Maranatha Baptist Church Sermon Podcast: Recent Episodes
Maranatha Baptist Church
Our aim is to love God, to grow in Him, and to share Him with others. We pursue Him in these ways through the faithful, expository, gospel-centered preaching of His Word. Listen in to these messages each week and experience the life changing power of God’s Word with us.
If you asked anyone, "What do you worship?" they’d probably give you one of two answers: "God (or a divine being)" or "nothing." Most people don't realize our lives are full of worship. While we may not physically bow down, our choices show our worship. When I do something for myself, I am bowing to myself in worship. Instead, Psalm 95 invites us to worship the Lord as King, Maker, and Shepherd.
Notice how often revenge is a theme of movies and books through the years! We rarely see true justice served and so we want to take matters into our own hands. But Psalm 94 reminds us to turn to the King of the Universe. Vengeance belongs to Him, and we trust Him. When the anxieties caused by injustice multiply within us, only the comfort of the Lord's perfect nature can delight our souls.
This world is full of power struggles. Whether it's nations on the global scale, or siblings in the home, we encounter the battle for control. Psalm 93 stops the striving by turning our attention to the Lord and reminding us that He reigns. Period. He is the King of the Universe. No power can compete with Him. From eternity past, and for eternity future, the Lord reigns.
As we face trials and suffering in this life, it can be tempting to despair when we cannot see an end or turn to what the world claims will bring comfort. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, we will learn to praise the God of all Comfort not just in spite of suffering, but because of how He works through it.
Many things cry out for our attention and affection. Facebook wants us to continue scrolling. Lust tells us to take one more look. Greed tells us we need more. Wisdom calls us to listen and avoid every trap. How do we avoid the sinful traps of life? In this Proverbs section, Solomon tells his son how to walk the path of wisdom. It's the only path that leads to goodness, righteousness, and life.
Everyone loves the idea of wisdom, but few of us pour energy into seeking wisdom because, if we are honest with ourselves, we see ourselves as relatively wise. But wisdom is not found in comparing ourselves with others. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. From there, we realize how much we need to grow.
What is freedom? We often follow our hearts to find our destiny. This sounds nice initially because we get what we want, but we miss that this is slavery. Living under this belief, we enslave ourselves to the power of our desires. But thankfully, Jesus died and rose again so that God could declare us righteous in Jesus. We now can live Jesus’ righteousness in our bodies to the glory of God.
What should I do with my life? We struggle to determine the best way to use our time and resources. What if the King of the Universe gave you an important mission? That's exactly what happens. The risen King gathers His followers, reminds them of His authority, and commissions them to recruit more followers. If we consider ourselves followers of Jesus, we must devote ourselves to His mission.
Is it really over? Jesus said and done amazing things in His life. But He has been crucified. Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday morning had to be some of the longest, darkest hours for the disciples. The Chief Priests had won. Jesus was dead, it's all over. But when some women came to the tomb - merely to care for Jesus' dead body - they discovered it was empty. Jesus is alive, just as He said.
Jesus makes it clear He’s the Son of God, the King, but people’s unbelief denied it. They taunted, mocked, beat, and crucified Him, expecting a display of power to prove His identity. But He’s a better King than we deserve. Rather than conquering His mockers, He died to provide their salvation. In His death, people doubted His identity, but God revealed that He truly is the King, the Son of God.
We are all gripped by a good rescue story - like when God rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt. That rescue story points to the greatest rescue story of all. We consider the "Last Supper" before Jesus went to the cross. As Jesus keeps the Passover, remembering God's rescue of Israel, He teaches that His blood provides forgiveness and a future. King Jesus saves in the greatest rescue story of all.
Who is Jesus? This may be the most controversial question in history. Answering that question makes an eternal difference. It's the question crowds asked after Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, accompanied by fanfare fit for a king. The city was in a commotion, and everyone wanted to know - "Who is this?" He's the promised King. The people of Jerusalem failed to respond to Him the correct way.
"To God be the Glory." Many Christians know these words and would quickly agree with these words. "Yes, I want to glorify God." But we fail to live that way. As Paul closes this rich letter about the gospel, He gives glory to God for the gospel. These closing verses remind us why it is so important that our lives - saved and shaped by the gospel - point all attention and praise to God, forever!
"Say hello to Paul for me!" We send greetings like this through others to express love and to maintain a relationship. This is exactly what Paul does at the end of his letter to the Romans. But Paul's list of greetings teaches us more than polite conversation. There’s a strong sense of partnership and a deep bond of love. He warns them of those who would cause division and subvert sound doctrine.
We tell ourselves we are committed to loving them because Jesus tells us to, but we excuse ourselves for not enjoying or caring for them. But in Paul's closing comments in Romans, we see the gospel transform believers’ relationships. Paul cares deeply for these believers, whom he's never met! Love for Jesus and the transformation of the gospel grows us supernaturally to love other believers.
We ask questions to catch up with friends. We want to know what they’re excited about. As Paul begins to close the book of Romans, he returns to "conversational" matters. But when Paul shares what he's excited about, it all revolves around what Jesus is doing through the spread of the gospel. This is Paul's passion, and it's clear that he believes it should be every Christian's passion too.
"Church would be great if it weren't for the people!" Hopefully, you can laugh at a cynical comment like this, but it may be the way you've felt before. While a church family can be a blessing, it can be a source of strife. Because we are all works-in-progress, we have rough edges that can hurt others. How can we find unity in the body of Christ? The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches the best way.
Our culture's attitude of entitlement can creep into the church. We often defend our rights rather than loving our brothers and sisters. But if Jesus used His liberty to lay down His life for us, then we can use our liberty to lay aside our preferences for the good of a brother or sister. Rather than defending our "rights," we pursue righteousness, peace, and joy.
Bienvenido! Willkommen! Bem-vindo! Every language has its way of welcoming someone. The word communicates a warm reception and acceptance of the newcomer into the group. In Romans 14, we are told to "welcome" our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ - despite differences of opinion - because God welcomed us. We are to welcome one another without quarreling over disputed issues.
Romans 13:8-14 serves as an alarm calling us to action. We are reminded to love one another and to walk in the light because the "day is at hand." The gospel compels us to walk in the love and light of the Lord Jesus. Listen to hear how we can wake up and live like Jesus.
We don't like to be told what to do at a young age. We don't like authority. It’s complicated when authorities don't share our values or beliefs about God. How can the Christian, a citizen of Heaven, relate to human government? The principle in Romans is clear: "Let every soul be subject to governing authorities." We learn when to submit to authorities when we accurately understand why we submit.
What is love? In our culture, love is still seen as a virtue but its meaning is hotly debated. Some think that love is "warm fuzzy feelings," so to feel "hurt" is deemed unloving. Some see love as affirmation and acceptance. In this view, disagreement is unloving. Various false views of love can leave us confused and unsure. But God, who is Love, defines true love for us. He shows true love to us.
We constantly evaluate ourselves and others. Comparison can corrode relationships and creep into the church. But the gospel learned in Romans 1-11 saves and shapes us. It changes the way we see things. Paul describes this transformation in the church. The gospel transforms how we think of ourselves and others in the church. Rather than pride and selfishness, we learn humility and service.
We give ourselves to all sorts of things with something we hope to gain. We give because of what we think it will give in return. This is the way of the world. In the gospel, we learn that when we were enemies of God, He offered us salvation as a free gift by faith. But the gospel not only saves us, it shapes us. We live for God - not to get anything from Him, but because He gave us everything!
God leads us to worship Him. Those attached to His blessings are troubled when led to give things up for Jesus. Those attached to authority are troubled when taught humility. Herod, troubled and attached to authority did not act like the wise men coming to worship the King of the Jews. Following God, the wise men bowed before little King Jesus. Their actions encourage us to respond the same way.
Christmas is full of plans. But plans don’t always go according to plan. That was true the very first Christmas - at least for Joseph. He was engaged, soon to be married. Then his fiance got pregnant - that wasn’t part of the plan. But the story in Matthew helps us see the big picture. It was all going exactly according to God's plan, and that made all the difference. This wasn't a normal birth.
The more we understand our salvation, the more we should marvel at His mercy, wonder at His wisdom, and exalt His excellence. In Romans 1-11, God has pulled back the curtain, as it were, and let us glimpse His salvation plan. Let your soul be captivated once again and join the angels saying, "Glory to God in the Highest” as you listen to Romans 11:33-36.
