Dearing Christian Church: Recent Episodes
DCchurch
Intern Grant Smysor brought the message Sunday!
Paul not only preached the gospel; he kept his personal desires in check, so as to not compromise his mission.
As a culture, we value our individual rights. How exactly do we exercise our rights as followers of Christ Jesus?
Paul, the guy who wrote "To live is Christ, and to die is gain", was all about his readers having the proper focus in life.
Paul gives the church in Corinth "the talk". In our culture, it's a talk we still need to hear today.
Part of the pride problem some in the church in Corinth were battling was a result of a completely incorrect way of viewing life. Following Jesus should change that view.
Paul and his fellow Apostles and evangelists were only concerned ultimately, about the judgment of One.
When it comes to our lives, what are we building, what are we building with, and will it last?
When it comes the level of spiritual growth of some of the church in Corinth, Paul doesn't beat around the bush.
The 4th of the Christ Centered DNA sermon series, how do we attain consistency when it comes to following Christ? The answer is simpler than you might think.
Jude warns the false teachers of what awaits them. He does this from the perspective of history, as well as using God's creation to define what they've become.
When it comes to the biggest blowup in the history or this world, many people played a part.
(Sorry, the preacher got a little too quiet a couple times at the end...)
God has already begun to take the world's measures of success and completely flip them on their head.
The cross of Jesus Christ has always been divisive. It's the only dividing line that has eternal consequences.
Jude doesn't take long to begin to get at the heart of the false teaching infecting the young church.
Within the body of Christ, Paul makes it very clear that we MUST be unified in our message.
Clint gives an introduction to the parables of Jesus, as well as a look into a couple of his favorite parables.
Even in his greeting, Paul gives us a few glimpses into the heart of his letter to the church in Corinth.
Jude, the brother of James, the half brother of Jesus, shows up in our New Testament record, battling an extremely dangerous false teaching within the early church.
The forgiveness we have received through Jesus Christ is not the sum total of God's gifts of grace, there's more!
What is the most appropriate way in which we show our love for our Heavenly Father this side of heaven?
Discontentment robs us of the joy Christ wants for His people. How do we win this battle?
Daniel 10 gives us a fascinating and eye-opening look into the workings of the spiritual world around us.
What Nehemiah did in chapter 13 has been labeled by some as more important than rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. Why is it such a big deal?
The wall in Jerusalem was built in record time, but there was still one major detail that would lead to ultimate success still lacking.
In Gabriel's interpretation of the vision, we'll see why Bible scholars shockingly, do NOT argue about what the vision represents.
More complications in Jerusalem could have completely derailed the building of that wall. Why was that wall-building team so successful?
To this point in the account, the opposition to the wall being built in Jerusalem has been largely unsuccessful. What will Sanballat and Tobiah try next to end the work?
Daniel thankfully gets a little help when it came to figuring out what this terrifying vision actually meant.
Nehemiah talked pretty big the beginning of chapter 5; will he back that talk up with his actions?
As the Jerusalem wall work continued, don't think there were not some potential setbacks.
When people overlook their differences and focus on a common goal, amazing things can happen.
Nehemiah was a man of action, so why did it take him so long to talk to the king about Jerusalem?
Worship of our Father is something that encompasses every aspect of our lives, including the work week.
When it comes to family life, after children enter the picture, it's rarely quiet; but that does not mean there cannot be peace.
Paul has already recently covered sexual immorality and drunkenness, now he tackles marriage!
Can a follower of Jesus be simultaneously filled with alcohol and filled with the Holy Spirit?
How would Jesus tackle the social issues of today? Maybe in the same way He tackled them 2000 years ago?
Body building should not just be a pastime of every follower of Jesus, it should be a priority.
Paul never ceased to wonder about the gigantic nature of God's plan to save His people.
Jesus came to bring peace; just how big is that peace? Quite possibly, bigger than we realize.
Disaster is knocking on the door of Daniel and his friends, literally. How will they react?
There is no greater privilege than being made worthy by Christ, to be the children of God.
Almost 2000 years later, we're still talking about Jesus feeding 20,000 people with a lunchable! Why?
What we find in Jonah 3 mirrors what we see in Jonah 1. So this time around, who will be judged and who will be saved? The answer is truly a monumental event in history.
