“A FAITHFUL FATHER” Acts 12:1-19 Introduction – Nothing Gold Can Stay The Suffering Church King Herod The death of James the brother of John If one is good two must be better – the arrest of Peter The delay The church earnestly praying The “Myth of Control” The Church The Father Loves All we have […]
“I WAS JUST WONDERING… WHY DO YOU SAY YOUR RELIGION IS RIGHT AND EVERYONE ELSE’S IS WRONG?” John 14:1-7 Introduction – Uncommon Decency “World Religions” had come to that quaint Dutch village. And they have come in full force to our neighborhoods. When I was a child my family prayed regularly for the people out […]
“THE GREATER POWER” Acts 8:9-25 Introduction – Two Questions Does your life get messy at times? How about your church? Samaria A 1000 Year War Jesus & Samaritans John Stott – “It is hard to conceive the boldness of the step Philip took in bringing the Gospel to Samaria.” Simon Magus The Cat in the […]
“I WAS JUST WONDERING… WHY DO YOU HATE HOMOSEXUALS SO MUCH?” Luke 7:36-50 Introduction – None needed? Surveying The Landscape Prophetic Types Progressive Types Pastoral Types Jesus, Sexuality, and Righteousness What Jesus Puts First What Jesus Challenges Simon (and us) to “see” Where Do We Go From Here? (Some Practical Challenges) Recognize the Difference Between […]
“THE MIRACLE OF CHURCH” Acts 6:1-7 Introduction – Miracles in the Bible The Problem(s)in Jerusalem (And Byron Center) The First Problem – Forgotten Widows A little Background – Hebraic Jews & Grecian Jews A few words about “culture” A telling word A Second Problem – Complaining “goggusmus” A stern reminder A cautionary tale The Miracle […]
“I WAS JUST WONDERING…CAN I BE A CHRISTIAN AND A DEMOCRAT?” James 1:26-27 Introduction – Things you should never talk about in public… I was Just Wondering… Can I Be A Christian And A Democrat? An opening story The James of the book of James James and his Monday Christianity 26 Those who consider themselves […]
“ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA” Acts 5:1-11 Introduction – All Kinds of Bible Stories… The Story of Ananias & Sapphira Imitation the highest form of flattery – Acts 4:36, 37 The tangled web of our lies – the melon farmer Sam Harris – Lying A wasteland of embarrassment and social upheaval can be neatly avoided by following […]
“THE FINANCIAL TEN COMMANDMENTS – Part 2” Various Passages Introduction – Promises, Promises Thou Shalt… Remember who the owner and the blesser is (it’s all grace) Embrace your work (as not only a means to make ends meet, but as a way to honor and serve the Lord) Be wary of debt Teach your children […]