Sermons and Articles
Reading: John 14:1-14
Life can be very difficult, and life as a Christian is no exception. Yet, it is when the going gets really tough that the Lord strengthens our hearts with hope. It is a hope that reassures us as He offers us a sure way to God and points us toward a glorious time of celebration and an eternity of fellowship with Him and with one another. This sermon offers answers we all desperately need, especially when we experience the sorrows of this life.
You Shall Be Holy
Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-23
All too many people today feel that their life is futile and meaningless. How or where can we find meaning? Why do we have so much conflict, and so many broken relationships? The answers are available, and were provided through the apostle Peter. It is a matter of the heart, a matter we cannot afford to ignore.
The Ultimate Renewal
Reading: Acts 11:1-18
More than just an historical event, Peter's meeting with Cornelius marked a turning point in the life of the early church, and carries many teachings even for us today. It speaks to prejudice, to gossip, to conflict, and calls us to live the amazing renewal that the Lord has freely offered to us. It calls us to be true Christians at the core, rather than just playing the role. It is a vital message for all of us.
Reading: John 13:31-35
Is the love we so often talk about nothing more than syrupy sentimentalism? Or is there much more to it? What does it really mean to be disciples of Jesus Christ? What really is that love He commanded us to express? Where does it come from? And what does it have to do with our daily living?
Reading: Luke 9:28-36
What was the purpose of the transfiguration? Why did Peter not understand it at first? What does the example of Jesus teach us about service and faith? Do we trust God enough to surrender our life to Him? These and other important questions are answered in this short passage of the Gospel of Luke in a way that resonates with us today as well.
Reading: John 20:19-31
In the middle of the fear, the stress and the grief of the recent events, the apostles were presented with a truth that was hard to grasp: the resurrection. One of them like many of us had doubts, and he stands before Christ to represent us and our questions. Thanks to him, we have real answers, as well as important lessons about our faith.
Reading: John 20:1-21
Through the experience of Mary Magdalene, the Lord invites us to come to the tomb to realize the implications of His resurrection for our life. Have you come to the tomb? Is He alive in you? These are vital questions that can make a radical difference in our life. The answers will change the way we face life and growth in the Lord.
Reading: Ephesians 4:25-32
We live in an amazing paradox: in an age of communication explosion, most people are unsatisfied with their interpersonal communication. What is the origin of communication problems? What kinds of problems are most typical, and what does the Word of God tell us about it? How can we use sound communication to establish God honoring relationships?
Reading: James 3:1-12
Imagine having a razor sharp sword in your hands. Would you wield it wildly, blindly, everywhere around you? Of course not! Such a sword is dangerous, potentially lethal, and its use requires serious thought and consideration. Whether it is used for good or for harm will largely depend on the state of the heart of the individual using it. Now, take the "S" out of the "SWORD" ... what do you have? Our words are potentially just as dangerous, and need to be used with the same care and thoughtfulness as a very sharp tool.
Reading: 2 Timothy 1:3-7
We have all experienced some fear, and in fact there is a fear that is quite good to have. But what about the fear that cripples and enslaves us? Scripture tells us that God has not given us a spirit of cowardice and fear, but of power and love and discipline. God has given us the resources we need, and Scripture can indeed help us understand the nature of our fears and what we can do to tame this enemy that attacks us from within.We have all experienced some fear, and in fact there is a fear that is quite good to have. But what about the fear that cripples and enslaves us? Scripture tells us that God has not given us a spirit of cowardice and fear, but of power and love and discipline. God has given us the resources we need, and Scripture can indeed help us understand the nature of our fears and what we can do to tame this enemy that attacks us from within.
Reading: Matthew 5:43-48
What do you do if someone always rubs you the wrong way? Is there anything in the Bible that tells us how we should handle difficult people? How should we respond? Should we be assertive, defensive, avoiding? Jesus gave us some very simple, yet profound instructions which are general enough to embrace just about every situation.
Reading: John 4:1-26
It's unmistakably familiar: we are tired, drained, desperately looking for something that may satisfy. It's like being in the middle of a desert, begging for something that may quench our thirst. Then, someone comes to us, and offers us crystal, clean, fresh and life-giving water....
Reading: Luke 6:27-38
It's not fair! So many times unfairness strikes us. How should we respond? Should we "make it right?" Should we get even? Jesus was quite clear in teaching us how to respond.
2 Kings 5:10-15; James 1:19-20
Anger is something we all share. It is a powerful emotion all too often unleashed in destructive ways. Now that we understand the nature of anger, we need to learn how to process our anger biblically and constructively, for the glory of God, rather than in sinful and destructive ways. Scripture guides us in this process.
Proverbs 29:22; Ephesians 4:26-32
Anger is something we all all familiar with. It is a powerful emotion with a great deal of potential for good as well as for harm. Unfortunately, this powerful emotion is just as misunderstood as it is common. It is vital, then, that we shed light on this important topic, and understand our anger.
John 3:14-21
Are we really under judgment like many people seem to say? Are we afraid of God because of the way we think He is going to judge us? A conversation with Niccodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, led to the sharing of the gospel by the very One who made it all possible: Jesus. The famous statement uttered by Jesus about the love of God was also the prelude to His comments about judgment: comments that are vital for us to understand.
John 3:14-21
Are we really under judgment like many people seem to say? Are we afraid of God because of the way we think He is going to judge us? A conversation with Niccodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, led to the sharing of the gospel by the very One who made it all possible: Jesus. The famous statement uttered by Jesus about the love of God was also the prelude to His comments about judgment: comments that are vital for us to understand.
Matthew 7:21-29
An amazing journey that only begins to show us our inheritance in Christ, an inheritance that really takes eternity and infinity to actually grasp. This sermon will give you a new profound, amazing, breathtaking reason for which you can fully trust God even in the midst of the worst times.
I Am Willing!
Mark 1:40-45
How do we look at God in our times of need? Do we regard Him as unwilling, needing to be coerced into coming to help us? Do we expect Him to do our bid, and fulfill every desire of ours? Or do we see Him for who He really is, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, who loves us and gives Himself for us, even now? His words, "I am willing" will challenge your perspective of our Lord and of what Christianity really means.
Matthew 6:24-34
For decades, anxiety has been recorded to be the number one emotional problem in the US. Regarding worry, a study has revealed that only 8% of the people had genuine concerns for things that required their attention. Worry and anxiety, however, are certainly not a new problem, and this passage helps us understand the foundational nature of this common problem, and what can be done about it.
