Blog Archives

"FOUNDATIONS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH"

10/29/2017

Philippians 1:3-11

1. In healthy churches, the people are saints. (1)
We are made holy because of God's righteousness in Jesus Christ.

2. In healthy churches, the leaders are servants.
Healthy church leaders are most concerned with making other people successful. (Mark 10:43-45)

3. In healthy churches, grace and peace create close relationships. (7-8)

a. Close relationships rest on a spiritual foundation. (7)
b. Close relationships emerge from a shared purpose. (7)
c. Close relationships deepen through sustained prayer. (9-11)

4. Healthy churches keep their focus on the gospel. (12-16)
a. Simply share the gospel with people we know. (12)
b. Communicate the gospel as clearly as possible. (15-16)

"MASTERING YOUR FEARS"

10/22/2017

Psalm 27

1. Trust in God.
a. David's trust was in the present situation (1)
“The Lord is.”
b. His trust was in past experiences. (2)

c. His trust was in regard to future events. (3)

2. Worship the Lord.

a. David sought the beauty of the Lord. (4)
There is beauty in what the world might consider ugly.

b. He inquired about God. (7-8)
It's knowing more about God that makes you feel
better.

c. finding the dwelling place of God

3. Pray to the Lord.

a. It helps to have somebody with you. (9-10)

b. Instruction or guidance (11)
We wouldn't be so afraid if we just knew what to do.

c. asking for special strength. (14)

"HOPING AGAINST HOPE"

10/15/2017

Job 31:24-28

Hope is not a wish. It is an expectation.
Places of misplaced hope
1. Materialism -rising to the top financially will make life fulfilling and satisfying
If your hope is placed in materialism, then you have denied God. (31:24-5; 28)

2. Circumstances- meaning in life is directed to the changing of circumstances
Hope placed in Jesus Christ is the only hope that does not disappoint. (Romans 5:3-5)

3. Romance- an idealistic picture of life, love and happiness. (31:26-28)
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” (Prov. 13:12)

What does it mean to hope in Christ?
1. In what He has done in the past (I Peter 1:3)
2. In what He is doing now.
Your hope determines your behavior. (I John 3:3; I Thess. 1:3)
3. In what He is going to do in the future. (I Cor. 15:19)

Titus 2:11-13 sums it up.
11- bringing salvation to us (past)
12- teaching us self-controlled, upright and godly lives (present)
13- come again in glory (future)

"MORE THAN CONQUERORS"

10/8/2017

Romans 8:26-39

Holiness begins in your mind.
Three truths for a conqueror
1. The Holy Spirit is your prayer partner. (vs. 26, 27, 34)
He talks to the Father on your behalf.
He intercedes according the will of God.
Most of the time, God will withhold things that are not good for us.

2. God is in control of the events of your life. (28, 31)
If your heart is yielded to God, nothing that happens to you is bad.
In order to benefit from this promise, you have to trust in His goodness.
He made you to live above your circumstances.

3. You are surrounded by God's inseparable love. (35-39)
“in all these things,” we are more than conquerors.
When you trust in God's goodness, you approach challenges with a strength and security you never knew you had.

"THE WAYS OF GOD"

10/1/2017

Isaiah 55:8-13

1. God's timing is always perfect.(10)
His timing has more to do with events.
God does work in the context of time. (Galatians 4:4; Ecclesiastes 3)

2. God's preparation is always adequate.(11)
God's Word will not return empty
a. We have the assurance of every promise of God.
b. The Scriptures
c. Jesus- the Living Word

3. God's signs are always sufficient. (12-13)
a. an outright miracle
b. the laws of nature
c. the subtle arranging of circumstances.
The trees of the field would be reminders of God's promise.

4. God's ways are always consistent.
Every prophecy of Scripture has come true or will soon come true.