Feed My Sheep - SoundSage

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Like the parable of the soils, we are to sow the seed of the gospel in all kinds of soil, leaving the results to God. In this Bible study, we learn how to share the gospel truthfully and urgently yet in a sprit of love.

(Part 4 in our evangelism training class at Calvary Church West Hills)

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"Anyone Can Cook!" said chef Gusteau in the movie Ratatouille. As Christians, we might also say, "Anyone can share the gospel!" We actually have a duty to be salt and light as part of Jesus' Great Commission. You might think an "evangelist" is a highly trained and gifted specialist, but God wants all of us to grow in confidence as evangelists. Find out more in this week's episode. You will be encouraged that even if you feel inadequate, God is ready to use you.

(Part three of our Evangelism Class at Calvary Church West Hills)

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Can you explain the gospel simply? Would you be able to lead a person to Christ? The gospel is the power of God that leads to salvation, but some of us struggle to put it into words. In this Bible study lesson, we learn...

What is evangelism?
What are some reasons we don't evangelize?
What the gospel isn't
What the gospel is
A simple, helpful outline of the gospel

This is part two of an Evangelism Class taught at Calvary Church in Fall 2024 and Winter 2025. Thanks for listening!

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Want to learn how to share the gospel more effectively? Maybe you've wondered why it's so hard to talk about Jesus with unbelievers. In this Bible Study lesson, we answer the question, "Why Don't We Evangelize?"

By the end of this lesson you should be able to...

Follow the outline and flow of our new Evangelism Class
Understand Peter's denial and how Jesus restored him
Be aware of excuses we all make in why we don't evangelize
Take twelve steps to evangelize more faithfully

This is part one of an Evangelism Class taught at Calvary Church in Fall 2024 and Winter 2025. Thanks for listening!

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As sinners, we deserve only one thing. We deserve hell. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23; Matt. 25:46). But if we place our faith in Christ, we don't get what we deserve. There is freedom and forgiveness in Christ. In this sermon, we learn...

A review of the first two chapters of Colossians
How the gospel frees us from the power of sin
Common areas where legalism can creep in
Should we expect new revelation like visions and dreams today?

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It's no fun to lose. In this study of 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, we learn...

The prize that awaits those who finish the race of life
Paul's love for athletic images in Scripture
Why we should invest in heaven
The danger of being disqualified from ministry
Practical ways to grow in self-control

Thanks for listening. To find a complete list of sermons by topic or scripture passage, please visit the Sermon Hub on my blog.

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New year, new you! Many people want change and self-improvement. The deepest and most meaningful kind of change starts with the heart. In this study of Romans 12:1-2, we learn...

why we should present our bodies as living sacrifices to God
common ways the world tries to press us into its image
The need for a steady diet of Scripture to renew the mind
The role of the Holy Spirit in transformation
Resisting worldly influence and pursuing a life rooted in Christ

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons organized by book of the Bible, please visit the Sermon page on my blog.

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In today's lesson, we learn about the important doctrine of union with Christ. Spiritual circumcision and baptism are two metaphors the Bible uses for the spiritual transformation that is ours through his shed blood. Because of Christ's victory, we have new life. Praise God, the debt we owed him has been paid in full!

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Who can you trust? How do you know what's true? In this sermon, we discuss...

The danger of false doctrine and empty philosophy
Jesus as the source of wisdom and protection against error
Why pursuing wisdom is like going on a treasure hunt
What exactly is gnosticism, and why were the Colossians at risk?
An opportunity to trust in Christ today

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons organized by book of the Bible, please visit the Sermon page on my blog.

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The goal of all preaching is to see people made complete in Christ Jesus. In this study of Colossians 1:24-29, we learn...

Why you can rejoice in times of suffering
What's the difference between teaching and preaching?
Simple ways you can serve the Lord
The role of admonishing in your spiritual growth

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons organized by book of the Bible, please visit the Sermon page on my blog.

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Conflict is unavoidable. In this sinful world, you will sometimes be offended and disappointed, and you will let others down as well. How can you become a more peaceful person? In this study of Colossians 1:21-23, we discover...

The reason God saved you
How sanctification is a process, not a one-time event
That peace with others begins by finding peace with God
Taking the first step in reconciliation
The importance of patience and forgiveness

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons listed by topic and book of the Bible, please visit my Sermon Page.

