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Great Chapters of the Bible - Acts 15
Someone may question the inclusion of this chapter on our 'Great Chapters' list because it both begins and ends with conflict. In fact, there are many people who would be discouraged to discover that a church filled with Christians could contain such open conflicts.
All Have Sinned
Most everyone is willing to agree, there's sin in the world. The daily news makes
this obvious. So, yes, there's sin in the world, but the Scripture is not saying, "There's sin in
the world", but rather, "All Have Sinned!"
Three Baptisms - Acts 19:1-7
What we have in the brief story at the beginning of Acts 19 is the understanding of the three baptisms: the baptism for repentance, Christian baptism (in the name of Jesus), and baptism in the Holy Spirit. However, our primary focus is on the question asked by Paul, the answer given by these twelve men, and then what took place afterwards.
Assembling - Hebrews 10:19-27
The message of Hebrews Ten is a strong
exhortation and admonition about faithfulness.
Battleground States
When the New Testament speaks about battles and warfare, it has to do, not with physical contests using fists or fighter bombers, but with internal struggles of a spiritual nature.
'IN' WORDS FOR FATHERS
Here are four 'in' words that can help define fatherhood. They are: initiation, influence, involvement, and investment.
Encouragement Ping Pong
There are several Scriptures we could turn to in order to encourage the gift of encouragement. What we will do is focus on a series of statements found in what could well be very earliest text of the entire New Testament.
Salvation for Families
There are a number of places in the Bible where reference is made to families and the relationship they have with God. We want to exercise our faith and faithfulness on behalf of the salvation of all of our family members.
Partnership Missions Ministry
When Jesus sent out His first disciples to preach, heal and deliver, they came back to Him for debriefing - to report to Him what had happened, to receive further instructions, and fresh inspiration. We might call this the first retreat, or seminar, for Christian preachers. It is a model that is still used today.
The Judgment Seat
When thee rulers sat on the "beema" they were operating in a judicial capacity, providing the highest appeal that would be available to the citizen in that particular territory; clearly, the "beema" is the throne of a powerful ruler related to when he is sitting to render judgment.
Double Minded
If Paul is the Apostle of Faith, James is the Apostle of Practice. If Paul wants us to know that salvation is provided for those who simply believe, James wants us to know that this in no way gives us freedom from the demands of right living.
The Trinity
We say we believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the three in One, or as the songwriter put it, "God in three persons." How can we explain this? Isn't this really three gods? Or, because God is a personal being, does it mean that He is afflicted with multiple personality disorder?
Demolish Imaginations
Pornography is not 'adult entertainment.' Pornography is nothing less evil than sexual immorality; pornography is perversion; pornography is displeasing to God; pornography is disgusting to any who seek after holiness.
The Mystery of Christ Within
The one example of mystery we're going to deal with is related to Communion - whenever we partake of the bread and wine, we are doing something that symbolizes a mystery.
How Long Do You Want to Live?
There are these three answers to the question about the length of life - 'God owes me long life because I'm good,' or 'It's all up to me to ensure my own long life by taking care of myself,' or 'It's all set - I'm doomed.'
Beyond the Tithe
Top Ten Reasons Why Some Christians Don't Tithe
Dead Alive
But there is one set of opposites that is very important to understand, and quite remarkable, and that is, "life and death." Here it seems that both of these are true, we are alive and we are dead.
Born Again
Even as we are born physically, we must be born spiritually - it is not automatic; sin has brought
death, from which we must recover - this may actually be viewed as a form of resurrection.
What Motivates Missions?
The bottom line motivation for trying 'to persuade men,' and the one which speaks to us today is, 'the love of Christ'.
Priming the Morality Pump
Perhaps our problem is that we become weary and are content with 'speckled morality.' But that's not the only problem, for we also have developed a good theological rational for avoiding so-called Christian moral instruction and striving for perfection. After all, we know that one cannot be saved by doing good - that salvation is a free gift of God.
What is Baptism?
If we wanted to create an acrostic with the word 'baptism,' we would have this simple statement:
Baptism is a: Born-again Adult Proclamation, Trusting In the Simple Message.
Change - II Corinthians 5:17
We learn from Paul that “old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.” That sounds like change to me! But the point of this Scripture has little to do with the changes we want to bring about for ourselves, but rather the change that happens when we come to Christ.
The Revival of Prophecy
During this past decade, there has been a revival of interest in the gift of prophecy. This is one of the several "Spiritual Gifts" which has had it's hills and valleys throughout the entire history of Jewish and Christian religious practice. There have been times when prophets and prophecy were well acknowledged and well accepted, and other significant periods of time when there was near silence of the prophetic word.
Great Chapters - Revelation 2,3 - Messages to the Seven Churches
Most readers of 'Revelation' quickly become bogged down with all the mysterious symbolism of seals, trumpets, bowls, the 144,000, the Two Witnesses, the Woman and Dragon, the beasts and the horns, Babylon, and the Four Horsemen. We are so attracted by these images, and so anxious to figure out what it all means, we run right past the opening chapters which contain easy to understand messages which are very applicable to the church of our day.
Grace, Not Works - Romans 11:5,6
The most fundamental meaning for 'grace' can be expressed this way: 'Grace is the delight one experiences when beholding something that is beautiful.'
Christmas, the Family Celebration
One day, on my car radio, I heard a commentator say, 'After all, that's what Christmas is all about, isn't it?' I reached for the volume dial so I could hear what the announcer had to say about the true meaning of Christmas. He continued, 'It's all about the family.'
Are You Sure?
What are you sure of? We like to joke among ourselves saying that the only things one can be sure of are death and taxes. Obviously there are other things on the list of things you are sure of.
Blessings and Curses: Deuteronomy 28
The 28th chapter of Deuteronomy is the ultimate representative of the proverbial 'Good News - Bad News' routine. In Deuteronomy 28, the good news about Blessings is really good, but the bad news about Curses is really bad.
Ecclesiastes 3 - Beauty and Time
God has made everything beautiful in His time. God has set eternity in the hearts of men Man cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Church Fights
Often in the church, we tend to romanticize the churches of Bible days. We see
them as ideal models, we look up to them as mature representatives as to what a
church should be like. In so doing, we glamorize the goodness of these churches,
and overlook the references to problems that may be noted.
The Collection
In the first three verses of I Corinthians 16, there are several points to be made concerning the collection.
The Goals of the Christian Christian - II Corinthians 5:1-10
One thing most sports have in common is that there is a goal that is fixed in the mind of each contestant. It's no different in the race of life. Unlike some Eastern religious which see life as cyclical, Christianity, like its Jewish predecessor, has this idea about life being a forward movement from a distinguishable starting point, moving forward toward a particular point in the future.
Prayer, Holiness and Mediation - I Timothy 2
In this short chapter, I Timothy 2, Paul relates to Timothy what are the responsibilities of both men and women in the church worship services.
Control of Desire
Recently I heard a popular commentator decry the posting of the Ten Commandments on a sign in front of a school. When he was finished he had simplified and streamlined the list to Seven.
You could be replaced by a rock!
If those who lived before the coming of Christ actively entered into praise and worship, we who have received the fullness of the revelation should equal or surpass them.
Dead Man Walking
'Dead man walking, dead man walking here!'is the traditional call of a prison guard as a condemned prisoner is led onto Death Row. We may not be physically sitting on Death Row awaiting our execution day, but we are all as good as dead.
A Clean Heart
We may be capable of changing our behaviors, but not our hearts. What needs to change is the heart, i.e., the inner motives, desires and purposes. But it's not just a matter of fixing up the old, a new heart needs to be created.
Colt, Cloaks, Cries and a Curse
These are a few words which come to mind when we think about the story of Jesus coming into the city of Jerusalem: Colt, Cloaks, Cries and a Curse. The account we're looking at is that in Luke's Gospel (19:28-48).
The Biblical 'I Can Do' - Philippians 4:13
Paul's affirmation in his letter to the church at Philippi is a Christian message. This is not humanism, it's not just right thinking, it's not just mind over matter like that repeated in the mantra, 'I think I can; I think I can.'
Blurred Vision - I Corinthians 13:12
Some times the pathway is clearly seen, but at other times it’s hard to see where we are going. Sometimes our vision is clear, at other times it’s very blurry. As Paul said, 'now we see through a glass, darkly.'
