All too often, we try to make the biblical accounts about us. This is certainly true with the calming of the storm. However, this is all about Jesus - Who He is and what He is like. Join with us today as we try to answer the disciples' question - Who is this man?
God does not give us spiritual insight for our benefit only. Part of the reason He gives it to us is so that we can enlighten those who are coming into the Kingdom. But it's not enough to simply have the spiritual insight. We must then be obedient to what we know. Join us as we study Jesus' parable of the lamp in Luke 8 today.
The amount of love you have for Jesus reflects the amount of sin that you have been forgiven. The one who has been forgiven much loves much. The one who loves little has been forgiven little. Join us today as we see two sinners - one who recognizes her sin and experiences forgiveness and one who doesn't recognize his and does not experience forgiveness.
Every Christian struggles at times with doubts and confusion. None is immune - not even one as great as John the Baptist. In our text today, we see John's Concern, Jesus' Confirmation, Jesus' Commendation, and Jewish Complaints.
Jesus was compassionately authoritative - meaning He did not use His authority in a self-serving way. Rather, He often exercised His authority on behalf of others. He would see their plight, would be moved with compassion, and act accordingly. Such is the case with the raising of the widow's son. Jesus was moved with compassion for this woman and He acted on her behalf. Join in and see what this has to say to us today.
In the Gospels, Jesus was not often surprised, much less amazed. Today's encounter with a Roman centurion was one of those rare times He was. Join us as we look at how this centurion wowed Jesus.
The Resurrection is the central pillar of the Christian faith. It is what sets Christianity apart from the false religions of man. Join us as we celebrate the risen Christ!
Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem was chock full of meaning. Listen in as we explore some of the meanings behind His actions.
Jesus closes out the Sermon on the Plain with a challenge. It is not stated as such, but implicit in His words is the challenge to put what He has said into practice. Failing to do so is like foolishly building one's house on the ground. Doing so is like wisely building one's house on a solid rock. Be a wise builder.
In wrapping up the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus gives us three short parables or word pictures to help us get what He has been teaching. We need to beware of blind guides, not be blind eye surgeons, and be careful fruit inspectors.
Jesus is famous for preaching the Sermon on the Mount. However, He preached a less well-known Sermon on the Plain which touches on many of the same subjects. Listen in as we examine the first section of the Sermon on the Plain - The Beatitudes.
The choosing of the twelve Apostles was a turning point in Jesus' ministry. Jesus sets the example for us in prayer, and we can be encouraged by His choice of such a ragtag group.
Jesus made religious people angry all the time. This was particularly true about the Sabbath. In today's text, Jesus defended His disciples who were picking grain on the Sabbath and getting on the Pharisees' bad side. Listen in to hear how Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.
What a year 2020 was! As we look at heading into 2021, Psalm 115 gives us 4 guiding principles to hold onto in the coming year.
As we look ahead to the presidential election later this week, does the Bible have anything to say to the next president, whomever that may be? Does it have anything to say to leaders at every level of government? The answer is a resounding "Yes!". Regardless of who is in the Whitehouse, God sits enthroned in Heaven on high.
Going back "home" isn't always what it's cracked up to be. Things change. People change. Home changes. Jesus experienced that when He returned to Nazareth. The people there were familiar with Him and that kept them from seeing Him as the Messiah. This continuation of our series on Luke looks at Jesus' preaching at Nazareth.
The devil tempts everyone, including Jesus. And just as it is beneficial for militaries to know the tactics and stratagems of their enemies, so it is for the Christian. In this 10th message of our series on Luke, we look at the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness and draw out some blueprints by which the devil operates.
When Mary met Elizabeth, she burst forth into song. We know this as the Magnificat. Obviously, her praise of God was for a unique moment in history, but her example of Scripture-saturated praise is one we would do well to emulate.
Christ's birth was the next step in fulfilling the plan of salvation that God began in Genesis. This 2nd sermon in the series on Luke looks at His birth being foretold by Gabriel.
God works out His plan in His time in His way. This is seen most clearly in the first Advent of Christ. Every detail was foreordained and accomplished by God - including the birth of Christ's forerunner, John the Baptist. Listen in as we look at how this plan was worked out.
Culture and media tell us that believers are fools and the truly wise are those who reject the very existence of God. Scripture, on the other hand, tells us that the real fool is the person who says there is no God.
There have always been pressures for the people of God to "bow the knee". Today, it is pressure to compromise. In the days of Daniel, it was pressure to literally bow the knee to an idol. This message looks at their example to try to draw out lessons for each of us as we try to navigate living the Christian life.
People often claim that America is a Christian nation. But is it really? Do our laws and standards reflect God's standards for righteousness? Do Americans live according to the dictates of Scripture? In this week's text, the psalmist sets for the requirement for blessing, reasons for praise, and the response of the wise.
In many ways, this is a follow up to the sermon series we recently finished in the 10 Commandments. While not a multi-part message or series, it is meant to be a counter balance to what we've looked at. In particular, this looks at the foolishness and utter hopelessness of trying to earn one's way to Heaven by keeping the Law. The only way to Heaven is through faith alone in Christ alone.
This message, preached on Father's Day, is a call to each of us - especially men - to be strong and courageous in our Christian lives. This is not some sort of bravado or a call to exude machismo. Rather, we need to be strong and courageous in our leading, loving, and leaving a legacy.
Partiality is a sin. It's not something we commonly think of as a sin, but James tells us point blank that it is. Favoritism rears its ugly head in numerous ways, among which are treating others differently based on external things like wealth, status, skin color, and job. It can even affect the narratives we choose to accept.
Bearing false witness is a very narrow and specific command. However, it has some very wide-reaching applications. In particular, this command is often broken in the form of gossip and slander - even within the church.
Theft is wrong, and it can be done by governments as well as individuals. This sermon digs into this command and seeks to apply it to various aspects of life.
Over the last several years, the culture's attitudes towards purity, marriage, and so forth have shifted radically. Things which were once considered scandalous are now commonplace. Such is the case with adultery. Even though the seriousness of adultery and other sexual sins are downplayed today, God's standards have not changed. Listen in as the 10 Commandments intersects with everyday life.
How would you describe a healthy church? What things characterize it? While the early church was not perfect, it did do some things right. Drawing from their example in Acts 2, we see 3 marks of a healthy church.