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Only Jesus provides a sure foundation for his church. In this study of Colossians 1:15-20, we learn...

that Jesus is head of the church
What does it means that he is "firstborn from the dead"?
How the church is a unified body with diverse roles
Our hope in a future resurrection
Finding peace with God and others
The urgency of making peace with God while there's still time

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies, please visit the Sermon Page on my blog.

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People debate who is the "GOAT" (greatest of all time) in sports. Here in Colossians 1:15-20, we see that Jesus is the true GOAT! The image of the invisible God. The firstborn of all creation. The one through whom all things were created. No one can compete with the supremacy and glory of Christ. In this sermon, we learn...

Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
He is not just an imprint or likeness of God; He is the perfect representation and equality with God. This means he is fully God.
that Jesus always existed, even before His physical birth.
Jesus is actually the object of our worship, and God alone deserves worship.
Encouragement to make Jesus the center of their lives and worship.

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies, please visit the Sermon Page on my blog.

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No matter the trials you face, God can help you endure and keep an attitude of thankfulness.

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Paul prays that the church would "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord." In this study, we learn...

What does it mean to "walk" with God?
A life lesson from the great John Wooden
Why maturity leads to fruitfulness
God is the most interesting person in the universe

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies, please visit the Sermon Page on my blog.

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Wouldn't it be great if you could know God's will for your life? God wants you to know his will. In this lesson, we learn...

What the Apostle Paul prays for
Dangerous doctrines in Colossae
The two "wills" of God
What you can know for sure about God's will
How to make practical decisions in life

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my Sermon Page.

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Missionary C.T. Studd once said, "I cannot tell you what joy it gave me to bring the first soul to the Lord Jesus Christ. I have tasted almost all the pleasures that this world can give...but I can tell you that those pleasures were as nothing compared to the joy that the saving of that one soul gave me.” In the final part of this sermon, we talk about the place of missions in the local church.

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The Holy Spirit is alive and active! He alone gives you the power to obey the Great Commission.

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The responsibility of being a witness did not end with Peter and the original twelve apostles. Each new generation is expected to "grab the baton" and faithfully pass it on to the next generation.

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One of the signs of a healthy church is that they're growing in their passion for the lost and their commitment to take the gospel to the nations.

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There's an old statistic that says 80% of church ministry is done by 20% of the people. What if we could change that statistic, and have a larger percentage of members exercising their gifts in the body of Christ? In this message, we consider what it looks like practically when God gives his church a "mind to work."

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Like Israel in the days of Nehemiah, Christians must remain dependent on God even as we work hard to advance the gospel.

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When Israel's enemies mocked and threatened them, Nehemiah led the people to pray to God for help.

This sermon on Nehemiah 4 was preached at Calvary Church West Hills on Sunday, April 28, 2024 as part of our introductory series of the five foundations of ministry. For more info on our church, please visit our website. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies organized by category, please visit the sermon page on my blog.

I'm trying out a new style of podcast that turns one sermon into several shorter podcast episodes. Let me know what you think of this new format!

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Are you busy and want to listen to sermons in smaller, bite-sized portions? I'm testing out a new format of breaking one sermon down into several podcast episodes that are only 10-15 minutes long. Let me know what you think!

This sermon on Nehemiah 4 was preached at Calvary Church West Hills on Sunday, April 28, 2024 as part of our introductory series of the five foundations of ministry. For more info on our church, please visit our website. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies organized by category, please visit the sermon page on my blog.

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From the moment a person visits our campus or checks out our website, we want there to be a “sweet aroma” that draws them in. The church should be permeated with a spirit of love and a culture of grace that makes people glad they came, then makes them want to stay. In this lesson, we learn...

What the church can learn from Cinnabon
The importance of preaching the gospel to ourselves daily
Some nasty behaviors we need to "put off"
What's the difference between patience and kindness?
Signs of a loving church

Thanks for listening. This sermon was preached at Calvary Church West Hills on Sunday, April 21, 2024 as part of our introductory series of the five foundations of ministry. For more info on our church, please visit our website. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies organized by category, please visit the sermon page on my blog.

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Francis Schaeffer once said, "There are no little people, no little places." The prophet Zechariah reminds us that we should never despise the day of small things. In this message, we learn...

That spiritual growth is a process rather than the flipping of a "light switch"
Who is Zerubbabel, and why is he important?
How we can grow discouraged at lack of growth or slowness of progress
God's promise to watch and care for the blameless
The need for godly leadership in the 21st century

Thanks for listening. This sermon was preached at Calvary Church West Hills on Sunday, August 11, 2024. For more about our ministry, please visit our church website. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies organized by category, please visit the sermon page on my blog.