F I R E
Thinking about the appearance of fire at Pentecost, we want to take this word 'fire' and create an acrostic. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for many things, among them: Freedom, Inspiration, Renewal, and Effectiveness.
THEOS
One thing that sets true Christianity apart is this simple idea - Jesus is God. Whatever else you may or not believe, you cannot be a Christian without accepting this. Jesus is God. He's not a man pretending to be God, He's not God pretending to be a man, He's not half man and half god. Jesus is God.
God Doesn't Want Us to Die
Maybe it's normal to be angry with death, but it's wrong to be angry with God. Why? Because death is not according to God's will - with one, single, major exception - death is due to man's will. How do we know this? Because it's clearly stated in the Bible.
Lovers of God
In II Timothy 3 Paul wasn't so much thinking of events which produce fear. Rather, the days Paul identifies are characterized by everything that is opposed to God and godliness, holiness and righteousness. In the midst of his list of evils, there are three loves which have replaced our love for God.
Devoted to Ministry
There is noted in the Bible a very well known church which because of Paul's letters, has been a model for all subsequent generations of churches. But please note, this church is not a model because it was a particularly good church, or because it did everything in an exemplary way.
To Be A Godly God Fearer
Christians believe that the only way to be confident that good is achieved both in the present as well as the future, is to develop a personal relationship with the ultimate source of good, and that is God, as revealed in and by Jesus Christ. This leads us to consider a word and a phrase in the Bible which appear many times, the word is 'godly,' and the phrase is 'fear God.'
Punishment and Discipline
Perhaps the distinction between punishment and discipline is simply that of perspective - the child sees as punishment what the parent views as discipline.
God is A Consuming Fire
There are three places in Scripture where God himself is likened to a particular kind of fire. But this is not your ordinary, calm, contained, romantic fire in the wood stove or fire place. The Bible proclaims God as a 'Consuming Fire'.
Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?
When Jesus asked the question, one cannot help hear the disappointment in His voice. After all, three times He went to His disciples to ask for prayer support, three times He prayed alone.
Man of God
When giving a description of a man, here's a couple of expressions you may hear: "Man of the World", "Man or Means", or even "Man of War". But much more important to us is another phrase, "Man of God". What does it mean?
Replacing Anger - Jonah 3:10-4:11
Instead of having a 'fit of passion,' we are 'fit with compassion' when we become like our Heavenly Father. When we understand that God has created us with the ability to be angry, and that anger is a source of strength to be utilized for good, we will earnestly seek direction to channel the anger into the beneficial behaviors and activities.
The Donkey
How would it feel to you if you were told that you reminded someone of an animal, particularly a not so desirable animal, say, a donkey? That's actually what happened to a little known man in the Bible.
The Eucharist
In many churches, what we call "Communion", is often called "The Eucharist." Actually, both of these words have become part of a special vocabulary understood only by church-goers.
Great Chapters of the Bible - The Chosen Fast
While they have been fasting, God is not totally pleased - it's as if the Prophet is telling them that if their fast is only to deprive themselves of food, the fast ends much too soon.
Conservative Christians Believe in Spirit Baptism
Most of the time, conservatives are seen as backward, narrow-minded, and opposed to progress. So who in the world would want to be a conservative? Christians, that's who! We are not embarrassed to be called Conservative Christians.
Fratricide
What is the lesson of Cain? According to John, it is a message about love. But it is also a lesson about God's attempts at keeping us from the lurking danger of sin.
Gifts and Care - I Corinthians 12:25,26
Churches which are truly 'Charismatic' - churches which honor and give adequate space to the person of the Holy Spirit - those churches will be best known for their love of the brethren.
Discipleship - Luke 5:1-11
We can't take Jesus seriously without reckoning with the idea about 'discipleship.' We intend to learn about discipleship from the Bible story in Luke 5:1-11 which has to do with three things, 'Fishing Boat, Elephant Driver and Sinner Man.'
God Speaks
Does God speak to people? According to the Bible, at least, He used to. So how does God speak to us today, and how can we know for sure that it is God doing the speaking?
Fruit of Knowing God as Creator
If all doctrines were likened to the branches of a very large tree, this truth would be the trunk of that tree. We must also admit that although it is a reasonable truth, it is not a provable doctrine - we can know it, but we cannot prove it to somebody else.
Easter Evaluation - Acts 4:31-33
How do we measure progress in the church? Is it according to what you think, or what I think, or what God thinks? How do we know what God thinks? We believe that one way is to read His Word. In the Bible we can discover what are some distinguishing elements of the New Testament Church, and by these we can measure our own progress.
"Man of Sorrows" - Isaiah 53:3
The name for Christ which grabs our attention as we prepare for another memorial weekend, remembering both the death and resurrection of Christ, is this one, Jesus is a 'Man of Sorrows.'
Harry Potter and the Occult
This is the weekend we are being told that all box office records will be broken - and who can argue with success? Within less than four years, more than 40 million copies of the books have been sold. Children have forsaken their mind numbing video games to return to what we had thought was gone forever - the reading of books. Who would dare criticize something so beneficial and popular?
The Holy Spirit and Peace
Churches associated with the 'Pentecostal Movement' have placed great emphasis on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. However, sometimes the emphasis has been more on the outward manifestation of the Spirit's work, rather than on the inner changes which take place.
Koinonia
Back in the 60's and early 70's there was a rather popular concept being promoted
in the church. This word "koinonia" became a familiar term when reference was
made to the church and the special ingredient of "Fellowship".
No God?
Psalms 14:1 says, 'The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'' The word 'fool' in the Hebrew - 'nabal' - is from a primitive root which literally means, 'to wilt, to fall away, to fail.' So the 'fool' is simply someone who has fallen away from the knowledge of God.
Believers are Special - I Timothy 4:10
The idea of some people being special is bothersome to us. On the other side are the vast number of people who believe the opposite, everyone is special.
Lord, I Want to be a Christian
Did you ever get a song playing in your head, and it just won't go away? Well,
that happened to me this week. It started on Monday. Sometimes when this
happens it's because we may have heard a song on the radio, or perhaps from a
tape or CD. But such was not the case for me. The song just
started.
Delight in the Lord
One of the delicacies loved by people everywhere, is chocolate. Lovers use it to express their affection, husbands use it to make up after a fight.
Acts 1
While spending several days alone at Camp Selah, this brief verse by verse commentary on Acts 1-2:2 was written.
A Charismatic Church That Cares
Summarized in this brief phrase is a simple understanding of what the church needs to be in the present day.
God of Intention - Romans 8:28
Oh, what comfort and hope this sentence has brought to millions of believers throughout all the years since the diverse group of Gentile Christians first opened and read the Apostle’s letter from Corinth!
Crossroads
In this verse is some excellent advice regardless of where we may be in our relationship with the Lord. There are decisions being made every day - we frequently find ourselves at a 'crossroad', and need guidance and wisdom in making godly decisions.
Verse by Verse Commentary on Colossians 3:12-17
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Great Chapters of the Bible - Hebrews 11
For many people, what the Bible calls 'faith' has been reduced to nothing more than the mental process we refer to as imagination. Called 'visualizing,' it's what athletes do to help themselves accomplish greater and greater feats of strength and speed.
We live by faith, not by sight.
There's a paragraph in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians where he liberally uses 'we' - in fact, the word is found seventeen times in the eleven verses of II Corinthians 5:1-11. In these statements, Paul could well have used the singular, 'I,' but perhaps he's an optimist who really believes that the Christians in this church will also be involved.
Lovest Thou Me More than These?
According to John's accounting, it was after the third post-resurrection appearance
to His disciples that Jesus put a series of penetrating questions to Peter. 'Simon
son of John, do you truly love me more than these?'
Love is a Verb
There's an expression, a way of thinking of love that I want to introduce. I'm sure you've heard it before, based on a Biblical understanding - "Love is a Verb". In other words, love is always connected with what you do.
The Church Grows
The Bible is the Christian's Handbook; it also should be the church's. Not only those parts of the Bible which we call "doctrine" are inspired, but also the "narratives" and historical accounts must have value for our instruction. When we read the account that Luke gives us of the Early Church, we must see this not just as history, but as a blueprint after which we can pattern our church today.
