In a world offering many additional lifestyles, philosophies, and teaching, we must see to it that Christ remains preeminent. Let's stay focused on Christ as we live out our faith in every area of life, acknowledging the eternal significance it holds.
We will be a church this year and every year that preaches Christ and him crucified. We'll do that clearly and compellingly by rejecting all of man's wisdom, remembering all of Christ's work, and relying all on God's power.
The glory of God and the salvation of His people involves the entire God head. The Father has initiated a plan. Jesus, the Son, has acted and implemented the plan. The Spirit fuels and empowers the plan. Ephesians 1 gives us plenty of reasons to sing about God's glorious grace.
Christmas and Praise have something in common. They are both a celebration of God’s character, plan, and promises. The goal is not just to inform but to inspire worship, showing that through singing and engaging with Scripture, the Spirit of God draws us closer to Him.
Being a person of passion and purpose for Christ is what we're made for. We WILL take life by the throat. We are not made for a quiet life. That is the way to live with God.
God is not a distant killjoy but the happiest person in the world, inviting us into His joy through the gospel of Jesus Christ. True joy comes from being cleansed of sin, living in right relationship with Him, and worshiping with glad hearts. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but on trusting and delighting in God, whose happiness is both our example and our source.
Behind the scenes of the church are men and women who are often overlooked and rarely applauded. People who were essential to the success of Christ's mission, yet completely forgotten to history. The lesser lights. The willing unknowns. God doesn't overlook them. And we should honor them.
You’ll never just fall into meaningful transformation. Whether personally or missionally. It requires deep thinking and right priorities. Specifically in our homes, our society, and our worship.
Are you satisfied with your prayer life? When you pray are you confident? When someone asks you to pray for them, do you? If you were asked to name a couple 3 specific things that you brought to God in prayer, would you be able to name them? Is your time in the Bible balanced with time in meaningful prayer?
Having remodeled the wall, it's time for God's people to remodel themselves. With the foundation of God's word, they pursue personal change. Passionate about clearing the away the rubble of wrong thinking and the debris of sinful living. They replace old patterns with obedience to the Lord and his Word. And their model is a helpful example as each of us take seriously our own spiritual renewal.
Every vibrant work of God has two things. First, the proclamation of God's word. Second, the mobilization of God's people. Revival starts with God's people becoming passionate about what God has said. Then we become the ones who share the news with those without Jesus Christ.
Following Christ is a call to maintain integrity, rely on God's strength, and remain obedient despite challenges. This will require dependence on God, discernment in our responses to others, and the ability to persevere in faith.
Having influence with others, brings with it, a test of character. We are called to make a difference with our lives without abusing our blessings, compromising our methods, drifting from our missions, or forgetting to serve others.
Being a community of faith, requires a constant self examination of sin, sacrificial generosity, and the pursuit of integrity. It's not only healthy for us, but it reflects to the world what life is like in the kingdom of God.
Discouragement and Depression go hand in hand. These twin enemies will haunt those who want to serve the Lord boldly and passionately. Let's learn how to identify the causes and cures of discouragement.
Opposition is inevitable, but we will inevitably be used of God for His purposes. We will for sure be afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, knocked down, always carrying in the death of Jesus, but not crushed, despairing, forsaken, or destroyed. We will manifest the life of Jesus.
We don’t have jobs. We have callings. It includes our occupation and the demands that come with it, but it’s all given by God and we do it for Him ultimately. And that includes whatever, whenever, for however long he calls us to it.
Nehemiah demonstrates leadership by seeking God’s direction, planning strategically, and inspiring others, even while facing opposition. This encourages us by keeping our eyes on God’s guidance in all situations, as great leaders are first great followers of God.
We don't pray big enough. I want us to ask huge unbelievable prayers of God. We want the city to see God work. There is nothing wrong with wanting to achieve great things for God so they glorify God.
Are we aware of the needs around us? In our families, neighborhoods, schools, and city? Primarily the over 70% of the Tri State that need Jesus Christ. Does this break our hearts? Do we fast, pray, and yes, even weep over the needs around us? Let's cultivate a sensitive spirit before the Lord as we seek to make Christ known.
The people of God are primarily citizens of the city of God, but in some degree participate in the city of man. And the mission of the city of God is to live in such a way that the city of God is clearly seen and grown through the preaching of the gospel and living the counter culture life of the kingdom.
Daniel shows faith in impossible situations through simple obedience, and in doing so transforms the culture around him.
Daniel changed the culture by standing with conviction, by demonstrating in his life that God is in absolute control, by facing the reality of loss with the truth of eternal gain, and by resolving to live by faith no matter what consequences he faced.
God reserves the right to heal or not as he sees best. He is the one qualified to make the decision. However, he has giving us a process by which we are to seek healing in our lives.
Let's look at 6 foundational theological truths about sin, sickness, and healing. These will equip us to think biblically in our own suffering and as we minister to others in their pain.
A Spirit filled worship gathering must be meaningful and logical and understood, but open to spontaneity and freedom of expression. Where Christ and His Word are promoted with decency and structure and accuracy. As well as, enthusiasm and joy and feeling. We want all of the Spirit for all that He is, yet know that He’s in control and sane and involving our minds.
Each of us who have been born again, who believe in Christ, who are loved by the Father--we have the special privilege of knowing the Father, doing greater things than Jesus, and being indwelled by the Holy Spirit of God.
