In this series, we will see how closely linked our worship is to our witness. We will see that our worship and witness is foundational, transformational, relational, missional and reproducible to our faith. This series is loosely based on the book, The Great Commission to Worship by David Wheeler and Vernon M Whaley
September 4, 2016 |
John 4:7-42 |
discipleship
We are all worshipping, but sadly many are worshipping false idols which leave us in lack or with a void. We put our hopes and dreams and affections in things that neither help us nor ground us in anything. Right worship puts the foundation in our lives. Some of us put worship on this day or in this box, we put our witness in this box, but the call to Christ is a completely de-compartmentalized life of worship. The truth is everyone worships something and everyone bears witness to that worship, but God has called us to a specific worship and witness.
In the gospel of John, Jesus revealed Himself to a Samaritan woman as the only foundational way to worship and witness God. We can receive Jesus as the only true foundation for our worship and witness.
People today are looking for authenticity. They want something real. And they have a deep seated need for relationships, for community. Whether they recognize it or not, God has made all of us with a deep desire for a relationship with Him and with one another. We long for authentic community. In the book of Acts, Luke described the “authentic community” of the first century church. He said they were marked by four “devotions.” They were: a shared faith, a shared family, a shared food, and a shared focus. We can experience this authentic community when we pursue these four devotions.
Don't you wish kids came with an owners manual? Many times, we try to parent in our own strength and not rely on the Lord for our wisdom and strength. In this series, we will learn how to Receive our children from the Lord, Raise them up into the Lord, and then Release them back to the Lord.
August 1, 2016 |
1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 |
parenting
Parents have questions… Practical questions like: How and when should I discipline my child? How do I get them potty trained? And spiritual questions like: When is my child old enough to confess faith in Christ? What about baptism and the Lord’s Supper? How can I be sure that they are saved? In answering these questions, we have God’s Word as our guide, but we must also take into account the child’s level of maturity. Have you noticed that every child is unique? No two are the same. And as they grow, they change. So the parenting style that seemed effective when they were small, doesn’t work when they’re older. These differences need different parenting styles.
In his first letter to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul told them that he had been willing to parent according to their situation, sometimes gentle and affectionate like a mother and sometimes strong like a father in order to release them to live up to God’s calling. We can parent our children following God’s Word to match our child’s situation with a goal of releasing them to the Lord.
July 24, 2016 |
Ephesians 6:1-4 |
parenting
What is your parenting approach? Where did you learn how to be a mom or dad? Was it from your parents? From friends or a book? Or are you just winging it? The apostle Paul told the Ephesians how to raise up their children according to God’s plan. As Christians, we can follow God’s Word in the training of our children and raise them up to maturity according to God’s intent.
July 17, 2016 |
Psalm 127 |
parenting
Don’t you wish kids came with an owners manual? Many times, we try to parent in our own strength and not rely on the Lord for our wisdom and strength. In Psalm 127, Solomon wrote about the necessity of recognizing the Lord as the One builds families and watches over them, so that we receive our children and how to parent them from the Lord.
July 10, 2016 |
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 |
exposition
What’s your life goal? Do you have one? What do you think God’s goal for your life is? Would you like to know? What is God’s goal for your life? That you become like Christ. Born again with a new nature, becoming like Jesus, so that you might be ready for Christ’s return. In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he closed the letter with final instructions on how they might cooperate with God’s goal for them to be sanctified and ready for Christ’s return.
July 3, 2016 |
1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11 |
end times, exposition
Have you ever had to face the death of loved one? Do you know the grief of such loss? Do ever feel discouraged by the increasing trouble in this world? Did you know that the Lord has a word for you to help you face such days? Including the Day of all days? In these passages of 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5, Paul tells the believers of Thessalonica that they can be ready to face the Day of the Lord. We too can be ready to face the Day of Christ’s return.