Jesus provided salvation, but will Israel be saved? In Romans 11, Paul affirms that Israel has not been permanently set aside. God's promises to them are still sure. In God's plan, He will keep His promises to Israel and offer salvation to the world. We are humbled, grateful, and amazed by God's mercy. He keeps his promises generously. All Israel will be saved. Everyone who believes will be saved.
We all make excuses. What about those who never hear the gospel? Or those who aren't "chosen" for salvation? Can anyone claim, "It's not fair, it's not my fault, I didn't know..."? In Romans, Paul focuses on Israel and their rejection of Jesus. He considers whether they have excuses to reject Jesus. The answer is clear: Israel and all mankind are responsible to respond to the gospel with faith.
We are often zealous about our own righteousness. This creates problems on the relational level, it is deadly for our souls. Paul explains that Israel's efforts to gain their own righteousness kept them from God's righteousness by faith. While God is sovereign in salvation, we are responsible to believe in Jesus. Our self-righteousness keeps us from submitting to the righteousness of God by faith.
"That's not fair!" I think we’ve said or thought of these words before. God created us with an inherent sense of justice. But with our sinful nature, we develop an oversensitivity to fairness. Paul assumes readers question God's choice to save only some sinners. Paul addresses the question by pointing to God's justice and mercy. His actions are always right. His salvation is always merciful.
"Nothing can separate us from the love of God." Didn't God make promises to save Israel, and yet they rejected Jesus? How do we know God will keep His Word? Romans 9-11 addresses this question to increase our confidence in God's promises and plan for Israel. The gospel does not nullify God's promises to Israel. In fact, it confirms that God always keeps His Word. God's promised salvation is sure!
Jesus loves us. Though we learned this about God, we are often tempted to doubt God's love. "Why is He keeping good things from me?" "Why am I suffering so much?" "How could God love me after what I've done?" Life situations tempt us to doubt His love. Paul addresses these questions to restore our confidence in God's love. We are reminded that nothing - not even our doubts - can hinder God's love.
"Why am I facing this trial? The Bible says God is good, but what I'm going through is not good! I'm not sure how to talk to God about the things I'm feeling." What if we lose hope or reach the end of ourselves? Romans has some of the most assuring verses reminding us that our good, sovereign Father guarantees our eternal security. He is doing good in our lives no matter what evils we face.
Sigh "It's always something." Life is full of sighs and groans. Some of them are light and short, but some of them are heavy and long. In a world full of hurricanes and heartache, disaster and disease, sin and suffering, how do we endure? How do we keep hope? Romans 8:18-25 teaches us to let the groans turn our attention to glory. Through the groans of suffering, hope in the glory to come.
Who are you? Some say roles don't define us as much as what we do. But that leaves us hopeless, stuck with terms like "failure" and "sinner" as our identity! Thankfully, Romans 8 teaches that through salvation, God gives a new identity. He redefines us. We are no longer slaves of sin, but children of God. We no longer walk in the flesh but in the Spirit. We have God's Spirit - it's who we are.
"Sin shall not have dominion over you..." Yes, but how? Romans 6:14 is triumphant but leaves us wondering why we still feel ruled by sin and how we can overcome it. Paul clarifies in Romans 7 that we cannot conquer sin by keeping the law in our strength. To live for God, we sever our former ties to the law. In Romans 8, Paul explains what God has done to empower us to live in victory over sin.
In the struggle with sin, we can feel exhausted or defeated. You may be told to "try harder” only to fail again. We relate with Paul in Romans 7, "The good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." It’s a believer’s relationship with the law. Living by the law in our strength, we will fail. Only Jesus can save and sanctify us, empowering us to live for Him.
No one likes being told what to do or forced to follow rules. We love our liberty and fight for freedom. When the Bible says, "You are not under law, but under grace," we get excited! We can conclude, "I'm free to live how I want!" However, Paul points out that the only way to live free of sin is to live for God. True freedom is not found in living how I want, but in freely choosing to obey God.
Is it actually possible to experience victory over sin? Sometimes we get so entrenched in a sin we wonder if we will ever make progress. Will we ever be free of it? Can we win? Paul's answer in Romans 6:12-14 is not only that we can have victory over it, but that we must! Having just described the truths that make us dead to sin and alive to God, he tells us how to live that way.
You work hard to be a good Christian but have little to show for it, yet people who live the way they want seem to do fine. This can be frustrating. Psalm 92 encourages us to lift our eyes to the Exalted One - God Most High. It encourages us to worship Him with thanksgiving and praise. He will cut down the wicked and cause the righteous to flourish. Even so, it’s fitting to exalt the Exalted One!
Fear stalks us in the night. Just when something gives us some sense of security, we find ourselves fleeing to something else. Where can we find safety? Not in politics, money, doomsday prepping, or in people. Psalm 91 teaches us that we'll only feel safe when we take refuge in the Lord. The more we draw near to Him in faith, the more we experience assurance of safety and security with Him.
Life is short. Someone we love passes away. Someone younger than us is given a terminal diagnosis. Our own health takes a turn for the worse. The curse of death is all around us. In Psalm 90, Moses laments the curse of death. In a time when he was surrounded by the passing away of his own generation, he takes refuge in his eternal God. Psalm 90 teaches us how to live in light of our brief lives.
On any day, a brief glance at the news proves the presence of evil in the world. As believers in Jesus, we know that He will one day make everything right, but it can be difficult to stay encouraged while we wait. Psalm 89 reviews God's promise to David of an eternal Kingdom with an eternal King. While it doesn't mention Jesus by name, it looks forward to the reign of God's promised Messiah.
"Darkness is my only friend." If you’ve felt that way, Psalm 88 will help you. The Psalmist finds himself in such a dark place of discouragement that he despairs even of life itself. He feels alone and hopeless. And yet, amid all his trouble, he makes the right choice: he turns to God. Psalm 88 is a testimony of faith-based persistence. In the darkness of despair, keep crying out to God.
There are places we love to go to but returning home feels comforting. But no place on earth can compare to God's home, the home He has prepared for His children. Psalm 87 is about that home: Zion, the City of God. This joyful Psalm tells us about that City and helps us get excited about our true home. Believers live as strangers, travelers. Learn to delight in your home - the City of God.
Certain things in life shake us to our core and leave us feeling unstable. It can even be difficult to pray in those times, not knowing what to say or where to begin. In Psalm 86, David found stability in the unchanging nature of God. He prayed to God based on His mercy, grace, and love. This rich prayer teaches us how to regain stability in our souls, even when we are troubled.
Everyone and everything feels the brokenness caused by sin. Sometimes we are broken by our sins or by the sins of others. In our brokenness, we need restoration. Psalm 85 is a prayer for restoration. After experiencing decline and distance from God, Israel asks for renewal and revival, "Restore us, O God!" It's a Psalm filled with hope and help for all of us who feel the brokenness of sin.
Do you have places you love and desire to return to? The writer of Psalm 84 certainly did. Potentially from a foreign land but certainly amid personal difficulty, the psalmist yearns to return to God’s dwelling place - the Temple of Jerusalem. Like Psalm 84, we can feel distant from God’s presence. As we encounter trials, we must cultivate a similar desire to seek God’s strength and protection.
“911, what is your emergency?” Maybe you have had to call for help before and been helped by a stranger when trouble entered your life. We often don’t accept help from others in our desire to be self-sufficient, but emergencies quickly reveal our need for help. The truth is that we all need help. We all recognize our need to seek the LORD for help in times of trouble.
Psalm 82 reminds those in authority that God is the righteous judge. He holds all judges accountable. This gives us hope even through times of injustice. It also reminds us that we all will answer to Him - we all must bow to the righteous Judge of the universe.
When we find ourselves in trouble, we tend to look for help in all the wrong places. Even if we do look for God's help, we have our own imaginations about how He should help. Psalm 81 reminds us that while God is ready and able to do the "spectacular" for us, we actually get back on track simply by listening to His Word. God has spoken, and His instructions are the key to everything in this life.
