Don’t Quit!
Matthew 25:40 As a minister, I see a lot of funerals . . . Perhaps you read not too long ago about the tragic death of Larry LaPrise . . . he wrote the hokey pokey. He put his right leg in and took his right leg out. I personally want to thank you for […]
Finding the Strength to Go On
Lamentations 3:47-48; Lamentations 2:11 How to find the strength to go on: 1. Focus your attention on God, (Lamentations 3:25-29). Sit in silence 10 minutes this week and ask God if He wants to tell us anything. Matthew 6:33 “Seek the Kingdom of GOD” Read, slow me down Lord. 2. Ask God to remove your fears. […]
Dealing with Depression
Lamentations 3:22-26 Background: The City was utterly destroyed in 587 BC by the Chaldeans. The Septuagint, the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, translated by 70 scholars in the 200 BC. This translation begins: “And it came to pass after Israel had been taken away into captivity and Jerusalem had been laid waste that […]
Resolving Theological Conflict
Acts 15 Topic: Conflict Resolution The evangelism of the early church outpaced her theology and a conflict erupted. The first church council was aimed at settling the theological differences that arose over the conversion of Gentiles. Would the church adopt an Old Testament proselyte model in their handling of Gentile Christian converts? Were the Gentiles somehow second-class citizens […]
Resolving Moral Conflict
John 8:1-11 Topic: Conflict Resolution On a cool morning in Jerusalem, Jesus taught a group of followers in the courtyard of the magnificent Temple. The solitude of the Lord’s classroom was abruptly broken, however, when a group of angry Pharisees and scribes made their way to the center of the assembly. Dragging behind them was a barely-covered woman […]
The Kind of Person God Uses
Psalm 78:70-72 I grew thinking God used only special people, those who were the most gifted, the most attractive and the ones with the most dramatic testimony of conversion. I can still see these types of people standing before youth rallies and other worship gatherings looking cool and telling their stories of how God changed […]
The Local Church – Worthy of Our Service
Ask people to describe “church” and you will get a variety of answers. Members of God’s Kingdom Family speak of the Church as the Bride of Christ, comprised of all the redeemed who will one day be spend eternity with Him. In the meantime they realize their churches are the local representations of the Body […]
A 1st Century Vision for the 21st Century Church
Acts 2:14-47 1) The 21st century church, particularly in America, is suffering an “Identity Crisis.” It is not sure who it is or what it should be doing. It is uncertain how to measure its health and recognize its success. One part of the spectrum says it must be seeker-sensitive and purpose-driven, relevant, positive, and even attractive. Another challenges it […]
A Church That Makes a Difference
Matthew 16:13-20 Church, Faith, Prayer, Love Introduction: Dr. Fredrick Sampson, Mt Lebanon Baptist Church in Louisville, told this dream in the late 60’s. He dreamed someone had a toothache and then walked into the dentist office and left feeling great. Then, someone had disheveled air and walked into the beauty parlor and left feeling great. Then, […]
The Prospect of the Church
Isaiah 25:1-8 Introduction: Dwight Nelson recently told a true story about the pastor of his church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his back yard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to […]
