growth

Resolute

Sermon given at Mt. Pleasant COG on 12/29/19

In 2020, let the body of Christ be united in one New Year’s Resolution…

To take life SLOW!

SLOW stands for:

S-Serve.
Serve God, serve one another, and serve our communities, fulfill the Great Commission to “make disciples” Matthew 28:19-20 and remembering Colossians 3:23-24.

L-Love. Love God, love one another, love your neighbor. Remember that is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-40

O-Obey.
Obey God’s precepts and commands found in the only inspired authoritative source of revelation from God. His Word. If there is a conflict between God’s Word and our cultural standards, God’s Word wins. If there is a conflict between His Word and another culture’s standards, God’sWord wins. We must season the truth with LOVE, not driving unbelievers further from grace and shouldn’t expect those who do not have a relationship with God to obey the commandments that God established for his children, but as his Children, we should obey our Father’s will. ‘By this we know that we love the children of God: whenever we love God and obey his commandments.’ 1 John 5:2 NET

W-Worship.
Worship our Father in heaven, worship his Son, Jesus, our Savior, worship the Holy Spirit inside us, who helps us and guides us. Worship through love, prayer, work, service, obedience, song, teaching, learning… Remembering again Colossians 3:23-24. Everything we can do is an act of Worship. Remember worship equals service and personal sacrifice.

Here is our New Year’s Resolution…

Take it SLOW. Act SLOW. Be SLOW.
Be purposeful, determined, and unwavering; Be resolute; to SLOW up!

7 Things Christians Should Give Up to Reach Unchurched People

https://churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-articles/299772-christians-give-reach-unchurched-people-carey-nieuwhof.html

Living Worship

The Spirit of the Lord really spoke today at Mt. Pleasant COG.

Buckle up, today’s sermon is 57 minutes… However, this is a topic God himself is passionate about, and so am I, worshipping him in all we do!

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ!” Colossians 3:23-24 NLT

We were made to worship, and we will worship something… God wants all our worship!

Please note, 1 Peter 4:16 is referenced during the sermon… However, that is a typo in my notes. The verse is 1 Peter 4:11.

Spiritual Maturity: 5 Signs You DON’T Have It

https://churchleaders.com/smallgroups/small-group-articles/253823-spiritual-maturity-5-signs-dont.html

Living Faith

Sermon given at Casey White Oak Church of God on 09/22/19.

The world is watching and wants to know if we, as Christians, can authentically live out our faith. They are quick to point out our hypocrisy and the abundance of media and social media makes it very easy to spin doctor our words and actions to point out that hypocrisy.

In light of this, knowing we are sinners in need of a savior, flawed people trying to serve a perfect God, how can we live as salt, light, and leaven to the glory of our God?

Have faith, do good, show love, and do the next right thing!

Listen to see how this plays out in our Christian walk.

Purpose in Pain

One of the great questions we, as humans, always have in regards to God, is this…

If there is a loving God, why is there some much pain and suffering in the world?

One answer is obvious, free will and sin. We are free to make any choice we want and our choices affect others in good ways and bad ways.

There is another answer we don’t talk about a lot… growth.

As human beings, we usually hate change. For better or worse, we are happy not to have to change. We will not change unless our current circumstance becomes unbearable. It is said, pain is the great motivator to change.

Pain, suffering, trials, tribulations, sickness, death, and temptation; all these spur us to change. God’s great purpose is to change us to be conformed to the image of his son, Jesus.

Sometimes, the negative situations we go through are motivation for us to change. Sometimes, it is our responses to these situations that are examples to others of how great our God is, to bring us through the change and to work all things for good.

God, in his sovereignty, allows us to go through all kinds of pain to bring us, and those around us, closer to him.

See also, Romans 8:28-30 and Romans 5:3.

How Can We Nicely Kick Kids Out of Church?

Very good and interesting article.

Some months ago, I was preaching at a small congregation and a newer couple had their children with them.

During worship, mom was in the choir and dad had to take the son to the restroom, leaving the young daughter alone in the pew.

She got up, came on the platform and sat down with me… I was so grateful and humbled, she felt safe to sit with me. When dad came back into the sanctuary and saw her, he looked mortified, as did her mom in the choir. I signaled both of them it was okay…

After a song or two, she pointed to mom in the choir and I nodded. She went to mom. It was a wonderful and touching moment.

I addressed the congregation saying, how blessed are the children…? Never be concerned, they are always welcome. They are the future of the church!

https://churchleaders.com/children/childrens-ministry-articles/358422-how-can-we-nicely-kick-kids-out-of-church.html

Savior and Lord

The greatest aspects of our relationship with Jesus are Jesus as Savior and Jesus as Lord. But, spoiler alert, if he isn’t both in our lives, we won’t find all the joy, peace, and contentment that God has in store for us.It’s time to choose a new master!

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