Sun, 3 June 2018
Recently I took our grandkids to an ice cream shop. We got our goodies and sat down outdoors at a picnic table to enjoy them. Our grandson, Forest, finished his ice cream (stuffed with gummy worms) quickly. Apparently he didn’t get his fill. He happened to spot a gummy worm on the ground that someone else had dropped earlier. He reached down, grabbed it, and was about to eat it when I said, “No!”
It broke his heart. He welled up with tears and began to cry. He couldn’t understand it. There was a perfectly, delicious gummy worm that he had found fair-and-square. Now here I was, Grumpy Grampa, denying him the delight of eating it! He didn’t know that it was dirty and covered with germs. From his preschool perspective, this was grossly unfair.
Little did he know what I had planned. On the other side of the “no” was a giant “yes.” I scooped him up in my arms and carried him to the window of the shop for a gift of a whole cup of fresh, clean gummy worms.
I think the Lord must look at us much like I looked at Forest that afternoon. He wants the best for us. But He sees us digging in the dirt for polluted pleasures. He must say to Himself, “If only they could grasp what I intend for them!”
I also think we tend to view the Lord much like Forest must have viewed me that afternoon. We think He is aiming to rob us of pleasure, happiness, and joy when the exact opposite is true.
Psalm 37 drives these lessons home in an unforgettable way. Join me there for this morning’s message.
Songs of the Summer “Gummy Worms and God” Psalm 37:1-4
Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb (37:1-2).
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness(37:3).
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (37:4).
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Sun, 3 June 2018
Canciones que confortan “Aguas con el agua” Salmo 37.1-5
“No te inquietes a causa de los malvados, ni tengas envidia de los que hacen lo malo. Pues como la hierba, pronto se desvanecen;como las flores de primavera, pronto se marchitan.”(37.1-2)
“Confía en el Señor y haz el bien;entonces vivirás seguro en la tierra y prosperarás.”(37.3)
“Deléitateel Señor, yél te concederá los deseos de tu corazón.” (37.4)
Direct download: IBC_20180603_Espanol.mp3
Category:Canciones que confortan -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 27 May 2018
Dwayne Pitre |
Sun, 20 May 2018
Mike Holmes
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Sun, 20 May 2018
Direct download: IBC_20180520_Espanol.mp3
Category:Canciones que confortan -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 13 May 2018
About five years ago a wildly popular song was released. It is entitled simply, “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. You can’t help but smile when you hear the lyrics and the music [may play a snippet].
The official video of the song was released on YouTube on November 21, 2013, and, as of March 2018, it has had over 1 billion views. Maybe its popularity is tied to the fact that everybody wants to be happy.
Here in America we’re so committed to the pursuit of happiness that we put it into the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
But in spite of our longing for it and our pursuit of it, happiness so often eludes us.
Here’s an important truth to grasp: “Pursue happiness and it evades you. Pursue Him--pursue holiness--and happiness comes to you as a by-product.”
God’s word never tells us to pursue happiness but it does promise us happiness, real joy, if we will live according to God’s word.
These principles are laid out for us clearly in God’s word. Let’s open our Bibles to Psalm 1 for a message entitled, “Happy
Songs of the Summer “Happy” Psalm 1
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers” (1:1).
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night (1:2).
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment (1:3-5a).
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Sun, 13 May 2018
Direct download: IBC_20180513_Espanol.mp3
Category:Canciones que confortan -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 6 May 2018
In our nation’s capital is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. For 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, a platoon of 30 honor guards protects the tomb through rain, snow, and even hurricanes! It's been guarded every minute of every day since 1937. The Unknown Soldiers laid to rest at the Tomb represent all missing and unknown service members who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.
Typically a single sentinel at a time guards the tomb, pacing back and forth throughout his watch. The soldier walks exactly 21 steps then pauses for 21 seconds before turning around and continuing his duty. The number 21 is in reference to the 21 gun salute which is the military's highest honor given to a soldier.
When the changing of the guard takes place, orders are passed from one soldier to his relief: Here is the heart of that dialog: " Post and orders, remain as directed.” Orders remain as directed. Their original charge remains their current charge. No change.
There is another tomb—empty now in Jerusalem. Our Lord, after his victorious resurrection, gave orders to his disciples some 2000 years ago and those orders remain as directed!
Do you know what our marching orders are as followers of Christ? Today we will revisit those orders.
Please open your Bibles to Matthew 28:18-20. Bless Every Home “Make Disciples” Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples . . .” (28:18-19a).
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”(28:19-20a).
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (28:20b).
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Sun, 6 May 2018
Bendice cada hogar "haced discípulos" (Mateo 28:18-20
“Jesús se acercó y dijo a sus discípulos: «Se me ha dado toda autoridad en el cielo y en la tierra.Por lo tanto, vayan y hagan discípulos ..." (28:18-19a).
"Por lo tanto, vayan y hagan discípulos de todas las naciones,bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre y del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo.Enseñen a los nuevos discípulos a obedecer todos los mandatos que les he dado." (Mt 28, 19-20a).
"Y tengan por seguro esto: que estoy con ustedes hasta el fin del mundo" (Mt 28, 20b).
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Sun, 29 April 2018
God’s heart is to bless every home. God wants to bless you and, through you, bless others. This is his missiological strategy and has been from time immemorial. Gen. 12:2 says, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”
We are issuing a challenge this month to “bless every home” in our sphere of influence. We do this when we pray for, care for and share with others the story of Jesus.
We bless others when we share the story of what God has done for us. That’s the theme of today’s message. I’m going to relay to you the story of four desperate men who were blessed and became a blessing to others because they shared the story of what God had done on their behalf. This enabled virtually a whole city to experience the abundant goodness of God!
We can experience the same in our lives—receiving and relaying the blessings of God!
Bless Every Home “Share” 2 Kings 7:3-9
Now there were four men who were lepers at the entrance to the gate. And they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die?” (7:3)
If we say, “Let us enter the city,” the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians (7:4a).
But when they came to the edge of the camp of the Syrians, behold, there was no one there . . . . they went into a tent and ate and drank, and they carried off silver and gold and clothing and went and hid them (7:5b, 8b).
Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come; let us go and tell the king's household” (7:9).
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Sun, 22 April 2018
The entire nation of China was rocked in 2011 by an incident involving a single two-year-old Chinese girl named Wang Yue. Her family called her “Little Yue Yue.” She innocently wandered onto a narrow, crowded road in Foshan, Guangdong Province. She was hit by a vehicle, in fact, two. Neither stopped. She lay broken and wounded on the road for more than seven minutes.
During that span of time, eighteen people either walked or cycled past the toddler before a scrap peddler named Chen Xianmei, finally stopped to attend to her injuries. The little girl was whisked to a hospital for treatment but succumbed to her injuries and died eight days later.
The whole incident, including the fact that so many people passed by the little girl and refused to render aid, was captured on a security camera. That footage was uploaded onto the Internet and it quickly stirred widespread reaction in China and even overseas. Many commentators saw this as indicative of a growing apathy in contemporary Chinese society. It has been referred to as China’s “good Samaritan problem”—widespread apathy for the hurting.
But we all know, this is not just a Chinese problem. It’s an American problem. It’s a global problem. It’s an ancient problem, because it is a human problem.
Thankfully our human problems have a divine solution. There is a true “good Samaritan” and we will meet him today. His impact on us can transform even the most cruel or calloused into good Samaritans who care for others.
Bless Every Home “Care” Luke 10:25-37
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead”(10:30).
Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side(10:31-32).
But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion(10:33)
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Sun, 15 April 2018
Oprah Winfrey is an America pop icon. Her rags-to-riches story is remarkable. Her long-time talk show was famous for generous giveaways. While I don’t see eye-to-eye with her on theology and politics, I do admire her giving spirit.
One her most famous giveaways happened when all 276 members of her studio audience were blessed with a new Pontiac G-6 sedan. The cars carried an individual retail price tag of about $28,500.
The last giveaway was to celebrate her 25 years as hostess of the show. Every person in the audience was blessed with an 8-day, all-expense paid vacation to Australia!
Her favorite giveaway was in 2006. Every audience member was blessed with a bank card for $1,000 and a camera. Their assignment was to go home and within one week give that money away in a creative, charitable act and by so doing bless someone else. The camera was to video their respective acts of kindness. That giveaway unleashed some remarkable stories of generosity.