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Zechariah's vision of a lampstand teaches that God will generously give His Holy Spirit and all the tools necessary to obey. In this sermon, we learn...

That God sometimes spoke in dreams and visions
The historical background of Zechariah
How we are tempted to rely on our own strength instead of God's
God's promise to care for you and overcome your biggest obstacles

Thanks for listening. This sermon was preached at Calvary Church West Hills on Sunday, August 4, 2024. For more information about our ministry, please visit our church website. For a complete list of all my sermons and Bible studies organized by category, please visit the sermon page on my blog.

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The second feature of a Bible-believing, gospel-centered church is that we should have a hunger for truth. Sermon preached at Calvary Church West Hills on 4/11/24.

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Last Sunday at Calvary Church West Hills, I began a five-part series on what it means to be a healthy, growing, gospel-centered church. The church should be known for its love for Christ, and together we look at ways this will manifest itself in how we do ministry. This message was also posted on our official Calvary Church page on Sermon Audio. Video is available on our YouTube page.

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One of the Bible's most common descriptions for spiritual leadership is a shepherd. In John 10, Jesus presents himself as both the Good Shepherd and the Door of the Sheep. All who hear his voice are invited to follow after him.

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In Genesis 15, God invites Abram to look up into the night sky and count the stars, if he is able. In this Bible study, we learn...

How to understand the flow of Genesis
More than once, a "miracle baby" would advance God's rescue plan
How God shows mercy by waiting to destroy the Amorites
The Protestant doctrine of "justification by faith" found here in Genesis
Covenants as a key to understanding our Bible
Growing in patience as we trust and obey the Lord

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my teaching page.

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Rainbows and rainbow flags may conjure a different image today, but the rainbow was originally designed to remind us of a special promise from God. In this study of Genesis 9, we learn...

What people were allowed to eat for the first time after the flood
A poetic warning in Genesis 9:6
Is it inhumane to kill animals?
Even if you aren't a murderer, you've likely done this...
How a weapon of war became a token of grace

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my teaching page.

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The resurrection is at the core of the Christian faith. Without it, we have no hope. In this study of Mark 16, we learn...

Why the disciples were surprised when they heard Jesus was alive
How a Jewish "day" differs from a Western "day"
How we know that Jesus' body was not simply stolen and hidden
What do we do with these strange final verses in Mark 16??
A change that happens when the Holy Spirit arrives

This lesson was part of our Sunday morning Bible Study Community series on the Gospel of Mark. Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my teaching page.

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It rained at least "forty days and forty nights," but Noah's flood was far from over after 40 days. In Genesis 8, the author describes Noah waiting for waters to recede and dry land to appear. In this passage, we learn...

How we know Noah's flood was a global - not local - flood event
What does it mean that God "remembered" Noah? Had he somehow forgotten?
The total amount of time Noah and his family spent on the ark
The significance of Noah sending out a raven and dove
Noah's first act upon setting foot on dry land
What Noah's sacrifice means for us today

Thanks for listening. To find a complete list of Bible studies and sermons, please visit my teaching page.

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Many counseling and recovery programs stress the importance of accountability partners. But what exactly do these relationships look like? In this lesson, we discuss...

Key takeaways from our biblical counseling class
The importance of understanding our new identity in Christ
How to confront and restore someone who is struggling
Helpful questions for any accountability relationship

Thanks for listening. This is the final week in a 12-week biblical counseling class called "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please see my Teaching Page.

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Natural disasters like fires, floods, and earthquakes occur somewhere on the earth every day. The largest disaster in history is described for us in Genesis 6-8. This flood was so widespread its effects are visible in geology around the globe, and most ancient civilizations have their own flood legends. In this study, we discuss...

Why early humans lived so long before the flood -- some almost a thousand years!
God's holiness and the spiritual darkness of the world in Noah's day
My visit to the "Ark Encounter" in Williamstown, Kentucky
How the ark was perfectly suited as a life boat for humans and animals

Thanks for listening. To find a full archive of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my teaching page.

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Within one generation, Adam & Eve's sin led to a downward spiral of human envy, deceit, hatred, and the murder of one of their sons. Last Sunday, our Bible Study looked at Genesis 4 together. It was definitely an unusual Christmas Eve passage, but such evil and injustice actually remind us why Christ came into our world. In this passage, we discussed...