Bow Down
We all know that we are to worship the One True God, the Creator, the Father of All. But our self-centeredness gets in the way, because we want to worship God the way we want to worship Him.
Lost
In Psalm 107:4-9 there's a description about people who were lost, how they prayed, what God did, and how they in turn were told to respond to His goodness.
Are Christians Colorless?
There are two ways to take this question: 1.) Are Christians uninteresting, b-o-o-o-oring specimens of humanity? Are Christians the kind of people who have little going for themselves, so they have to get involved in religion to spice up their lives? Or, 2.) Are Christians people who don't see themselves as having color, or see others as having color?
Chasing the Wind
Reflecting on the death of the mother of a church member, my thoughts quickly turned to the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament. There was a man that was said to be the wisest man that ever lived. He was the son of the great king David and his famous stolen wife Bathsheba. His name was Solomon, and he is credited with having written three of the books found in the Bible.
Case Studies in Conversion
It's one of the truly inspiring stories from the life of history's most famous Christian.
Paul was on his second tour as a Christian missionary when these events took place. This journey actually got its start in Jerusalem at the close of the now famous first 'Church Council'.
Faith and Practice - Colossians 3:22-24
In most church's modern day doctrinal statements, the Bible is called the 'authoritative rule of faith and practice.' That is to say, not only do we learn from the Bible what to believe, but we also learn how to behave.
To Be Cold Or To Be Cool
The Bible uses the ideas of hot and cold in different ways. Hot may suggest a
passionate devotion to God. Cold, on the other hand, may refer to the lack of love
- a cooling down of one's fervor in serving the Lord.
SLOW DOWN - FLAGMAN AHEAD - Mark 6:31
Recently while driving along one of our roadways, I saw a sign at the side of the highway which read, 'SLOW DOWN - FLAGMAN AHEAD.' Perhaps this could be a lesson for life.
Line on Line - Isaiah 28:10-13
It's time for each of us to take full responsibility for our own relationship with God, and make sure that our lives are fulfilling the God given purpose for our being here in this world, and that we are living in a way that is pleasing to Him.
Abandoning Insidious Prejudice
There are many reasons for us to look down on people who we deem to be different from ourselves. If we're not careful, we can easily adopt the attitude of the Pharisee whose Thanksgiving Prayer sounded like this, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men . . . .' - Luke 18:11
The Thanksgiving Prayer of Jesus
The thanksgiving prayer of Jesus we want to examine is only found in the Book of John, in the midst of one of the most dramatic stories of Jesus' ministry, the raising of His friend Lazarus from the dead. 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.' - John 11:41-43
Mutual Faith Building - Romans 1:7-17
In planning to go to Rome, Paul wanted to impart something of spiritual value to strengthen the church, and also receive some support from them as he intended to go on from there to Spain.
The Seven Results of Compassion
Whenever we come into contact with people in need, we too are 'moved with compassion.' In part, it's what comes with being human. We not only have the inborn capacity, but also the inclination to have an attitude of sympathy, mercy and pity towards others who are hurting, deprived, or suffering loss.
When the Righteous Rule - Proverbs 29:2
The meaning of Proverbs 29:2 is pretty clear: when leaders are righteous, that is, when they fear God and operate from a strong moral base, the people under their rule are happy, but this is in sharp contrast to when the rulers are ungodly and immoral - just the opposite is to be expected, the people mourn.
Salvation Through Confession
Salvation is granted to us on the basis of the twin actions of Confession and
Belief. What "confess" literally means is, "to say the same thing", i.e., to agree
with God about the identity of Jesus. He is God's only Son, born of a virgin,
crucified to pay the penalty for our sin, and risen again to sit on the right hand
of the Father. Belief first of all is assent that what is declared is true. However, it also
means that there is a willingness to trust our lives to Him.
Murder Lives
It's the first commandment on the second tablet of stone given by God to Moses, and it's reiterated a half dozen more times throughout the Bible. Actually, it wouldn't need to be there at all for us to know that murder is wrong - it's a part of what theologians and philosophers of all times have identified as 'natural law.'
Back to Where We Started
Whenever a group of people work together toward a common goal, they ultimately discover that there seem to be both hills and valleys along the road to success.
The Biblical Vow
Today we are being called on to reconsider this matter of making vows to God. We have seen that it is clearly advocated in Scripture. We understand that it has everything to do with the development of our relationship with God.
The Stones Cry Out
The same question is being asked today as it was in Jesus' day, "Why do those worshippers make so much noise? Isn't worship supposed to be reverent? Quiet? Somber? Serious?"
Father, Forgive Them
During the week, as I meet with people who come to my office, talk with folk on the phone, or even as I come
to church, I am constantly being made aware of people who have been very seriously injured by other people.
Daughters as Mothers Weeping
Often when we review the events of Calvary we seek to stir up sorrow as we imagine the suffering of our Savior. Jesus would not have it so. Yes, sorrow may be appropriate as repentance, but not as sympathy.
Gifts From Above
We have just come through the holiday season when gifts have been given and
received. By the way, did you ever notice that often when we ask questions
about Christmas giving, we ask, 'What did you 'get' for Christmas?' It is
seldom, if ever, that we might hear, 'What did you 'give' for Christmas?'
Life is Not Fair
Here are three reasons we may feel life is unfair - comparison, betrayal and entitlement.
Clogged Lines
During the course of our everyday lives, the pipes in our souls become clogged with debris, or choked by roots, and we need the power of God to open up the passage ways again.
Summer is Ended - Jeremiah 8:20
The lament of Jeremiah's contemporaries was much more serious than any of ours. When they said, 'The summer is ended and we are not saved,' they were verbalizing a desperate hopelessness.
New Years Celebration of the New Creation
During the Jewish New Year's celebration, Rosh Hashanah, one of the reading is from the familiar 51st Psalm in which King David prays his remarkable prayer of repentance.
The Most Excellent Way - I Corinthians 12:31
Rather than defining ourselves by what we're against, I think it's much more important that we understand what it is we are for. What is that? In a word, let me tell you, it is love.
Greater Grace - Romans 5:17-21
Normally we take a Bible text to be the basis for the Sunday sermon. For a change, today we'll use the lyrics of this favored hymn ,'Amazing Grace'.
Eulogy
Most of the time we hear the word "eulogy", it is used in connection with a funeral. A relative, or prominent friend of the deceased gets up and says really nice things - the person in the room who most needs to hear these things, is most likely the only person who can't hear at all. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could learn to say good things to people when they are still able to hear them?
Eat My Flesh, Drink My Blood
When I was young, missionary reports regularly came out of Africa, and with this emphasis on what we used to call the 'Dark Continent', there often seemed to be a preoccupation with cannibals.
Enthusiastic Worship - II Samuel 6
Singing is just one of the ways we have to express joy and excitement in our worship to the Lord. We believe that it is good to praise the Lord with devotion and enthusiasm. How would we do this? In addition to singing, people who are enthused may: smile, laugh, shout, make music on an instrument, jump up and down, dance, party or play. We think that all of these are appropriate as worshipers praise the Lord with enthusiasm.
Great Chapters of the Bible - Genesis 3
There is an enemy; The primary conflict is
between Satan and Jesus; and Jesus wins!
Giving and Receiving
Is it always better to give? Giving is not better when the gift is out of compulsion.
Child Neglect
In addition to Child Abuse and Emotional Abuse, too many children are subjected to
Child Neglect. In its definition of child abuse, The National Committee for
Prevention of Child Abuse includes both emotional abuse and neglect, identified
as "willfully failing to provide for a child's basic necessities of life, such as food,
clothing, shelter or medical care, and/or failing to provide guidance and
supervision."
David's Senseless Sinful Census
"Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." (Psalms 30:5) What a wonderful promise, spoken by a man who truly understood what it meant to endure the night.
The Bitter Prayer
Hannah's name is a give-away, it means "grace". Surely as we look at her story, we will see that her experience was characterized by grace, both in terms of the favor she found with God, as well as the way in which she dealt with her situation.
