Have you ever played the party game, “Would You Rather”? It’s a conversational game that multiple people play which usually ends in a lot of contorted faces, chin scratching, and laughs (hopefully). The game is played by posing a dilemma in the form of a question beginning with “would you rather”. Typically, the dilemma is […]
OUTLINE: Why It’s Easier to Encourage a Mature Believer (Blog – 9/16/22)As a pastor, I have been given authority to teach Holy Scripture. I have authority to teach obedience. A mature person understands that whenever I’m teaching obedience, I’m actually encouraging them into the sphere of God’s love.Authority-OrientationThe human flesh hates the idea of submitting to
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OUTLINE:Why It’s Easier to Encourage a Mature Believer (Blog – 9/16/22)As a pastor, I have been given authority to teach Holy Scripture. I have authority to teach obedience. A mature person understands that whenever I’m teaching obedience, I’m actually encouraging them into the sphere of God’s love.Authority-OrientationThe human flesh hates the idea of submitting to anyone
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I taught the following important principle from my pulpit this week, “The greatest thing I can ever encourage you to do is to obey God.” I have come to believe this after years of studying Holy Scripture. Some might argue that this seems too simple; however, if you understand how God sanctifies His children, it
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OUTLINE:Obedience always implies submission to an authority. Heb 13:17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.EncouragementThe end goal of worldly
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OUTLINE:Lk 14:26“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”1Co 14:33For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.The Context of 1Co 14:33God is not in the business of
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Jesus said: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” -John 15:1-2 As is always the case when reading scripture, we must define the terms.
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KEY PRINCIPLES FROM THIS MESSAGE: Our Position of Spiritual Strength If we are not residing in the sphere of love with God, we cannot fulfill His commands to love. Jn 13:34, 15:12, 1Co 8:3, Gal 4:6-9 When you truly realize and believe that God loves you, by grace, and He’s never unfaithful and He will never
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OUTLINE: What Does It Mean to Be in Love?Blog – 9/2/22 Identifying Godly LoveThe most distinguishing feature of godly love is its inexhaustible desire to give. Love Becomes UsLove is not only becoming – love BECOMES us. In other words, love is the lifeblood of who we are in Christ, as God’s children. We are
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Two unbelievers say, “We want to get married right away!” You ask, “Why?” With a quizzical look, they say, “Because, we’re so in love, of course!” You press on, “What do you mean by ‘in love’?” “Huh?” At this point, they both become visibly agitated. “Exactly my point,” you say… For the record, I’m not
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