We often find security and stability in all sorts of things without realizing it. But what happens when those things fail? In Psalm 80, Asaph laments the fall of the northern tribes to Assyria. As the nation falls apart, Asaph rightly turns to the Lord for salvation. He asks for God's face to shine on them. It's a poetic request for God's grace and favor to fall upon them and save them.
While sin causes destruction, it feels so much worse when it's the result of our own sin. We hurt others, ourselves, and Christ’s reputation. Psalm 79 laments Jerusalem’s destruction, the death of God's people, and the reproach of God's name. But the Psalmist is honest that they are at fault. Psalm 79 gives us direction in our own despair and the words to cry out to God for mercy and forgiveness.
In Acts 11, those who followed Jesus’ teachings were first called Christians. Have you ever thought about why those who follow Jesus are called Christians? The radically transformed lives of those who fully embraced the teachings of Jesus caught the attention of the rest of the world. In Titus 2, we see Titus challenging believers to live in such a way that matches and exalts the word of God.
The insecurities of life can leave us feeling tossed and troubled - even hopeless. Listen to learn how we can abound in confidence in our salvation in Christ.
On this "Celebration Sunday," as we celebrate God's provision through the gifts of His people, we need to make sure our hearts are focused on Him and not ourselves. In 1 Chronicles 29, after the willing gifts come in for the Temple, King David leads the people to rejoice, give praise to God, and pray for hearts devoted to God. We, too, must use this opportunity to give praise to God.
Have you ever doubted God's love? Through trials, hardships, and sin, it can be tempting to doubt God's love for us. When we doubt God's love, we lose hope and joy vanishes. Paul directs our attention to the demonstration of God's love. That proof of love gives us reason to rejoice no matter what discouragements we face. If His love is sure, then we have hope, and that hope gives us joy.
Our salvation has given us some glorious blessings. By keeping our eyes on those blessings, we can live with relentless joy through the Christian life. Listen to hear why we should rejoice in the unshakable gifts of salvation.
We've all received instructions that seem impossible. In the Christian life, God's instructions can feel this way at times. But God's grace always supplies what His love compels. In Exodus 35:4-36:7, we encounter Israel. They are preparing to obey God's detailed commands for His dwelling place - the Tabernacle. It's a bit overwhelming. But God asks for willing hearts and then does the rest.
Sickness and disease can be a nasty business. If not treated properly, it can lead to long-term damage and is a danger in our spiritual lives. Paul explains to Titus that there is a disease of false teaching and sinfulness spreading that must be resolved because it is distorting and subverting the Christian faith. The encouragement of Paul helps us see how we might be prepared to guard our faith.
Life is full of obstacles, and they often get in the way of our faith. In Romans 4, Paul describes saving faith, we learn that faith takes God at His word over every obstacle. In this text, we look at the example of Abraham - who trusted the God "who gives life to the dead..." Paul encourages readers to trust - beyond all obstacles - that God justifies the sinner who has faith in the risen Savior.
Religions on earth teach that we must work for a better life, for salvation, etc. But God offers salvation to sinners as a free gift. It's free because Jesus paid it all. But salvation by faith isn't just an easy way to be saved, it is the only way to be saved. Having introduced the gospel - God's saving righteousness to all who believe - Paul explains that sinners are justified by faith alone.
Previously, we've been entrenched in the darkness of our sin and our distance from God's righteousness. Last week we were left with every mouth stopped and the whole world guilty before God. But in this week's text, Paul lifts our eyes to God's salvation. Come, see the glorious gospel! Let this awesome text render you speechless as you behold the saving righteousness of God by faith.
We are often sure of ourselves and blind to the error of our ways. In Romans, Paul portrays our desperate need for righteousness by describing our utter sinfulness. He brings the final charge, the indisputable evidence, and the dreaded verdict: we are all guilty before God. To be truly ready for the good news of God’s righteousness by faith, we must stop defending ourselves and admit our guilt.
"How do you know you are saved?" Whatever you say, the question reveals what gives you confidence in your salvation. The Apostle Paul recognizes that the Jews might be tempted to find false confidence in their identity as God's chosen people. He reminds them that confidence in religious performance only reveals how far their hearts are from God. Our hearts are prone to the same false confidence.
We’ve all been shocked by the sinful actions we see around us. And we are right to be shocked - even repulsed by sin. But when we pretend to be better than we are by judging others and efforts to outperform others, we only further condemn ourselves before God's righteousness. Instead, we must remember that salvation is by grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus for our sins.
It's disappointing when you are excited about something, and others are not. We all have things that excite us and things that we are apathetic to. Sadly, for many Christians, the gospel falls into the category of the latter. It's fair to say that every Christian is less amazed by the gospel than they should be. Growing our appreciation for the gospel is a lifelong - even an eternal endeavor.
It's easy to develop these sinful attitudes. They lurk below the surface of our Sunday smiles. But in Romans, Paul writes to the Romans with deep, heartfelt love and joy. Maybe it's because he never met them! No, it's a love produced by the gospel. As we read about Paul's love for the Romans, we will see that we all need to let the gospel shape our love for all people.
What is my life purpose? Through our new series in the book of Romans, we will see how the gospel answers that question. The gospel not only saves us, but it also shapes our lives. The gospel comes with a "calling." The Book of Romans opens with the man, Paul, who had a clear sense of his calling. As he explains his calling, he also shows that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings a "calling" with it.
Our culture is full of financial questions and solutions! As one of the wealthiest societies in history, everyone wants to know what to do with their money. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 answers those questions. It’s God's financial plan for the wealthy. These verses instruct us on how to live a life that reflects the heart of the wealthiest One of all - God. What does He do with His wealth? He gives.
When starting a new hobby there is often some technique that must be learned to become proficient. But what about the church? Have you considered, as a member of the body of Christ, what your roles and expectations might be, or what methods and techniques there are to promote the health of the church? In Titus 1:5-9 Paul shares with Titus some ways he must invest in the health of the church.
What does it mean to be blessed? Is it when circumstances go well? Is it when we have an abundance? In 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, the Apostle Paul explains the many blessings God has built into the act of generosity. Jesus' words ring true: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). As we think about giving, we should give as those who the Giver has blessed.
As we budget for the new year, we assure ourselves that we will be more careful this year. Giving is difficult! We know we are supposed to be generous people, but we don't always feel generous! But God, The Giver, is the source of all generosity. As Paul encourages the Corinthians to be generous, he emphasizes the generous grace of God, so they can learn giving that is compelled by the giver.
It's hard to put into words the feelings of anxiety. Isaiah 8:22 describes it well: "they will look to the earth and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness." But he tells them that their trouble will turn to peace, their gloom will turn to joy, and their darkness will turn to light. Why? Because the Prince of Peace is coming, and He brings peace forever.
The Christmas season can be a source of strain on relationships - even in the church! We must remember that peace doesn't come from a holiday, or from warm fuzzy feelings. Jesus Himself is our peace in the church.
Finding peace begins by finding the source of peace: God. Peace will always be elusive if we don't have peace with God. The opportunity for peace with God arrived on earth a couple thousand years ago at Jesus' birth, when the angels rejoiced, "Peace on earth, goodwill toward mankind." Jesus, the Prince of Peace, had arrived on earth, and it's only through Him that we can find peace with God.
Have you ever received a generous gift? “Wow thank you so much how could I ever repay you?” or “I am in your debt”. This is exactly how we should be responding to the greatest gift of grace and life given to us by God through Jesus. When we understand who God is, we should be compelled to respond with “Here is my life, how can I use it to bring honor and glory to God my Redeemer?”.
Were you ever put in timeout as a child? In Ezra 1-2, the people of Israel are coming off a 70-year “timeout” in Babylon. Because of their unrepentant sin, God sent Israel into captivity for 70 years. Yet, they did not remain in Babylon forever. God had promised to, “visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place (Jer. 29:10).”
"Out of the frying pan, into the fire." We've all been in those situations where we narrowly escape one crisis only to fall into another. In Acts 28, Paul barely survives a shipwreck, only to be bitten by a poisonous snake - all on a journey toward his prison cell in Rome. But these "setbacks" don't hinder Paul at all. With each setback, God provides an opportunity.
We aren’t literally threatened to be consumed by sea-storms, but we can relate to the hopelessness that comes from the "storms of life." How do we handle loss of hope? Paul was literally on a boat in a storm on the sea where everyone on the boat had lost hope of survival. But God gets Paul through the storm. When you find yourself hopeless in a deadly storm, find courage by taking God at His Word.
