This chapter is filled with men making terrible mistakes - each because they are so concerned with their own kingdom rather than seeking the will of God. If believers would seek His kingdom, we would find ourselves making much better use of our time and having an eternal impact on the lives of others rather then cause pain and trouble. Support the show
The battles are difficult, but it is always helpful to remember that the ultimate victory is the Lord's, and it has already been won! Support the show
Peter starts his book with an introduction that is packed full of truth and sets the stage for what is to come. Believers must know who they are and why they are here so that they can face the trials of life that come their way with the eternal perspective that God wants His children to have. Support the show
This sermon explores the grief that King David had over his king and his best friend. Lessons about how God wants his people to deal with grief and loss are abundant in this chapter. Support the show
Racism, sexism, ageism, abortion, and many other sinful behaviours find their root in this problem: partiality. Partial people demonstrate prejudices against others based on an outward quality rather than seeing all human beings as equally invaluable in God's sight. In this story, Peter learns about God's impartiality, and then he learns that he must be impartial himself by acting impartially and fighting for those who are prejudiced against. Support the show...
David's reaction to Saul's death is surprising to say the least. Rather than rejoicing that his enemy is death, he mourned the death of Saul and his family because Saul was the Lord's anointed. What a wonderful lesson for the believer in how we ought to view our enemies! Support the show
God promises that He will work all things for good if we love God and are called according to His purpose; but how can we explain the sudden martyrdom of James? Why didn't God have James freed like he did with Peter? Clearly James' suffering and death was a part of God's plan; this message seeks to answer difficult questions about suffering and the sovereignty of God. Support the show
Contentment is hard to find in a world that tells you no matter what you have, you always need more and bigger and better. However, Paul's instructions to Timothy are very enlightening as to how believer's ought to view their possessions. Support the show
Israel was given many opportunities to repent and to trust in the Lord; instead, they continually ran to idols and ungodly nations for protection from their enemies. As a result, God chastised them; however, these verses also demonstrate that even in the midst of punishment there is hope. Support the show
Peter is now confronted not with danger, but with his own prejudices that he must overcome so that the gospel can reach the Gentiles. Cornelius, a Roman military commander who fears God and has a good reputation among the people, is lost without Christ. This story clearly reveals the hand of God orchestrating events so that Cornelius and his household can be saved by the blood of Christ. Support the show
The people of God were in a desperate situation - soon they would have their right eyes gouged out and would become servants to the Ammorites. It is at that moment of helplessness that God sent His Spirit to empower Saul to deliver the people of Jabesh-Gilead. Support the show
As Paul concludes his long letter to the church of Corinth, he wants to remind them that everything that he says is from a heart of love for them. Ultimately, the Christian life is all about love for Jesus and love for our brethren. At times this love requires sacrifice and at times it requires us to speak truth even when it is difficult. Paul models for us what true love looks like in his letter to the Corinthian church. Support the show...
The Word of God is filled with impossible stories. Not just impossible because they are miraculous, but impossible because they record unimaginable victories for the people of God when defeat seemed imminent. All of these stories, Acts 5 included, reminded us that there is a God in Heaven who is working in and through our stories to grow us and to bring Him glory. Rather than fighting our circumstances, may we choose to look for and trust God's hand in them. Support the show...
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Hospitality and service are characteristics that ought to mark the lives of believers. In this text, Paul directs the attention of the Corinthians to the house of Stephanus - a family within their church who was a wonderful example to them of faithful Christian service. He encouraged the Corinthians to follow their leadership in this area of service. Support the show
Paul understands that life is hard for the believers in Corinth. They face persecution from without, disunity from within, and a constant battle with their own flesh; however, Paul expects them to mature. He gives believer four imperatives - to stay alert, stand fast, be stout-hearted, and be strong, and then he tells them that all of these things must be done in love. Support the show
God is a powerful and sovereign ruler who is pleased to use all kinds of weakness to take His gospel to the ends of the earth. In this passage, we see a glimpse of three very different men whom God used to bring the truth of Jesus to the first century world, and we are challenged to truth Him that He will do the same with us. Support the show
Paul's desire to go to Corinth was only overshadowed by his desire to stay in Ephesus. Paul explained that in Ephesus, God had opened a door for the gospel and his opportunities to teach and preach were numerous and effective; however, he also explained that in Ephesus there was also a great deal of adversity. The lesson for us; adversity to the gospel should be expected, and we should never run from an opportunity to share Christ because of it! Support the show...
Obeying God rather than men seems like the most obvious and simple command a person could receive; however, opposition, circumstances and sinful desires often get in the way of the believer's obedience to God. This message will encourage believers to live the Christian life in a way that is truly Christian - as a follower of God seeking to glorify Him above all else. Support the show
The communion service was never meant to be an empty religious ceremony; but rather Jesus gave us this ordinance so that we would think deeply upon his death and examine ourselves in light of the cross. Support the show
"Churches just want my money". Or at least that is what a lot of people think about organized religion. This message will explore what the Bible has to say about giving and discuss whether or not tithing is for the New Testament Church. Support the show
Death is an enemy. We do everything we can to fight it, or to at least delay its coming, but someday, often when we do not expect it, death comes. There is a sting to death, it almost seems unnatural, but thankfully, for the believer, there is ultimate victory over death and the grave found in the sacrifice of Christ. Thanks be to God for the victory we have in Christ! Support the show
After healing the lame man and preaching the gospel so clearly in the temple, Peter and John are arrested and placed in prison overnight. The next morning, they face the most important, religious, self-righteous men in all of Israel and they boldly declare their allegiance to Christ and to His gospel. Believers today need the same kind of boldness as we endeavour to bring Christ to the world around us. Support the show
Paul shows us that within God's creation, there are countless examples of bodies that need to "die" before being raised up again in a similar but much more glorious new body. It happens with seeds all around us, and someday, it will happen to mankind as well - some will be resurrected in a glorified body to everlasting life; others to everlasting destruction. Our eternity rests on this one question: What have we done with the risen Christ? Support the show...
This message explores both the bad news of the gospel and our relationship to our first father, Adam; as well as the good news of the gospel - that all those who believe will be covered by the righteousness of Christ. It is the gospel that both saves and then motivates and empowers sanctification. Support the show
As Peter and John pass through the magnificent gate that would lead them into one of the inner courts of the temple were sacrifices are made, they notice a man, lame from birth, begging. This is a story about two broken men giving another broken man what Christ first gave to them. Believers today must be aware of needs around them because often the gateway to meeting someones spiritual needs is through first meeting their physical needs. Support the show...
Christianity rises and falls on the resurrection of Christ. Because HE is risen, believers have a sure hope of their own bodily resurrection. Christ is risen, HE IS RISEN INDEED! Support the show
It is only by grace that any person can be saved, and it is only through grace that their lives and their character can be transformed. Paul is a trophy of God's grace. His story begins as a murdering persecutor of the church; it ends with him traveling the world to spread the gospel of grace that worked so mightily in his life. That same grace is available to believers today as well - are we allowing God to transform our hearts? Support the show...
God's plan to evangelize the world seems almost crazy from a human perspective. He took men that were cowards, often disobedient, lacking in faith, impatient and socially weak and made them his ambassadors. Their job was to tell the world that a crucified criminal had risen from the grave and would one day judge the whole world. All of this plan could only work if they were empowered by the Holy Spirit. God's plan hasn't changed, and thankfully, neither has his provision of power through the Hol...