God set Jonah up to accomplish something not one of the other OT prophets experienced. What would Jonah do with this incredible opportunity?
When Jesus came into this world, He brought something with Him that had been missing a long time.
Around 730 years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Isaiah said the light of the world was coming and that light would come in the form of a.....baby!
Yes, there are consequences of refusing to answer the call of Christ; but there are also consequences of answering that call.
Jesus is not only the foundation of the church, He also continues to hold us all together.
After saying what God has done for His people, Peter turns to his readers. "What are we doing for God?"
There's a lot of negative talk about privilege these days; what does Peter have to say about this timeless subject?
How do we find out what is God's will for our lives? In other words, how do we tackle big life decisions?
James ends his letter with a powerful call to action. When a brother/sister wanders away, Jesus expects us to do more than gossip about them!
Business has been a part of life in this world for a long time. James tackles this subject with passion, for good reason.
Have you ever felt your heart burn within you and the it had nothing to do with indigestion?
There is one key ingredient that is absolutely essential for genuine repentance to occur in our lives.
The church was still basically brand new, and already James had to deal with conflict within the church. He will get right at the source of the conflict.
Something that will never change in THIS world; there will always be the rich and the poor. What does that mean for the followers of Jesus, who fit into one of those two categories?
When it comes to living for Jesus in this world, we've got to be about more than merely defense.
(Sorry for the audio loss at the beginning of the message...we had to cut it short just a little bit, but it doesn't affect the message as a whole...)
Paul makes it clear he will be returning to Corinth soon, and he's worried about what he will find.
What an incredible experience from Paul's past we have been given the privilege of getting just a little insight!
When it comes to the way we interact with the world, there is simply no better example to follow than that of Christ.
Paul is forced by his opponents to defend his authority by throwing around his own credentials, and this embarrasses him greatly.
There are many motivations for an active prayer life; Paul was a proponent of a couple in particular.
Why does God, knowing full well all the grief we bring Him, still desire relationship with us?
When it comes to the parable of the prodigal son, where do you and I fit in the narrative?
In Joshua 9 we find an account in the conquering of the promised land that completely bucks the trend. As a result, a very unlikely people enter into the history of Israel.
Every now and then, us followers of Jesus need to check ourselves and make sure we are still all in for Him.
As Luke draws his account to a close, we see Paul experienced some of the most peaceful times of his ministry, while in his Roman prison cell.
The finish line of Paul's trip to Rome includes: snakes, boats, and long-awaited introductions. Julius just HAS to be wondering about the seemingly endless number of people so joyful about seeing Paul.
As Paul's journey to Rome finally gets underway, it quickly becomes clear, this is gonna be an adventure!
Paul encourages the church in Corinth to finish the job of supporting the hurting church in Jerusalem.
In this passage we find Paul's famous writing about not being "unequally yoked". What was he getting at with this warning, and how do we compare it to his instruction found in 1 Corinthians 5?
Paul, on behalf of his fellow Apostles, continues to plead with the Corinthian church to watch their steps and not alienate themselves from himself and the other Apostles.
In spite of all the commotion, Paul was going to make it out of Jerusalem just fine, but not because he was lucky.
Paul's excitement is very evident when he writes of what Christ is preparing for His people in the life to come.
Even Paul, with his great compassion for his fellow Jews, had his limits when it came to his audience.
Paul writes of the great and wonderful mystery of his carrying of the gospel in a body vulnerable to fatigue, sickness, and distress. Here he is referring to himself and his fellow Apostles, but the truth can readily be applied to all believers.
In this passage Paul acknowledges the fact that not all respond positively to his preaching of the Gospel, something which his opponents ridicule.
Paul finally arrives in Jerusalem and his friends come up with a plan to hopefully keep him out of harm's way. Will the plan work?
In this passage, Paul uses the example of Moses' glowing face to highlight the glorious power of the new covenant in Christ.
Paul makes it very clear what the Gospel means to the people of God vs the people of the world.
In this passage we find out, at least in part, what Paul wrote to the church in Corinth after his painful visit, and how they responded to his painful letter.
Paul wasn't opposed to preaching and teaching a LONG time. In Troas this led to a casualty...
Paul here lets the church in Corinth know why he changed his plans and decided to not come see them recently. In the midst of his explanation, we get some good stuff about Christ and the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Paul begins this letter to the church in Corinth by thanking them for their prayers while he was in a position of great suffering.