One example was a lady from Illinois named Minnie. She did not know whom she would bless with the $1,000. Upon returning home she learned about a father of nine children who had brain cancer. His name was John Newcomb. She not only was prepared to give that John’s family the $1,000, she rallied other people and businesses in the city to help. Within a week she had raised over $70,000. They paid off the Newcomb’s mortgage, his medical bills, provided groceries, and a two-year college scholarship for their oldest son.
Minnie was blessed to be a blessing. And she complied with that intent!
Did you know that you have been blessed to be a blessing? That is God’s heart and His missiological strategy. He has blessed us so that we might be a blessing.
We are launching today a 4-part sermon series entitled, “Bless Every Home.” Even more than that, what we’re truly hoping is to launch or augment a lifetime of missional living by each of us.
Please open your Bibles to Genesis 12 as we open our hearts to embrace God’s call on our lives to “Bless Every Home.” Bless Every Home Genesis 12:1-3, 8b
Now the Lordsaid to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you . . . (12:1).
And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (12:2-3).
. . . And there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD(12:8b).
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Sun, 8 April 2018
Yogi Berra was a catcher for the New York Yankees. He won 10 World Series and was an 18-time all-star.
But he is probably better known for his “Yogi-isms.” His quotes often mangled the English language in light-hearted ways, but also had a grain of truth in them. Here’s a sampling of five of his finest.
He was so well known for his sayings that sometimes he was given credit for things he didn’t even say. Thus another Yogi-ism: “I never said most of the things I said.”
Here’s one more he said, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” The “Yogi-ness” of that quote is that it is redundant. Déjà vu literally means “already seen.” It’s a feeling that you get that you’ve been in place before. You’ve heard this conversation before. So to say, “Déjà vu all over again” is to say the same thing twice. Classic!
This morning “it’s déjà vu all over again.” We’re going to wrap up the “Final Word” by opening our Bibles to the 21st chapter of John’s gospel. In this story the disciples are going to encounter the risen Lord Jesus and hear his final words. They are words they’ve heard before but that bear repeating. In fact, we too need to hear them again.
It’s déjà vu all over again.
The Final Word “Déjà Vu All Over Again” John 21:1-22
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Sun, 1 April 2018
If you've read any of Mark Twain's famous The Adventures of Tom Sawyer you know that Sawyer was quite the prankster. One time Sawyer convinced friends Huck Finn and Joe Harper to run away. By cover of night, the three left their homes, snuck down to the river, and set out down-river on a raft. They end up on Jackson's Island where have fun pretending to be pirates for several days.
Meanwhile, back at home, their families and the town at large are in state of near hysteria. After a few days they conclude the boys have drowned, and plan their funeral for the following Sunday. Tom quietly returns to town and discovers the plans for the funeral. He returns to the island where he convinces Huck and Joe they should all stay put until the end of the week when they will return to town and march in on their own funerals.
On Sunday almost the entire town gathers at the church building where the preacher leads the sad and grieving crowd in eulogizing and mourning the poor boys whom death has claimed so early in life. The congregation became more and more moved till the whole company broke down and joined the weeping mourners in a chorus of anguished sobs.
At that moment the three boys come through the church doors. They had been listening to their own funeral! The ones who were dead now are alive. Gloom gives way to gladness. Can you imagine attending a funeral and seeing the one for whom you grieve appear in your midst?
That’s exactly what actually happened to the disciples of Jesus. They saw him crucified. They knew that he had been buried. On that first Sunday evening they were gathered in fear, mourning, and bewilderment. Gloom prevailed. But into that room came the risen Lord Jesus and gloom gives way to gladness.
We too can rejoice on this Easter morning because Jesus crashed his own funeral!
The Final Word “From Gloom to Gladness” John 20:19-22
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Sun, 1 April 2018
“Del pesimismo al gozo” Juan 20:19-22
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Sun, 25 March 2018
There is a common sight across the southeast region of the United States. It is a trio of crosses placed in a field near a highway or crossroads. They are the work of a man named Bernard Coffindaffer. He was a veteran of WWII and Iwo Jima. When he came back from the war, he came to know Christ as his savior. He became a successful businessman but never lost his gratitude for what Jesus did for us.
He spent his personal fortune to erect more than 1,800 trios of crosses.
But what is the significance of these three crosses? The Final Word “The Crosses of Calvary” John 19:16b-18
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Thu, 22 March 2018
Tom Watson Jr., CEO of IBM between 1956 and 1971, was a key figure in the information revolution. Watson repeatedly demonstrated his abilities as a leader.
One example of his skill as a leader had to do with a young executive who made some bad decisions that cost the company several million dollars. He was summoned to Watson’s office. He fully expected that he would be fired. As he entered the office, the young executive said to Watson, “I suppose after that set of mistakes you will want to fire me.” Watson was said to have replied, “Fire you?! Not at all, young man, we have just spent a couple of million dollars educating you” (Source: Edgar Schein in his book, Organisational Culture and Leadership).
Watson was telling the young executive that he was more valuable now than before. His failures were not final.
Let’s face it, we have all failed. The devil would have you think that that your failures are final—that you are of no value to the Lord. But that’s a lie. God is too compassionate, too redeeming for that. He says to us, “Your failures need not be final. There is more for you to do!”
The biography of Peter is a case study of the truth that “failure is not final.” Today we will look at Peter’s life and find encouragement for our own.
The Final Word “Failure Is Not Final” John 18:15-18 and 25-27
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Sun, 18 March 2018
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Sun, 11 March 2018
In recent years our nation has been rocked by a string of mass shootings—Stoneman Douglas High School, Charleston, SC, Newton, CT, Virginia Tech, and the list goes on. From these horrific incidents, some touching stories of courage and self-sacrifice have surfaced.
On December 2, 2015 county employees in San Bernadino, CA had gathered for a Christmas party. Two gunmen stormed the center where they were gathered and opened fire on the unsuspecting crowd. In the melee, coworkers Denise Peraza and Shannon Johnson took refuge behind an over-turned chair. Shannon, an old Georgia boy, wrapped his arm around Denise and said, “I got you.” With that, a bullet struck him. He died while sheltering Denise. She credits him with saving her life.
This morning I want to show you that God in Christ would gladly wrap you in His embrace. Despite all that it cost Him, He still says, “I got you. I got you.” John 18:1-11 shows us plainly that He will die that we might live.
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Tue, 6 March 2018
La Carrera de La Fe 2 Timoteo 4:6-8 Hebreos 12:1-2
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Sun, 4 March 2018
I’ve always been fascinated by people’s last words. I heard last week about a Union General during the Civil War. His name was John Sedgwick. He was a respected and high-ranking general. In 1864 he led his troops to Spotsylvania, Virginia for one of the last battles of the war.
Confederate sharpshooters had been peppering the area all morning on May 9, wounding, among others, General William Morris. Staff officers cautioned Sedgwick not to approach the road, but he disregarded their warnings in his desire to encourage his men to face the enemy. When his men warned him to take cover, Sedgwick responded by joking, "They couldn’t hit an elephant at that distance." Just then, a sharpshooter’s bullet crashed into his skull, right below his left eye, killing him instantly.
He was the highest ranking Union officer to be killed during the war.
It’s dangerous to underestimate your enemy. Don’t do it.
Jesus did not do that. He understood full well the spiritual battle in which we are engaged. Because of it he turned to a vital piece of our spiritual arsenal—prayer. We have a record of his prayer offered the night of his greatest battle—just as he faced arrest, trial, and execution. This prayer opens our eyes as nothing else to the deepest longings of Jesus’ heart. It teaches us what He values and how we, too, can overcome the world.
The Final Word “The Real ‘Lord’s Prayer’” John 17:1-26
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Sun, 4 March 2018
La verdadera Oración de Jesús Juan 17:1-26
. b. Ruego por los míos
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Sun, 18 February 2018
Ventaja de los Discípulos Juan 16:6-14a
. b. Jesús confía en ellos (16:1-3)
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Sun, 11 February 2018
I Have Called You Friends John 15:9-17
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. -John 15:15
Friendship starts with God As the father has loved…John 15-9
We need friends because we are created in God’s image Then the Lord God said, “it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”….Genesis 2:18
A friend lets you in No longer do I call you servants….but I have called you friends. John 15:15
Friendship involves sacrifice Greater love has no one that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
The most important question: “Are you a friend of God?” |
Sun, 11 February 2018
La Ultima Palabra Guillermo Mangieri Amigos y Enemigos Juan 15.12-27
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Sun, 4 February 2018
Costco has a great “returns” policy. It is very generous. You can return virtually anything, for any reason, and get a refund. This was put to the test earlier this year.