Christmas carols with a darker tone
Why did the LORD accept Abel's sacrifice and not Cain's?
How the New Testament authors point to Cain as a warning
What to do when you sense sin "crouching at the door"
How God showed mercy in spite of Cain's cold-blooded act

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my Teaching Page.

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Good things often come in small packages. Never was this more true than when the Messiah -- our Deliverer-- arrived as a newborn baby in a little town called Bethlehem. In this study of Luke 2:1-15, we learn...

The answer to an interesting question about "crush" versus "strike" in Genesis 3:15
Why holiday traditions are important, and ideas on how to create your own
Who exactly was Caesar Augustus anyway?
The significance of baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling cloths
How Christmas fulfilled a prophecy made 1,000 years earlier

Thanks for listening! For a complete list of my sermons and Bible study lessons organized by topic or Bible passage, please visit my Teaching Page.

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Have you ever done something you came to regret? Maybe you acted foolishly, made a costly mistake, or damaged a relationship. Genesis 3 details a decision Adam and Eve would deeply regret -- one with continuing consequences in our world today. In this lesson, we learn...

Why a snake was talking to Eve
Satan's deadly tactics and how to avoid them
Some of the lies Satan and culture still speak
God's righteous punishment for sin
Signs of hope that God will not abandon the human race

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies, please visit my teaching page.

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In his goodness, God created a beautiful, habitable world, and everything Adam and Eve would need to know and worship him. In this study, we learn...

How Genesis 1-2 is foundation to the rest of Scripture
A helpful way to remember what God created on each of the six days
What makes the God of the Bible different from other deities and religions
That marriage is between one man and one woman in life-long, covenant commitment

Thanks for listening. This lesson was shared during our Sunday morning median adult Bible Study Community at Immanuel Baptist Church. For a complete list of sermons and Bible Study lessons, please visit my teaching page.

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Just hours before his execution, Jesus spent time in fellowship with his Father praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. In this lesson, we learn...

How God's children are sometimes called to suffer deeply
A quick overview of the layout of the city of Jerusalem
How the cross is the ultimate expression of God's love
The privilege of prayer in times of trouble

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies arranged by topic and scripture passage, please visit my teaching page.

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Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready? One of the most important passages in the Gospels on end times prophecy is found in the Olivet Discourse. In Mark 13, Jesus responds to the question, "When will these things be, and what will be the sign when all will be accomplished?" In this lesson, we discuss...

Apocalyptic signs that will lead up to the "last days"
Jesus' helpful analogy of labor pains
Human history can be broken up into five worlds
How should we handle differences on matters of eschatology?
The wonderful promise that believers are not under condemnation

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies arranged by topic and book of the Bible, please visit my teaching page here.

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God does not need a temple, yet he chose to establish a temple and accept our worship when it comes from a pure heart. In this study of Mark 11, we learn...

A chaotic scene on the temple mount
How you are God's temple
How Jesus' behavior is a model for righteous anger
What is the significance of Jesus cursing the fig tree?
Does does faith enable you to "move mountains"?

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of all sermons and Bible studies, please visit my Teaching page.

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Want to learn how to lead an adult Bible study? In this workshop session, I share...

Words of hope for those feeling discouraged in ministry
The importance of preparing the teacher
How clean vessels make useful vessels
Why God cares more about character than raw talent

Thanks for listening. This is part 1 of 3 in a series I taught at the Ministry Connect Conference at Mt. Zion Church of Ontario on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Other sessions will be posted soon.

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Few things are harder for a parent than watching their child suffer. We do everything we can to protect and comfort them, but what happens in Mark 9 is almost unimaginable. In this passage, we see...

A great commotion as Jesus returns from the Transfiguration
A young boy tormented by a demon in many ways
The dangers of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, and demons in our world today
God's will to help your faith mature, like building your muscles
The most important thing is not the size of your faith, but placing that faith in Jesus alone

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James warns us not to be hearers only, but doers of the Word. In this lesson, we discover...

Biblical patterns of confrontation and change
The final step in the Love -> Know -> Speak -> Do process
How to avoid turning your life into a messy California mudslide
Bridging the gap from "then" to "now"
Practical steps to finding relevant applications in any verse of the Bible

Thanks for listening. This is part eleven in a 12-week biblical counseling class called "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands."

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The Jews yearned for a Savior who would free them from Roman oppression. What they didn't expect was a Messiah who would suffer and die. In this lesson, we discuss...