Christmas is for Children
Just think of the many times you've heard a statement like this, "Isn't
Christmas wonderful for the children?" We love to watch their eyes as they
open a special gift, or gaze at a display in the store window, or lights in the
park or on a house.
Blisters as Blessings
The Apostle Paul seemed to understand the blessings of blisters, as indicated in the oft discussed passage in II Corinthians 12:7-10.
Ecclesiology and Christology - Colossians 1
"Ecclesiology" is the study of the church, and of course, "Christology" is the study of Christ. In the first chapter of Colossians, more than any where else in Scripture, these two come together. Christology reaches its pinnacle in this chapter, but in the first two parts of this series, let's learn what we can concerning the Church, a teaching which you will notice brackets the teaching concerning Christ - He is at the center of His Church. There are several things we can learn about leadership and membership in Christ's Church.
Cleave Unto the Lord
When Barnabas was sent by the leaders of the Jerusalem church to check out the new
church in Antioch, he was a likely choice. When he arrived, he rejoiced in what he saw, and urged
the new believers there to 'cleave to the Lord'.
Comfort and Challenge
The history of the church, and even that of our personal lives, can be characterized as pendulum swings between extremes - with each of the extremities representing obviously good things. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, God provides both comfort and challenge.
Everyone wants to live in a better place.
Recently, while listening to an interview with a woman who had immigrated to the US, I heard it all summed with her answer to the question, 'Why did you come?' The actual words in her reply were, 'Everyone wants to live in a better place.'
Darkness Wins
It's somewhat surpising that John's Gospel leaves out the notation that at the crucifixion, there was a three hour period of darkness. Perhaps it's all the more surprising because light and darkness seem to be favorite themes of John both in the Gospel and in his letters.
Christian Disciples Fast
Jesus indicated that while He, the Bridegroom, was with His attendants, they obviously would not be fasting, but a time was soon coming when He would leave them, and then they would fast. The question is, do they?
Divine Providence
This message deals with one of the greatest truths revealed about God in the Bible. It's a message concerning "providence", and no, we're not speaking about the principle city in the state of Rhode Island, or the name of a new television program.
Doctrine of Pleasure
Both in the Old Testament (Isaiah 22:13), and in the New (1 Corinthians 15:32), mention is made of an age old doctrine summed up in the popular saying, "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die." This philosophy of life was articulated by one of the Greek teaching philosophers, and is no less popular today than it was twenty-three hundred years ago.
Doubting Christian
The story is told that when all the apostles were in Jerusalem, the regions of the world were allocated by lot - each Apostle would go into the region that fell to him, the nation to which the Lord sent him. By lot, India fell to Thomas.
Christmas Emotions
What do you feel at Christmas? If we're honest, we would admit that there are a number of emotions which will find their way into our lives on this special day.
Forbearance
While there is a theological side to
Christianity, and we urged to develop a clear understanding of our faith and
come to know what we believe and why we believe it, there is also a practical
side. 'Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have
against one another.'
The Father in the Prayer
On this Father's Day, we're not going to talk about human fathers, we're going to talk about the Heavenly Father. There's no better place to look than what we call the 'Lord's Prayer'.
I Wanna Be Like . . . - Judges 13-16
Today, we want to talk about a Bible hero. First, let me tell you what the Bible says about this person and see if you can figure out who it is.
Warfare at Home and Work - Ephesians 6
Because so many others have taken upon themselves to explain and promote the development of 'Spiritual Warfare,' we've decided to approach this teaching from the perspective of its Biblical context. What we want to note is that this instruction about spiritual weapons comes right on the heels of a set of very practical instructions having to do with home and work.
God Looks on the Heart
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks
at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
A Study of the Holy Spirit
"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18)
The Gospel of the Kingdom - Mark 1:14, 15
There are three main elements in the account of the beginning of Jesus' ministry: there's good news, repentance is required, and the kingdom is near.
Committing My Spirit - Luke 23:46
In the days of the Bible, the Greek word 'paratithemi' had three principle meanings which can be summed up with these key words, prison, provision, and protection.
Humility
Pride is the Cancer of the Soul, left undiagnosed and treated, it will kill the
spiritual life. Small, microscopic cancer cells can get their start in many different
ways.
Healing in the Bible
The Lord Is The Healer, The Lord Promises to Heal, Healing Comes as the Result of Prayer, There are many Examples of Healing, Jesus Healed, Healing Was A Sign Of Jesus Being The Messiah, The Apostles Healed, Healing is Included in the Gifts, There's Healing for the Emotional, There's Healing for Backsliding, There's Healing for a People.
Is God Responsible for the Evil in my life?
The idea that good men prosper and bad men suffer is an idea which has been with us always, and still is very popular - but it's not totally true. This is the central question dealt with in the Book of Job.
The Fast of Jehoshaphat
When Jesus taught His disciples concerning fasting, He used the words 'when you fast', not 'if you fast'. In so doing, Jesus implied that fasting would be an expected part of the disciples' devotional life.
Great Chapters of the Bible - Acts 2 – Holy Spirit Promise
There’s much to talk about from this Great Chapter, Acts 2, for it is here where we learn about what we could call the 'Birthday of the Church.' Jesus had been with His disciples for 3 years, taught them, performed miracles, had been crucified and raised from the dead and disappeared into heaven. Before leaving, he met with a group of 500 and asked them to stay in the city and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Is There Peace and Quiet?
Everywhere I have gone during the past few days I have seen the 'God Bless America' signs. Our leaders end their speeches with these words, and now the reopened Broadway Musicals are closing out with the singing of 'God Bless America.' However, on our sign are the words 'Pray for America'. Why? Because we have sinned in our neglect of prayer.
Temptation - I Corinthians 10:13
To say that temptations are 'common to man' is to simply say - 'everyone gets them.' Or, to say it another way, we should not expect to be exempted from them; after all, Jesus Himself was sorely tempted.
Temptation - Hardware, Software and Viruses
One cannot read the Bible or seek to faithfully live a Christian life without encountering the subject of temptation. The Christian religion recognizes the reality of, and makes a clear distinction between good and evil. Because God is always on the side of good, good is always superior to evil. However, evil has the power of attraction and influence.
Sin, Mercy and Prayer - Psalm 36
In the short 36th Psalm, David, who in the heading is identified simply as "the servant of the Lord," David provides a description of sinful man, gives us a description of God, and utters a prayer in response.
"Same Ole Same Ole"
Don't you get tired of the "same old, same old"? Like going to work, leaving the house at the same time, taking the same route, stopping for coffee and a paper at the same convenience store.
The Lord's Prayer
Christians of all ages have learned it. Volumes have been written about it. Theologians have tried to decipher every phrase. Liturgists and other worship leaders have argued over it`s use in worship services. Desperate people have clung to it when all other hope is gone.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus
"Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
The Christian's Death Wish
Death is all around us. Even if it doesn't affect our personal lives, we can hear about it every day on the news. It's a subject that bothers us a lot, a serious subject, but one which is often dealt with humor.
The Cross in the Old Testament
The way in the wilderness is wearisome. There's hard work, many obstacles, at times the feeling of being all alone, the tendancy of comparing ourselves with others.
The Good Fight of Faith
The Good Fight of Faith - it's not when Christians fight
against other religions or each other, but has to do with
the battle on behalf of right and righteousness both
within ourselves as well as in the world through the
preaching of the Gospel.
The Mighty Men
In a day when it seems that the forces of evil are stronger than ever, it is vitally important that there rise up a strong army of 'Mighty Men for God' - let's call them 'GMM', 'God's Mighty Men'.
A Backward Glance and a Hopeful Look
Periodically, it's good for all of us to step to the side of the path for a moment, and take a look back, be refreshed in the memories of God's faithfulness, and then renew our commitments for what still lies ahead.
The Pause that Refreshes
Today we're not here to talk about, or provide ad time, for a soft drink company. Instead, we want to talk about another kind of refreshment. There are times in our lives when it's much like summer - it's hot, hard to breathe, the pressure is on, and we wonder if we can make it through another day. The hope is, we may not be able to avoid the summer heat, but we can find some refreshment in the midst of it.
Death and Freedom - Romans 6:5-19
On July 4 each year, Independence Day, we celebrate what for many has become the "Supremum Bonum" - the highest good, which of course in America is 'freedom'.
