our right response?
In Mark 1, Jesus developed a fast-growing preaching and healing ministry. But he came for much more, so starting in Chapter 2, he starts telling people about who he is, and what he came to do - intending to provoke a response from them. When he claimed to be the arrival of God himself, come to rescue his people from their sins, the response was immediate: some people rushed to him in repentance and faith, while others immediately began to plan his murder. How do you respond to Jesus' claims?
As Jesus began his ministries, he was preaching and teaching in the towns of Galilee, and developing a reputation. He was becoming more and more famous - but why? Were people drawn to his message of repentance and forgiveness, or did they just want to see him do miracles? Jesus himself gives us a hint when he tells his disciples that he came to preach; the miracles simply served to authenticate his message. Do we see Jesus as a guy who can help us, or do we see him for who he is - God the Son, come to save us sinners and forgive our sins?
The Gospel of Mark was written to provoke a response. In his opening verses, Mark sought to establish that Jesus was the Son of God, sent on a mission from the Father, continuing the work God has been doing since creation: gathering a people to himself. God sent Jesus to continue the work of reconciling people to him, unfolding the "Kingdom of God", and inviting people to come to him and participate in his plan. Are we willing to give up everything to follow him?
During the week leading up to his crucifixion, Jesus took several opportunities to remind his disciples that he was in control of the events going on. Not just going with the flow, Jesus was actually proceeding according to a plan, accomplishing the work God gave him to do. But the story didn't end on Easter - we, too, are called to be part of God's story and God's work. How will you respond to the invitation to accept the risen Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
When Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple in triumph, his followers thought they were part of a great story - the overthrow of Rome. But Jesus had a much bigger plan, and a much bigger story to tell - the salvation of God's people, by his death and resurrection. When the disciples thought the story was over after Jesus' arrest, in truth it was just beginning. Today, we are called and invited to be Christ's followers, part of his story.
The parable of the Good Samaritan may be a familiar story, but put yourself in the shoes of the victim - waking up, rescued, well-cared-for - wouldn't you want everyone to experience the same grace you'd received?
PVCC is at the opening of a new chapter, and it is a great opportunity to consider what kind of church we want to be. Pastor Ben helps us see that in Acts 2, the church is called to be devoted to Scripture, communion, prayer, love, and fellowship - and as we practice those things, we will be the kind of church God wants.
This week Erick Riddle takes us through the last of our study of Colossians, and Paul's parting words continue his pattern of basing his instructions on the Gospel: be devoted to prayer, with thanksgiving; pray for open doors, so the Gospel may go forward; and take care of each other, your brothers and sisters in Christ. There will be no open doors for ministry without prayer, and truly taking care of each other.
In Colossians, we've seen that Christ is supreme over all things, and he has conquered all our enemies in the cross. So what does our new life in him look like? Paul shows us that becoming more LIKE Christ flows from being IN Christ. As we grow in our knowledge of him, we will put off our old sinful patterns and put on the new attitudes and actions that glorify God.
We're turning the corner in Colossians - now that we've covered how Christ triumphed over all our enemies in the cross, we're considering how to live in response. Paul begins by telling us to train our hearts, train our minds, and then train our actions - all by concentrating on Jesus, who is our life now. One key habit to develop? Gratitude and thanksgiving.
Christ's death on the cross set us free - free from our sin's penalty, and its power, but also free from all the other futtile ways we tried to reach God, like rules, regulations, or religious activities. So why do we sometimes want to run back toward slavery? Partly familiarity, and partly because we like feeling like we can control our relationship with God. But Christ came to set us free from that trap, too.
Pastoral Candidating sermon for Ben Halliburton. In Luke 9, Jesus appears to dissuade some potential followers. Surely somebody trying to start a religion would take every follower he can get? No - because Jesus wants to establish a relationship with us based on faith and trust; he insists we come to him on HIS terms, for the right reasons, rather than for what WE can get out of it. The cost of following Jesus is high, but it's truly worth it.
Why did God ordain that his Son should be preached and his church should grow - through suffering? Our suffering shows the value of Christ's work, and the depth of his live for his people. We demonstrate that when we suffer for his sake, for the blessing of others.
When studying a passage of Scripture, it's good to know that your conclusions match the rest of the Bible. People have used Colossians 1 to support some very unhealthy doctrines and practices, but a careful consideration of the text helps us steer clear. Paul was writing to make sure that we know Jesus is God, so that we can continue in him - growing and becoming stronger in our fath.