When we arrange our lives around Christ and His gospel, our lives can be misunderstood. We want to be winsome, but the gospel itself is a "stumbling block." Festus responds to Paul's gospel presentation saying, "Much learning is driving you mad!" But Paul is convinced the gospel is the only true, reasonable way of life. If we center our lives on the gospel, we should expect to be misunderstood.
Fear is gripping. How do we find peace when gripped by fear of harm? Paul faced a similar scenario. Having sat in prison for two years, he continues to face Jews who seek to kill him and a ruler who treats him with injustice. He must wonder, “What’s going to happen to me?” Rather than being gripped by fear, Paul trusts the One who grips him. He demonstrates great trust in God’s sovereign care.
Often Christians desire to do something "big" for God. In Acts 24, Paul has an opportunity to share the gospel with the Governor! He explains that the gospel has completely reshaped his thinking. He says he makes it his "aim to please" Jesus. This gospel-shaped living opens the door to testify. The reality is that we prepare ourselves to do "big things" for God by living for Jesus in the details.
Words are powerful. They can result in hurt, division, even war. We've all felt the pain of gossip, slander, and threats. Christians face hate from the world through words. Sinful words in response only add to the problem! But in Acts 23, after Paul's words added to his mess, the Lord Jesus stood by and encouraged him. Though the hateful, threatening words of others attack, words of Jesus prevail.
During suffering, it's easy to turn inward. We think that giving attention to these things will help us feel better. Instead, Jesus gives us a greater purpose. Even our suffering can be leveraged as an opportunity to testify of salvation in Jesus and we find satisfaction and joy in Him. We see this example in Paul's life. Just after taking a beating, Paul takes the opportunity to share the gospel.
People can be so frustrating! They often get in the way of our plans and goals. Problems arise because we have the wrong focus, but other times it happens as we try to do what’s right. Paul faces frustrating scenarios in Acts 21, but he walks through it graciously with his devotion to Christ and the gospel. The gospel frees us to serve others, and the gospel prepares us to suffer with joy!
What is God's will for my life? Often in wrestling with this question, we get distracted from the things we know are God's will for us: to love Him, to love one another, to make disciples, and so forth. We are easily distracted. Paul faces the temptation to avoid God's will because it involves suffering. In the end, he and the other disciples say, "The will of the Lord be done" whatever the cost.
Have you ever felt like you were floating without direction? This happens easily in life during transition. In Acts 20, Paul prepares the Ephesian elders for a transition. He’s leaving not to return, but he encourages them that God has fully prepared them to thrive with His Word and His Spirit. This helps us to remember our purpose and the resources God has given us to stay focused on our purpose.
Are we losing the next generation? This question weighs heavily on the minds of parents. We often turn to our own methods to "win the children." But God cares far more about our hearts! He has given us instructions about how to help them love Him and follow Him. Psalm 78 shows the importance of telling the next generation about the wonderful works of God and His faithfulness through our failings.
Have you ever had so much on your mind you couldn't sleep? Asaph felt that way when he was overwhelmed by his troubles. We can relate. But by the end of the Psalm, Asaph is praising God. He focused on God's powerful salvation. In sorrow, when we look inward, we sink deeper into discouragement. Remember God's powerful salvation when overwhelmed by your troubles, and find confidence in Him again.
We were made to worship. We are often wowed by the things around us, people, and new inventions. Our eyes, thoughts, and tastes are drawn to things that are powerful. We can also look at the world around us and greatly fear the magnificent or the unknown. Psalm 76 describes God’s majesty over His people, His enemies, and all of heaven and earth. Asaph summarizes the song with a call to worship.
Have you had a stiff neck? It hurts. A "stiff neck" is a metaphor in Scripture - often referencing an animal that resists its master with stubborn pride. We treat God similarly at times, unwilling to yield to Him. God is judge, so we must humble ourselves before Him with thankfulness. Psalm 75 serves as a "quiz" of sorts to test our hearts and reveal whether we are truly humble before our Judge.
God's people lament as the temple burns to the ground. Hope is lost, God seems far away, and the enemy threatens to destroy them. On top of that, it was Israel's unrepentance that led to this destruction. God warned them. Maybe you can relate, watching your hopes burn to the ground at the hands of evil, maybe a result of your own evil deeds. Psalm 74 reminds us to look to our King of Salvation.
Things we see in the world around us are at times, troubling. As we work hard to do what's right, we struggle to make ends meet while those who cut corners seem to gain wealth easily! Those set on evil seem to be winning! Such observations tempt us with envy and doubt. Feelings are not new to God's people. In Psalm 73, Asaph who went through this, teaches us what to do when we are slipping.
Desires can be strong. We want something so badly; we feel it in our bones. Some of these desires are broken by the Fall. But some of these desires reflect the image of God in us. Often, we waste our lives trying to satisfy our desires with the things of this life. Studying Psalm 72, we learn to set our affection on the perfect King Solomon longs for in David's line, King Jesus and His Kingdom.
We are all getting older. Aging is not an easy process. In the first years of our life, we gain strength and stature. But as our physical strength diminishes, we can grow strong in other ways. Psalm 71 is the prayer of a strong believer. Sure, he was physically weak, but he prayed with strong confidence in God. There's a lot we can learn from the prayers of mature saints, confident in the Lord.
I still love to hear stories of honorable acts of bravery against all odds. Yet, our lives often look different than these moments of valor in the lives of our heroes. Often, we find ourselves at the end of our resources searching for help. In Psalm 70, David is pinned down by his enemies and calls on the Lord. Today, we know we must battle the war against Satan, our flesh, and our fear of death.
Have you ever heard the saying, “Keep your head above water.” This saying is often used when someone is struggling to pay the bills or to accomplish all their work. In Psalm 69, we watch as the Davidic King can’t keep his head above water. He’s suffering and he’s sinking. You may be suffering now; we will all suffer at some point. See how to lament to God when you are suffering and need saving.
We love celebrations. But sometimes in life, it seems as if there's less and less to celebrate! It can be easy to get discouraged and lose our joy. Psalm 68 calls us to celebrate, and it reminds us why we celebrate. God is a victorious warrior. He wins. He defeats every enemy and reigns supreme over every kingdom.
We love celebrations. But sometimes in life, it seems as if there's less and less to celebrate! It can be easy to get discouraged and lose our joy. Psalm 68 calls us to celebrate, and it reminds us why we celebrate. God is a victorious warrior. He wins. He defeats every enemy and reigns supreme over every kingdom.
In Psalm 66, the Psalmist calls everyone to turn their eyes to the Lord and to worship Him. We worship God because He deserves it, but something amazing happens to us at the same time. As God gets "bigger" in our hearts or circumstances, the opinions of people, and our fears get smaller and smaller. Come, and worship God!
It's only when we exalt the name of Jesus that we begin to experience the power of His name. If we want to see God at work with power, then we must center our ministry on the message of salvation in the name of Jesus.
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20IRH
In salvation, God makes us His children. We are to show, by the way we live, that we are part of His family. As we walk in love, in the light, and in wisdom, we are able to show the world what our Father is like.
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Philippians
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20IRH
God wants each of us to participate in the growth of the church. This is how ministry multiplies. We see this happen in the Apostle Paul's life as his ministry multiplies through the lives of others - Apollos, Aquila, and Priscilla. Church is not one feeding the many. Instead, we all grow as we all serve. Listen to consider how you can thrive in the body of Christ.
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20IRH
Fear can shape the little decisions we make in the day. Worst of all, fear can keep us from doing what God has called us to do. In Acts 18, the Lord Jesus reminds Paul of His presence and power so that Paul can overcome his fears and press on in ministry. We too can lean on Jesus' promises to conquer our fears.
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20IRH
The grace of God teaches us to live for God. The lessons of grace are often missed and misunderstood among Christians. As a result, we miss out on the joy, righteousness, and hope that God's grace empowers. Listen and rejoice in how God's grace saves and transforms sinners!
