II Kings 6.24-7.20 – Today begins a 6 week series on becoming a contagious Christian, using material from the series of the same name. Why should I desire to become a contagious Christian? Whay should I share my faith? This sermon looks at four motivating factors for the reason we should share our faith and become a contagious Christian. There’s more to it than just a commandment.
John 11.1-44 – Jesus asked Martha a very direct question about Him being the resurrection and the life. “Do you believe this?” If Jesus was not raised from the dead then we are still dead in our sins with no hope of eternal life. The same question is for us. Do we believe this?
Matthew 26.1-16 – In this passage that occurs before the crucifixion, we are confronted with asking about our heart. Jesus shows a heart of obedience when He informs the disciples that in just 2 days, at the Passover, He would be crucified. The religious leaders show a heart of hatred for Jesus. Mary reveals a heart of worship, giving everything she had. Judas shows a heart of deceit. How is your heart today? God knows the true heart of each person whether it is one of worship or whether we think such activity is waste.
I Peter 3.13-18 How should we respond to bullies? They are all around us. Peter faced them and so did the believers he wrote to in his first epistle. He gives some advice on how to respond to them so that we have opportunity to defend the hope in us. Then he caps it off by highlighting someone who knew about suffering – Jesus.
I Peter 2.9-12 – As we consider again the role of the church in the world today we need to ponder what we have in Christ. Peter tells us we have a special calling, we have a secure citizenship, and we have a saving character. How sobering it is to think that our actions may be what brings someone to Christ or turns them from Christ. Our character may bring someone to heaven or may send them to hell.
03 03 Colossians 1.9-14 Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is a model for us as we pray for others that they might know God’s will as it relates to godly living, that they might live a life pleasing to the Lord and that they might experiene a wonderful love.
Ephesians 4.11-16 Gifted men have been given by the Lord to the church in order to help equip it to minister to each other. The strength of a church is in how well the body is ministering to each to support it as it matures in Christ. If someone in the church is not engaged in some ministry to build up the body then one of two things is true. Either the pastor is not doing his job adequately equipping the body or the individual is being disobedient. What more could each of us do to help build up the church?
Ephesians 3.7-13 – We finish up from the previous week our discussion on Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus. He outlines some invaluable things that we should pray for each other. Then we look at Ephesians 3. We are not only saved by grace (2:8-9), we also serve by God’s grace and are strengthened by God’s grace. This is to encourage us not to be disheartened when we encounter difficult life events.
02 10 Ephesians 1.15-23 – Over the past several weeks our focus has been on the great commission given by Christ to the Church. It is His marching orders to go and proclaim the Gospel message of salvation through Christ to the people of the world. While we are to maintain an external focs of accomplishing this commission, we also have a responsibility to the body of Christ – the Church, His bride. In his letter to the church people of Ephesus, Paul praises them for both their faith and their love. Paul also prays for them regarding some specific character development that gives us a good model to pattern our prayers for each other. (Please note that the audio message only deals with Paul’s praise.)
II Corinthians 5.11-21 – Scripture continues to provide insight into the role the church has in the world. Evangelism is at the core of that mission. Looking at the passage for today, Christ’s love compels us to active service, it changes us into an amazing new creation, and it challenges us to advocate for reconciliation. What is Christ’s love compelling you to do today?
(We apologize that there is no audio for this message.)