As we continue our series in Colossians, Paul is preparing to address the spiritual environment of the church. But before he tackles the problems, he reviews the solid foundation of our faith: the person and work of Jesus Christ. He reminds us that Jesus is the supreme and preeminent Son of God, and that those who believe in him should continue, patiently, enduring to the end.
We are naturally selfish creatures, and everything in our society reinforces this me-first attitude. But Paul writes to the Colossians from a completely different perspective - a self-less perspective of giving and serving. How was Paul able to serve others over a lifetime? Because he learned about love from Jesus, who lived and died for sinners like us.
If the apocalypse was imminent and there was time for only one more sermon, what should it be? Perhaps it would have these key themes: God loves us, he knows everything about us, and his love for his people is eternal. Before time began, he knew his people would rebel and need a Savior; and for eternity future, he will be continuing to show his love to his people in new and wonderful ways, all through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
With all the excitement about gifts and family gatherings, it can be easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas: not just that Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem, etc, but that he came for a purpose: to die on the cross, rise from the grave, and ascend in glory, all to accomplish the redemption of his people. This Christmas, we're celebrating not just the birth of Jesus, but his whole life.
When we give people gifts, are we giving for the right reasons? Giving a gift for selfish reasons or personal benefit isn't just rude - it's actually a betrayal of God's image in us. God is the great giver, and we reflect his character when we give like he does: for the benefit of others, to display his character, and as an expression of love.
In some corners of the church, faith is something that's irrational, superstitious, optional, and not very demanding - a nice component of spirituality, if you're into that kind of thing. But the faith that Jesus calls us to exercise is intellectually rigorous, completely reasonable, necessary for the Christian life, and always leads to a desire to know God, love God, and serve God in a richer and deeper way.
In the movie "Elf", Buddy must persuade people that Santa really exists and spread Christmas cheer. Does he accomplish anything of lasting value? Does keeping a moral code change who we are and what we've done? Can the Law of God save sinners? Even though the Law is a gift from God, it instead serves to point us to Jesus. Only faith in our Savior can save us from sin.
Jesus calls for his followers to bear fruit - so how are we to do that? He tells us in Matthew 12 that to bear spiritual fruit, we must be rooted in him as individuals and as a church. Placing our faith in him, with our hearts changed by the Holy Spirit, we will be able to hold each other accountable and support each other in our walk.
If you knew your death was imminent, would you be living your life differently? Even the secular world considers questions like this. But for the Christian, it's an even deeper question, because our actions today have an eternal impact - both in our own lives, and for those around us. Are you using your time as a gift from God to be used for his purposes? Are you pursuing the abundant life that comes only through Jesus?
When Jesus healed 10 lepers, only 1 returned to give him thanks. Do we take the opportunity to give thanks for what he has given us, not just once a year, but daily? What about those around us who deserve our thanks - if we work hard on being grateful and thankful, we may discover we don't have the time for grumbling and complaining - or the desire!
Have you observed that each of us has within us a deep longing for satisfaction, that can never be quite satisfied? God put that there, so that we would be aware of our need - for him. Only when we hunger and thirst for righteousness, for Christ himself, can we find our appetites satisfied.
(The beginning of the message was not recorded, so manuscript also provided)... This morning we finish our study in Philippians. We've seen how God is at work to advance the Gospel in his people and in the world. In the final verses of the book, Paul thanks the Philippians for their partnership in this work, especially because their gift reveals God's work in their lives. Is your life bearing fruit for the kingdom, more and more over time?
In every church, in every heart, there exists a lack of peace - a lack of peace that can only be conquered through knowing and trusting Jesus. For us to have joy in the Christian life, even in this present age, we must trust God, and know him near. That is the key to the gentleness, peace, and joy that is available through the Gospel of peace with God - trusting and obeying.
(Begins with a Senior Minister Search Team update.) After telling the Philippians to pursue just one thing - knowing God - he goes on to tell them that God will help them live out the citizenship they already have. As we come to know God better, we will behave more and more like his family. That includes recognizing that this world isn't our home, these bodies' appetites aren't our highest pursuit, and our fellow believers aren't the enemy!
