OUTLINE: “This is a difficult statement”Jesus had no reservations challenging His disciples. A good under-shepherd ought to confidently follow His example. An unchallenged sheep is one who doesn’t grow. When Jesus said, “My yoke is easy” (Mt 11:30), it was a relativestatement. Difficult messages force us to face our convictions, stimulating growth in us.Love Takes RisksA […]
Part 18 – The Lord Is Our Confidence Read More »
OUTLINE: Ac 17:11 ASVNow these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.Ac 17:11 AMPNow these [Jews] were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and
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OUTLINE: “equipping the saints”It’s not a pastor’s job to spoon feed his sheep. It’s his job to push them to “work out their own salvation with fear and trembling” (Php 2:12b), often challenging them with “difficult” messages. The true test lies with the disciple, not the teacher. <— Learn this! “Give a man a fish and he eats
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There are two kinds of obedience: that which is done in love and that which is not. The litmus test is how we treat others. If our obedience forms an impenetrable outer crust, we have failed. If our obedience is a light that guides the way for the lost and the weak, then we have
A Cold Shell of Obedience Read More »
OUTLINE: Faith comes from persistent, humble seeking.The Value of WisdomDo you value wisdom enough to seek for it diligently? (Mt 13:44-46; Lk 11:5-10) Ps 23:4 [Amplified Classice]Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff
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OUTLINE: The Source of ConfidenceWe have confidence in the things we fear the most. Ask yourself, why would we have confidence in them in the absence of fear? We have confidence that there’s something to fear/respect, something real and powerful (e.g., God). Fear Is a Learned BehaviorInjury is an experience, something we learn about. Once
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OUTLINE: The Source of ConfidenceWe have confidence in the things we fear the most. Ask yourself, why would we have confidence in them in the absence of fear? We have confidence that there’s something to fear/respect, something real and powerful (e.g., God). Fear Is a Learned BehaviorInjury is an experience, something we learn about. Once
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TODAY’S VERSE: John 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). In prep school we recently taught a special lesson from a homework assignment given to the students. They were asked to read John 1 and come
KIDS’ CORNER: A New Name Read More »
I know a lot of people who were abused as children. If it wasn’t abuse of the physical, psychological, or sexual sort, it was minimally some category of neglect. It’s no wonder why so many people are burdened with scars, both literal and figurative, that often seem inescapable. In many cases, this permanency proves true, even though
Emotional Salvation Isn’t Enough Read More »
OUTLINE: A Beautiful WillingnessIf Jesus, our Great Shepherd, loved the way He did, what kind of love do you think He endows His under-shepherds with? If these men are your examples to “imitate” (Heb 13:7), don’t you think He gives you access to this same love? Php 2:2-3make my joy complete by being of the same
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