What kind of Messiah did the Jews expect?
A watershed moment in the Gospel of Mark
What Jesus meant by handing Peter the "keys to the kingdom"
Jesus' surprising announcement of how the Son of Man would suffer
The moment Peter acted on Satan's behalf and earned a sharp rebuke

Thanks for listening. This lesson is part of a three month Series on Mark in our Sunday Morning Bible Study Community.

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Faith means trusting God, even when you don't have all the details, and God's plan doesn't completely make sense. Last Sunday, I had the joy of preaching at Pillar Church in Twentynine Palms. In this study, we learn...

What is faith?
Why it's essential to trust in Jesus and no one else
The danger of thinking good works get you into heaven
Abraham and David as examples of faith
The result of faith is righteousness and eternal life

Thanks for listening! To view a complete list sermons and Bible teaching arranged by Bible passage and topic, please visit the Teaching Page on my blog.

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This week we learn the importance of thinking biblically about our problems. Instead of using secular psychological terms, try to use biblical language whenever possible. This will help you make better biblical diagnoses and solutions. We also discuss four ways of data gathering to help us understand people's struggles. Week 8 of our "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands" counseling class.

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The story of Jesus feeding 5,000 is well-known, but no less amazing. In this lesson, we discuss...

What makes this story unique in the gospels
God's promise to supply all your needs
Some encouraging testimonies of how God provided in hard times
Why do the wicked seem to prosper, while many believers barely scrape by?
How Jesus responds when the crowds press in
A call to trust in the Lord, wait, and watch how he works

"The LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good things does he withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Ps. 84:11).

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Before you counsel someone, you need to make sure you know them. This lesson will help you go beyond skin-deep relationships by learning...

Four types of questions to break the ice with any new person
What scripture means that the heart is like "deep waters"
How God models good question-asking in Scripture
Tips on asking better questions
A real-life case study

Thanks for listening! This is week seven of our 11-week introduction to biblical counseling class.

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God is rich in mercy, and offers to forgive whatever sin you've committed. Yet there's one sin Jesus says will never be forgiven. This passage has baffled Christians over the years, and we take a look at it together. In this lesson, we...

Share a discussion on what Jesus means by "Son of Man"
How Jesus' family reacted to his ministry
Who is "Beelzebul"?
What is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
Is it possible I have committed the unpardonable sin?

Thanks for listening. This lesson was taught during our Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study. We are currently studying through the Gospel of Mark and invite you to join us Sundays at 9am.

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Suffering is the gift no one wants, but that everyone needs. One of the main ways we grow in our faith and build loving relationships is through affliction. In this week's lesson we learn...

How suffering helps us minister to others
One of the ways we build loving relationships is by a shared experience in suffering
How God redeems our suffering for his good purposes
The kind of trials we face where comfort is needed
What's the difference between a trial and temptation?
An encouraging reminder that for the believer, all suffering is temporary!

Thanks for listening. This is week six in an 11-week introduction to biblical counseling called, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." To order a Study Guide please click here.

Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands Study Guide - How to Help Others Change

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In ancient times, lepers were social outcasts and a threat to public health. But on one occasion, a leper broke etiquette and walked straight toward Jesus. Even more surprising, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. Last Sunday, in our Bible Study Community, we looked at this remarkable story in Mark 1:35-45. In this passage, we learned...

How Jesus balanced a busy ministry life with private devotion to his Father
What was Jesus' top priority in ministry?
A bit of background on leprosy
A spiritual lesson how Jesus can cleanse each one of us
The reason Jesus' warned, "say nothing to anyone!"

Thanks for listening. This lesson is part of our weekly median adults Bible Study Community. Our class is aimed at those in their 30s-50s, but all are welcome to stop by the Fellowship Hall at 9am on Sundays at Immanuel Baptist.

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Whether it's sharing the gospel, counseling a friend, or rebuking a loved one, before we can speak truth, we must establish a loving relationship. In this lesson, we discuss...

How discipleship is like gardening
What are the features of the "ideal growing environment"?
Find out who Paul called "one of a kind, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare"
The first step to a relationship with God
The difference between justification and sanctification

Thanks for listening. This is week five in an 11-week counseling training class called "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." If you found this talk helpful, please consider subscribing to the podcast.

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Every relationship has some kind of introduction. Mark is a great place to start if you want to know more about Jesus. In this lesson, we learn...

Why we all should study Mark's Gospel
What makes Mark different from the other gospels
What does it mean that Jesus is the "Christ"?
How baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place in the life of a believer

Thanks for listening. This is our opening study from our Sunday morning Bible Study Community on The Gospel of Mark. If you live in the Highland area, we invite you to join us Sundays at 9am in the IBC Fellowship Hall.