On Being a Disciple of Jesus
Disciples were learners, great importance was placed on their personal relationship with the teacher, and there was a full commitment to spread the message of the master.
Gambling
Life is filled with uncertainties, we daily walk in the realm of the unknown - we seldom know what will happen next, what will be the consequences of our own actions, to say nothing about what the results of other people's actions will be on our lives. Daily we take incalculable risks.
To Die Is Gain
Most of the time when we think about death, we view it as loss. But when Paul used the word 'gain,' it's clear that he believed that death was just the opposite of 'loss' - the word he used means that he actually thought that death was profitable.
Heat and Refreshment
Yes, the trials of life come upon us in the heat of the day. Thank the Lord for the refreshment provided by the people of God, but more than that, thank the Lord for the refreshment He Himself provides and will provide throughout eternity.
Is It I?
God speaks to His people in a variety of ways. Messages come through Scripture, sermons, and prophetic utterances, and at times, even through visions and dreams. Except for visions and dreams, these messages are often delivered in the context of a group of people, and with good reason. The question then arises, is the message for every individual in the group, or is it intended for one particular person?
The King of Glory - Psalm 24
If Psalm 23 reveals to us the nature of God being that of a Shepherd, Psalm 24 reveals Him as being the Almighty, the King of Glory.
God Is
Throughout the Bible we have many more answers to this question, 'What is God?' Some of them are in the language of metaphor, simile, or comparison. For example, the Psalmist said that "God is a sun" (Psalms 84:11). Does that mean that when we look up in the sky and see that closest of stars we call the 'sun', we're looking at God, and worship it?
When Grumbling Works
Jesus spoke against murmuring. Recounting the story from Exodus 16, Paul included murmuring with some of the great "no nos". So, how does God respond to grumbling?
The Next Generation
While Joshua and the elders who led with him remained, the people remained faithful. But of the next generation it was written, "They knew not the Lord or what He had done."
Barnabas, Son of Encouragement
Certainly everyone is ready to say "amen" to the call for a modern day demonstration of God's power among His people.
But "going back" to Pentecost is not enough if it merely means a parade of spectacular events.
Christ Died for the Ungodly
Most likely, the time God will meet our need has to do with our coming to
recognize our powerlessness. Here's a question, what should you do when you
are feeling weak?
Multitudes
Many people, when faced with these huge numbers and mammoth problems feel overwhelmed, helpless, and insignificant; they begin 'circling the wagons,' emotionally curl up in a 'fetal position,' and in so many words say, 'Sorry, there are no more tears.'
Fathers and 'Our Father'
One item in Jesus' teaching about God, an understanding which represents a giant leap forward, is His identification of God as our Father. Of course, very early we learn that God is the Father of Jesus, His 'only begotten son,' but now we learn that 'sonship' is passed on to all 'those who believed on his name.'
Christmas Glossary
There are a great number of words that are rarely used at any other time of the year than during the month of December. Some of these are connected with the birth story, others are secular terms. A Christmas Glossary would include such words as: carols, manger, virgin mother, nativity, mistletoe, holly, jolly, jingle, sleigh, ornaments, Santa, elves, stockings, reindeer, frosty, chestnuts, wreaths and fruitcake.
GIVE is a four-letter "G" word - II Corinthians 9:7
In II Cor. 8+9 we have wonderfully helpful teachings concerning the subject of giving money for the work of the Lord. In a society such as ours which is so much dominated by money matters, it is important to base our understanding and practice on the plain teaching of God's Word, rather than on the teachings of man which, too often, are self-serving.
Christmas and Herod
Someone comes and tells us that God wants to be King. Isn't that threatening? We want to be free, which means to be in control.
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh
Whenever the subject of the "Wise Men", or "Magi" comes up, most of the attention is placed either on the star they saw, or speculation about where they came from. What we want to concentrate on here is the gifts they brought, and what they might signify for us.
Fellowship
There are special moments in our lives when we feel a strong sense of camaraderie, team spirit, or what in the church we call 'fellowship'.
Magi Mega Joy
One of my favorite lines from the Biblical Christmas narratives is a description of the emotion experienced by the wealthy Babylonians who made the arduous 1,000 mile trip in search of the Jewish Messiah. For me, what stands out is this line: 'When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.' - Matthew 2:10
Make Music - Ephesians 5:19,20
What has happened to congregational singing in the church? Has Satan been successful in his attempt to rob Christians of their joy of the Lord? Has congregational singing been replaced as an accommodation to a performance crazed culture? Have we come to believe that only recording artists are allowed to sing out loud?
Negative Thinking for Christians
A lot of people seem to believe that Christian faith is synonymous with positive thinking. It started with the New York minister, Norman Vincent Peale, and his preaching and writings about the "Power of Positive Thinking". Out with all the negativity, in with the positive.
Contentment
Are you truly content? With everything? With the weather? The traffic? Your boss? When you have a "bad hair day"?
Should you be always content?
The Cross
We read the accounts in the Gospels. These give us the historical reflections of the eye witnesses to the crucifixion.
But what did the early church believe about the crucifixion of Jesus?
Endurance
In the world around us, a lot of attention is given to the matter of "success". Too often, success is measured in dollars and possessions. However, there is another way to measure success, simply that we stay with the program until the end.
Great Chapters - Joshua 1
The first chapter of Joshua chronicles a truly notable, successful transfer of leadership. After 400 years in Egypt, Moses had led a tribal group of 60,000 descendants of Jacob out of slavery, shepherded them for 40 years in the wilderness, formed them into a nation under the theocratic rule of God-given laws, and poised them on the doorstep of the Land of Promise.
Eternal Life
"There's a verse in the Bible that certainly everyone who has attended Sunday School can recite - John 3:16. The one word in this sentance that we want to focus on is the word 'everlasting,' or as it is in the NIV, 'eternal.'
Spiritual Maturity
What does it mean to be mature? We believe that a mature person is one who accurately understands his or her own physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs and has developed the skills and determination necessary to meet such needs.
Resignation
Jesus said, 'I will build my church,' after Pentecost, 'the Lord added to the church those who were being saved,' the Psalmist pointed out, 'Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.'
How Shall We Then Live? - II Peter 3:11
At the end of his letters to the churches of his day, the Apostle Peter asks a penetrating question, "What kind of people ought you to be?" This question was popularized by the title of a book with a
similar expression, "How Shall We Then Live?"
How Should We Give?
This is a sermon most conscientious pastors preach reluctantly. It's a topic that arouses controversy and deals with a matter most people believe is their own private business - I want to talk about your money and how to give it. We should give intentionally, cheerfully, confidently, liberally, and selfishly."
The Impossible
Impossible simply means not possible - it can't be done. It has to do with
limitations. In the world we live in there is a constant challenge to take on
whatever is thought to be impossible.
HOPE - From the Psalms and Paul
Hope in the Lord; The Results of Hope; Promise of Hope; Hope and the Word of God; Hope according to Paul.
Memorial Stones
In many areas of the ancient world, stone monuments have been raised either in honor of the gods, or as a reminder of a great victory or other accomplishment of the leader, whereas Biblical 'Memorial Stones' were not raised in praise of man's accomplishments but God's.
Jesus and the Christmas Celebration
Last week, as we walked through the Frankenmouth store, with its acres of Christmas trimmings, I turned to a fmaily member and commented, "I wonder what would Jesus think of all this?"
The Ministry of Jesus to the Children
Often, when we think of Jesus and the children, we limit our memory to the time Jesus took the children up in His arms and blessed them.
Jesus Talks About His Father
When Jesus came to this earth, He brought with Him a special revelation about God.
Before He came, God was known as the Creator, the Almighty, the Judge, the One who was to
be feared. Jesus taught us that God is Father.
Influence
A major contrast between the world and true Christianity is that the world is interested in power - military power, political power, economic power, and technological power. In stark contrast, Christianity is interested in influence.
Godly Sorrow - II Corinthians 7:8-11
The sorrow we want to talk about is significantly different from what is usually meant. We're talking about 'godly sorrow.'
Shine as Lights - Philippians 2:14,15
If you were to start your Bible reading at the very beginning, you would learn that once God had created the heavens and the earth, the very first improvement was the creation of light.