What we find in today's passage is a perfect example of what "speaking the truth in love" looks like.
Our service was a little different Sunday morning, but we managed to get it captured on audio.
As I look at a society creeping closer to the edge, I have to ask myself, "What provokes me?"
The success of the young church in Thessalonica shows us that following Jesus isn't all that complicated.
Is there ever a time to not stand up for your rights? Let's see what Paul decided to do when his citizen's rights were challenged.
"What must I do to be saved?" There is NO better question to ask in this lifetime!
(There is a little bit of audio issue in the middle of the sermon, stick with it, it goes away. Sorry about this...)
As Paul begins to conclude his letter the church in Corinth, we get a glimpse of the generosity of this church.
As Paul, Silas, and Luke begin preaching the gospel in Philippi, you just have to ask, where are all the men?
Paul's biggest critics have always labeled him as inconsistent; they couldn't be more wrong.
Paul writes about farming, the stars, and Adam, all to show the glory of what is to come for Christ's people.
James advises the council at Jerusalem to reach out to the Gentile believers and give them some guidance when it comes to following Jesus, not "trouble".
In Acts 15 we see the early church tackle their first major controversy. The consequences of this problem would still be felt today, if allowed to go unchecked.
Paul will not entertain the thought of no bodily resurrection very long, for good reason!
Rest has always been important for physical health. Turns out its imperative for spiritual health as well.
Paul begins his resurrection section of the letter by defining the gospel of Christ Jesus.
So, can a woman speak in church? Let's see what Paul has to say about it in his letter to the church in Corinth.
Paul begins his conclusion of spiritual gifts instruction; specifically, speaking in tongues.
There will forever be only 2 responses to the gospel; and only 1 of those 2 leads to salvation.
As the first missionary journey continues we get an inside look at one of Paul's sermons, this takes place at the "other" Antioch.
The events recorded in Acts 13 begins a new era for the church, as its footprint on the map begins to grow exponentially.
Some of the days in the life of the early church could be labeled just about anything but normal!
It didn't take too long for the Jewish believers to see that the Gentiles were a part of the church to stay.
Peter's confidence when confronted, came from who had his back. The same can be said for anyone who speaks the truth of the gospel.
When Peter walked into the house of Cornelius, he was stepping right into a dream scenario for the follower of Jesus.
Saul/Paul was off and running for Jesus after his conversion; could he keep up this hectic pace?
The comparison between Stephen's reaction to his opposition, and their's to him, would be laughable if it wasn't so tragic. Fortunately, Jesus has a way of turning tragedy into victory!
In today's passage, the Sanhedrin stepped up their efforts to intimidate the Apostles of Jesus, did their plan work?
The early church most definitely had some growing pains. As chapter 5 begins, we run into an ugly situation, and we find out just how seriously God takes honesty within church.
What Peter, John, and company pray for after being threatened, by the Jewish religious authorities, may surprise some.
In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul gives us what might be the most powerful, eloquent definition of love in all of literature.
Luke gives us a closer look at one of the mighty works of God being performed through His Apostles.
Paul continues his teaching on spiritual gifts, by using the metaphor of the different parts of our physical bodies.
Have you ever wondered what happened to the centurion at the foot of the cross? Me too.
Paul begins his answer to the Corinthian church in regard to Spiritual gifts. He will spend a significant amount of time answering this question.
The church in Corinth was in much need of a lesson of how to do communion appropriately. We can learn from this lesson as well.
As the apostles waited in the Jerusalem upper room, they had a little business to tend to.
Paul will make it clear in this passage that eating meat sacrificed to idols is a different topic than actually going to a temple and participating in the worship of false gods.
Of all things, Paul's willingness to preach for free while in Corinth brought criticism from some in Corinth. While speaking of freedom, he will address why he did that.
Every follower of Jesus been called with eternal purpose. What does that call look like for you right now?
What is more important: my personal freedom, or the well-being of my brother/sister in Christ?
The same blocks that can be very beneficial to the builder, can be quite destructive in the wrong setting. Fortunately, Scripture speaks about both stumbling blocks and building blocks, telling us how to avoid one while using the other.
Jesus' call to Peter, Andrew, James, and John came in two steps. The second call was Jesus' line in the sand.
