June 26, 2016 |
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 |
exposition
Who are you trying to please? Is it your parents, your spouse, your kids, your neighbors or friends? What about God? Do you care whether God is pleased with your life? Another way of asking this is: Do you want God’s will for your life? Do you want to live to fulfill God’s will and calling on your life? In chapter four of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he instructed the believers to live in a way that would please God as they await the return of His Son, Jesus.
June 19, 2016 |
1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 |
exposition
How is your faith today? Are you going through a trial, a time of difficulty? Is your faith growing and secure? Or has your faith weakened in the face of hardship? What does it mean to stand firm in Christ? How can we not only stand firm but grow in our faith in Jesus and in His soon return when times seem to be getting worse? In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he taught the believers how they could stand firm in Christ while looking for His return. We can stand firm together.
June 12, 2016 |
1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 |
exposition
In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he told the believers that they could live a life worthy of God’s call to His kingdom and glory. We can live lives worthy of God’s call to His kingdom and glory. The text found in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 gives four marks of those who live worthy of God’s call.
June 5, 2016 |
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 |
end times, exposition
In the apostle Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul expressed his thanks to God for their readiness for Christ’s return. He listed three attributes of how they were “being ready.” We can be ready for Christ’s return. In today’s text, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, we will see three attributes of how to be ready for Christ’s return.
May 29, 2016 |
Acts 20:17-28 |
character study, faith
In the book of Acts, we see that God used the relentless faith of Paul to expand and establish the church in the 1st century. We can learn from Paul how to have a faith that allows us to live for Christ, redefine our life’s value, and to care for the church.
May 22, 2016 |
Luke 1:26-38 |
character study, faith
In the book of Luke, God spoke through the angel Gabriel to Mary to announce that she would give birth to a son who would be the Messiah, the Son of God. Mary willingly received and believed God’s Word. She became a willing vessel of God’s Word. We can have a faith like Mary’s that willing receives and believes God’s Word.
May 15, 2016 |
Luke 5:1-11 |
character study, faith
In the book of Luke, Jesus called Peter to make a bold step of faith to leave everything and follow Him. Peter decided to boldly follow Jesus. We can have the same kind of faith as Peter. Jesus is calling each of us to follow Him.
May 9, 2016 |
Ruth 1:15-18 |
character study, faith
In the book of Ruth, the Moabite widow named Ruth put her faith in the redeeming power of the God of Israel to rescue and redeem her and her mother-in-law Naomi. We can have faith in the redeeming power of God today. The text gives three steps on how to have a redeeming faith like Ruth’s.
May 1, 2016 |
Acts 13:22-23 |
character study, faith
One of the great heroes in the Bible was the Shepherd King named David. He is the only one in Scripture to be called a “man after God’s own heart.” There are more chapters in the Old Testament about David than anyone else. And this poet, musician, shepherd, warrior, king has more mentions in the New Testament than any other Old Testament figure. Yet, David wasn’t perfect. He was a man after God’s heart, but still a man nonetheless. David was zealous, humble and focused, yet he was still a sinner. The real beauty and purpose of his life is how it points to Jesus, the real hero of the Bible and of all creation.
April 24, 2016 |
1 Samuel 15:22-23 |
character study, faith
In the book of 1 Samuel, we see in Samuel’s life how God cares about the condition of our heart and the object of our obedience. We can have obedient faith like Samuel by trusting Christ to give us a new heart that is in submission to His will. Our text today gives us three ways to have obedient faith like Samuel.