On January 4, 2018 a woman in Santa Clarita, CA trudged into the local Costco lugging a large, dead, “real” Christmas tree. She made her way through the returns line until she stood before the customer service representative. “I’d like to return this tree.” When asked why, she responded. “Because it’s dead.”
The other customers waiting in line were blown away. One of them, Scott Bentley, took a photo of the lady and her disheveled tree. “I can’t make this stuff up,” he posted on Facebook below the photo.
Time magazine carried the story. In the article it says: “. . . most people tend to accept that trees — once cut down for decorative holiday purposes — have a finite life span. . . . But others seem less willing to accept this unfortunate fact of life.”
It is a fact of life. Roots and fruits are inseparable. Roots and life and flourishing are all inextricably linked. Today Jesus will make this clear to us in John 15:1-11.
The Final Word “Roots and Fruits” John 15:1-11
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Sun, 4 February 2018
La palabra final “Ramas y Frutos” Juan 15: 1-11
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Sun, 28 January 2018
If we are honest, there are moments in life when our hearts are troubled. We get agitated; anxiety and worry overtake us.
Last week we actually talked about some of the common causes for worry. These include: health problems, marriage dynamics, parenting, money, and growing old. We saw that a lot of us are squandering huge hunks of our lives worrying needlessly.
Last Sunday I began a message entitled “Truths for Troubled Hearts” from John 14:1-6. We focused on three truths:
Our focal passage today will be John 14:12-16. This morning’s message will be part 2 of “Truths for Troubled Hearts.” In it Jesus has three more encouraging promises for us to claim—the promise of power, the promise of prayer, and the promise of His presence! Let’s explore and embrace these “truths for troubled hearts.”
The Final Word “Truths for Troubled Hearts” Part 2 John 14:12-16
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Sun, 28 January 2018
Un Dios de Amor, Tiene Hijos que Aman Text: 1 Juan 4:7-11 Domingo 28 de Enero Dr. Edgar R. Aponte
Amando las naciones |
Fri, 26 January 2018
La última palabra "verdades para corazones atribulados" Juan 14:1-6
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Sat, 20 January 2018
There are a lot of things that can trouble our hearts. A list was recently published that catalogs the types of things that tend to trouble our hearts—that cause us to worry. Here is a partial list:
We spend a lot of time worrying and fretting. Statistics indicate that the average person spends over 14 hours per week worrying. That would total over 700 hours worrying a year. That would be the equivalent of close to 30 days a year! If you lived to be 80, you would have worried away over 6years of your life!
The good news is that you do not need to worry. Your heart does not need to be troubled. Today I want to share with you “truths for troubled hearts” that will encourage and help you.
Let’s open our Bibles to John 14:1-6.
The Final Word “Truths for Troubled Hearts” John 14:1-6
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Sun, 14 January 2018
How can you identify a Christian? What is the chief characteristic of the Christian?
A cross necklace has been used by many across the years to identify as a Christian; however, as you know, for many it has little to no significance whatsoever. It certainly doesn’t make one a Christian.
More recently there’s been a trend in Christian tattoos. Many devout young believers have inked themselves to say, as permanently as they know how, I am a follower of Jesus.
A less painful and permanent way that some people use is a bumper sticker. But be careful with that! I heard about a lady who was impatiently driving down a busy street. She became infuriated when the car in front of her slowed to a stop at a yellow light instead of speeding through. This, of course, delayed her. Furious at being delayed, she sounded her horn and began waving her fists in a disgraceful exhibition of a road rage. Before she could move off, she felt a tap on her window. It was a police officer who ordered her to step out of the car. He then asked her to come down to the station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and put in a cell.
A couple of hours later, after vehicle checks had been carried out, she was told that she could collect her valuables and that she was being released without charge.
The woman was extremely indignant at her arrest and demanded an apology.
The officer responsible explained the reason for the mistake. "You see, ma’am, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn and loudly cursing the driver in front of you. Then I noticed the ‘Honk if you love Jesus’ bumper sticker, the Christian fish emblem on the trunk, and the ‘Choose Life’ license plate. Naturally, I assumed that you had stolen the car."
Ouch!
While cross necklaces, tattoos, and bumper stickers all may have their place, none of these is the fool-proof evidence of a true Christian. What is that distinguishing trait? Jesus tells us in our passage today.
The Final Word “The Chief Characteristic of the Christian” John 13:34-35
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Sun, 7 January 2018
La última palabra "El camino a la felicidad" Juan 13:1-17
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Sun, 7 January 2018
A 2014 study by Harvard University listed the happiest cities in America. The results surprised many and were broadcast widely. The five happiest cities in America were all in the same state—Louisiana! These cities included our own Baton Rouge along with Lafayette, Houma, Shreveport-Bossier City, and Alexandria.
In 2017 National Geographic produced a new list. There was not one Louisiana city in the top 25! Boulder, Colorado topped the list. I was curious as to why there was this radical change in the rankings. After a little bit of digging, I discovered the reason. They changed the criteria for how happiness is measured!
In the 2014 survey, researchers asked the people the following question: “In general, how satisfied are you with your life?” Responders could choose from the following answers: very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, and very dissatisfied. Louisiana folk were more satisfied than most with their lives.
In the 2017 the researchers did not ask people to self-assess. Instead, the researchers themselves determined the kinds of things that they believe make people happy—things like eating healthy, exercising regularly, financial security, vacation time, and even dental checkups. On those grounds, we here in Louisiana didn’t fare so well!
That raises the question: What are the criteria for happiness? What truly does make a person happy? What gives deep, abiding, unquenchable joy?
The good news is that we don’t have to be in doubt about that. Jesus tells us. Better than that, Jesus shows us. Please open your Bible to John 13:1-17. In these verses Jesus leads us down what I’m going to call “The Highway to Happiness.” He will show us how to have happiness and joy that is inexplicable and full.
The Final Word “The Highway to Happiness” John 13:1-17
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Sun, 31 December 2017
The Big Story “Chapter 6: Revelation” Revelation 5:9-14
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Sun, 31 December 2017
La Gran Historia "Capítulo 6: Revelación" Apocalipsis 5: 9-14
1. El cordero es digno a. Por su carácter b.Por su conquista
2. El cordero está trabajando a. Para rescatar personas b. Para restaurar personas
3. El cordero es adorado a. A través de oraciones b. A través de la alabanza |
Sat, 30 December 2017
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Sun, 24 December 2017
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Sat, 16 December 2017
In the span of a single day, an Argentinian woman received the two biggest shocks of her life. First she heard the heartbreaking news that her newborn baby was stillborn. Devastation. Later that day she discovered in the morgue that her baby girl was actually still alive.
The infant, named, Luz Milagros, or “Miracle Light,” was pronounced a stillborn on April 3rd, 2012. Twelve hours after she “died,” her parents went down to the morgue to uncover the baby’s body in its coffin. They wanted a picture for the funeral.
As he opened the box, the baby let out a sudden cry and the mother fell to her knees in shock. She said in a TeleNoticias interview: "That's where I heard a tiny little cry. I told myself I was imagining it—it was my imagination. And then I stepped back and saw her waking up. It was as if she was saying 'Mama, you came for me!' That was when I fell to my knees. My husband didn't know what to do. We were just crying and I laughed and cried, cries and laughter. We must have seemed crazy. I'm a believer. All of this was a miracle from God''
There was a miracle in the morgue that day! The little one that they thought was dead now is very much alive!
This morning I want to take you to another family whose baby had brought them laughter. In fact, his name, Isaac, meant “laughter.” As we will see, that laughter was silenced for a time when it seemed that Isaac, now a vibrant young man, was as good as dead. But God in His mercy spared Isaac’s life and, in so doing, pointed beyond that boy to another beloved Son who would die, yet live again. It’s all a part of “the big story” of God’s redeeming love.
The Big Story “Chapter 3: Redemption” Genesis 22:1-14
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Mon, 4 December 2017
Johnella Howard, 72-years-old, and her caretaker, Susan Snow, entered a Publix grocery store in Florida. In the course of their shopping, Johnella apparently suffered a nasty fall. Her caretaker rushed to the management of the store to report the fall. Employees called 911 and first responders attended to her.
