When sin entered the world, alienation and hostility began to characterize mankind’s relationship with God. Left to our natural selves, our eyes are blind to true beauty, our minds are hostile to God, and we are dead in our trespasses and sins. This succinctly describes our desperate condition before our hearts are opened to believe. … Continue reading The Power of God in a Manger and God on a Cross
The Fear of the Lord
How do we navigate life well and all of its decisions with God’s wisdom? Many will say: “Listen to your heart.” Just a few verses earlier in Proverbs 14 we read: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Our hearts can and often deceive us … Continue reading The Fear of the Lord
Do You Believe the Bible is God’s Word?
There are forces afoot today that would cause you and me to doubt the veracity, authority, and sufficiency of the Bible as God’s Word. This phenomenon is not unique to our time. Recall the tactics of the ancient serpent in his temptation of Eve in Genesis 3: “Did God really say?...” Therefore, it behooves us … Continue reading Do You Believe the Bible is God’s Word?
The King’s Cure for Hypocrisy – A Prayer Guide through Matthew 23
Here is a tool to pray through the dangers, the burden, the root, and the cure for hypocrisy. It is a challenge we all face! https://app.box.com/s/im3x6koeuucwqyqqhqqhf6xxuqgy4n8l
A Burden-bearing God!
"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens" (Psalm 68:19). How wonderful it is to know that our God is a burden-bearing God. What is the burden you are carrying today? By prayer, you can cast it upon the Lord who promises to sustain you (Psalm 55:22). Jesus invites … Continue reading A Burden-bearing God!
The Ancient Sacrifice – Humility
The poet Rudyard Kipling wrote the following words in 1897, as an admonition to the British Empire against pride: “The tumult and the shouting dies; the captains and the kings depart. Still stands thine ancient sacrifice, a humble and a contrite heart.” When Kipling spoke of a contrite heart as an “ancient sacrifice,” he was … Continue reading The Ancient Sacrifice – Humility
The Wedding Feast of the King
This coming Sunday our sermon will focus on "The Wedding Feast of the King" from Matthew 22:1-14. (Click the highlighted text to read the Scripture passage.) Here is a comment on the above passage from J.C. Ryle to prepare your heart to hear God's Word: "A certain man made a great banquet, and invited many." This is the … Continue reading The Wedding Feast of the King
MINE vs. YOURS
Sin has a way of turning us inward. It causes us to live as owners rather than stewards. Our preferred pronouns become: Me and mine. Have a visit with any two-year-old if you doubt this reality. The gospel of Jesus Christ not only transforms how we view ourselves but also how we view everything we … Continue reading MINE vs. YOURS
Praying Scripture | Matthew 21:28–46
Our sermon text this morning is Matthew 21:28-46. Here is a prayer guide through this wonderful text that contains two parables of Jesus. Preparation: Pray and Read Through Your Passage Record your prayer for God’s help. Father, it is a marvel that you transform the lives of broken people and grant them the privilege of … Continue reading Praying Scripture | Matthew 21:28–46
Confessing Our Calculated Efforts at Serving King Jesus
Loving Father, You sent Your Son to rescue us from a life of self-absorption. Yet we fall short of Your callto do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. You asked for our hands that You might use them to serve others We gave them for a momentthen withdrew them for the work was … Continue reading Confessing Our Calculated Efforts at Serving King Jesus
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