We can be frustrated in our pursuit of joy when we try to find it in too many places. We can also be frustrated by seeking it in the WRONG places. True joy can only be found in one place - in the Lord, pushing and striving and straining to know him and his resurrection and to attain the prize of an eternity with him.
Paul tells us that God is working in us, working both in our works and in our very wills. What is it he wants? For us to bring our salvation to its fulfillment: growing in Christ's, submitting to him without grumbling, holding forth the light of salvation to the lost, and rejoicing with our fellow Christians. This is how God works in us for his glory and pleasure.
In our study of Philippians, we've seen repeatedly that joy comes not through achievement, wealth, pleasure, or fame; instead, true, real, lasting, eternal joy comes only through the Gospel. Paul gives us the examples of Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus to demonstrate his claim that joy comes only through loving, serving, and trusting God, and sacrificing our own interests for his kingdom and his people.
Is your joy complete, or is something missing, leaking? It may be the joy that comes from unity, and humility is the key to unity. Since Christians all share an increasing love for Christ, we should be growing in unity of mind, mission, and heart, as we grow in the likeness of Christ - who humbled himself by becoming obedient, all the way through death.
Paul had joy, even though his future was dark, because he knew Christ would be glorified through his sufferings. Paul wanted the Philippians to share that joy of seeing God work through their faithfulness. When you are faced with opposition, are you more likely to be overly timid, overly hostile, or to speak and act with unity and courage?
Paul wrote a letter to his friends in Philippi, so that they might share his joy in the Gospel. In spite of the many reasons they had to be discouraged, and the danger and suffering they faced, Paul still rejoiced to know that they were partnering with him in advancing the Gospel. He did not want them to lose out on the joy that could be theirs, joy that can be found only through facing suffering with the fellowship of other Christians.
This Labor Day Sunday, we consider and celebrate the gift of work. How is work a gift, you ask? Work was given to us by God in the Garden, before the fall; we were made to enjoy and find satisfaction in work. When we work and exert effort, whether at home or at a job or at school, we reflect aspects of God's character, and bring glory to him by the way we conduct ourselves.
Scripture tells us many times that creation exists to demonstrate and proclaim God's glory and nature. We can see that he is sovereign, powerful, and wise - and also that he is benevolent, loving, and gracious. Fortunately, he also gives us his word and his sin Jesus, so we can know him, love him, and be with him.
Has anything in your life gotten better simply by accident? Has anything improved in your soul, after you did nothing about it? If we want to be growing in Christ and putting sin to death, we must intentionally and purposefully take advantage of the opportunities God brings - whether that's through major life crises, or the mundane realities of everyday life.
Paul describes the Christian life like a race, a race for which we must train if we hope to win the prize. Jesus has secured the prize of eternal life, but how can we grow to know him and love him more? By studying his word, spending time with him in prayer, and even temporarily forsaking good things like food, entertainment, or whatever other activity that prevents us from pursuing him faithfully and diligently.
When God saved us, he wasn't just interested in our conversion - he also wants us to glorify him by growing in holiness. Sin is a great enemy in our souls, all of our lives. How can we put it to death? We stifle it and suppress it by intentionally cultivating our relationship with our Savior.
Christians have found 101 ways to disagree about baptism, but as always, Scripture must be our guide. What does God's Word say about the What's, Who's, When's, How's, and Why's of baptism? What is it supposed to mean? Hear from Pastor Jeff on this topic as we examine one aspect of God's work in salvation.
Over time, God's people can forget that they have been given a mission from God: making disciples. Just like Jonah, we can become inward-focused, worrying more about our own affairs than the condition of the lost. Have YOU forgotten that God has placed you among sinners who need to hear about Jesus?
Jesus wants his church to be unified, and he's done the work to make it possible. Not only did he give us the perfect example of un-selfishness during his life and ministry, but he has also provided us with all the resources we need to live with each other in humility, service, and sacrifice, resulting in glory to the Father.
Jesus doesn't want any of his followers to be confused about what's in store for them. If Jesus is to be our Savior and Lord, he needs to be Lord over our whole life. But in his grace, it's only when we turn over ownership to him and embrace being his steward that we can actually enjoy our possessions, relationships, and lives.
In Mark 11, Jesus cursed a fig tree when he found it without fruit. What upset Jesus so badly about the tree - and what he found in the Temple - and what he might find in our own lives? Religious busy-ness and activity without a heart for God. Do we put our confidence and hope in our Savior, or in all the stuff we do for him? Be amazed that God has been good to you, and serve out of a deep sense of need for HIm.
