Growing and Witnessing

This the final week in our prayer emphasis month sermon series. We will conclude by looking at the connection between Forgiveness and Prayer, particularly our forgiveness of others and our prayer. Our main point from Hendrikson is: “Prompted by gratitude the forgiven sinner must always yearn to forgive whoever has trespassed against him, and must do all in his power to bring about reconciliation.”

Our God is sufficient! He is sufficient for all things — sufficient for the living our lives. His sufficiency covers our personal inadequacies (Get. 17:1), overcomes our helplessness against overwhelming odds (Gen. 43:14), gives certainty to our uncertain future, miraculously transforms our lives (Gen. 49:25), and delivers us from our enslavement to sin (Ex. 6:6O). What a wonderful God He is!

As we conclude 2019 and begin 2020, the question of how we can better pray for one another spiritually is timely. We love to pray for one another, and we love to follow up with each other after we offer those prayers. We are especially good at praying for physical and emotional needs. But our prayers for others' and our spiritual needs are often lacking. Join us as we think through Ephesians 1:15-23 and pull 5 principles from Paul's prayer for the Ephesians that will help us learn how to pray for one another spiritually.

By God's design, Christians are members of the Church, which is God's family. As such, we are a family of faith that is chosen and loved by God, draws its life from God, and shows our common divine life in the Christian graces of faith, hope, and love. The question for us, then, is: How are we to be the Church in this world? Paul answers it in the conclusion of his letter to 1 Thessalonians, and we study his answer in this sermon.

In this video, we discuss the impact that John Knox and the Scottish Reformation had on Presbyterians throughout history. We specifically identify 6 lessons we can learn from God's work of revival, renewal, and restoration.

The God of the Bible is a great and mighty God. He is the one and only Lord of Creation and God of the World. He is actively present in the world. And, He has all power to command creation to display His glory and might in the world. Join us as we talk about how great our wonderful God is!

In the third video of our series on the Westminster Confession of Faith, we study chapter two of the Confession titled, "Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. Our focus will be on the unique oneness of the living God of the Bible and his complete perfection in all things. The following two links will be helpful for following along in the video. The Westminster Confession of Faith -- https://storage2.snappages.site/XPXG4X/assets/files/Westminster-Confeesion-of-Faith.pdfOf God, and Of the Holy Trinity Presentation -- https://storage2.snappages.site/XPXG4X/assets/files/Of-God-WCF2.pdf

Depression is a common human experience. It hurts, but there is hope in the midst of it. As we struggle with downcast and downtrodden spirits, the Lord is gracious to us. Nothing can change the wonderful reality that Christ died for us and saves us in his grace. God is, therefore, for us in all circumstances. Rest in him.

Judas and Peter both backslid in their walks with Jesus because of the overwhelming power of sin their lives. Peter recognized his sin, repented of it, returned to Christ, and received full restoration. Judas did not. Backsliding, though a concept out of favor in modern Christianity, is a reality for every Christian. We all struggle to keep sin at bay and to maintain a full-fledged devotion to Christ. But, our Lord, in his grace, gladly welcomes us back into his fold as we return to him in faith and repentance. Follow Peter's example, not Judas's when dealing with your sin.

In the third video of our summer study series on the disruptions of Christian history, we discuss the Council of Nicea and the effects of it in Christian history. Join us as we think about the development of the doctrine of the Trinity and the connection between the Church and the Roman Empire.

Do you think Satan is currently at work in our our world today? You better believe it. He's at work in a variety of ways that primarily manifest themselves in the pursuit of power/authority and in false religion. We discuss it all in Rev. 12-13.

Faith seeks understanding. Those who encounter Christ and seek to know him more fully through faith will find him — the one for whom their hearts long. This is by the design of God. Everyone has the responsibility to seek him out, but only those who actually do will find him. The Parable of the Sower is a great illustration of this great reality.

The term everlasting life in John 3:16 refers to a life that continues on after death with God in heaven and that becomes the possession of the believer in the here and now. This everlasting life has both a quantitative and qualitative aspect. The life is eternal in quantity. It never ends. It is also qualitative in that it entails: fellowship with Christ, partaking in Christ’s love, partaking in Christ’s peace, partaking in Christ’s joy.

Paul concludes his communication with the congregation in Thessalonica by asking them why they aren't busy serving Christ. Some of them had embraced idleness and became drains on the congregation's life. They caused division by their constant unwelcomed involvement in the lives of their fellow Church members. Paul gives them a stern warning to get busy serving Christ.