It was a nasty fall, because it was staged. Truth be told, she didn’t fall as much as she took a dive! The whole episode was captured on camera. The pair had come across some water in an aisle. The footage shows Johnella smearing the water around with her foot. She then kneels, and turns to sit, before lying down. In fact, the camera catches her adjusting her hair before getting into position.
The motive? Money. They sued the store for $300,000, but an investigation revealed the ruse.
What a fall from grace it turned out to be! Instead of getting $300,000, they were prosecuted and faced 35 years in prison. The temptation and transgression came back to bite them—hard!
I thought of this bumbling pair as I prepared for this week’s message. We are going to look at the story of the “fall of man.” That is how Genesis 3 is typically described. But the truth is, Adam and Eve didn’t fall as much as they took a dive. They knew God’s will but purposefully transgressed it in hopes of some payoff, but oh the heartache their fall unleashed!
As we will see this morning, all of us too have fallen and, in most cases, the reality is that we’ve just taken a dive. Like Adam and Eve, we’ve know what is right, but have often fallen for the wrong. Their story is really ours as well.
But here’s the good news: though we are fallen, we can be forgiven!
The Big Story “Chapter 2: The Fall” Genesis 3:1-9 and 21
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Sun, 3 December 2017
La Gran Historia “Capitulo 2: La Caída” Génesis 3.1-10 & 21
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Sun, 26 November 2017
The Big Story “Chapter 1: Creation” Genesis 1:1, 26-28 & 31
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (v. 1)
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good (v. 31a).
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion . . . “ (v. 26)
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Mon, 20 November 2017
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Sun, 19 November 2017
Guest speaker: Pr. Aroldo Vargas “Tres motivos para Celebrar y Agradecer” 1 Pedro 1:3-9
Dios es el que da, el hombre es el que agradece. Dios es quien concede su Gracia y el hombre es el que le da Gracias por ella.
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Sun, 12 November 2017
Generous “Sowing and Reaping” 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (vv. 6-7).
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (v. 8).
For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. . . while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift (vv. 12-15)!
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Sun, 12 November 2017
Generoso "Siembra y Cosecha" 2 Corintios 9:6-15
Recuerden esto: El que siembra escasamente, escasamente cosechará, y el que siembra en abundancia, en abundancia cosechará (v. 6).
Cada uno debe dar según lo que haya decidido en su corazón, no de mala gana ni por obligación, porque Dios ama al que da con alegría (v. 7).
¡Gracias a Dios por su don inefable! (v. 15)
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Sun, 5 November 2017
On the night Nell and I were commissioned as missionaries, a former missionary shared the following story with us. She and her husband had served the Lord in the Far East. One evening they hosted other missionaries in their home for a nice dinner. She set the table with their fine china. She prepared a delicious meal of favorite dishes. For the centerpiece she chose a beautiful orchid from their flower garden. It was a gorgeous bloom and, as they and their guests enjoyed their time together, comments were made about the flower’s exquisite beauty.
After they had eaten, the guests moved to the living room to continue their fellowship. In the course of their conversation, her husband asked the guests if any of them had noticed the container that held the flower. None of them had noticed it. After all, it was a simple, small, unadorned glass star that had doubled at other times as a candle holder. He then made a point. The flower was the centerpiece and rightly got the attention. The container did its job by putting the glory of the blossom on display. No one needed to have noticed the small, glass star.
We, as believers, are like that small, glass container. Nothing too special about us. But we are to put on display the glory of God’s goodness—His grace in Jesus Christ. We hold this treasure in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7). We are to be “grace displays.” When people see our lives, they should see a living demonstration of the goodness of our Lord.
There were some believers who lived this way. They were “grace displays.” We meet them in 2 Corinthians 8:1-7.
Generous “Grace Displays” 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part (vv. 1-2).
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints (vv. 3-4).
And this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also (vv. 5-7).
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Sun, 29 October 2017
This Lord’s Day we will celebrate “Go Global” Sunday. It is our special yearly emphasis on taking the good news of God’s grace to the far corners of the globe.
The basis for our global goal is the grace of God in Christ. Because we have come to know His grace experientially, we are motivated to give generously and go courageously till all the world has had an opportunity to experience the same gift.
William Borden was heir to his family’s massive wealth. As a young man he was already a millionaire. His parents gave him a trip around the world as a graduation present from high school. He was sixteen.
He went to Yale University and there impacted his campus powerfully for Christ. He eventually surrendered his future to become a missionary to Muslims and to “go global.” He renounced the wealth and comforts that could have been his and set sail.
He never made it there. He died at 25 years of age of spinal meningitis, contracted in Cairo, as he studied Arabic. When the news of William Borden's death was cabled back to the U.S., the story was carried by nearly every American newspaper. "A wave of sorrow went round the world . . . Borden not only gave (away) his wealth, but himself, in a way so joyous and natural that it (seemed) a privilege rather than a sacrifice" wrote Mary Taylor in her introduction to his biography. He had written in his Bible, “No retreat, no reserves, no regrets.” God wants us to live that way as well. He wants us to “go global” because his grace is global. |
Sun, 29 October 2017
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Sun, 22 October 2017
In the mid-1900s Detroit, Michigan was one of America’s greatest cities. Its population swelled to some 2 million. Its industrial base, centered on the production of automobiles, made it affluent. The architecture of the city reflected its optimism and wealth.
But in more recent years its fortunes have changed. People began to move out into the suburbs. The population plummeted. Buildings fell into disrepair and ruins.
The demise of Detroit was captured in a series of photos by a pair of Parisian photographers named Marchand and Maffre. There’s a heavy sadness that these photos prompt (show photos). The sadness arises from the chasm that exists between what once was and now is.
This morning we’re going to take a closer look at a majestic, ancient city that once stood proudly. It enjoyed the blessings of heaven—Jerusalem, the city of David, the capital city of God’s people. It gleamed with golden facades beneath the sun’s rays. But that once mighty city fell tragically. Thankfully, that fall was not the final chapter in its story.
The reason its fall was not its final chapter is because of the amazing faithfulness of our God.
Now you may wonder, “What does Detroit, much less an ancient city like Jerusalem, have to do with me?” Good question. I want you to consider whether they might be a parable of our own lives. Is there a gap between what once was in your spiritual life and what now is? If so, that doesn’t have to be the final chapter in your story. In God we all have a future and hope!
God Is “God Is Faithful” Lamentations 3:21-24
Key verses: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (3:22-23).
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Sun, 15 October 2017
One of the first choruses I learned to sing is entitled “God Is So Good.” It is simple and child-like, but it is also true and priceless. Here are the lyrics:
God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He’s so good to me!
The famous and brilliant Swiss theologian Karl Barth was once asked if he could summarize his life’s work in theological studies in one sentence. He answered that he could. He said it could be summarized in a sentence he learned at his mother’s knee, “Jesus love me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.”
“God is so good” is another summary statement that could encompass the whole of theology and Bible truth. It will be our focus in this message from Psalm 34:1-10.
God Is “God Is Good” Psalm 34:1-10
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8)!
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Sun, 15 October 2017
Dios es "Dios es bueno" Salmo 34:1-10
“…Prueben, y vean que el Señor es bueno. ¡Feliz el hombre que en él confía! “ (Salmo 34:8)
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Sun, 8 October 2017
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Sun, 8 October 2017
Todo comienza en Dios “…Todo fue creado por medio de él y para él.” (col. 1.16)
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Sun, 1 October 2017
An elementary school teacher gave her children the assignment to draw anything of their choosing. The children happily began to draw. She went from seat to seat, looking at each child’s work. She offered them encouraging comments.
One boy was drawing a fireman. A girl was drawing a pony. She came to Johnny’s seat and stopped. She watched him work for a moment but could not quite make out what he was drawing.
“What are you drawing, Johnny?” “A picture of God,” he responded. “But,” she gently offered, “no one knows what God looks like.” Without looking up, he continued drawing unfazed, “They will in a minute.”
That boy was confident that he could portray God for those who didn’t yet know what He is like. What about you? Do you know what God is like—who He truly is?
We can know Him because He has drawn us a portrait of Himself in the world and in the word. Today we begin a three-part series entitled simply, “God Is.” The opening message is “Getting to Know the Unknown God.” It will be based on Acts 17:22-34.