Jonah, Yom Kippur, and Missions
There is tremendous significance to the choice of the Prophet Jonah as the reading for this important Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, because it is in Jonah that the message of repentance and forgiveness, takes on an international scope.
Joy, Prayer and Thanksgiving
I found myself in Calcutta, alone in a run down hotel in thecenter of this great city that some have
called the "Black Hole" Of India".
Joel 2 - Restoration
The book of Joel was written in response to national calamity. The prophet sounded a call to repentance, with promises given indicating that God's blessing will be poured out upon those who seek the Lord, and punishments pronounced upon the heathen nations. It remains for us today as a sober reminder concerning the coming 'Day of the Lord,' the day of final judgment.
Mothers Nourish
It's obvious that this is a requirement for life - nourishment. Whether we're talking about physical, emotional, or spiritual life, nourishment is needed every day in order for us to survive and thrive.
The Truly Good Man - Mark 10:21
When we think about Jesus' answer to the young man's question about obtaining eternal life, we mostly focus on the first part when Jesus told the man he had to sell everything he owned, and give all the proceeds to the poor. However, that's not the important part.
Doing the Father's Business
It seemed obvious to Jesus that He should be doing His Father's work, and he
had trouble understanding why His parents hadn't figured this out.
What is a Mission?
A definition for 'mission' can be written as an acrostic: The Master Is Sending Servants Into Other Nations.
New Fruit for a New Year
In this passage a promise is made that there will be new fruit. Wouldn't it be wonderful that this year, every one of us would have this promise fulfilled - an abundance of new fruit? Who wants to be successful? who wants to prosper? who wants to experience the abundant life Jesus promised? We all say 'Amen'.
The Necessity of the Resurrection
Long ago and far away, a church was beset with strife and confusion. At the end of a list of questions was one concerning the resurrection of the body.
We Have Come To Worship Him
When the three Babylonian Magi followed the light of the star to the land of Israel, they had as their goal, one simple idea - they wanted to worship the King. Ultimately, they fulfilled their desire.
Jesus and His Mother
There are several places in the New Testament where we find accounts of the interaction between Jesus and His mother Mary. Let's take a look at three scenarios: one when He was a child, one when he was near the beginning of His work, and the last one when He died.
The Cross is the Crux of the Matter
It's always a special day when we take time to observe Communion. It's at this time, more than any other, that we are prompted to reflect on the meaning of the death of Jesus on the cross.
Darkness Grows
Daylight Savings was a cost savings device related first to World War I and employed again during World War II. The idea was that during the time of war, by changing the clocks, less fuel would be used to produce electric power.
Christmas Gospel - Mark 1:1-15
Mark, the earliest (and shortest) of the Gospel books, and the one no doubt used by both Matthew and Luke in the writing of theirs, includes nothing at all about the birth of Jesus. The obvious conclusion we can make is that the earliest Christians were not very concerned about this part of Jesus' history.
Forget About It
The analogy here is that of an athlete, say a runner. It is important for the athlete to put out of his mind that part of the track
already covered, and concentrate on what is ahead.
Herod's Guards
In the Acts 12 story of Peter's imprisonment, James, the brother of John had been silenced, and Herod planned to also do away with Peter. Herod wanted to do this in order to please the enemies of the Gospel, but did not want to get the Jewish leaders upset by interfering with the Passover.
Beyond the Golden Rule
There once was a man sitting under a tree close to a river, engaged in his morning meditation. His attention was drawn to a scorpion that was caught in the large protruding roots of the tree, and was about to drown in the rising water of the river. The man crawled out on the roots of the tree and attempted to free the scorpion. However, every time he reached down to free the scorpion, the scorpion struck at him with his deadly sting.
Memucan, the Persian Adviser
At the beginning of the story of Esther, there was a name rarely remembered, his nema was Memucan. Though usually overlooked, this top adviser to King Xerxes was responsible for the story of Esther which follows.
Perfume, Cross, and a Seed
John tells us that due to this dramatic miracle, many believed in Jesus - not that this is the first time miracles were followed by belief. In fact, according to a statement which comes near the end, it seems the entire book of John was written with this in mind.
Sermon Outlines from Joshua
Perhaps the greatest Old Testament example of leadership, a study of the book of Joshua provides wondersul insights into a truly great man of God.
Kurios
The confession that 'Jesus Christ is Lord' has stood throughout all the Christian centuries as the cornerstone of our faith.
Labor for the Lord
In this one verse of Scripture there is a wonderful word of encouragement for all
those who would be involved in the Lord's work.
Great Chapters of the Bible - John 15 - Abiding in the Vine
Early in the period of church history we now call "The Reformation," there developed a significant controversy between the "Calvinists" and "Arminianists," a controversy which has persisted to the present day.
The Bad News Is the Good News
News that provides a warning is considered to be good news. So it is with the news that we are all sinners.
Great Chapters of the Bible - Luke 15 - Lost and Found
The collection of 'Lost and Found' stories in Luke 15 includes three: one about a lamb separated from the flock and lost; a coin lost in a poor woman's house; and a son lost in a far away country. But obviously there is more to Luke's stories than merely the human interest.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness - Lamentations 3:23
When we reflect on the past, we recall the blessings and the abundance of God's provision. We also remember the pain, the sorrow and the many heartbreaks that have been endured. At that point we are tempted to identify with Jeremiah.
Cleansing - II Samuel 12 - Psalm 51
David was a king, he was wealthy, and he had an affair with another man's wife - that will make the Morning News. And what's more, everyone thought David was such a righteous man who had loved God since his youth, and had done great things for God; that makes the story even more news worthy.
Missions is the Mission - John 9:4
The most basic meaning of the word 'send' is 'to order one to go to a place appointed,' and as it applies to 'missions' we may add, 'to fulfill a stated purpose, and bring back a report so further action can be taken.'
Mortal Bodies
There are three possible meanings for this expression, "quicken your mortal bodies": physical healing; victory over the flesh; and a promise for our own resurrection.
Take Up Your Cross
When Jesus said 'Take up your cross,' He certainly didn't mean that we should mimic the man named Simon whom the soldiers required to pick up the cross beam and take it on up the hill to the execution site. And surely we are not to do like those men on the island of the Philippines when they literally have themselves nailed to crosses a few days before Easter.
Sickness and the Lord's Supper
Sickness may come as the result of the judgment of God, a judgment which is viewed by the Christian as a form of discipline. That is obviously what Paul had in mind
when he wrote, "many among you are weak and sick".
Spiritual Growth
Spiritual Growth - what a strange set of words! It seems, by very definition, that these words are contradictory to each other.
Models for Mothers
Praise God for the wonderful examples of godly women that each of us have. But in addition to having those in our lives to whom we can look, there are women in the Bible who provide worthy models for mothers.
One Thing
Here's an interesting question to ponder. Let's say lightening strikes your house, and a fast spreading fire breaks out. There is hardly time enough to escape with you life, but you have the chance to grab one thing on your way out. What would it be?
Pentecost and Fire
Most of the time we read these verses and right away focus on the "tongues", a spectacular miracle that takes place when a person, under the control of the Holy Spirit, speaks in a language they never learned. Pentecostals are distinguished by their belief in "Speaking in Tongues".
But here's something else happening here which links us to some very important truths concerning the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We're talking about the "fire".
A Prophet, Prisoners and Palms
Zechariah was a Prophet and Priest who lived and ministered 500 years
before the birth of Christ. His name alone is significant, it means 'the Lord remembers'.
Is Your House in Order?
The king was being told that he was about to die, and although he successfully convinced God to extend his life, the point remains, there were matters that had to be taken care of in view of the inevitable.
The Presence of God
We talk about the presence of God, and we sing about it - "Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this Place." Not long ago I overheard a couple of people discussing a particular meeting they had attended. The description they gave included this statement, "God showed up".
Render, Receive, Reap - Romans 1:8-16
What was it that got Paul to write Romansr in the first place, and why was it that he wanted to visit this Roman church and what did he hoped to accomplish?
Safe in the Tower
We now have this powerful reminder that we should not put our trust in the towers made by man, but should only place our trust in the Lord who is our only safe tower.