Of all the titles He could have chosen, why did Jesus prefer to refer to Himself as the Son of Man?
Joseph and Mary's obedience to God's call cost them dearly; but the reward far outweighed the investment.
In chapter 7, Paul begins answering some of the questions the church in Corinth and sent to him via a letter. The first question deals with marriage.
Jesus left some pretty big footprints to follow, some of those steps are in areas of life many would not expect.
Paul tackled a difficult subject for some of the young believers in Corinth -- why they must leave their old practice of sexual immorality behind.
Jesus fulfilled many roles while He walked in this world; one title that drew the admiration of many Jews, and the ire of others, was the title Son of David.
Do we look forward to life's difficulties? What if we knew the exact details of every trial we will ever face, would that be beneficial to us, or would it cripple us?
It didn't take God long to bring a powerful nation to its knees. Where does Jesus fit into the Exodus account?
As we role into Christmas, it would be wise for us to heed the words of a couple older men, found in Luke 1 & 2.
In this passage, Paul puts on his sarcastic mask and addresses his opposition in Corinth.
(Sorry for the audio issues, we'll try to have this resolved by next week.) In Luke 15 we find what might be the greatest story of grace ever told. It also happens to be the most popular of Jesus' parables. What does it mean for us today?
The beginning and the ending of the new covenant between God and His people is Jesus Christ. He is the only way.
Paul lets his audience know the difference between a natural, a spiritual, and fleshly man.
Abraham is known as a pillar of faith in God, and there were times his faith triumphed; but unfortunately, there were also times his faith was lacking.
Timid is not a word we would normally use to describe the Apostle Paul, but it appears the job in Corinth had him intimidated at one time.
What exactly happened when Adam and Eve fell in the garden, and what were the tragic results?
Last Wednesday we covered the rest of chapter 1, and this week we'll cover a smaller section of Scripture in chapter 2, I hope you can join us Wednesday 22nd, at 7pm.
Last Wednesday night we covered our first actual text of 1 Corinthians. We'll be meeting again Wednesday, September 15th @ 7pm and hope you can join us.
If you were preparing to leave your students, who have been your best friends, I'd think the last words you left them would be pretty important.
Last Wednesday night we began our study in 1 Corinthians by taking a look at the background of the letter, as well as a brief look at the history of Corinth. I apologize for the recording, I'm way out of practice with these summaries, as you will be able to tell by the "um's". Lol!
There is a world coexisting around us, of which the vast majority of people in this world are unaware. What does that mean for us as Jesus followers?
When it comes to sexual sin, how do we avoid being at the wrong place at the wrong time?
God's fingerprints are all over this world around and beyond us. Are we called to preach the message of creation?
It was only weeks into Jesus' public ministry, and already His eyes were focused on the cross.
Of all that Jesus did while He was here on earth, it was His death that He memorialized for us.
How do you preach sermon about a place you've never been? What words do you use when none will do justice to what you would see, if you could go to that place?
Only God has the Divine ingenuity to connect us today to the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son 2,000 years ago.
Acts 15 recounts a monumental pronouncement of unity within the church; and that makes the end of the chapter more than a little ironic.
Jesus came to do a lot, the majority of it can be summarized by the statement He made about Himself. "The Son of Man came to serve."
When Jesus ascended into heaven, His work was not done. He stills works for His people today!
We can answer some of the most difficult questions in life with the truth, "Because He lives".
The incarnation of Christ, which means God became flesh, is bar none the most incredible, unlikely, and crazy event to ever take place in this world!
Let's take a practical look at how we need to navigate the waters of helping people who are in need.
In Acts 9 we find the conversion story of one of the main writers of our NT. So yeah, it's a pretty important chapter in church history!
It didn't take long for some trouble to begin brewing within the new church in Jerusalem. How would the Apostles settle this dispute?
The life we find ourselves in the middle of demands that we get rest. In what ways has God provided rest for His people?
How do we know if a person is truly wise?
(Sorry for the audio. The sound team is working out the bugs in some new equipment.)
God requires radical change from His people. Fortunately, He also provides the power to bring those changes about.
The followers of Jesus have every right to be supremely confident when contemplating the future. This courage is a product of the greatest gift ever given.
In Acts 3 we see the first of many supernatural healing miracles contained in the book. And Peter and company never let a healing go to waste!