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How can God use you to help others? In this study, we learn...

How Jesus is the "Great Physician"
What it means that he is "Wonderful Counselor"
Our role as ambassadors of Christ
Four aspects of all personal ministry: love > know > speak > do

Thanks for listening. This is week four in our 11-week counseling series, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." Tonight's lesson was a bit shorter, as we spent most of our time in table group discussion, then watched the training video. For a closer look at the concepts of being ambassadors of Christ, see Lesson Four in the Study Guide.

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Have you ever hit "rock bottom" before God got finally got your attention? The nation of Judah did. In this study, we learn...

That it's OK to cry... and that many godly people have
The dazzling symmetry and poetry of Lamentations
How moments of shame can lead to repentance and renewal
Where Jeremiah drew hope in the midst of affliction

Thanks for listening. If you live in the Highland area, we invite you to our Immanuel Baptist median adults Bible study on Sundays at 9am in the Fellowship Hall.

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Not a day goes by we don't experience some kind of conflict. What causes all these fights and quarrels? James 4 gives the answer. In this lesson, we learn...

The heart is more than just the place for feelings and emotions
Key passages that teach behavior stems from the heart
How our "passions" war within our members to create conflict
Some practical examples of how wants can morph into needs and expectations
What do we do if someone else doesn't meet our needs?
Should we sympathize with those who experience disappointment?
The ongoing battle between the flesh and the spirit

Thanks for listening. This is week three in our 11-week study on biblical counseling called, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." Next week, we will focus in how Jesus is our wonderful counselor.

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"Follow your heart," Cinderella sings. "Trust your feelings" Master Obi Wan says. In the real world, is this actually good advice? In our study of Jesus' sermon in Luke 6:43-46, we learn...

The connection between behavior and the heart
Examples of bad fruit vs. good fruit related to our speech
Why behavioral modification is not enough
Jesus' evaluation of the human heart
How idols can pop up in the heart
Some practical ways to detect what's going on in the heart

Thanks for listening. This is week 2 in an 11-week biblical counseling intro called, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." If you live in the Highland area, you're welcome to join us Wednesday Nights at 6pm.

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For many years, Babylon had been the hammer in God's hands, smashing other nations and carrying out judgment for their wickedness. Now the time had come for Babylon itself to experience God's judgment. In this lesson, we learn...

A quick overview of the final chapters of Jeremiah
How Jeremiah connects to other events happening in the ancient world
Who is the "nation from the north"?
How to respond when wicked people get caught and punished
Why Christians should thank God for his wrath
What Babylon refers to in the Book of Revelation
God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, and what this means for us today

Thanks for listening. This lesson was taught at the median adults Bible Study Community at Immanuel Baptist Church. We meet Sunday mornings at 9am in the Fellowship Hall and are using Lifeway's "Explore the Bible" curriculum. We'd love to have you join us!

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Have you ever asked God for direction, only to be unhappy with the answer he gave you? In this lesson I share...

Our goal for this new Bible Study Community
A quick fly-over of Jewish history
How to figure out the quirky order of the Book of Jeremiah
God's surprising advice to the nation of Israel
Why we don't need to be afraid, even when the odds seem overwhelming
The danger of asking God for advice, then doing the very opposite of what he says

Thanks for listening! This is our first week in a brand new Sunday morning Bible Study Community using Lifeway's "Explore the Bible" material. I will try to continue recording these lessons each week and posting them for those who miss the class or want to follow along with us from a distance. Next week's lesson will be on Jeremiah 50.

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Everyone needs help. In fact, we were created by God with an intrinsic need for guidance and accountability. We need someone to help us understand life, to know how to act, and to interpret our circumstances properly.

This brand new class will teach us how to face everyday problems like anger, worry, grief, lust, abuse, and addiction as we pursue a vibrant relationship with Christ. In our first lesson, I share...

My goal for this course
A fly-over of what we'll cover in the next eleven weeks
Why you can't properly handle your situations without outside help
Lessons from Israel's "rebellion"
How God can use you to help others

Thanks for listening! This is week one in an 11-week series called, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." If you live in the Highland area, we invite you to join us at IBC in person Wednesday nights at 6pm.