ICHTHUS
There was a good reason to use a fish as a symbol for the early Christians - the word creates an acrostic with each letter referring to one of the names or titles for Jesus: Jesus, Christ, God, Son, Savior.
CHRISTOS
"Xristos is a Greek word which is translated from the Hebrew for Messiah (mashach). Both of these words come from the idea of rubbing with oil, or, as we say 'anointing.'
Prophecy Concerning the Messiah
Eighteen references to the Messiah are made in the Old Testament, and quoted or referred to in the New Testament.
Pentecostal
The word we're going to talk about today is Pentecostal - we say that Crossroads Church is a "Pentecostal" church. What does that mean?
Hurdles to Love
A society built on power and greed; one driven by self-serving interests will ultimately crash and burn, but one built on love will flourish. But if it makes so much sense, why don't we do it?
Declaration of Dependence
Over 200 years ago, the representatives of the 13 colonial parliaments officially accepted the document which had been presented 2 days earlier, a document written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.
Known as the "Declaration of Independence", this document has been revered as one of the most important, almost "sacred writings" of the American nation.
Death: Denial and Obsession
It is amazing to me just how much we in America are preoccupied with death. Actually, it's rather paradoxical. On one side of the coin there's this widespread denial of death - we don't talk about it, and we sincerely believe that death is something that happens only to other people; on the other side of the coin, overwhelming attention is given to death in television programs, the news, and in the movies.
Decisions, Decisions
The ability, and the necessity of decision-making is one of the most wonderful, awesome, and frightening aspects of our humanity - we have been given, by God, the element of free choice.
Resurrection Unbelief
One of the outstanding features of the first Easter Sunday, was the unbelief of the disciples. The Old Testament Scriptures predicted the resurrection; Jesus had told them He would rise; they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty - but they still did not believe.
Great Chapters of the Bible - Romans 8 - Who Condemns?
Many have come to take for granted the truthfulness of the story of the resurrection. However, it's important for us to be reminded, if not for ourselves then for those we witness to, that the story of the resurrection is reliable history.
Look Unto the Hills
This favorite Psalm is one of a group known as the "Songs of Ascent", used by pilgrims coming to Jerusalem, to the
temple on Mount Zion. The poem has four stanzas, each with an opening statement followed by an explanation. The
intent of this Psalm is to bring encouragement to the weary travelers as they approach the city to worship during the
festival.
The Main Thing
'The Main Thing is to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing!' Of course the question is, 'What is the Main thing'? With out a doubt, for the church of Jesus Christ, the 'Main Thing' is 'Worship'.
Avoiding the Majors by Majoring on the Minors
In the story of Jesus and the Woman at the Well (John 4:5-30), there are three Attempts at Avoidance - three issues brought up to distract from the important Person, Jesus, and His message.
Storing Up In Heaven - Matthew 6:19-21
The basic message of Jesus is very simple; it's of the variety that says, 'Don't do this, rather do this.' Don't accumulate earthly valuables; accumulate heavenly valuables.
I Am Nothing
Is a negative self-image Biblical? Was Paul really inspired when he wrote, 'I know that nothing good lives in me (Romans 7:18)? Evidently the answer is yes, and it appears that those who accept a low view of themselves are in good company.
Idolatry in America
If we are to be true to our devotion to God, we must be quick to declare, 'I won't bow down to America's Idol.'
Guarding the Gate - Ephesians 4:29
Because we have been created in the image of God, and because He is a communicative God, we too have the unique characteristic of being able to communicate with each other verbally. Most of the time, the fact that we can talk with each other is a blessing - how lonely our world would be if there could be no talking. However, as with all good things created by a good God, talking can also be not so good.
A Biblical Case Study in Depression - Psalm 42
Most of the time we think of 'depression' as it relates to a mental state, what is known as a 'lowering of spirits.'
The Joseph Principle and the Joseph Blessing - Genesis 41 and Deuteronomy 33
The story out of Joseph's life which we want to emphasize is one taken from his adult years, after he had reached the pinnacle of his career as what we might call the COO - Chief Operational Officer of Egypt.
Lessons on Leadership from Nehemiah
Nehemiah is certainly one of the most outstanding examples of Godly leadership found in the Bible. There are thirty-five lessons taken from the book which bears his name. Every Christian leader would do well to adopt these principles.
How We Know that Jesus Read and Knew the Bible
Jesus discussed the Scripture when He was in the temple during the visit with His parents. Jesus quoted from the Scripture when He was tempted by Satan. Jesus read from the Scripture when He taught in the synagogue.
Are Storms Messengers?
During the recent past, we have witnessed some of the harshest natural disasters in collective memory. How are we to take all this? Are these are 'natural disasters', are they signs of the end times, or are
they are to be seen as the judgment of God, punishments for idolatry, fornication, abortion or some other sins of humanity?
Intercessor Cells
'Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst.' (Matthew 18:20) This promise of Jesus has provided great comfort and hope for believers throughout the ages - if not a reduction of discouragement when only two or three show up for the meeting!
I Corinthians 13 - Love and the Gifts
For many people, I Corinthians 13 is not only one of the Great Chapters of the Bible, it is, by far, the greatest chapter of the Bible. Because of its beautiful lyrical phrases in praise of love, it is frequently read, in whole or in part, at Christian weddings worldwide. But it's not merely the beautiful language that escalates this chapter to its lofty position; it's the subject matter it treats.
Jesus Prays
We call ourselves "Christians", "Christ Ones". That means more than merely assenting to the historical fact of Jesus death and resurrection. It also means adherence to His teachings, and increasingly being "conformed to His image". Of course this is not due to self motivating behavior modification; rather, it is by faith. Christ is "in you the hope of glory." Because He resides in us, we become more like Him from the inside out.
A Day to Remember and Honor
Those who seek their own honor will ultimately be disappointed, but they who seek to honor God will themselves receive honor.
Membership Is Charismatic
What we really want to understand is that every Christian has charisma. Every Christian has grace.
Membership Is Commitment
Of what value would it be if someone you're connected with just walked away when times are tough? Or what good is it if someone says "I care about you", but then abandons you?
The Moral Code - Jeremiah 31:33
Christ never meant to establish a moral code. This idea may come as a surprise, and even may shock some people. It is usually assumed that the moral code given through Moses to the people of Israel, was passed on to the Christian church.
My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me
There were many strange happenings on the day Jesus was crucified. But perhaps the most strange of all was this cry, "My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?"
Is Polygamy Biblical? - Genesis 4:17-26
Polygamy is found in the Bible, but obviously practiced among men whose hearts were not turned toward God. Godly men are not polygamists.
Spillers of Encouragement
For many people, the goal of existence seems to be to reduce the pressures of life and achieve a state of comfortability. The "Good Life" then, is a stress free existence.
But Jesus said it straight: "In the world you will have tribulation; be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Great Chapters of the Bible - Philemon
It's not really a chapter, and it's not really a book; it's a very personal letter, and it stands out in the library of the 66 volumes we call the Bible. What's different about this one-page letter with a bare 4 paragraphs between the opening and closing greetings, is that it belongs to a man who would not be remembered in history at all without this one reference.
Dead or Alive?
Our President, referring to the world's most wanted man, reminded us of the wording which used to be seen underneath Post Office mug shots of criminals, 'WANTED, DEAD OR ALIVE!' If they came looking for you, which would you be?
Fasting
The techical meaning of "Fasting" is merely, "to be deprived of food". There are few particular instructions provided in the Bible for Fasting. Obviously, much wisdom needs to be employed as to the length, and type of Fasting.
God Cares
Several years ago our church sponsored a nation-wide multi-media advertising campaign. There were radio and TV spots, billboards, brochures and bumper stickers, all carrying the slogan, 'Hurting? God Cares.' The subject an important one – “Care” - and we will discuss three aspects: The Proclivity to Care, The Problem with Care, and The Provision of Care.
Father Abraham Laughed
The name Abraham gave his son was a result of his desire to highlight God's miraculous intervention in providing this son in his old age, making good the promise given many years before.
Practice
It's one of those words which have a variety of uses. We think of someone who is learning to play an instrument, and we say that they must 'practice'. On the other hand, when you go to see the Doctor, you are going to receive treatment from someone who is 'practicing' medicine.