When the Holy Spirit finally arrives on the scene, after Jesus' ascension, things start happening fast!
Once again Jesus flips everything upside down and declares His followers are....babies?
A BIG thank you to JB for jumping in last minute when I couldn't be there Sunday morning!
If there were only the first 4 beatitudes, we could all be hermits for Jesus! Fortunately, there are 4 more.
The question we need to be asking ourselves isn't what we are doing for Christ, it's who are we becoming in Christ?
Jesus, when talking about John the Baptist, threw in a statement that has been somewhat troublesome for Bible translators for years. Let's dig into it and try to see what Jesus was telling His audience.
2020 has been a year of the unexpected. What should we be praying for in times like these?
One of the best ways to shine for Jesus in our world is to have some enemies...and treat them in a way that is completely unexpected.
When Moses met God on Mount Horeb, he wasn't quite yet the guy Charlton Heston portrayed.
Tests are a part of life. Some of them are more difficult than others. The test Abraham faced will no doubt make every loving parent cringe.
With the schedules we keep, how can we afford to not keep the Sabbath day holy? How do we do that today?
If you stand for the truth the time will come when you will have to answer this question: "Why does God allow godly people to suffer?"
As we grow in knowledge and the ability, with that knowledge, to defend the hope we have, we must also be growing in our concern and care for lost people.
Until Jesus returns, there will be questions and debates regarding Revelation. One thing no one debates; chapters 21,22 paint a picture of glory beyond imagination!
How about a New Year's resolution that can still be making a difference decades from now?
Life moves at a frantic pace! We cannot allow our schedules to blind us from seeing the monumental opportunities before us each day.
Did Jesus put an end to all sacrifice when He died on the cross and arose victorious over death?
The author of Hebrews compares two famous mountains found in Scripture. In this comparison he once again makes it clear that Jesus is greater!
How we look at the Revelation as a whole will drastically affect how we interpret smaller passages within the book.
According to several New Testament writers, including the author of Hebrews, life is a race, not a dance, sorry Garth. What is the point of this race and how we do we finish?
What exactly did the heroes of the Old Testament get for all of their great examples of faith?
Why did God establish the church? In perhaps the most quoted church passage of Scripture, the author of Hebrews lays out the reasons why God tells us to "do church".
Some problems we aren't able to fix no matter how hard we try. So, what are we each to do about our guilty conscience?
God's promises are simply incredible they provide a powerful confidence for God's people! What's even more amazing is that, according to the author of Hebrews, we receive MORE hope from something Else.
There are times when a passage of Scripture jumps off the page right at us. Today's passage is one of those times.
The author of Hebrews desperately wanted to teach his original audience in some deep, but very helpful, subjects. He was frustrated though, because they were not mature enough to handle what he had for them.
There are a variety of reasons the study of history is valuable; but I believe the author of Hebrews would make the claim that the most important reason to become students of history, is to keep from repeating past mistakes. This is the theme of Hebrews chapter 3.
The author of Hebrews does a wonderful job in chapter two of showing us exactly Who Jesus is to His followers.
In Hebrews 2 we find the first of several warnings given by the author. His plea is for us to never become apathetic about what we have heard. "What we have heard" is the gospel!
The angels are incredibly powerful beings! Just how great is their power? Are they without equal? In the first chapter of Hebrews, the author dives into that exact subject, and names the ultimate power player.
In the first few verses, the author of Hebrews does a great job of listing the incredible accomplishments of Jesus.
The Gospel changes everything. Just to be clear, Paul defines the Gospel for us in 1 Corinthians 15: Jesus died, He was buried and He AROSE! That fact changes everything -- it changed everything for Peter.
People base almost everything in this life on results. If someone is dedicated to whatever hobby or profession, you measure that dedication by results. In today's Scripture, Jesus offers somewhat of a new perspective when it comes to dedication.
When it comes to the greatest party ever, what we intend to wear as we attend matters eternally!
When Jesus entered the temple the last week before the cross, there was one thing you could count on, there would be some fireworks. In today's passage of Scripture, Jesus cleans house!
As Jesus entered the last week before His death, I don't think any casual observer would have guessed He would end up on a cross. His entrance into Jerusalem was a celebration! Looking close, we might see some hints though, at what was to come.
Daniel never wavered in being a light for God in a dark place. God blessed him for his faithfulness. Daniel's light on more than one occasion led others to praise God.
