Be Holy: Confronting Sin // Unwholesome Words
The average person hears 20,000-30,000 words during the course of a day. Words have a value structure. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 Words create worlds. And God…
Read MoreBe Holy: Confronting Sin // Worry
1. Worry is the “check engine” light of your life. Therefore, I tell you do not worry about your life… Matthew 6:25 There is a difference between worry and concern. Prolonged worry is not healthy. Recognize God can bring healing in your life in the area of worry. 2. Satan, our enemy, distorts the good…
Read MoreBe Holy: Confronting Sin // Sexual Sin
…for it is written: “Be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 1. God created us for relationships. That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife and they become one flesh. Genesis 2:24 God created sex for intimacy and for reproduction in marriage. However, Satan, our enemy,…
Read MoreJesus’ Greatest Stories // The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builder
What is the foundation of your life? We all hear the stories and the words of Jesus, but the difference between the wise and foolish builders, according to Jesus, is on what foundation we build our lives. There are many options out there – money, sports, kids, success – but all of these are shifting…
Read MoreJesus’ Greatest Stories // The Parable of the Prodigal Son
1. The Parable of the Prodigal Son illustrates what Easter is all about. There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, “Father, give me my share of the estate.” Luke 15:11-12 “Prodigal” means one who spends foolishly and/or lives rebelliously. The story could also be called, “The Parable…
Read MoreJesus’ Greatest Stories // The Parable of the Good Samaritan
1. See the needs around you. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came to where the man was; and when he saw him… Luke 10:33a Do we see the needs all around us? What keeps us from seeing the needs around us? Busyness Fear Materialism Learn to see people the way Jesus sees people. Matthew…
Read MoreJesus’ Greatest Stories // The Parable of the Talents
Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. Matthew 25:14 4 Contextual Lens to View Parables: Historical Literary Theological Personal The God who created the universe and fused our molecules together came to earth, bent down to our level, and told us…
Read MoreJesus’ Greatest Stories // The Parable of the Wedding Feast
“People do not drift toward Holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of…
Read MoreJesus’ Greatest Stories // The Parable of the Sower
This Easter season, we will be walking through some of Jesus’ Greatest Stories. Jesus taught in parables so people would discover spiritual truth. Jesus tells the Parable of the Sower to show how people respond to the Gospel – the Good News of Salvation. Every person in the world will respond to Jesus in one…
Read MoreLive in Love // How Can I Leave a Legacy of Love?
The Power of Love as Experienced by the One Being Loved // 1 Corinthians 13 Thank you for being patient with me. It gives me a sense of connection with you. And how I so appreciate your kindness, particularly when I don’t deserve it. It lavishes me with great joy. You never show envy toward those who have more. Grace…
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