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Wayne Grudem says, "Out of all the creatures God made, only one creature, man, is said to be made 'in the image of God.'" What does it mean to be made in God's image? What sets us apart from the animals and the rest of God's creation? In this lecture, we discuss:

The nature of Genesis as history
The many facets of being made in God's image
This doctrine does not teach God has a physical form
Some helpful illustrations of the image of God
How Adam was actually the first scientist
A surprising hierarchy of authority found in our universe

Thanks for listening. This is week six in a 9-week study called, "Is Genesis History?" For more information about Immanuel Baptist Church, please visit our website. For more info and a link to the full length documentary, "Is Genesis History?" please click here.

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The opening chapters of Genesis lay the foundation for basic Christian doctrines like God, man, sin, and judgment. In this week's lesson, we saw evidence for a world not millions of years old, but only several thousand years old. Hard to believe? Join us as we look together at...

Six key doctrines spelled out in Genesis 1-11
How the universe is distinct from, yet dependent on God
That creation, like all other teachings about God, is something we accept by faith
What God was doing on each day of creation
An alternative view that treats Genesis 1-11 as "proto-history," and why this is a problem
Why it's hard for us to imagine a place like paradise

Thanks for listening. This is week five in a nine-week study on Genesis. For a complete list of Bible studies and sermons I have taught, please visit the "Teaching" page on my blog. For more info on the full length documentary, "Is Genesis History?" click here.

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With the waving of palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna," Jesus entered Jerusalem and presented himself as king. In this look at Mark 11, we learn...

The atmosphere on the Sunday before Christ's death
How Mark has building the "kingdom" theme throughout his gospel
The significance of Jesus riding on a donkey
God's promise to David and his royal family
What Jesus' kingship means for us in the 21st century

Thanks for listening! For a complete list of Bible study series and sermon topics I have led, please visit the "teaching" page on my blog here.

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"O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all" (Psalm 104:24 NLT). The Book of Genesis lays out a historical account of God's creation, followed by a worldwide catastrophic event (the Flood). In this series, we are learning how science actually confirms this biblical record. Tonight, we share...

A review of week one material
A contrast in two methods of viewing history
There's a water cycle, but did you know there's also a rock cycle?
Key doctrines found in the early chapters of Genesis
The meaning of apologetics, and where it fits in our evangelism
A wonderful psalm for meditating on God's creation
Why the earth is actually much younger than you might think
Do you have to believe in a young earth in order to be saved?

Thanks for listening to week two of our study, "Is Genesis History?" For more information about Immanuel Baptist Church, please visit our website. For more info and viewing options for the full length documentary, "Is Genesis History?" click here.

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The Book of Genesis teaches that God created the world in six days. How then do we respond to scientists, textbooks, and museums that tell us the universe is billions of years old? Today we begin a new study looking at both biblical and scientific evidence for a young earth, the importance of Noah’s flood, and how to talk with those who still favor evolution. In this opening talk, we...

Look together at the opening verses of Genesis
Consider an important prophecy about the last days in 2 Peter 3
Discuss the purpose and format of this class
See how even godly Christians differ on the topic
Share an overview of geology that will provide a framework

After these opening comments, we watched the first 30 minutes of Is Genesis History? produced by Compass video and hosted by Del Tackett. You can watch this video on major streaming services or purchase on DVD or download. It is an excellent documentary on scientific evidence that supports the biblical record of history. Highly recommended for every Christian.

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One of the most well-known chapters in the Bible, Psalm 23 provides a beautiful picture of God's loving protection and faithful leadership. Has 2023 got you excited? Maybe a little nervous? Join us as we learn...

How God provides for all our needs
Ways God restores our soul
Hope in times of deep darkness
Delighting in God's goodness even when surrounded by enemies
Thoughts on the overflowing mercy of God

Thanks for listening. For more information about Immanuel Baptist Church, please visit www.ibchighland.org

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God has a lot to say about fear, worry, and anxiety. It's as though he knew this would be a common problem! In the final week of our Anxiety class, I summarized what I consider to be some of the key Bible verses on the subject. These will help us battle temptation and equip ourselves against the schemes of the enemy. In this episode, we...

Answer some great questions from the class
Review key passages on the topic of anxiety
Share a few other favorite verses I've used over the years to fight worry
Talk about practical ways to apply these lessons
Provide a list of books for further study

Thanks for listening! This is part 8 of 8 in our "Anxious for Nothing" Bible Study, a series that will help you trust God and overcome worry and anxiety.

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Have you ever been around someone who always seemed to be complaining? We can usually spot it in others, but may not be aware of it in our own lives. This week, we learn how to detect and fight back against this sin. Join us as we learn...