In Daniel 5 it is interesting to see how much differently Daniel treated Belshazzar, when compared to how he earlier treated King Nebuchadnezzar. Do we have the authority to follow his example?
In Daniel 4 we find an incredible story of a man's humbling journey to God. Even though we don't know exactly what happened to Nebuchadnezzar, or if he truly found salvation in Yahweh; we do know that God showed him compassion by giving him the opportunity to find humility. His story is worthy of being shared. So is yours!
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego served King Nebuchadnezzar faithfully, even when that was not an easy task for them to complete. The day came though when they could not obey the king without disobeying God. They chose to obey God, rather than man, even when that meant risking everything.
Daniel, along with many others, found himself in a tight spot in Daniel 2. Yet Daniel remained calm and collected, because he knew Who was really in control.
As we begin our journey into the book of Daniel, it gives us some perspective on how to live in this world that is not our home. We need to learn to be okay with what we cannot control, and we need to control what we can. Daniel was not in an ideal situation by anyone's definition, but he and his three friends learned how to thrive in an environment that would have crushed others, and they did so by trusting in God.
There are spiritual forces at work in the world around us; what does that mean for the follower of Jesus? Do we have anything to fear from Satan?
There are many types of prayer we offer to our Father in heaven. I know I don't ask for His help in my spiritual growth often enough. What about you?
Moving on is sometimes difficult depending upon what we're leaving behind. Thankfully, Paul gives us the formula making the biggest move in life.
We speak often about having a relationship with Jesus Christ. What does that really look like?
Of all the great mysteries of life, it's comforting to know the greatest mystery of all has been solved.
While being happy the entire year of 2019 could never be a reality for most if not all, being content is a very real possibility in Christ.
Why would God choose wise men from a foreign country to come worship His young Son? Weren't there "better qualified" worshippers closer by?
When it comes to worship, God has always sought out the humble-hearted to answer the call.
There were several groups that arrived to adore Jesus after His birth. The first we'll take a look at were the angels. They alone were privy to the big picture, while they worshipped.
Every follower of Jesus has been gifted with the Holy Spirit, with that amazing gift comes other gifts and talents. God bestows gifts to His people for the purpose them being used for His kingdom and glory.
As a church grows, it becomes more difficult to remain connected. Since we all want our church to continue to grow, how do we stay connected at the same time?
God invested a lot in His people; like most, does He expect a return on that investment?
Jesus call on our lives never changes, no matter how long we've been following Him. His words of comfort remain the same, "Trust Me."
When it comes to heaven, it's not religion that's going to get us there, it's Jesus. We have to consistantly look inward and evaluate our motives when it comes to living out our religion; and continually make sure we aren't leaving Jesus out of it.
Being a parent is both an incredible privilege and an enormously intimidating responsibility. Fortunately, God does not leave us on an island to accomplish this task. We need to be clear what the task is, it's not simply to raise up our children to be successful adults; the task is to take them to heaven with us.
Even the powerful prophet Elijah was not immune to discouragement. It's not an easy task to be God's messenger, but when those the message is for will not listen, it can become a discouraging task. We too have been given a message by God to deliver; how do we battle the beast of discouragement when people will not listen to the gospel message?
We have been given a lot in Christ; but gifts aren't the only thing we received. We also received vitally important responsibilities; the greatest of which is to proclaim Jesus to a lost world!
Taking a drastic change of direction in life is needed by all followers of Jesus. The Bible's name for this change is repentance. We cannot do this without the support of the Holy Spirit. In the times we fail, we desperately need to get back up and continue to change.
The result of practicing the spiritual disciplines is celebration. Without joy, the spiritual disciplines merely become a checklist of chores that does not bring life.
Are you satisfied with your worship of God? Do you feel His presence when worshipping? Today we'll look at what genuine worship accomplishes for God and for us.
The Holy Spirit is the most important gift God has given to His people. When paired with the Bible, there is nothing more powerful and practical for guiding us through life than the Holy Spirit.
A child of God can never utter a bad prayer, if prayed sincerely; BUT Jesus did teach us how to pray. Prayer is definitely something we can continually get better at.
The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve. He expects the same from His followers. Today we will look at the challenge of serving others, and the benefits of doing this as well.
Most of us long for a simpler life. How does a follower of Jesus achieve that life, and why should we want it?