It is vital that we know God. How vital? Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Let’s get to know Him and by so doing experience life at its fullest!
God Is “Getting to Know the Unknown God” Acts 17:22-34
“Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For . . . I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’” (17:22-23).
“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man” (17:24).
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” . . . But some men joined him and believed (17:32-34).
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Sun, 1 October 2017
DIOS ES “Conociendo al Dios no conocido” Hechos 17.22-34
22 Hombres de Atenas, veo que ustedes son muy religiosos en todo sentido,23 porque mientras caminaba observé la gran cantidad de lugares sagrados. Y uno de sus altares tenía la siguiente inscripción: “A un Dios Desconocido”. (17.22-23)
24 Él es el Dios que hizo el mundo y todo lo que hay en él. Ya que es el Señor del cielo y de la tierra, no vive en templos hechos por hombres, (17.24)
32 Cuando oyeron a Pablo hablar acerca de la resurrección de los muertos, algunos se rieron con desprecio, pero otros dijeron: «Queremos oír más sobre este tema más tarde…34 pero algunos se unieron a él y se convirtieron en creyentes. (17.32-34)
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Sun, 24 September 2017
I want to share with you the story of a beautiful young woman named Lauryn Lax. She is a doctor and nutritionist. Her mission is to help people struggling with eating disorders and similar issues.
I’ll pick up her story several years ago when she was in her 20s. She was a fitness fanatic. She fixated on her weight. She worked out at the local YMCA every day for hours at a time. She ate little to nothing.
Her friends at the gym took note of the remarkable intensity and consistency of her workouts. She was growing alarmingly slender. They began to worry about her well-being.
They decided that they would intervene. One morning they agreed to get to the gym parking lot before daylight. They saw her park her car. They converged around it.
What they did not know is that Lauryn had prayed that morning for help. When she weighed herself at 4 am, she tipped the scales at 79 pounds. She knew it wasn’t healthy. These friends were to be the answer to her prayers.
They gently and lovingly insisted that she go to the hospital. She resisted at first but reluctantly yielded to them. Upon examination, doctors discovered that her heart rate was in the 30s. She was in ICU for 3 days then the cardiac unit for 3 weeks. For a while it looked like she might have to have a pace maker installed due to heart damage from the anorexia.
But God was gracious. For a year she worked her way back to a healthier place. She pursued her studies with a new zeal and vision to help others. She now has a story of help and healing that is benefitting others.
She attributes the positive turn in her life to these friends. She calls them her “angels.” They loved her enough to confront her—painful though it must have been for all involved. She was blessed to have friends like these that risked their own comfort to confront Lauryn. We all need friends like these and we need to be friends like these.
God’s word calls us to this kind of friendship. Proverbs 27:5-6 says, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
In this message we will learn that faithful wounds hurt, help, and, ultimately, heal.
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days “Faithful Wounds”
“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:5-6).
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Sun, 24 September 2017
Proverbios: La sabiduría antigua para los tiempos modernos
Proverbios 27:5-6 5 ¡Una reprensión sincera, es mejor que amar en secreto! 6 Las heridas de un amigo sincero son mejores que muchos besos de un enemigo.
“Correcciones”
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Sun, 17 September 2017
Nitroglycerin is a fascinating product. It is a liquid compound. It can kill or it can heal.
It is a primary component of dynamite and explosives. Alfred Nobel used it in the creation of dynamite and armaments.
At the same time, nitroglycerin can heal. Doctors discovered that it is a vasodilator. It is used to dilate the vascular system and is used for heart conditions. Heart patients can ingest a pill and the effect can be life-saving.
That’s crazy isn’t it? The same thing can either kill or heal.
The tongue is like that. Proverbs 18:21 makes this truth clear: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Over 150 times Proverbs refers to our lips, our mouth, and our tongue. Proverbs may have more to say about our words than about any other subject. It gives us God’s counsel on communication--His wisdom for our words.
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days “Wisdom for Our Words”
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (Proverbs 18:21).
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Sun, 17 September 2017
Proverbios: La sabiduría antigua para los tiempos modernos "Sabiduría en nuestras palabras"
" La vida y la muerte dependen de la lengua; los que hablan mucho sufrirán las consecuencias.” (Proverbios 18:21).
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Sun, 10 September 2017
Once there was a frog who made friends with a flock of Canadian geese. He dreamed of flying with them to exotic locations. He came up with an idea. He told a pair of the geese that if they would each hold an end of a stick in their beaks, he could hold onto it with his mouth and he could go with them when they flew south for the winter.
Sure enough, two of his geese friends held a stick in their beaks and he jumped up and clamped onto the stick with his mouth. Off the odd trio flew. All was going well until they flew over a farmer in his field. He looked up and saw the geese and the frog suspended by the stick. He whistled and with admiration said, “Well, look at that. That’s amazing! A flying frog. Whose idea was that?”
The frog said proudly, “It was miiiinnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeee.” Splat.
All was going well until pride caused his downfall.
Pride has caused the fall of many more besides. Today’s message is: “The Peril of Pride.” We are in a series of messages entitled, “Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days.” In its wisdom, Proverbs has much to say about pride—and none of it especially good.
Proverbs 29:23 says, “One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.” Another translation, the New American Bible (revised edition), puts it this way, “Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”
In the NAB translation, there are four key words: haughtiness, humiliation, humble (or humility) and honor. I want to use those four words as the hooks upon which we will hang our thoughts for our message today.
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days “The Price of Pride”
“One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor” (Proverbs 29:23).
“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”
“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”
“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”
“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.” |
Sun, 10 September 2017
Proverbios: Sabiduría antigua para los tiempos modernos
"El precio de la soberbia"
"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra” (Proverbios 29:23)
"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”
"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”
"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”
"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”
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Sun, 3 September 2017
Ray Raney, Adm. Pastor |
Sun, 27 August 2017
This Sunday we will have a guest preacher. He is embarrassingly short of stature, has six legs, and no voice. Yet this little messenger has a big message for us. Our preacher is the ant.
His Bible text is Proverbs 6:6-11:
6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. 7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
The story is told about a man just taking up the sport of golf. As you may know, it’s a lot harder than it looks. He got on the first tee box and placed his ball on the tee. He happened to tee it up right beside an anthill. When he took his first swing, he completely missed the ball and hit the anthill instead. Ants went flying in every direction. Unfazed, he took a second giant swing and, again, he missed and hit the anthill. As he wound up for a third try, one ant said to the other, “We’d better get on that ball or we’re gonna’ get killed!”
In short, that’s the message of the ant: “Get on the ball!” He offers us wisdom about work. Let’s learn the lesson God wants to teach us through the ant. Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days “Wisdom about Work” Proverbs 6:6-11
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6).
“Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest” (Proverbs 6:7-8).
“How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:9-11).
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Sun, 27 August 2017
"Sabiduria sobre el trabajo Proverbios 6.6-11
1. Una Ilustración del trabajo a. Considere la hormiga b. Imite a la hormiga 2. La Iniciativa para el trabajo a. Sin supervisión b. Sin pereza 3. El Incentivo al trabajo a. Asequrar el presente b. Asegurar el futuro |
Sun, 20 August 2017
Water is good for you. It’s one of God’s great gifts. But water can kill you too. Drinking water gives life. But drinking water can also end life. If you drink too much water in too short a period of time, it can throw off your body's balance of electrolytes, cause brain swelling and lead to seizures, coma, or even death. It is called “water intoxication.”
In 2007 a radio station held a contest to win a Nintendo video game. The objective of the contest was to drink the most water possible in a 3-hour period. One of the entrants was Jennifer Strange. She wanted to win a Wii system for her 11-year-old son. Jennifer drank some 2 gallons of water. She got second place in the contest. Her prize was a pair of tickets to a Justin Timberlake concert for that same night. The tickets went unused. Jennifer was dead by 3 that afternoon due to the effects of acute water intoxication.
What makes it even more sad is that it was so preventable. During the contest, she could be heard complaining about experiencing pain to disc jockeys at 107.9 "The End." "Oh, it hurts," Strange said, while one male disc jockey remarked that she looked pregnant and another, a woman, said "That is so funny." Warnings were called in by listeners. One caller (named Eva Brooks) said (and they have the tape of her call): "Those people that are drinking all that water can get sick and possibly die from water intoxication." The disc jockeys replied that they "were aware of that" and that contestants had signed a release "so we're not responsible."