How we convince ourselves a little complaining is OK
The relationship of complaining to anxiety to failing to trust God
Are we ever allowed to be frustrated or dissatisfied with our current circumstances?
How Israel provides a "negative" case study in complaining
A classic Puritan book about contentment
11 Practical Ways to Break the Bad Habit of Complaining

Thanks for listening. This is part 7 in an 8 week series on battling fear, worry, and anxiety. We hope this series is helping you think about anxiety from a biblical perspective and to grow in your faith!

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As much as we'd love the church to be a perfect place, we realize it is still a work in progress. It's more like a hospital for the hurting than a resort for the righteous. In this episode, we learn how to handle problem people and to show them the love of Christ. Highlights include...

Three types of people you will interact with, and a strategy for each
Why God wants the church to be skilled at biblical counseling
How to get control of your temper and cultivate patience
What to do when someone has hurt you
The secret of peace in every circumstance

Thanks for listening. This is part 6 of 8 in our "Anxious for Nothing" Bible Study, a series that will help you trust God and overcome worry and anxiety.

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We tend to think of salvation in individual terms. Each of us are saved into a personal relationship with Jesus. This is true, and it's a wonderful reality. But it's not the full story. We are also saved to be part of something bigger than ourselves, called the church. In this study of Acts 2, we discover...

Why becoming part of a church family is not always easy
The only way we can be delivered from sin
Four activities that marked the early church and should characterize us as well
The importance of the Holy Spirit in our worship
How "body" imagery teaches both diversity and unity in the church
Taking the next step in your church involvement

Thanks for listening. This is part 2 in our series "Welcome to the Family," helping people to believe and belong at Immanuel. We hope wherever you are that you will find a church home and plant your roots deep in a local, Bible-believing church. If you are in the Highland/San Bernardino area, come visit us as Immanuel! We would love to meet you and help you find a place to settle and serve.

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God promises to protect his children. He is our "refuge and our fortress, our God, in whom we trust" (Ps. 91:2). Often, his protection comes through other people and even angels. In this study, we talk about...

The spiritual realm of angels and demons
How God sometimes uses angels to protect and deliver us
The different types of spiritual gifts and how these affect us today
How to understand God's protection in light of the evil, suffering, and persecution that believers still face

Thanks for listening. This is part 5 in an 8-part Wednesday Night series on trusting God and overcoming anxiety.

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Faith is the essence of the Christian life. We "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7). Every time we enter a trial or some unexpected twist in our plans, we're reminded we are not in control, and that we need to cling to God by faith. This week, as we look at Hebrews 12:1-2 we will learn...

About a great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us
The danger of "besetting sins" that creep into our lives
A great chapter in the Bible to use for self-examination
How to fix your eyes on Jesus every day

Thanks for listening. This is part 4 in an 8-part series on trusting God and overcoming anxiety.

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1 Peter 5:5-7 teaches us to cast our cares on the Lord. In this episode, we find an interesting connection between humility and trust, and how to gain peace in fearful times. Some of the things we talk about in this lesson include...

Humble men and women in the Bible
Common manifestations of pride
Why God alone has the right to receive glory
Practical ways to cast our cares on the Lord

Thanks for listening. This is part 3 in an 8-week study on the topic of anxiety. To learn more, we recommend the book Anxious for Nothing by John MacArthur.

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Tonight we discuss the importance of putting off and putting on when it comes to breaking bad habits and forming new ones.

In our study of Philippians 4:6-9, we learn that anxiety can be overcome only by praying with thankfulness and focusing on things that are true and praiseworthy.

Part 2 in an 8-week class on the subject of fear, worry, anxiety and learning to trust God.

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Do you love God? Many of us would answer with an enthusiastic "yes"! Jesus says the way we show that love is by knowing and keeping his word. In this study of John 14:15-24, we learn:

How Jesus personally calls us to obey him
That an ancient prophecy by Jacob comes true in Jesus
The intricate relationship between love and obedience
How love can motivate positive behavior
The difference between genuine and counterfeit affections
How parents can help their children obey

Thanks for listening!

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In our opening lesson, we answer, "What is anxiety?" and consider how God is a generous and loving Father who can be trusted at all times.

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All would agree prayer is important. But many of us must admit we do not pray as much as we'd like. In this message, we focus on one specific type of prayer - corporate prayer – that could change how we view prayer and Christian ministry. In this study, we learn...

The benefits of corporate prayer
Why prayer is more than just a preface to ministry
The importance of prayer in Spurgeon's life
How to stay focused in prayer