Review: We are addressing the home sphere and how we can improve our marriages through God’s design and not the patterns of the world. God’s plan for marriage is meant to be a blessing and privilege. When we follow God’s design and partner with our spouse to accomplish His purposes, our marriages thrive. This week: […]
REVIEW – “But I tell you” message series Talking about having a Historical Biblical Worldview – meaning, we evaluate our beliefs and practices based on historical biblical teaching, not what our culture values A recent Barna study shows only 6% of Americans having a Biblical Worldview even though many claim to have it — 69% […]
HOW DO WE DEAL WITH ISSUES SUCH AS THE CLIMATE CHANGE DEBATE? Why does it matter? Bad ideas either bring fear or cause us to be nonchalant. I am skeptical of climate change for the same reasons I am skeptical of many other conclusions by scientists. But, even if I am wrong about climate change, […]
This series is about the foundational elements of our worship services. Why we do what we do as a church? We acknowledge our church as Jesus’ church and therefore pattern it after His plan. Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. […]
In the “Ever Wonder Why” series, we discussed why we do specific elements of our weekend service. One thing we didn’t talk about that we do every week is the giving of our tithes and offerings. We omitted that from the last series, knowing it would be a focus of this series. From the beginning […]
THE GOOD LIFE IS… Relationship with Jesus that enables relationship with others Relationship requires more of the Son rather than living a life “under the sun.” (See Ecclesiastes) Relationship requires love, and love is generous. Pr-I-de creates greed that separates us from God and others. John 10:7–11 (NIV) 7Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I […]
REVIEW There is objective truth. There is evidence—obvious natural evidence and historical evidence. What we have in the Bible is true and is God’s Word.THIS WEEK: THE GOSPEL Warnings about allowing the gospel to be distorted are found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The gospel is the good news.Galatians 1:6–8 6I […]
TO ALL THE NATIONS 1. BIBLICAL MODEL: GOD’S PLAN FOR THE WORLD Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB) 18And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son […]
WHAT IS OFFENSE? 1. THE TRAP: Luke 17:1 (NASB) He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks* come, but woe to him through whom they come!” • *stumbling block or offenses is the Greek word skandalon, and it comes from the word for a bent-stick—the stick that springs the trap or sets the […]
WHAT IS OFFENSE? THE PROBLEM • It seems like everywhere we look, people are offended. There are a variety of reasons people get offended. o Personal rights are being infringed upon, others don’t support their views, disrespected, etc. o The internet hasn’t helped us with this. The internet is the only place we can […]
Spiritual Realm How do you define who or what a disciple is? Matthew 4:19 (NIV84) “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” o In the invitation is the definition • A Disciple is someone who is: o Committed to Following Jesus o Committed to being Changed by Jesus o Committed […]
Jesus made it clear there is a Kingdom, and He is the King. A child of the King lives like one—obeys the Father. (John 14:15) Obedience requires sacrifice, and our motivation to live obediently comes from our gratitude for God’s mercy for us. (Romans 12:1) Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view […]