God is building his church - and he often uses the language of construction to help us understand his work. We use a popular HGTV show to help us think in a fresh way about the work God is doing in our lives, and in our church. Especially important? The foundation, without which no building will stand. Find out what the church's foundation is this week at PVCC.
The Scriptures have clear instructions for men: be Christ's man first, then a good husband, then a good father. There are plenty of clear and challenging verses for each. But most important, don't forget that to be a Godly leader for your family, you yourself must be led by God, and following Him first.
In Jesus' day, there were many obstacles to worship - and in our day too. Whether the issues are misaligned priorities, adding to God's word, or other distractions, the real problem has always lain in our heart. We want to seek ourselves, worship ourselves, and run our own way; but in God's kingdom, it's all about him - we worship him, seek him, and "run in the pack" of his people.
If we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, and Jesus is our only hope, then why does the Bible speak so much of God judging us by our works? Hear Paul tell the Corinthians about our deeds determining the degree of our rewards, and not just revealing the reality of our faith.
God is building his church, and today we see from 1 Corinthians 3 that he uses many different servants in many different roles to get the job done. There's lots of good work to do at Prairie View - in our own lives, in each other's, and in the community. Will you join God, and us, in the hard-but-joyful work?
Seeing others through God's eyes - it sounds like a great idea. So what's preventing us from doing so? This week we'll continue our "Signs" series by going to 2 Corinthians and considering the idea of spiritual blindness. Until we see Christ as he truly is, we won't be able to see anything else clearly either.
What would a generous church be like? This morning Pastor Jeff asked us to imagine that with him, and led us through the scriptural background on Old Testament and New Testament generosity. But rather than simply call us to sacrifice financially, he called us to a whole lifestyle of worship, where we use our money and all our resources to glorify God.
People Empowered: If we are going to accomplish God's mission for the church we are going to need His help. God works through the Holy Spirit to empower believers for evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and worship. We get to work with God through prayer.
If the purpose of the church is to glorify God through making disciples, why do we gather on Sunday mornings? Because it's a great opportunity to participate in God's work! Through prayer, singing, offerings, the Word, baptism, and communion, we demonstrate God's glory and draw closer to him - and each other.
God has made many promises to us - so when will they be fulfilled? And how long to do we have to wait? Scripture is clear that while the next life will be wonderful beyond compare, we have painful, difficult work to do in the meantime. Are you accomplishing God's purposes for you in the time that you have?
This week in the Book of Hebrews, our author took a great amount of time to warn us about being dull of hearing and slow to respond. Failure to apply what we learn about Jesus to our life COULD be an indication that we might not be right with him in the first place. But for those who are his people, he wants them to be assured of their salvation, confident to the end.
Christians and churches face many serious temptations. How do we avoid being confused about who Jesus is, and what he did? How do we avoid becoming enamored with another Christians gifts and ministry? How do we avoid shifting our focus to avoid making the world uncomfortable? All by keeping our focus on the Gospel: who Jesus is, and what he's done on our behalf.
The church in Rome had a solid grasp of the Gospel, but weren't treating each other like brothers and sisters in areas of Christian liberty. How should we go about disagreeing with each other in a Christ-honoring manner? What things MUST we be agreed upon? How we handle our disagreements says something about our community.
Are you following Christ? At PVCC, we want to be following Christ as the whole pursuit of our lives, pursuing him actively, and pursuing him together with our fellow believers. Today we look at "Following the Way".
Do you get the most out of the sermons you hear? Are you listening with discerning ears, with an intention to hear from God and apply what you learn? Did you know that just listening to a sermon is downright "challenging"?
Did you know you're in a race? Do you know where you're going? Are you developing the skills you need to finish strong? Do you have your map? Carl Pafford shows us how Adventure Racing gives us key lessons on running the race of faith, and lays out a "mini-vision" for the next several months at PVCC.
How do we live wisely, as Christ's people? The way we use our resources reveals what our priorities are. Time, Energy, and Money - all can be used in pursuit of your goals. Is your goal His Kingdom and His Righteousness? If not, then what?
God promises to give us wisdom if we ask in faith. What does that mean? Faith is the response of the whole soul to God's revelation of Jesus Christ, who IS 'wisdom of God'. He's known through his word - do YOU know him?