Download a copy of the notes here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20IRH
In Acts 17:16-34, Paul is grieved by the way the city of Athens is gripped by idolatry. Immediately he begins to preach Jesus, the crucified and risen Savior. His message is crucial for us today! Only Jesus can save us from our idolatry. Turn from idols and trust in Jesus, the crucified and risen Savior.
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20IRH
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Philippians
God is still at work today, turning the world upside down. Except, it may not be how you'd expect. In Acts 17, we see how God uses something very simple - the faithful explanation of the Word of the crucified and risen Savior - to turn the world upside down.
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20IRH
Have you ever lost hope? Have you ever felt like there was no way out? Is there any hope? Yes. In fact, we have a Living Hope. We preach the message of a crucified and risen Savior. Trust in the power of the crucified and risen Savior Jesus.
Even Paul and Barnabas, in Acts 15:46-16:10, fall into conflict. They let their ministry desires rule them. But God's grace is bigger! God continues to use both of them as they learn to trust God's grace and yield to God's Spirit. Listen to consider what this looks like practically in our lives.
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20IRH
Have I done enough? Am I good enough? Questions like these can trouble our souls and we wonder if we are truly accepted by God. God has made Himself clear - salvation is by grace, not works. Listento consider what that means for all of us - to be saved by grace, and then to live by grace.
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Philippians
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20IRH
The threat of discomfort can keep us from doing what God has called us to do. But even when faced with discomfort, maybe even someday faced with tribulation and persecution, we must stay on mission. We must keep proclaiming the gospel!
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20IRH
In Acts 13, we get a glimpse of the missionary “tactics” of Paul and Barnabas. They go to the synagogue and preach the “word of the Lord.” By Jesus’ death and resurrection in place of sinners, God provided salvation for anyone who will believe. Though some believe and some reject, God uses that message to produce growth. God grows the church as we share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all people.
Download a copy of the handout online here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20IRH
In response to some crushing defeats, the church turns to God in prayer, looking to the sovereign hand of God. They learn they can trust God’s sovereign hand, even through defeat. Listen to see how the sovereign hand of God builds His church for His glory.
God’s grace is not something that can be earned. As we have studied the past few weeks, "grace" means unmerited favor. We must trust the Lord Jesus both to receive grace and to minister His grace to others, just as the early church did in Antioch.
Are we ready to respond to unfair criticism and persecution in a way that brings glory to God? Listen to learn how to reflect God’s grace and glorify God as we study Acts 11 and Peter’s response to unfair criticism.
In Acts 10, God destroys our prejudice with the glorious truths of the gospel. God is not partial. The gospel is for everyone - and everyone needs the gospel. Because God is not partial, everyone who trusts in the gospel of Jesus Christ will be saved.
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Jesus:%20The%20Man%20From%20Heaven
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Acts%20in%20Depth
In Acts 10:1-23, God is at work arranging a special meeting. Through this meeting, we learn that God invites everyone to salvation through the gospel of Jesus Christ. No partiality. Those who have been welcomed in are to extend the same gospel welcome to others.
Download a copy of the handout online here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Acts%20in%20Depth
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Jesus:%20The%20Man%20From%20Heaven
Fear often leaves us crippled when it comes to following the Lord Jesus in His new purpose for our lives. We must grow in trusting the Lord Jesus, Who is unstoppable in multiplying His Church.
We are all captured by transformation stories. One of the greatest transformation stories of all is that of Saul, in Acts 9. But Saul's story points to something even greater: the transforming power of Jesus Christ. His transforming power changed Saul, and it can change you too.
God accomplishes His salvation for all people through faithful believers who share the Word. As we consider this truth, we will begin to see exactly what our purpose is, and the specific ways we can accomplish our purpose on earth.
Something about the arrival of Jesus results in steady, unfaltering joy that triumphs through the difficulties of life. As the angel explained, Jesus' birth is good news of great joy for all of us.
See in this passage how the character of God - specifically His saving love - is the bedrock that produces steady joy in a person's life.
Jesus' birth reminds us of the powerful presence of God - that with God, nothing will be impossible. This is joy for the world! Nothing can stop God from keeping his gracious and glorious promises.
Download a copy of the handout online here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Jesus:%20The%20Man%20From%20Heaven
Download a copy of the lesson handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Acts%20in%20Depth
Download a copy of the lesson handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Marriage%20Class%202022
Stephen’s Spirit-filled message convicts the Israelites, but they respond with stiff necks and hard hearts. By their stubbornness, they reveal they aren’t truly God’s children. As Stephen makes clear, God’s true children are those who are tender-hearted toward His Word and His Spirit.
Sometimes when we experience growing pains in the church, we think growth is the problem. If only we could go back to the way things were! But that's not God's solution. God designed the church to thrive as a result of growing pains. In Acts 6, we see a growing church with growing needs! As those needs are met, the church multiplies powerfully!
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Marriage%20Class%202022
In utter respect for God's presence among them, the early church proclaims the gospel boldly, despite persecution! As we grow in our reverence for God, our fear of people shrinks and we find joy in serving Him. Proclaim salvation in Jesus' name by the powerful presence of God's Spirit.
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Marriage%20Class%202022
Listen to consider how we respect the presence of God's Spirit in the church from Acts 4 and 5, and the grave consequences when we don't.
Download a copy of the lesson notes here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Marriage%20Class%202022
When it's scary to share God's Word, it is important that we turn to God in prayer. Join us as we study this beautiful prayer of the early church and learn how we can pray in times of fear.
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Marriage%20Class%202022
As Peter and John share the powerful good news of Jesus as Savior, some repent and others resist. Through this intense resistance, Peter and John make it clear that they must keep proclaiming the power of Jesus' name, because His name alone provides salvation.
Download a copy of the handout here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Daniel
Download a copy of the lesson notes here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Marriage%20Class%202022
In Acts 3, Peter and John display some power. They heal a lame man and a crowd gathers to see more! Peter explains that the power is God's, and it's at work through faith in the name of Jesus. Come and see that God is working powerfully through faith in Jesus Christ, and learn with us exactly what that means for our lives today.
Download a copy of the notes on our website here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Marriage%20Class%202022
In Acts 2, we see the explosive growth of the church in its infancy! As we consider the account of this early growth, we will see clearly that God uses the message of Jesus and His Spirit to grow a vibrant church, and we'll understand how God wants us to participate in that growth.
Download a copy of the handout on our website here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Daniel
Download a copy of the handout on our website here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Marriage%20Class%202022
God has made one fact - one truth - more obvious than any other: that Jesus is God and Messiah. He's the Savior. And yet, many can be blind to that truth and its implication. The sneaky thing about blindness is that we are often blind to it. We aren't aware of what we aren't aware of. This blindness is exactly what Peter seeks to fix in his sermon in Acts 2.
Download a copy of the handout on our website at https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Marriage%20Class%202022
Download a copy of the handout on our website here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Daniel
Here in Acts 2, God keeps His word and completely empowers the disciples to fulfill the mission He gave them. Their inadequacy only highlights the all-sufficient power of God to accomplish His purposes. Take heart! God keeps His Word. He fulfills His promises, and He completely empowers us to accomplish His mission for us.
Download a copy of notes on our website: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Marriage%20Class%202022
Download a copy of the handout on our website here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Daniel
In our culture, "success" is often based on productivity. We feel a sense of fulfillment when we get a lot done. But is that truly success? Has God called us to productivity? No, true success is complete dependence upon our Sovereign God. Listen to consider how we can find success in our mission through complete dependence on our Sovereign God.
Download a copy of notes on our website: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Marriage%20Class%202022
Download a copy of the handout on our website here: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Equip%20-%20Daniel
When we get "off mission" we tend to grind our wheels trying to accomplish things, but it's forced, difficult, and discouraging. The book of Acts reminds us of our mission in this age between Jesus' first coming and His second coming. He put us here for a reason - at this exact moment - to complete our mission. We are to witness to the world that Jesus is the Savior!
Download a copy of notes on our website: https://www.mbcgrimes.org/sermon/tag/Marriage%20Class%202022
When we remember God's presence and provision, we find contentment. That's exactly what David does in Psalm 65. Find contentment in the worship of God's perfect provision and learn to praise the God Who answers prayer with abundant satisfaction.
In Psalm 64, David compares hurtful words to deadly arrows. His enemies use their words to tear him down, incite violence, and even scheme for his demise. David is afraid. As he turns to the Lord and asks for help, he remembers Who is truly in charge and rejoices in that truth.