A jury disagreed with that and awarded Jennifer’s widower and children $16.5 million dollars in damages.
Water is good for you, but even water can kill. It’s ok for the boat to be in the ocean, but it’s not ok for the ocean to be in the boat.
There’s another gift that God has given us. It too is essential for life. It is the marriage union. It is good. Sexual intimacy gives life. But sexual intimacy can also end life—and that’s not hyperbole.
Good’s good gifts, like marriage, are meant to be enjoyed! God has given us guardrails--boundaries and guidelines--so that we can rejoice in His good gifts. As long as we honor God’s design—one man faithfully married to one woman—we are safe. But when we violate that design, destruction lurks.
An encompassing term for violating God’s design in marriage is adultery. Today we will look at some of God’s counsel in a message entitled, “The ABCs of Adultery.” We will see the allure, the bitterness, and the cure for adultery.
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days “The ABCs of Adultery” Proverbs 5:1-23
“For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil” (5:3).
“But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol” (5:4-5).
“Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house. . . . Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love” (5:8, 18-19).
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Sun, 13 August 2017
During my college days, I served as a summer missionary. My partner was a guy from Arkansas State University named Dave McKinney. He was different from me in many ways—shy, quiet, calm, patient, slow, methodical, and meticulous. At times his character traits drove me crazy. And I’m sure my outgoing nature, quick pace, and impatience irked him. The summer ended and we went our separate ways.
Sometime later a group of students from my college went to an event where he was. They all ran into each other and discovered that David and I had served together. They talked for some time. Their comment to me upon their return was, “Jeff, we met a guy named Dave McKinney. He said he knew you and that you had served together as summer missionaries. You guys are just alike!” The comment stunned me.
We were not at all alike—when we started that summer. But I believe that the time we spent together changed the two of us. I’m not even sure that we were aware of the impact we were having on one another. I learned to slow down a bit; he learned to speed up a little bit. I learned to listen better; he learned to interact more readily. We rubbed off on each other. As iron sharpens iron, we had shaped one another hopefully to be more like Jesus!
God wants something similar to happen in our lives on a daily basis. He intends that our friendship with others be a means of growing in Christlikeness.
The book of Proverbs has some great counsel on friends. Our focus verse for Sunday will be Proverbs 13:20, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
May God bless the study of friendship that we undertake so that our relationships become more and more redemptive!
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days “Friends” Proverbs 13:20
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).
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Sun, 13 August 2017
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Sun, 6 August 2017
Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days Proverbs 1:1-7
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Sun, 6 August 2017
Proverbios: Sabiduría antigua para el día de hoy (Proverbios 1:1-7)
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Tue, 1 August 2017
July 30, 2017 What Would You Ask? Mike Holmes
Can God be sovereign and mankind be free?
Yes
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20
God possesses__all_____power and is the ruler of __all______ things. God rules and works according to His eternal purpose, even though events that seemingly contradict His rule. Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17; Acts 17:28; Prov 16:4, 9
We__freely_____make choices, and we _responsible______for those choices. Our choices have real and eternally significant results.
God is setting and fixing absolutely everything the way he wants it to be, but He doesn't do that__despite___our choices, but _through__ them.
Prov. 16:1; Acts 27:22-32
Implications on: Fear- Rom. 8:28 Hope-Eph. 3:20 Thanksgiving-Col. 3:15 Hard Choices-Prov. 16:33, Prov. 21:5 Evangelism-Acts 18:9-11, Rom. 10:13-15, 2 Tim. 2:10 Salvation-Rom. 8:29-30, Rom. 10:9-13, John 6:44, John 16:15 Assurance-Rom. 8:39-39
ThisJesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. Acts2:23
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Sun, 30 July 2017
La Soberanía de Dios y la libertad del hombre Colosenses 1.16
“Porque por él fueron creadas todas las cosas, las que hay en los cielos y las que hay en la tierra, las visibles y las invisibles; sean tronos, sean dominios, sean principados, sean potestades; todo fue creado por medio de él y para él.”
Se refiere al control absoluto que Dios tiene sobre todo, incluyendo la humanidad. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
Dios nos dio la libertad de elegir, y el hombre eligió desobedecer, y echarle la culpa al otro. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
Dios esta en control y todo se hace a la manera de Dios, pero no a pesar de nuestras decisiones, sino a través de ellas. _____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
Direct download: IBC_Espanol_20170730.mp3
Category:¿Que le preguntarías a Dios? -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Wed, 26 July 2017
"Can Faith and Science Coexist" Hebrews 11:1-3
The reality of Faith
The reason for Science
The real issues of Life |
Sun, 23 July 2017
¿Pueden coexistir la fe y la ciencia? Hebreos 11.1-3
Direct download: IBC_Espanol_20170723.mp3
Category:¿Que le preguntarías a Dios? -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sat, 22 July 2017
One of the popular tv shows during my childhood years was “I Dream of Genie.” It was a show about a genie that lived in a bottle. She had to do the bidding of her master. Wouldn’t you love to have that?
We have something far better. We have Almighty God to whom we can take our requests and He will answer them in a way that is best for us.
Sometimes it may seem that He is not answering our prayers. We pray but it seems that our prayers don’t get beyond the ceiling. Let’s look into the Word of God for an answer to the question, “Why doesn’t God answer my prayers?”
What Would You Ask? “Why Doesn’t God Answer My Prayers?” James 4:1-3
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Sun, 16 July 2017
¿Porque Dios no contesta mis oraciones? Santiago 4:1-3
Direct download: IBC_Espanol_20170716.mp3
Category:¿Que le preguntarías a Dios? -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 9 July 2017
What Would You Ask? “What Does God Say about Sexual Identity?” Genesis 1
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Sun, 9 July 2017
¿Qué dice Dios acerca de la identidad sexual?". Génesis 1.27-28 / 1 Corintios 6.9-11
Direct download: IBC_Espanol_20170709.mp3
Category:¿Que le preguntarías a Dios? -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 2 July 2017
It happened on June 8, 2017. A volunteer student mission team from Birmingham, AL was headed to Africa on a mission trip. Their bus was involved in a crash. Over 20 team members were injured and one of the teens, Sarah Harmening, 17 years old, was killed [picture of Sarah with her family].
Here was a text she sent to her younger sister, Katelyn, just before her death: “We are like a wisp of smoke. We are only here for a moment and this not about us, life is not about us, it’s about God who is eternal. So, I want to dedicate the one moment I am here, completely and entirely to Him” [Slide with full text of her quote].
Why would such a sweet girl, devoted to God, on a mission of kindness to impoverished people have her life come to such an abrupt end? Why are there wars? Diseases? Natural disasters? Why do bad things happen to good people? This is an ancient question.
Job, in what is believed to be the oldest book of the Bible, asked it. Job 3:11, “Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire?”
David asked it. Psalm 44:24, “Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?”
Jesus asked it. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
At its root it wrestles with the problem of evil. Here is how this dilemma was stated by the ancient philosopher Epicurus [put quote on screen]:
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. [1] Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
The Bible affirms that God is omnipotent. The Bible teaches that God is love. How then does evil exist? Why do bad things happen to good people?
Let’s launch today’s message from the words of Jesus in John 16:33b, “In the world you will have (C)tribulation. But (D)take heart; (E)I have overcome the world.”
What Would You Ask? “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?” John 16:33b
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Sun, 2 July 2017
"¿Por qué le suceden cosas malas a gente buena?"
“… En el mundo tendréis aflicción; pero confiad, yo he vencido al mundo” (Juan 16:33b)
Direct download: IBC_Espanol_20170702.mp3
Category:¿Que le preguntarías a Dios? -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Sun, 25 June 2017
This morning we’re starting a brand new summer sermon series called, “What Would You Ask?” We invited you to submit questions that you would ask the Lord. And you accepted the invitation! We received dozens of questions. From them we’ve chosen six that we will try to answer from God’s word over the next six Sundays.
Let me give you an idea of some of the questions that we will tackle in coming weeks:
“Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?” “What Does God Say about Sexual Identity?” “Why Doesn’t God Answer My Prayers?” “Can Faith and Science Coexist?” “Can Man Be Free and God Be Sovereign?”
I hope you will join us for the entire series. We also are planning to do a Facebook live chat each week to answer questions that arise from the questions we answer.
We begin today by tackling a question that could be seen by some as offensive. I want to ask you beforehand not to take offense. I’ll read the questions as it was submitted, “Will Catholics go to heaven?”
