| Sermons |
June 1, 2008 • Encouragement
Have you ever watched a sporting event that while you were watching was a total blowout? You turn the game off thinking it's over just to find out the next day you missed a fantastic finish. Many of us turn off our spiritual lives because things are tough for a season but I want to encourage you to wait for the rest of the story.
May 27, 2008 • Revival
2 Chronicles 20
True revival happens when people in substantial numbers turn to God and give up their sinful ways. Within scripture this is usually characterized by a leader who recognizes his nation’s spiritual dryness and then took action while not being afraid to make his desires known to the people. The revival in this text applies to us because it shows what can happen when we decide to trust in God alone to help us. This biblical account shows us that through revival we can turn our discouragement into joy.
May 19, 2008 • Revival
Kirk Franklin sung a song a few years ago that asked the question, do you want a revolution? If you listen to the words of the song, you would see that they were singing about being fed up with a certain way of life. The items they sang about varied but the primary focus was on a radical change in our thought process. It could be said that they were promoting a sudden or momentous change in social behaviors. They called it a revolution but in the church we have this thing called revival. But what is a revival? Many churches have them but most members have no idea why they have this program called revival. Some churches have revival because “that’s what we’ve always done.” Some churches have revival because it is a way to get other people in the door to help them meet their financial obligations. But what is a revival supposed to accomplish?
May 3, 2008 • Encouragement
1 Samuel 30:8
Many of us are familiar with the nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty. Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the kings’ horses and all the kings’ men could not put Humpty together again. While we do not know why Humpty was on the wall we do know that at some point he was able to position himself on the wall at some point. And we also know that whatever reason, Humpty found himself in a free fall from the top of the wall heading towards the ground. And when Humpty hit the ground, he finds himself broken into many pieces. We are not sure how it was communicated but others found out that Humpty was hurt and they came to his rescue but unfortunately they were unable to help.
April 27, 2008 • Christian Character
Reviewing Your Spiritual Resume
What does your spiritual resume look like? In our text today we look at the rest of the 'woes' levied by Jesus against the Pharisees and scribes in the form of a resume.
April 20, 2008 • Christian Character
Matthew 23:13
Much of what passes for Christianity today is little more than human religion with the name of Jesus tacked onto it. This type of Christianity makes a person feel better but it fails to transform its followers into servants of Christ. We’ve all probably heard a minister or two begin the invitation to discipleship with the phrase, “the doors of the church are open.” But in some respects those doors need to be closed. When religion becomes a thin covering of holiness to conceal unholy character, it makes its bearers less receptive to God's transforming grace.
April 13, 2008 • Christian Character
In our text today we see the beginnings of the final sermon preached by Jesus who is the Christ. Jesus just days before His crucifixion, spoke these words of warning to his disciples concerning a certain group within the church. And while the message is about a specific group we must not turn off our spiritual ears thinking there is nothing in these passages for all who are the New Testament church. The principles that Jesus speaks of apply to each and every one of us.
April 6, 2008 • Christian Character
It is not a big surprise or should not be to any true Christian that they suffer persecution from the enemies of God. It is reasonable to expect that when righteousness shows up it will expose unrighteousness. Let me say it this way, when light shows up darkness begins to flee. Righteousness when it shows up will provoke both good and bad reactions and depending on the circumstances this will lead to different degrees of response.
March 30, 2008 • Christian Character
Matthew 5:9 - Putting Everthing After Christ Everyday
During times of oppression you can often hear the familiar chant of “no justice, no peace.” But justice is not what brings about peace. Justice in America is supposed to be blind as symbolized by our symbol of justice. But I submit to you that either that blindfold is made up of see through material or her eyes have become uncovered. Man’s justice is anything but blind. Depending on justice for peace is foolish; the only way you can have peace is to have faith in the right thing or in this case the right person.
March 23, 2008 • Christian Character
Matthew 5:8
In 1531 the Virgin Mary miraculously appeared to an Indian just outside of Mexico City at the little town of Guadeloupe. Today there is a shrine at the spot that is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year. Apparently Mary left her image on the man’s coat that now hangs at the shrine. It is said that if you look closely at her iris you can still see the image of the Indian reflected there. It is also said that the entire Song of Solomon is inscribed on her earlobe. We yearn for God, but we often seek God by way of something external, some form of religion, rather than with our heart.