Dry, barren, parched, empty, dead. These descriptions of a physical wilderness can feel all-too-real in our spiritual lives as well. As we follow David's example in Psalm 63, we learn to seek God for satisfaction that overflows in worship.
When the sources of stability in our lives begin to shake, we shake right along with them. That's why David encourages us, in Psalm 62, to steady our souls on God alone. He only is our rock and salvation.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed and far from God, then Psalm 61 is for you. Here, David feels far from God. He cries "from the end of the earth!" Not only that, his "heart is overwhelmed." Yet He asks God to lead him to the rock that is higher than him.
David felt broken and abandoned. Yet through the course of this Psalm, David remembers God's Word and renews his confidence in God. By God's word, David goes from despair to confidence! When you feel broken and abandoned, renew your confidence in God.
In Psalm 59, David is being stalked by evil men who want to take his life, and he compares them to dogs who prowl and growl through the night. Yet David looks to God. Consider how we, when stalked by evil, look to the God of steadfast love to be our strength and fortress.
David reminds us that God is the righteous judge of the earth. This key truth teaches us how to respond to the wicked injustices in this life. We grieve, we pray, and ultimately we look forward to God's righteous judgment.
In Psalm 55, David experiences the betrayal of a close friend - someone he had taken "sweet counsel" with many times. In that betrayal, David turns to God in prayer, and he encourages the reader to do the same - to "cast your burden on the Lord" believing that "He will sustain you."
When facing betrayal and an attempt on his life, David turns to God and expresses trust in the name of the Lord. Here we find a wonderful prayer any time we are maligned for God's sake. When terrorized by evildoers, trust in the name of the Lord.
David helps us remember God's perspective on evil, and His plan to save and restore His people. Those who live as if God doesn't exist are foolish, for indeed, God sees every act of evil, and will judge every evildoer. And one day, God will save His people and set all things right. When overwhelmed by evil, trust God's plan.
There are few things more frustrating than blatant, unrestrained acts of evil. How are we to respond in times like these? David gives us direction in Psalm 52 - when we are betrayed by evildoers, we must trust in God's steadfast love.
Review the Gospel of John and see how the written Word changes everything about our lives! Listen to see Him (in the text), believe Him, and live forever for Him.
In Christ, I find the true purpose for myself, my circumstances, my roles and relationships.
Our missionary to Japan, Andrew Gonnerman, preaches from Psalm 23. Be reminded that the Lord is our Shepherd and His provision is perfect!
In Christ, I am not defined primarily by my past failures or achievements, my desires, my feelings, or my body.
Life is complicated and sometimes difficult. Even after we trust in Jesus as Savior, life can be full of confusion and uncertainties! As believers, we know that Jesus has called us to follow Him, but even that can seem tricky. See what it means to love and follow the Risen Lord.
We find the disciples in John 21 running back to their roots - what they know. Fishing is their home - their place to think, work, and be successful. Except they aren't. They fail. That's where we see that with the Risen Lord, we, like the disciples, have all we need to thrive in His purpose for us.
Consider two scenes in this passage where Jesus appears to His disciples after the resurrection. They see Him and believe, but He nudges their faith even further by encouraging them to believe without seeing - to believe His Word.
In this passage, Peter, John, and Mary all see something near the tomb that renews their hope. Jesus is alive. His Word is proved true. He turns our weeping to joy. Jesus is alive! Come and see. See Jesus the Risen Lord and believe!
What John unfolds for us in this text, is that as the Lamb of God, His finished work is good news for us! The work is done. We simply believe in the Lamb of God. Then we rest, we trust, and we worship.
Jesus displays the glory of God from the cross. Glory radiates through His torn flesh and bleeding wounds as He shows the world what God is like - what God does for sinners.
In Christ, I stand completely in God’s grace, my sin debt is canceled, and I have peace with God.
This passage is structured as a "coronation" scene. As Pilate and the Jews battle for power, Jesus is presented as the true King. He's worthy because He dies for our sins. Rather than competing for power, Worship Jesus the True King Who died for our sins.
What is truth? This is one of the prevailing questions of our day. What Pilate misses in this text is that truth is not a "what," it's a "Who." Jesus, the Truth, is King of the true Kingdom. On His way to the cross, He makes clear that the important battle is not between phony kingdoms, but between the King of truth and a world of frauds. Heed the voice of the King of truth.
In Christ, I am adopted as a child of God with all the rights and privileges of His Son.
While we were failing Jesus, He was not failing us. Jesus followed the Father’s plan to go to the cross to pay for our sins. He sacrificed Himself to provide the only way for us to be forgiven. So please, when you fail, come to Jesus to be restored.
We are completely insufficient and need to trust the One who is. This is what makes Jesus the perfect Savior. With His infinite strength, He willingly submitted to the Father's plan and laid down His life for us. Find salvation not by working, but by resting in Jesus. Rest in the saving strength of Jesus, who submits to the Father's plan.
Do you ever wonder why you exist? What is your purpose? You exist for a reason. And, you won't find joy until you know that reason, and live for your purpose. In fact, Jesus wants you to live for your glorious purpose. Listen and learn how you can participate in God's glorious mission, for you.
The hard truth is: we are failures! But the solution isn't positive self-talk. The solution is Jesus. He has overcome the world, in spite of our failures! What we need is not more self-confidence, but more Christ-confidence. He gives us everything we need to live the victorious life in Him. Take heart! Jesus has won. Trust Him.
In John 16, the disciples will soon experience deep sorrow, and will feel like outsiders. Yet Jesus explains that in "a little while" they will have clarity, their grief will become joy, and they will be "insiders" with the Father! Jesus turns it all around. Rejoice in the great reversals won by Jesus' death and resurrection.
Jesus' instructions in John 16 to the disciples to prepare them for His departure didn't involve new strategies or special equipment. Instead, Jesus gives them words and His Spirit. Their job is simply to embrace His words and His Spirit will take care of the rest! To thrive in enemy territory we often need to stop searching for the spectacular, and simply embrace the words of Christ.
As Jesus explains in John 15, when we thrive in our union with Jesus, we will experience hatred from the world - the same hatred He experienced. It is hatred rooted in hatred for God. The more we thrive in Jesus, the more we may face this hatred. Thankfully, He has given us His Spirit to help us bear witness of Jesus and thrive.
In John 15, Jesus explains the key to bearing fruit, experiencing fullness of joy and displaying love to one another. He explains how to thrive...in fact, he commands it because it all comes from Him. Learn to thrive in your union with Jesus, the true Vine.
What is love, exactly? A feeling? Commitment? It's complicated enough in our human relationships! How do we love God, who isn't physically present with us, who we can't see? See how Jesus encourages us to love Him by embracing His Word.
The remedy for a troubled heart is faith. The key is not the strength of that faith - that would just leave us troubled that our faith is not strong enough. No, the key is the object of our faith. See how you can calm your troubled heart by believing in Jesus: the way, the truth, and the life!
In the end, every king and every kingdom will fail until the perfect King comes. As we start the new year, find real hope in God, whose mercies are new every morning. And whatever the year brings - rise or fall - hope in the Perfect King.
Isaiah brings God's message of hope in this passage. He tells them that their trouble will turn to peace, their gloom will turn to joy, and their darkness will turn to light. Why? Because the Prince of Peace is coming. In troubled times, hope in the Prince of Peace.
In the book of Micah, things are looking hopeless for the people of Judah. God uses Micah to bring a prophecy about God's Eternal Ruler to be born in little Bethlehem that was meant to keep them hoping in God's promises rather than their circumstances. In dark times, we too can hope in God's Eternal Ruler.
God would come in the flesh as Immanuel (God with us) to fulfill His promises and save His people. Because God Himself fulfills His promises, hope is never lost. Do not be afraid, God-with-us will keep His promises.
In epic fashion, as the serpent, Adam, and Eve ruin God's perfect creation, God promises that there will One to come who will slay the Serpent. Hear this prophecy in Genesis and understand what it means to find victory in God's Serpent-Slayer.
As Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, He tells them exactly what they are to do to show the world they are His followers. He tells them exactly what it looks like to be a Christian.
