Guarding Ourselves From Rocky Ground Hearing
I recently preached a message on the Parable of the Soils from Mark 4. As much as I could, I tried to get the congregation to understand that we all, even believers, are susceptible to various levels of resistance to the Word of God. Every believer has the potential, at any moment, to walk according to the flesh and not by the Spirit. (Gal. 5:16-17) Oftentimes we do. In the church, the most common soil I experience is that of the stony ground. You remember, it’s the one where Jesus said that the seed immediately sprung up, but when the sun came up that very day, what had sprung up quickly burned up and withered away. Jesus interpreted that as the person who hears the Word of God, seemingly with joy, but that joy is only temporary. Jesus goes on to say that...
Read MoreA Personal Great Commission Resurgence
I preached a message to remind my church of our Mission: to Make Disciples. It was on Jesus' mind as He arose from the grave. It was on His lips as He met with His disciples before He ascended into heaven. Jesus knew what He wanted when He summoned them to that mountain that day.
Read MoreHow Can I Remain Faithful
Sermon Notes THEME: Battle against worldliness. How can we remain faithful in a pagan land? Why should we? The Israelites and their prophets asked that question. Psalm 137 asks, “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land.” We find four young men who are among a host of Judeans who find themselves in a strange land, in a strange culture… - Being taught a different worldview - Being influenced by different religions - Being expected to conform to different values We must trust in the sovereignty of God even in the most difficult circumstances. (1-2) Nebuchadnezzar – the general of the Babylonian army; laid siege to Jerusalem (605 B.C.) As king, led Babylonian renaissance; military conquest, cultural resurgence; bldg. projects;...
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