Out of curiosity I googled this question and the first result that popped up (after an ad) was “Can Non-Catholics Go to Heaven?” Isn’t that funny? The same question that some may have about Catholics, Catholics have about some of us! This morning’s question could actually be posed for all denominations: “Will Baptists go to heaven?” “Will Methodists go to heaven?” That same question could be broadened beyond denominations to other faiths or religions. Mormons? Muslims? Jews?
I’m reminded of an oft-told story about heaven. A new arrival was getting a tour. As he walked alongside an angel down a long hallway, they came to a room where the folks where excited. They were shouting, clapping, shaking a tambourine, and running. “Those are the Pentecostals,” said the angel. Soon they came to another room. The folks were solemn. A priest in a colorful robe was in procession with candles and liturgy. They were sharing the Holy Eucharist. “Those are the Anglicans,” said the angel. Soon they approached a third room. The angel began tiptoeing and whispered, “Shhhh. Those are the Baptists and they think they’re the only ones here.”
Ouch. Sometimes we might think that we are the only ones that are going to be in heaven. It’s been said that when we get to heaven, two things will surprise us: who’s there and who’s not there.
We are going to look at God’s word in an effort to answer this question: “Will [You Fill in the Blank] Go to Heaven?”
What Would You Ask? “Will [You-Fill-in-the-Blank] Go to Heaven?” John 3:1-16
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Sun, 25 June 2017
¿Que le preguntarías a Dios?
¿quiénes serán los que irán al cielo? Juan 3.1-16
Direct download: IBC_Espanol_20170626.mp3
Category:¿Que le preguntarías a Dios? -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Mon, 19 June 2017
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Sun, 18 June 2017
Fight “God’s Playbook on Parenting”
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
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Sun, 18 June 2017
El Plan de Dios para los Padres “Padres, no hagan enojar a sus hijos con la forma en que los tratan. Más bien, críenlos con la disciplina e instrucción que proviene del Señor.” (Efesios 6.4)
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Sun, 4 June 2017
A young man, newly married, went to see his pastor. He said, “I think I love my wife too much.” The pastor was surprised and a bit curious. “What makes you say that?” “Well,” replied the young man, “I can’t get my mind off her. I think of her first thing in the morning. I think of her throughout the day and can barely get my work done. I can’t wait to get home to see her in the evening. I even dream about her.”
The pastor thought for a moment and then asked, “Do you love her as much as Christ loved the Church?” “Well, I guess I don’t love her that much.” “Well, then,” said the pastor, “Get busy!”
Men, a lot of us need to get busy loving our wives! God is going to teach us this morning how to love her well. Please turn in your Bibles to Ephesians 5:25-33 . .
Fight “Husbands, Get Busy!” Ephesians 5:25-33
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (v. 25).
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (v. 25b).
That he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by . . . the word (v. 26)
In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church (v. 28-29).
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother . . .” (v. 31a).
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (v. 31).
This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church (v. 32). |
Sun, 28 May 2017
There have been some long wars in human history. For example, the U.S. has been in Afghanistan for 14 years (by comparison, WWII lasted only 4 years).
In Europe, the French and English actually fought for 116 years over the rights to the French crown. That war was called the “Hundred Years’ War.”
But the longest-standing battle in human history hasn’t lasted 10 years or 100 years or even 1000 years. It has raged since Adam and Eve. I’m talking about the “battle between the sexes.”
Today God’s word offers us hope for history’s longest battle. You can end this battle and have a home of peace and harmony!
Let’s open our Bible to Ephesians 5:21-25 for God’s battle plan as we fight for our families! Fight “Hope for History’s Longest Battle” Ephesians 5:21-25
Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph. 5:21).
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord (Eph. 5:22).
For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior (Eph. 5:23).
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Sun, 21 May 2017
For the adventurous among us, there are some exciting and dangerous treks that you can take. I’ll mention three (see attached photos) that I’ve taken from a list of the world’s top ten most dangerous hikes.
One is Mount Huashan in China. It is a very steep mountain, with sheer drops of hundreds of feet. The trail leaves you breathless. In Spain there is a similar trail called the “Caminito del Rey.” Many have died hiking that trail. In fact, for some years the government closed the trail because of a spate of deaths there.
My family and I have actually hiked the third trail I’ll mention. It is called the Bright Angel Trail. It is in the Grand Canyon. Strangely enough, it may be the most dangerous of all. Part of the reason it is so dangerous is because it is so close to civilization. The beauty is alluring but the dangers are real. 110 degree temps in the summer. Lack of water. Dehydration. Steep cliffs. Overconfident hikers. Strenuous climb—basically one mile up over 9.5 mile hike. Each year there are about 200 rescues attempted. About 12 people per year die at the Canyon.
Life itself is a hike. It’s a trek. There is alluring beauty all around us but also hidden dangers. This is true for your family. You’re on a journey together and God wants you to make it to the destination safely. To do so we must “watch our walk.”
In Ephesians 5:15-21 we will learn how to fight for our family by walking a secure, sensible, and spiritual path.
Fight “Watch Your Walk!” Ephesians 5:15-21
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Sun, 14 May 2017
I suppose we all know what it is to fight with our family. Even the best of families fight each other.
One of the most famous figures of the 20th century was Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a preacher and a dreamer. He dreamed that the day would come when, as he put it, “my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” For his dream and labors, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
After his death, his three surviving children were the heirs of his estate. When money ran low, the two sons proposed that they sell their dad’s peace prize and Bible to generate some cash. Estimates put the value of those items at some $20 million. Their sister protested and eventually it went to court.
That’s ironic. Fighting over the peace prize.
But it’s not just the King family that fights. We all fight with each other.
But in this new series we are calling you to put your sights on a different enemy. Let’s stop fighting with our family and start fighting for our family!
The call to fight for our family comes straight from the Bible. Nehemiah 4:14b says, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
Let’s fight!
Go225 “Fight for Your Family” Nehemiah 4:14
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Sun, 7 May 2017
I love “Fixer Upper.” It is a show starring Chip and Joanna Gaines [show pic]. They take dilapted, dated houses and transform them into beautiful, welcoming homes [show pic of before & after of a home they’ve renovated]. The climax of each episode is the “reveal” when an old photo of the home obscuring their view is removed. Now the new façade is unveiled to the delight of the owners.
This morning we’re going meet a man that was totally transformed by Jesus. We will see his before pic and his after pic. His transformation touched many of his family and friends.
What happened to him Jesus wants to happen to us. He wants to transform us and, in turn, impact the world through us. That’s really what “Go Day” was all about—transformed people being used by God to touch the 225 for Jesus!
Go225 “Fixer Upper” Mark 5:1-20
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Sun, 30 April 2017
A well-known jingle says, “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” The ad campaign is built on the whimsical idea that you can sing that jingle and, “poof,” a State Farm agent will appear and save you from whatever danger or disaster you face. That’d be nice, wouldn’t it? But we know that there are times when our need is so great, no insurance agent or any other person can meet it.
Fortunately, there is hope. Like a good neighbor, Jesus is there! He comes to us in our brokenness and, with compassion, takes care of our needs with abundant mercy and grace. That’s apart of the point of the story of the “Good Samaritan.” Not only is Jesus the ultimate “neighbor.” He’s an example for how we are to live. After all, he told his audience to “Go and do likewise.”
As we face “Go Day” and all of its opportunities to be a good neighbor, we will take a fresh look at the story of the Good Samaritan. From it we will be challenged to see Jesus as the ultimate good neighbor, trust in his gracious provision for our desperate need, and to “go” and be a good neighbor to all!
Go225 “Like a Good Neighbor, Jesus Is There” Luke 10:25-37
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Sun, 23 April 2017
In March of 1836 Mexican forces under General Santa Anna besieged the Alamo in San Antonio, TX. The Alamo was defended by a ragtag band of less than 200. The Mexicans numbered in the thousands. The Alamo’s acting leader, Colonel Travis, could see the gravity of their situation. In a voice trembling with emotion he described the hopelessness of their plight. He drew a line in the sand and said, “those prepared to give their lives in freedom’s cause, come over to me.” All did except two. Co-commander Jim Bowie, lying sick on a cot, asked some of his men to carry him across. That left only one--Louis Moses Rose, a French soldier of fortune. He escaped and lore has it that he was the one who told this story.