As much as we hate to admit it, like Judas we are betrayers. Each of us, knowing who Jesus is, has chosen to commit the very acts of sin that put Him on the cross. Yet He loves us. Come to the Savior who loves even those who betray Him.
Jesus shows the disciples His love and what He came to do - to get messy as He cleans up our filth. And He is showing them exactly what they need to do - humbly help others find cleansing in Jesus, too. In perfect love, Jesus cleanses our filth so we can humbly help others get clean too. Watch, rinse, and repeat.
Many who encountered Jesus, the light of the World, tried to ignore the truth through distractions - giving their attention to other things. In John 12:37-50, Jesus calls the crowds to believe in Him while there's still time. What is distracting you from Jesus? Believe in Him before the night falls.
Jesus explains his death is the most productive, worthwhile, and glorious thing he could do. Shockingly, he also teaches that Christians should follow his example. This passage calls us to consider why the glory of Jesus lifted up on the cross draws all people to believe and follow.
It's part of our culture to pursue feeling comfortable. When Jesus conquered death, He opened our eyes to the reality of eternity and taught that this life is for the next life. He taught that this present life on earth would be a challenge and that those who follow Him need to be prepared to be uncomfortable in this life, setting their hopes on the comfort promised in eternity.
If we aren't careful, we can begin to worship our expectations of God, rather than worshipping God for Who He is. We worship the blessings we expect, the joy He promised, or the forgiveness He offers. Consider what it means to worship the Savior-King for Who He is, and not based on our expectations of Him in John 12:12-19.
What if you were pulled in only one direction? As crazy as that sounds, that’s exactly how God designed us to live. When we understand that Jesus gave His life for us, it is the right response to live for Him - everything else in our lives flows from that and results in a life of extravagant worship.
We often live like Jesus died in order to make our lives more comfortable - and so we get upset with God when something uncomfortable happens. John 11 makes abundantly clear why Jesus died - to pay for our sins, and to offer us salvation by faith.
In the face of tragedy, Jesus is both loving and powerful. He is the Resurrection and the Life. As such, He is completely trustworthy through the tragedies of life and forevermore.
Jesus is asked whether He is truly the Savior the people are looking for and He answers that He is the only qualified Savior because He is God. We all need a hero. Trust in Jesus because His words and works declare His identity as Savior-God.
In John 10, Jesus makes it clear that abundant life can only be found in Him. He's the Good Shepherd, and we can only find abundant life in His flock.
When the pure light of the truth shines on our lives we must admit that we are wrong. In John 9, Jesus encounters two kinds of blindness. One man, willing to acknowledge his blindness, receives both physical and spiritual sight. Others, unwilling to admit their spiritual blindness, deny Jesus and remain in the dark. We must see we are blind in order to believe in Jesus the light.
Guilt is the great malady of the human race. It is the sickness that everyone is trying to cure whether they realize it or not. Many try to dampen it with substance abuse. Others try to placate it with the empty rituals of religion. And a vast majority try to outweigh it with good works. Psalm 51 calls us back to the only solution for our sin and guilt: forgiveness from God. Confess your sin to the merciful God for cleansing and restoration.
True worship isn't focused on me or my preferences, just going through the motions, or being hypocritical. In Psalm 50, God calls his people to consider their worship. He reminds them of his glory and instructs them about true worship and heartfelt obedience.
Many trust in wealth or power, but Psalm 49 teaches that these things are futile. They can't save a soul from death. But the psalmist also gives hope. There is One who can redeem your soul from the grave.
Psalm 48 lifts our eyes to an eternal city. A city unlike any other. In it dwells the Great King in all His might and majesty. Oh weary soul, lift your eyes to the eternal city, see the Great King in His city and praise Him!
Trouble comes in all shapes and sizes. From minor inconveniences to major catastrophes, trouble is a persistent pest in this life. The question is not whether trouble will come - it will - but rather, "What will you do when trouble comes?" Listen to this rich psalm and see what it looks like to trust in God, our ever-present refuge, in the midst of trouble.
Psalm 45 turns our attention to the Hero-King! Entitled a love-song, it teaches us to adore the eternal King in all his beauty. Listen to learn how he impacts your life as you wait for his return.
In Psalm 44, we see how we can be faithful in affliction by coming to our faithful, sovereign God who cares for us. Listen to see how you can endure affliction when you come to God for help.
In these Psalms, God has given us words to pray when we are down. He has given us a path out of our darkness and toward the light. He has given us hope in our trouble. Listen to learn how to walk this path of hope when your soul is troubled.
See from Psalm 41 how we, as those who have been shown mercy, need to magnify the God who is merciful.
We serve a God who delights in rescuing us. David shows us that when God rescues us from the pit, it should reshape our worship. It should be life-altering!
Life is short and filled with the realities of sin and suffering. Come see the hope in Psalm 39 that is found in crying out to God as we face these realities!
Do you struggle to find meaning in difficult circumstances? Ever wonder why a good and loving God would allow His children to experience deep pain? See how God’s Word speaks to these questions in Psalm 38.
Jesus encourages us toward being true believers and genuine followers. Jesus points out that some fake followers only want bits and pieces of his teaching, but they aren't willing to accept his teaching as truth. Jesus makes it clear that true believers accept his teaching as the truth of God.
We are in the darkness of death. Stumbling, searching, feeling for truth, God, and life, but inevitably we are lost in spiritual darkness. Jesus came as the Light of the world and offers every person the light of life!
In this week's text, we are reminded the right way to deal with sin is not to hide it, shift it, or justify it. Instead, we come to Jesus, the righteous judge, who offers mercy. He came to save us from our sin.
Those who reject God are left searching for satisfaction. Only Jesus satisfies the thirst of our souls. Come to Jesus and believe for spiritual satisfaction.
Jesus confronts a number of false expectations and wrong perspectives in this passage. God's plan through Jesus is perfect! We must adjust our perspective and believe.
Jesus came to resolve our warped views of truth and justice. He himself is true and righteous. By teaching truth and displaying righteousness, he showed us the only way to be free of our self-serving, self-seeking, self-righteousness: believe in him.
Jesus came to confront unbelief. This unbelief can pop up in the lives of believers, too. We see it when we struggle with God's timing, when we seek to be loved by the world, or when we are afraid of what people think. Come to Jesus by faith and walk with Jesus by faith.
Jesus explains to be a true follower of him we must believe in him - the one who alone has the words of life. And as true followers of Jesus, we must be ready to stick with him through thick and thin.
In this passage, Jesus uses the metaphor of bread to teach the crowds. He turns their attention to spiritual, eternal things.He conquered death, and that makes him the living bread, and he offers his eternal life to all.
Our default is to go life alone, and reach out to Jesus as needed. When we do this, without relying on Jesus, we find ourselves exhausted, discouraged, weak, alone and afraid. For salvation, and life, we must receive him willingly, relying on his power.
Hunger, pain, discomfort, thirst, and fatigue can all arrest our attention! When this happens, we often fail to see what God is doing spiritually. When we remember that Jesus has the power to meet our every need - to satisfy our every longing - we can free ourselves from distraction so we can listen and believe!
God has lovingly reached into our mess with truth, life, and the way to Jesus so that our shame could be cleansed. He offers us His honor in its place! Many of us choose to reject God's offer - pressing on in our darkness, death, and denial. God lovingly entered our mess so that we would come to Jesus and believe!
In this passage, Jesus explains that He is truly the Son of God, equal to the Father. He reminds them that He alone can execute judgment and grant eternal life, and that only those who hear His word and believe will pass from death to life.
In this passage, John highlights two parties - at opposite ends of the spectrum - who miss Jesus, even though He's right in front of them. Don't let your misconceptions cause you to miss Jesus. Believe and be made well.
We often welcome Jesus into our lives simply for His gifts. Or, we come to Jesus with our own agenda. These perspectives dishonor the Lord Jesus. Instead of trying to press Him in to our plans, we must adjust to His Word - His plan. Learn to believe Jesus - to take Him at His Word - because He speaks with all authority.
The feelings of unrest, anxiety, persistent guilt, and burning anger in our lives all point to a longing of the soul for healing. Only Jesus offers satisfaction and refreshment to the soul that lasts for eternity.
John shows us there is only One Man worthy of being followed whole-heartedly - the One Who came down from heaven to bring eternal life to those who believe!