Why has the Christian Church historically celebrated the Day of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit? Because it is the defining moment in Church History that tells us who we are and why we do the things we do. Join us as we discuss the Holy Spirit's Power, the preaching of men led by the Spirit, and the new life and community that the Spirit brings into the lives of those whom He has called to himself.

As Solomon took over the reins of his father's kingdom, he had much to consider and do. But first, he went to worship God because worshipping God is the singularly most important thing for any man or woman of God to do. Nothing can be accomplished until we devote ourselves to worship Christ.

There is blessing for the Christians who gather to worship their God weekly. Four of them are: 1. Being drawn into God's Presence and Praise;2. A Renewal of our Commitment to our Covenant-keeping God;3. The Privilege of Remembering God's Forgiving Grace; and4. The Shared Fellowship we have with each other.

Should I beware of amassing riches? Yes. We store up treasures on earth to satisfy our insecurities and fears. But storing riches in this life is a foolish endeavor. We are to use our resources to bless others, while living open-handedly.

We are called by our Lord Jesus to be a public witness to his glory and grace to the nations. How do we do that? We spread the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and disciple men, women, and children in the Christian faith throughout the whole world. There is no question about this call to mission in the Bible, especially none in Matthew's gospel. Join us as we work through Matthew 24:3-14 and Matthew 28:18-20 to see our call to take the gospel to the nations.

The last parable in Luke 15 is a story about two sons. One leaves home and returns after a loose life, and the other stays home. Neither of them loves their father; they just want his stuff. But the father's love for both never wavers. He remains committed to providing all they need or want. 

There are lessons in the small things. Do not despise them. Rather, trust the Lord in them. Walk in faith and repentance. Treat people as Jesus treats them, and see them as he does.

How do we relate to our government? We do it properly by taking responsibility for ourselves, living virtuous lives, and participating in our republic. It's that simple.

All of human history is moving toward the establishment of Christ's kingdom on earth. He is already on the throne and reigning, even though the nations conspire and rage against Him. We are to find comfort and confidence in His reign over all creation.

Is seeing really believing, or is there more to belief than sight? John walks us up a staircase of evidence to show us that our faith is rooted in the historical reality of Jesus's resurrection. We do not have blind faith; rather, our faith understands and seeks deeper understanding.

True worship is the only proper response to the glory of Jesus in our lives. His early disciples worshipped him submissively, sacrificially, publicly, missionally, and actively. They were unified in their praise of HIm.

We are the light of the world and a reflection of Jesus for the world to see. We season and preserve the world by shining brightly for Christ. It's our calling.

The Church is the holy people of God, a royal priesthood. We have the wonderful privilege of testifying to His glory and living as His people.

We rest in the Lord while He does the work of restoration. He is the One on whom all things depend.

Buddhism is a practice that leads to nirvana instead of a belief system that leads to eternal salvation.

We studied Exodus 7 and learned that God has an eternal decree and executes it through the acts of creation and providence.

Christians do everything that they do for the glory and purpose of the Lord Jesus Christ. We do everything in His name and in His service.

God sends Moses and Aaron to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go to the wilderness so they could worship their Creator. Pharaoh refused.

Our ultimate goal is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. How do we do that? Great question. We do it by devoting our lives to God as living sacrifices for His glory.

John leaves us with a decision at the conclusion of His gospel. Believe in Jesus, follow Him, and live eternally, or don't. The choice is yours.

Jesus's resurrection brings life to those who follow Him. There is blessing for those who believe without seeing.

At the conclusion of his life, Jesus uttered, "It is finished." His work on earth was done. The moment had come to offer His life for His people.

The irony of John 18:25-19:16 is that the King of Glory is judged by the world He came to save based upon the world's definition of truth.

The unity among God's people testifies to the unity of the godhead. We are to witness to God's glory by the way we love and support one another.

What makes Christianity so unique on the world's stage? Grace. What makes society's built upon Christianity different from others? Freedom. Why is this the case? Because God loves his people and lifts them out of their sin and darkness. He ensures we flourish.

Jesus's glory is revealed in the prayer he prayed for his disciples at the end of his life. Eternal life is in knowing Him as Lord.

Christ is the center all things because He is God and the redeemer of His people. He's the Head of His Church both now and forevermore. 

God fixed the sin problem we created by reconciling us to Himself in Christ Jesus. He is the God-man who offered Himself in our place.

Muslims practice their religion in submission to Allah. There are five pillars to the faith that must be upheld, and we discuss them in this lesson

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in chapter 11 to prepare His disciples for His own coming resurrection. The irony of this story is found in the fact that as one man is raised to life, another is marked for death.

Jesus deliberately delayed coming to Lazarus's bedside, out of love. Also, the human emotions of Mary, Martha, and Jesus were real.