If we are forgiven before God, as we stand as believers in Christ Jesus, what is the purpose of confession of sin? Today we'll look into this spiritual discipline and see why it is so needed to free many of us from the chains of our past.
We spend a good portion of our lives learning. What are we choosing to study on a regular basis? The Apostle Paul challenges us to ponder deeply.
Today we're going to take a look at the problems that arise when we come to Jesus seeking a Savior, but refuse to yield to Him as Lord.
We spend an enormous amount of our lives simply watching. We watch people, activities, nature, our children, and the list goes on... As followers of Jesus, we've not only been called to watch though, we've been called to watch and warn.
What exactly is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? When Jesus says this is unforgivable, it obviously catches our attention. Lets dig in and see just what Jesus was getting at.
Every follower of Jesus understands, from personal experience, the war that rages inside us all. The war between following the leading of the the Holy Spirit and following the leading of our selfish desires. If we are fully aware of this battle, it will go a long way to help us be victorious.
All of us will leave something behind, for our loved ones, when we die. Are we going to choose to leave them a legacy that will endure into eternity?
We as parents desperately need to speak to the hearts of our children. How do we get to know and speak to their hearts, and at the same time reveal our hearts?
Life stinks sometimes and tragedy can put our families in a tailspin that some do not recover from. What does God offer His people to manage the rough stretches of life that we must endure while we are in this world?
We all have desires that dwell inside of us both good and bad. Many times those desires are stemming from our experiences and personalities. Problems often occur when un-communicated desires harden into unrealistic expectations and produce unhappy relationships. But it doesn't have to be that way.
Jesus' definition of greatness looks much different than the world's definition. When we look closely at Jesus' version of greatness, how well do our lives match? Are we destined for greatness?
Jesus was always drawn to the outsiders; in them, He saw an element of society that was ripe for Kingdom harvest. The question for us is are we seeking any outsiders for the kingdom of God? Perhaps the better question is, do we care for them in the same way our Savior cares?
Jesus continues to call His people to tasks that will not be completed without His help. Do we have enough faith to bite off more than we can chew for His Kingdom?
Jesus did get angry at times. What was it that got Him so upset, and what does that mean for us today?
When Jesus calls us, a large part of His call is to place Him on the throne of our lives. We have to ask ourselves regularly if something or someone else is on our throne rather than Jesus.
God has sacrificed greatly in His pursuit of us. How effectively do we pursue Him in return? And, how much of a priority have we made pursuing others for Christ?
We talked about our need to forgive like God forgives a couple weeks ago. This week we look at how we actually get that accomplished. We'll talk about what forgiveness is and what forgiveness is not.
God's love for us is truly awe-inspiring. How well are we loving others unconditionally? Today we'll take a look at a few questions that will help show us how well we love others.
God's capacity for forgiving us is absolutely amazing; how good are we at modeling that kind of forgiveness when others hurt us? (Matthew 6:14,15)
What was the difference between Saul and David after they messed up?(1Samuel 15; 2Samuel 12)
Discipline is difficult. I can't imagine anyone wanting to be disciplined, but Scripture teaches us that God disciplines those he loves.
An approved leader is disciplined. (Titus 1:8) The call to leadership is a call to self-control and reliance on the Holy Spirit to help us accomplish it. Self-Control is the visible outward quality of the Spirit in our lives.
Approved is sermon series about what it means to be a spiritual leader. Hurt So Good ( Titus 1:8) Doing what is good is about doing what God thinks is good.
What does it mean to be an approved leader according to scripture? Family/Parenting is difficult. If you have children understand that it is a privilege to be a parent. God wants to be in our homes
Someone striving to be a an Approved leader with be free from the love of money. The appropriate way to handle money is to be generous with it.
Being a peacemaker is not only one of the qualities of a Christian leader, but also a character trait of Jesus. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they will be called children of God. -Matt 5:9
Approved is a sermon series about leadership. This week we are talking about Gentleness. Gentle + Righteous = Jesus
Approved is a sermon series about leadership. What does it mean to be qualified or eligible?
Approved is a sermon series about leadership. What does it mean to be qualified or eligible?
Approved is a sermon series on leadership. What does it mean to be qualified or eligible?
Approved is a sermon series about leadership. What does it mean to be qualified, or eligible?