God's Word, The Gospel
Psalm 19 is much like Psalm 119, with several words all being used as synonyms. The words 'law,' 'testimony,' 'statues,' and 'judgments' are all interchangeable terms for the same thing.
Christmas Giving - Luke 6:27-38
Perhaps, like me, you’ve wondered where it came from, this annual obsession of heaping gifts, this frantic tearing away of multi-colored wrapping paper to find out an answer to the all-important question, 'Did I get what I wanted for Christmas?'
Heart Matters
To rejoice in the Lord is the command of Scripture.
However, we must be careful that the joy we feel is not merely a sanctified substitute for our culture's "pursuit of happiness", and not merely a "getting high on Jesus", instead of on drugs.
Mothers and Maturity
The feature of motherhood that most interests me is wrapped up in this statement, 'I just want you to be happy.'
Evangelism
If a list of church priorities were to be created, certainly "Evangelism" needs to be included . What is it? First, what it is not!
Evangelism is to be distinguished from: sales; recruitment; competing for market share; arguing a religious philosophy; proving and parading superiority over other religions; promoting a particular "brand" of Christianity; not even moral instruction.
A Head Lift
There is a kind of 'head language' talked about in the Bible which uses the expression, 'lifting the head.'
Reading the Bible
There is a growing concern that Christians are reading the Bible less and less. The simple goal is to speak a word of challenge, encouraging each of us to establish good patterns of faithfully reading the Scripture.
Great Chapters of the Bible - Proverbs 3
It is clear that ultimately, everything about our lives - what we do, where we go, who we spend time with, how we spend our money - everything can be traced back to values. What we value is that which we are willing to sacrifice everything else for.
Labor to Rest
In 1909, at a convention of the American Federation of Labor the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as 'Labor Sunday', dedicating it to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
The Song
One of the very noticeable aspects of Christianity in general, and Christian worship in particular, is the song. Hardly any Christian gathering is complete without the people present entering into singing.
The Godly are Persecuted - II Timothy 3:12
Paul and the other Apostles had it rough: first century Christians were fed to lions and their burning bodies became torches for Roman roads; later century believers were burned at the stake for translating the Bible, or for baptizing people by immersion. But that was then and this is now. We in America have been singularly blessed by God and therefore exempt.
Pentecost
In Galatians, Paul asks an important question, 'After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?' (3:3) Born of the Spirit in Jerusalem during the feast of Pentecost, are we content to allow the church to plod along trying to obtain heavenly results using mere human resources?
Christian Excellence
What we want to do is to stir up the desire for Christian Excellence! We could call it 'In
Search of Christian Excellence.'
The Light Must Shine
The light is the righteousness - when the world sees true righteousness, not mere religiousness, they will give glory to God. That's why it is important to make sure that what is seen are the "good works" which surpass religious activities and demonstrate right living and loving actions.
The Bible's Answer for Peace of Mind (POM)
It is hopeful to think that somewhere Peace of Mind is available, and we believe we can find our way to it in the pages of God's Book, the Bible. Here in the final words contained in Paul's 'thank you' letter from prison to the believers at Philippi is what we might call the Five Keys to Peace Of Mind.
Power
In our society, we seem to have an intense interest in power. There are power engines, power tools, power nozzles, power locks, power boats, power lunches, power plays, power walks, power steering and power breaks; and, we're suckers for magazine articles about "the rich and the powerful."
Romans 10:14,15
Every man must call on Jesus to be saved. Every man is drowning in the dirty waters of sin. Every man must cry out from the heart for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to save him.
On the Death of a New Born Child
It's always difficult to understand the death of the young. We live in an imperfect world that has always been marred by the sin of Adam and the sins of us all. But even though we mentally have accepted the reality of death being a part of life, we still don't like it.
We Don't Want Nobody To Do It
There once was a job of such great importance that everybody thought somebody should do it. Not being a very difficult job, everybody figured anybody could do it, but everybody assumed that somebody else would do it.
Membership Is Connectedness - Ephesians 4:1-7
A number of years ago, while visiting our daughter, I happened to notice a College textbook for "Sociology" lying on a bookshelf. Because of my long standing interest in this subject, I picked it up and read the opening quote, 'No man is an island unto himself.' This, in one concise statement, expresses a very obvious human reality - we are connected.
Anguish for Benefit
Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.
Peace on Earth
Whenever we retell the Christmas story, we come to the part about the message
of the angels, and something doesn't seem right. Listen again to what they say,
"on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke
2:14) At first hearing, it sounds like the promise is given for peace to come to
earth because Jesus, the Messiah, is to be born. But any way you look at it, this
does not appear to be the case - there has not been peace.
Great Chapters Series - Exodus 3
In this passage we learn that God sees, hears, and cares.
The Message of Foolishness
Foolishness is what we call it when someone refuses to accept what seems obvious to everyone else, and stubbornly holds onto their plans against the good advice of caring friends. But when we begin to talk about the cross, the meaning seems to change, or at least it appears that foolishness isn't such a bad thing after all.
What's in a name?
What's in a name? Evidently parents believe the choice is immensely important. For months they pour over books, search the Internet, spend hours talking with each other and perhaps other family members. They want to choose the right name for their baby son or daughter.
The Pastor/Shepherd
Whenever it comes time for a congregation to look for a new Pastor, the question is asked, 'What are we looking for in a Pastor? What kind of a man (or woman) do we want to have as our next Pastor?'
The Practice of Parenting
Not too long ago, a baby was born in California with five parents. The genetic father was a sperm donor, the genetic mother was an egg donor; the baby's birth mother was a surrogate - these three cooperated to provide this child to a couple who will raise the child as their own.
Personalizing Promises
"Every promise in the book is mine." We used to sing it frequently - it's a nice song, but not always true. There are some promises that are reserved for specific people in specific times. There are also promises that are only valid if the conditions that relate to them are kept.
Prayer
Throughout the world, people who consider themselves to be religious involve themselves in some form of prayer.
Remember the story of the sinking ship? The captain urges prayer, so one of the sailors passes his cap for an offering.
Christianity is no exception.
Passion for Revival
Ever since the middle of the 19th century there's been a strong, reoccurring emphasis on revival in the church. We are aware that the church goes through seasons - it is not perpetual spring and summer-time for the spiritual vitality of the church. There's also fall, when the rich green colors we've enjoyed for months turn brown - and then comes winter when everything seems to die.
Questions About Prayer
What are some of the Frequently Asked Questions concerning prayer? Have you ever asked any of these questions?
Great Chapters - Psalm 119
Psalm 119 is an elaborate poem with one main subject or theme - 'The Word of God.' Many synonyms are used. The Psalmist talks about: laws, statutes, precepts, decrees, commands and promises; all of them referring to the same thing - God's Word.
Reason for the Season
This is a familiar saying which we often hear at this time of year. I has a nice ring
to it, and it rhymes! But one question comes to mind, "Why is it important to even have a reason to
celebrate this mid-winter holiday we call Christmas?" Why not just do it because
it's tradition? After all, Christmas is good for the economy and it feels good.
Results or Relationship
There's no problem with seeing prayer as producing results, the problem is that we want results according to our system of measurements and our time table. We want "bottom line" results, and we want them yesterday!
The Road to Jerusalem - Mark 10
The Sunday prior to Easter has become known as Palm Sunday, in recognition of when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, hailed as the King. However, we want to back up a few more days and look at the events accompanying His journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. We will do this by reviewing Mark's account in chapter 10, although we will also include a story noted by Luke.
Partnership - II Corinthians 6:1
There are those who trust in God, and those who trust in themselves. Ultimately, we say, everyone is either a Theist or a Humanist. On the one side are those who say, 'God is Sovereign and does what He will; He is in control, trust Him.' On the extreme other side are others who say, 'No, it's entirely up to you. Don't put your trust in any one other than yourself - you are the master of your destiny, the captain of your fate.
Christmas and Purim
One might expect that if we're going to talk about a Jewish holiday at this time of year, we should talk about Chanukah, the "festival of lights". However, the festivals of Purim and Christmas have some interesting commonalties.
Missions Giving
Recently it has come to my attention just how imbalanced a world we live in. The fact of the matter is, if you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
Prosperity for the Christian
Undenia | 