We all have expectations. Sometimes, however, we bring our expectations to Jesus. We expect Him to get on board with our plans and goals and assist with special blessings along the way. We expect Him to allow our hidden sins to remain unnoticed. In John 3, Jesus has a powerful conversation with a man and reveals that He alone is qualified to be the Savior of the World.
Come see Jesus' passion for the purity of His father's house and His passion to make us pure by dying in our place and rising again - granting forgiveness of sins to all who believe.
Jesus is the solution to all of our problems. He’s the Savior. He’s the one who can meet our every need and give abundant joy. See His glory and believe.
Come and see Jesus. Recognize that Jesus is the one you need and believe. Discover that in Him you find all that you've been looking for. Come and see!
As we enter the new year, where is your attention? Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and see what that means for you!
A true full picture of God is seen only through Jesus Christ - God in flesh. Jesus reminds us that God can be touched and seen, and He gives us the opportunity to draw near.
Christmas-time reminds us that the one true Light of the World did indeed come to the earth. His arrival leaves everyone with a choice: will you receive Him or reject Him?
In our current context surrounded by so many unknowns, it is important to look to Jesus - in faith! That's the purpose of John's account of Jesus' life - that you would believe, and that when you believe you would receive life in His Name.
If we are to succeed at displaying a mature faith - a faith that works - we must pray because prayer helps us to walk in fellowship with God and others.
We know patience is a virtue, but we still struggle. When the pressures of life increase we can easily become impatient. James points our attention to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. With our eyes on him, we can patiently endure, trusting in his character.
What place do riches and wealth have in the lives of believers? In a "wealthy" society like ours, how do we fight the temptations of riches? James reminds us to keep our eyes on the coming Judge!
James has been drawing our attention to a sovereign God - the judge of the universe. So, how does he fit in with our planning? In James 4:13-17 we see how important it is that we live by God's will.
We have all said things we regret. We have all hurt others with our words. We know it is wrong, and that we should avoid it, yet it still happens. It is still a temptation. However, in the family of God it should not be so!
Where do conflicts come from? Is it just that we said the wrong words? Is it simply selfishness? Our words reveal our hearts, and our hearts are desperately wicked. James cuts to the heart of conflict and points us to God's grace, laying out a clear path to return to God.
We all desire to be wise and make wise decisions. James explains the two sources of wisdom and how we can know by which wisdom we are living. We should live peacefully by the wisdom from God above.
Communication is a challenge in just about every relationship in life! Christianity is no exception. It is crucial that Christians learn to control their tongues.
James makes the case that genuine "living" faith will be seen in works. The two are inseparable. A person's actions inevitably display what they believe, so show your real faith by obeying God.
James points out that tendencies toward favoritism are present in all of our hearts - and that's not ok. Favoritism has no place in the church and does not fit with true faith in Christ. Learn from James why it is wrong and how to remove it from your life.
James explains that we can participate in the maturing process as we listen to, learn, and live the Word! This passage helps us learn to be doers and not just hearers only.
When trials hit, we also get hit with temptation. We want to meet our desires as quickly as possible and we have two options - we can turn to God and His gifts for help, or we can turn to sinful things. Learn from the Word how to remain steadfast and follow God’s way during these times.
Come see the God Who helps us perfectly through trials and improves our eternal condition through them. Not even one millisecond of a trial is wasted. Every bit of it is used to mature us and do us good - now and forever!
In Psalm 37, David instructs us to trust the Lord, rather than fretting, becoming envious, or even becoming angry. As He instructs us to trust the Lord, he turns our attention to the future, when all things will be set right
Life without God is darkness, and it leads to death. Life with God is light, and it leads us to abundant satisfaction and pleasure! Psalm 36 magnifies the light of God's love, and invites us to experience the pleasure of His love by trusting Him.
David gives us a beautiful example of prayer in the midst of hatred. Lament is a good word for this prayer in Psalm 35. David asks God to be his defender - his avengerthrough his experience of evil hatred.
Psalm 34 is an invitation to renew our trust in the Lord. David experienced God's help and invites the reader to worship the Lord, to trust the Lord, and to walk in His ways.
Psalm 33 calls us to rejoice in the Lord. He alone deserves praise, trust, worship and glory - and He alone can give joy, peace, security and deliverance.
We often sin against our Holy God. The question is: What is the proper response after we have sinned? We have one of two options: We either hide our sin, or we confess it to God receiving His blessed forgiveness.
When we go through hard times - grief, pain, mistreatment - it is extremely difficult to trust the Lord. We know we should, but how do we move toward trust in those difficult times? We learn from David's example in Psalm 31 how to put our trust in the Lord.
In this present life we can experience weeping and mourning - sometimes for extended periods of time. However, we have a God Who turns our weeping into joy and our mourning into gladness. He is a God of restoration. In Psalm 30, David praises God for restoring him!
When we go through storms - either real storms, or circumstantial "storms" - fear and anxiety are often our first responses. In Psalm 29, David calls the reader to worship the King of Glory in the storm.
We are surrounded by injustice. In this fallen world, it can seem at times that evil prevails! How are we to process these things? How can we respond to injustice? There are many responses, but the most important is prayer!
Fear is a real thing in our lives - we face it on a daily basis. David brings his fears to the Lord and finds confidence in God's character and works - calling the Lord his light and his salvation! Learn how to gain confidence and develop fearless faith in the Lord.
Have you ever felt weighed down by guilt, or specifically by the criticism of others? In Psalm 26 David reminds us that in those times we must run to the Lord alone. It is an important time to renew our whole-hearted devotion to God.
Difficult times can leave us in a state of confusion - not knowing where to turn or what to do next! This rich song reminds us that when in trouble, we should look to the Lord for guidance. He provides forgiveness and deliverance.
Psalm 24 is a song about the King of Glory. As we read of this beautiful description of the King of Glory, we are reminded how we should worship Him.
Is Jesus your Shepherd? If so, what good does that do you in times like these? It means all the good for His sheep.
As we reach the end of Abraham's life, we get a glimpse of God's faithfulness all the days of Abraham's life. Abraham is faithful to the end, and God is faithful all his days, and forevermore!
Have you ever wondered how to follow God's will? Consider how to move forward in God's faithful guidance from the examples in Genesis 24.
Through a time of loss, Abraham begins to see the bright future of God's promises. As we walk through this dark time in Abraham's life, let's learn with him how dark times can help us see the bright future of God's promises.
God calls Abraham to make a major sacrifice in worship - to offer his son. As we see God grow Abraham's faith and teach him about true worship, Abraham believes that God could resurrect Isaac if necessary to fulfill His promises.
As God strengthens Abraham's faith, He teaches him about His grace. Abraham begins to see how God's grace impacts his past, present and future.
In this tragic scene, God continues to teach Abraham about His justice and righteousness. In God's perfect justice, the city of Sodom receives the destruction it deserves for its wickedness. Yet God also put His grand mercy on display - offering deliverance to those who would receive it. God's mercy and justice work in perfect harmony - the Judge of the earth always does right.
We often feel like we lack clarity or direction in the Christian life. We wonder - what exactly does God want from us? As God helps Abraham along, He reveals Himself to him in a special way so that Abraham knows exactly how to walk in God's ways.
As God continues to help Abram grow in his walk of faith, He teaches Abram the right response to God's promise - complete devotion. To take steps of faith, we too must be completely devoted to our Almighty God.
Abram's story is filled with ups and downs. Ten years since arriving in God's land - Abram and Sarai take charge and ignore God's Word. As a result, they make a mess of their lives - and Hagar’s. In the midst of the mess, God sees, hears, and comes to Hagar's aid. This display of God's character reminds us that God shows the same kind of faithfulness to us - even when we are faithless. He sees, hears, and comes to our aid. In response, we should trust Him by heeding His Word and talking to Him in prayer.
God works patiently with Abram to grow His faith. We find Abram in a place of fear and doubt - literally lying awake at night in his tent! God reminds Abram of His promises, and affirms His promises with monumental proof of His steadfast love and grace.
As we progress in the Christian life, God gives victories along the way. These victories can tempt us to adopt the same prideful thinking that surrounds us and that is ingrained in our own hearts. Abram experiences an amazing victory. Will he be pulled into prideful thinking?