Without hesitation, every man, save one, crossed the line, Colonel James Bowie, stricken with pneumonia, asked that his cot be carried over. 189 of 190 men at the Alamo came over. Only one escaped to tell the tale.
They volunteered for a cause that seemed doomed. Yet “Remember the Alamo” became the rallying cry that ultimately led to victory.
There is a call going out today for volunteers for a cause that is destined for ultimate victory. The Lord Himself has drawn a line in the sand and has asked for those who will step across it. He asks, “Whom shall I send?” And, “who will go for us?” He asks us to step across the line to worship Him and witness for Him.
Go225 “A Line in the Sand” Isaiah 6:1-8
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Sun, 16 April 2017
Amazing Grace is perhaps the best loved hymn of all time. Here are the words to the first verse: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found. Was blind but now I see.” The author of the hymn was, by his own admission, a “wretch.” He was a slave trader, a blasphemer, a rebel, an immoral man, and a torturer.
As a boy, John was captivated by the adventure and risk of life on the high seas. When he was eleven, young John Newton launched into that exciting life of voyaging, sailing, and living his dream. But the dream turned out to be a nightmare.
Later in life he wrote, “I sinned with a high hand, and I made it my study to tempt and seduce others.” Newton lived a hard life with hard consequences. God got his attention though. In 1748, Newton’s slave ship was nearly wrecked by an intense storm. Surrounded by crashing waves, ferocious winds, creaking timbers, and the cries of onboard slaves, John fell to his knees and pled for mercy, and for grace.
God’s grace, which reaches anyone, anywhere, saved a wretch like John Newton. Newton wrote the song years later while serving as a pastor in Olney, England. Today, its lyrics still inspire, encourage, and instruct people about the radical reality of God’s amazing grace. It gives “wretches” like us hope.
The summation of Newton’s testimony is this: “was blind, but now I see.” What was true spiritually of Newton was literally true for a man that we will meet in the Scriptures this morning. He was blind from birth. But by God’s grace he was given physical and, more importantly, spiritual sight and life! God wants to do the same for us.
Signs: So You May Believe “Was Blind but Now I See” John 9:1-41
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Sun, 9 April 2017
One of my favorite characters in J. R. R. Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings triology is Samwise Gamgee [show pic]. He is the ever loyal sidekick of Frodo Baggins. From Samwise comes a saying that has made its way into our vernacular. I think you’ll know it. Please finish this familiar expression: “Where there’s life, there’s .”
Yes. Where there’s life, there’s hope.
The idea is that, no matter how grim the circumstance are, so long as there is life, there is hope for victory. Once death comes, however, all hope is lost.
Where there’s life, there’s hope.
But this does not do justice to the good news of Jesus. The good news goes much further. The world says, “Where there’s life, there’s hope.” Jesus says, “Where there’s death, there’s hope.”
Because of Jesus, even death itself has no claim on believers. We have hope in this life and after this life!
How can we have hope when death comes knocking? Turn in your Bible to John 11 and we’ll show you the source of our hope. It is found in him who is the resurrection and the life—Jesus!
Read 11:1-7 and 34-44.
Pray.
Transition to first point: Where there’s death, there’s hope. This hope is only and wholly because of Jesus. In our story today we are going learn more about Jesus and how he works in our lives. Knowing him and his ways better should strengthen our hope, even in the darkest of days. Now to be sure, there are times when his ways can be mysterious and even frustrating to us. The first thing that stands out in the story of Larazus is that Jesus waited. . . .
Signs: So You May Believe Jesus waited |
Thu, 30 March 2017
Signs: So You May Believe “Lessons from the Loaves” John 6:1-15
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Sun, 12 March 2017
By 1940 WWII was underway in Europe. The Allied western front in Europe was crumbling before the Nazi war machine. The Germans drove the Allied forces all the way back to the English Channel. They felt that they had them trapped. They had them surrounded and the sea at the Allieds’ back was thought to be an impassable wall.
But the English mounted a daring rescue known to history as the “Miracle at Dunkirk.” In a few desperate days they rescued 338,226 men from the shores of Dunkkirk. Pivotal in that effort were the “little ships of Dunkirk.” More than a thousand small boats manned by fathers and grandfathers came across the channel. They could navigate the shallow waters of that shoreline and shuttle the soldiers on to larger naval ships that would transport the soldiers back to Dover.
It seemed hopeless until help came from home! And that help, at first glance, seemed insignificant and small.
We are going to meet in the scriptures today a man whose condition was hopeless until help came from heaven! He had been an invalid for 38 years and he had no one to help him until Jesus found him. That encounter changed everything!
Signs: So You May Believe “Hope for the Hopeless” John 5:1-18
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Sun, 5 March 2017
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
On April 26, 2003 Aron Ralston set out on a solo hike through Blue John Canyon, in Utah, near the Canyonlands National Park. While he was descending a narrow canyon, a boulder shifted while he was climbing down from it. The 800 pound rock smashed his left hand, and then crushed his right hand against the canyon wall. Ralston had not informed anyone of his hiking plans, so no one would have been searching for him.
Assuming that he would die without intervention, he spent five days slowly sipping his small amount of remaining water, approximately 12 ounces and slowly eating his small amount of food, two burritos, while trying to free his arm. After three days of trying to lift and break the boulder, the dehydrated and delirious Ralston decided to amputate his trapped right arm at a point on the mid-forearm, in order to escape.
He lost his arm but saved his life.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
This morning we will meet in John 4:46-54 a desperate man. His desperate circumstances drove him to action and the action he took brought life to him and his family.
Signs: So You May Believe “Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures” John 4:46-54
So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, (BL)“Unless you[c] see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down (BM)before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants[d] met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour[e] the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, (BN)and all his household. 54 (BO)This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him . . . .
Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.
The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household |
Sun, 26 February 2017
Señales “Sucedió en una boda” Juan 2.1-11
“ Al tercer día se hicieron unas bodas en Caná de Galilea; y estaba allí la madre de Jesús. Y fueron también invitados a las bodas Jesús y sus discípulos.” (Juan 2.1-2)
“Y faltando el vino, la madre de Jesús le dijo: No tienen vino. 4 Jesús le dijo: ¿Qué tienes conmigo, mujer? Aún no ha venido mi hora. 5 Su madre dijo a los que servían: Haced todo lo que os dijere.” (Juan 2.3-5)
“Este principio de señales hizo Jesús en Caná de Galilea, y manifestó su gloria; y sus discípulos creyeron en él.”(Juan 2.11)
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Sun, 19 February 2017
Three teenage buddies, Kevin, Brian and Randall, had spent a fun evening bowling near Tampa, FL. As they headed home, they cruised into an intersection and were struck by an eight-ton Mack truck. All three were tragically killed.
They had not been drinking. They had not been doing drugs. They had not been texting. They had done nothing wrong. But, unbeknownst to the them, someone else had. Another trio of young friends had been on a vandalism spree of sorts. Their prank was stealing street signs. One of the signs that was vandalized was the stop sign that should have marked the intersection where the fatal accident occurred.
Signs can mean life or death. We need to respect and pay attention to signs.
God’s word contains many signs and we’d do well to pay attention to them. These signs are not metal; they are miracles. These miracles are signs that point to a greater reality. They were recorded to point us to life and life to the full!
The book of John in the Bible has a particular focus on life-giving signs or miracles. From this Sunday through Easter Sunday morning, we are going to look at these miraculous signs and discover more about the abundant life Jesus came to give.
Signs: So You May Believe John 20:30-31
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book” (John 20:30).
“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31a).
“And that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31b).
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Sun, 12 February 2017
A little boy got a real bow and arrow for his 10th birthday and immediately went outside to practice in his yard. A few minutes later his father stepped outside to check how he was doing and was amazed to see a dozen arrows dead in the center of a dozen different bullseyes that were painted on the trees in the backyard.
“That’s astounding, Son! You just got that bow a few minutes ago. How do you manage to hit a bullseye every time?” “Easy, Dad. First, I shoot the arrow. Then, wherever it lands, I paint circles around it!”
That would be a convenient way to live life, wouldn’t it? But God doesn’t want us to live aimlessly then justify it by painting a target around wherever we land.
Zig Ziglar said, “if you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.” God doesn’t want us to aim at nothing. God has given us, his children, definite targets in life. He has given us our marching orders. We can see them clearly in his word.”
The Core “On Target” Matthew 28:16-20
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