Be not afraid! Christ’s commandment to his disciples and his instructions in this passage give them the assurance they need for the challenges ahead. Assurance of salvation through the substitutionary life, death, and resurrection of Christ provides believers with a solid foundation to live this present life in the life of the one to come. Not only are we safe in Christ but we are also commanded to share the way with those who do not know Christ yet and given prayer as a communication lifeline to make sure we are able to access the resources of our Heavenly Father at any time. Through Christ, heaven is just one call away! Because the Lord is our shepherd, we will lack nothing.
Sermon Category: English
Ready for More ::: The Spiritual Law of Diminishing Returns
God’s ministry is not accomplished by human power or human strength but by the power of God’s Spirit (Zechariah 4:1). Believers and unbelievers alike must struggle with the urges of the flesh and its cravings, but the big difference is that believers have the power of God’s Spirit to overcome the flesh even though sometimes we may stumble and fall. In this passage, we will see the contrast between Judas and Peter as examples of the law of spiritual diminishing returns. When we rely on our flesh, even if it is with good intentions, the results we get will eventually be counterproductive to the work of Christ. In the Kingdom of God is not simply personal effort or good intentions that count, but obedience in God’s direction.
Ready for More ::: When Less is More
Less of me and more of Jesus is at the heart of true servant leadership. In this beautiful example of self-sacrificial love, Jesus set the paradigm for the future impact of the church revealing that the way to more fruitfulness for God demands that we empty ourselves from our selfish ambition and embrace the humble reliance of a servant. Jesus’ new purpose for his disciples is to go from a community whose highest goal is winning and receiving to a community whose highest goal is serving and giving.
Solomon’s Generation: The Failure of Success
He had it all and lost it all. He lost it all because he confused the success of his accomplishments with the source of his success. At the height of his success and provision, Solomon forgot the clear instructions in the law that had made his kingdom a success. For him, his success proved to be his failure. In these verses, we will reflect on Solomon’s choices that paved the way to his demise as a sobering reminder of our own vulnerability and desperate need for God’s word.
Solomon’s Generation: A King’s Witness
Jealous, hungry, and haughty. These three words capture the response to the gospel of the cities of Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens of the cities in Acts 17. Each one of these reactions sees the gospel differently and each one of these requires a different approach. The first one, Jealousy is an emotional response where the gospel is perceived as a threat. The second one is a spiritual response where the gospel is shown to be the fulfillment of the Scriptures. The third response is an intellectual response where the gospel is disdained as unworthy of serious consideration.
Solomon’s Generation: A King’s Plea (Part 2)
Places and programs are just instruments for people to experience the presence of God. Solomon’s prayer clearly shows that the purpose of the temple was to create sacred space and time for people to have fellowship with God and experience his redemption in spite of their shortcomings. There is plenty of grace in God’s kingdom when we draw close to him. Grace-giving reminds us that when we realize that what we have we received by grace then we must also give by grace so that God may bless those who need his grace.
Solomon’s Generation: A King’s Plea (Part 1)
Places and programs are just instruments for people to experience the presence of God. Solomon’s prayer clearly shows that the purpose of the temple was to create sacred space and time for people to have fellowship with God and experience his redemption in spite of their shortcomings. There is plenty of grace in God’s kingdom when we draw close to him. Grace-giving reminds us that when we realize that what we have we received by grace then we must also give by grace so that God may bless those who need his grace.
Solomon’s Generation: A King’s Dwelling Place
What God commands, God provides. God provided Solomon’s kingdom with the material and spiritual resources to fulfill God’s promise to David to make Israel his dwelling place. The temple and its ministries became an instrument for his glory to dwell with his people and from Israel carry out his redeeming purposes to bless the nations. When we are faithful stewards of God’s resources God honors our faithfulness by using what we have and transforming our meager efforts into an opportunity for his kingdom to come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Solomon’s Generation: A King’s Wisdom and Wealth
Wisdom and wealth provide a strong foundation for a prosperous nation but material prosperity needs to be filtered through the lens of biblical truth if it is to accomplish God’s eternal goals. When we receive God’s blessings it is easy to forget whose blessings those are and this forgetfulness is the beginning of our demise. Count your blessings, don’t take these for granted is still a necessary step to fulfilling God’s plans for our generation.