Oct 6, 2024
Misguided Worship
1 Corinthians 11 As the Apostle Paul sought to heal some of the problems in the Church at Corinth, he tackled the issue of misguided worship.  Some in the church had lost focus on what was most important in a Christian fellowship.  Even the communal meals at which the Lord’s Supper was observed were, in Paul’s words, “doing more harm than good.”  What seems to have gone wrong? Rituals had become more important than relationships.  Matthew 5:23-24 Freedoms were used for selfishness rather than servanthood.  Galatians 5:13 The focus had become pleasing themselves rather than pleasing God.  John 4:23-24
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  • Oct 6, 2024Misguided Worship
    Oct 6, 2024
    Misguided Worship
    1 Corinthians 11 As the Apostle Paul sought to heal some of the problems in the Church at Corinth, he tackled the issue of misguided worship.  Some in the church had lost focus on what was most important in a Christian fellowship.  Even the communal meals at which the Lord’s Supper was observed were, in Paul’s words, “doing more harm than good.”  What seems to have gone wrong? Rituals had become more important than relationships.  Matthew 5:23-24 Freedoms were used for selfishness rather than servanthood.  Galatians 5:13 The focus had become pleasing themselves rather than pleasing God.  John 4:23-24
  • Sep 29, 2024Untapped Potential
    Sep 29, 2024
    Untapped Potential
    1 Corinthians 12:4-18 A healthy church utilized the spiritual gifts and abilities of all it’s members.   Apparently, the Apostle Paul did not see that happening in Corinth, so he passionately and patiently confronted the “elephant” of untapped potential. What Every Christian Needs to Understand about Spiritual Gifts:
    • Spiritual gifts are special abilities distributed by God through His Holy Spirit.
    • There are many different kinds of spiritual gifts.
    • Every believer has at least one spiritual gift.
    • The purpose of spiritual gifts is to build up the Body of Christ.
    Keys to Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts:
    • Learn
    • Listen
    • Look
    • Leap
  • Sep 22, 2024Elephants in the Church: Immorality
    Sep 22, 2024
    Elephants in the Church: Immorality
    “Flee from sexual immorality.  All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.”  1 Corinthians 6:18-20 The Apostle Paul was very concerned when Christians ignored immorality in their own lives and within the fellowship of the church.  Confronting the “elephant of immorality” is necessary for several reasons:
    • To help those who have fallen into a sinful lifestyle.
    • To protect the integrity and the future of the church.
    • To strengthen the witness of the church in a fallen world.
    “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”  2 Corinthians 7:1
  • Sep 15, 2024Elephants in the Church: Disunity
    Sep 15, 2024
    Elephants in the Church: Disunity
    “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”   1 Corinthians 1:10 To maintain unity within the Body of Christ, we need to…
    • Keep our focus on the Messiah.
    • Keep our focus on His Mission.
    • Keep our focus on His Methods.
    • Keep our focus on His Message.
    “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:3  
  • Sep 1, 2024A New Covenant
    Sep 1, 2024
    A New Covenant
    Series: (All)
    LORD’S SUPPER RESPONSIVE READING THE BREAD Pastor:   For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: People:  The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, Pastor:   And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, People:  “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of  me.” THE CUP Pastor:   In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, People:  “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Pastor:   For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
  • Aug 25, 2024Christian Sacrifices
    Aug 25, 2024
    Christian Sacrifices
    Series: (All)
    Hebrews 13:11-16 The Old Testament sacrificial system involved the killing of animals.  But when Jesus died on the cross as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sins, animal sacrifices were no longer necessary for those who put their trust in Him.  But Scripture reveals there are still sacrifices which Christians should make to God.
    • The Sacrifice of Our Person
    • The Sacrifice of Our Praises
    • The Sacrifice of Our Possessions
  • Aug 11, 2024God’s Work in Strange Places
    Aug 11, 2024
    God’s Work in Strange Places
    Series: (All)
    Genesis 28:10-22 As Jacob, the son of Isaac, was traveling alone from Beersheba to Haran, God gave him a vision during the night.  Through an image of angels going up and down a staircase reaching to heaven, God revealed the good work He would do in that barren land through Jacob and his descendants.  God often uses us to do His work in strange places , as well.
    • God often works in strange and desolate places.
    • It’s God’s prerogative to call us into that work with Him.
    • God gives us everything we need to be a blessing to others.
    • In following God’s plan for our lives, we are forever blessed.
    “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”  Genesis 28:16
  • Aug 4, 2024Motivational Forces
    Aug 4, 2024
    Motivational Forces
    Series: (All)
    2 Corinthians 4:1-18 Even the most dedicated Christians can go through times of discouragement as they do their best to serve the Lord on a daily basis.  The best laid plans sometimes fail, and ministries bathed in prayer can face stiff opposition.  Staying the course can be difficult, but the Apostle Paul shares insights about the motivational forces that can help us not lose heart while doing good.
    • Feel good about who you are.  Nurture your Christ-like character.
    • Feel good about what you are doing.  Know that your ministry matters.
    • Feel good about why you are doing it.  Let the love of Christ compel you.
    • Feel good about how you are doing it.  Do God’s work God’s way.
    • Know that God is in control.  His purposes are right and His plans cannot be derailed.  Live today in light of eternity.
  • Jul 28, 2024An Opportunity to Spiritually Recharge
    Jul 28, 2024
    An Opportunity to Spiritually Recharge
    Mark 6:45-46 The Gospel of Mark highlights how hectic life was for Jesus during his ministry.  He was always busy preaching, teaching, healing and traveling.  Crowds at every stop demanded his attention.  But even as Jesus lovingly reached out to those around him, the gospels point out that he habitually found time to be alone for prayer and communion with the Heavenly Father. In the rat-race of our lives, it is also very important for us to “interrupt” our busy schedules for time alone with God.  As with Jesus, it gives us an opportunity to spiritually “recharge” - allowing Christ to equip us for the tasks ahead. An Opportunity for Quietness & Rest An Opportunity for Prayer & Meditation An Opportunity for Scripture & Reflection An Opportunity for Recharging & Refocusing
  • Jul 21, 2024An Opportunity for Faith and Following
    Jul 21, 2024
    An Opportunity for Faith and Following
    Mark 10:46-52 Other than the walk to Golgotha, Jesus’ final trip to Jerusalem must have been the “heaviest” journey of his earthly ministry.  So much suffering lay ahead for him before the victory over sin and death would be accomplished.  But even with that burden upon his heart, Jesus was willing to use another interruption as an opportunity to do good—this time for a blind beggar named Bartimaeus.
    • An interruption can be an opportunity for calling a person to faith in Jesus Christ, or for nurturing the faith already in their heart.
    • An interruption can be an opportunity for inviting a person to become a disciple, following Jesus in their daily living.