Review Motivation for the Series: We have a vision that is global, multilingual and locally contextual Racial conflict will likely continue to be part of our lives for the foreseeable future. Objective of the series: To put racial conflict in perspective and navigate it with peace. Introduction Prov …

Review Motivation for the Series: We have a vision that is global, multilingual and locally contextual Racial conflict will likely continue to be part of our lives for the foreseeable future. Objective of the series: To put racial conflict in perspective and navigate it with peace. Key Realities of …

An Introduction Matthew 24:7–8 (ESV) – 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Kingdom = Basailia; βασιλεία (basileia). n. fem. kingdom. Refers to the domain …

Supreme Confidence And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NKJV) Personalize It! “And God is able to make all grace abound toward me, so that I, always having all suffici …

Review We began to break down the title: Healing the Wounds of Injustice. Key Ideas: Injustice requires that you respond to it with a healed soul. Addressing the external effects of injustice does not necessarily heal the internal effects of injustice. When your soul is wounded, you can be the benef …

Review We began to break down the title: Healing the Wounds of Injustice. We explained what we meant by injustice. We explained what we meant by wounds. We began to explain what we meant by healing. By injustice, we mean a legal system that is Is Unfair (partial) Does not protect the innocent Does n …

Introduction What do we mean by injustice? The opposite of justice. “Justice is the. . .idea “that people are to be treated impartially, fairly, properly, and reasonably by the law and by [people who settle legal disputes]” {Fairness} “that laws [must make sure innocent people do not experience harm …

LUKE 10:25-26 NLT 25 One day, an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “what does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”   LUKE 10:27 NLT 27 The man answered, “You must love the Lord …

Review Discussions about money trigger emotions. Resistance to giving is not financial, but psychological. Giving must be a practice and not just something you do when you are inspired. Giving is a spiritual discipline. There is no explicit New Testament command for Gentile believers to tithe, but y …

Review Giving God’s way requires that you first give yourself to the Lord. Giving yourself to the Lord requires that you renounce all proprietary claims to your life. The New Testament communicates that we are free from external mandates for giving, but not internal ones. Free will giving is about f …

Review Giving God’s way is not by human effort alone. It requires grace. You need grace to do the things that God asks you to do. You often won’t realize grace is present until grace is absent. Adversity and poverty are not reasons to opt out of opportunities to give. Giving is not just for the rich …

Read Together 2 Corinthians 8:1–15 (NIV) – 1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they g …

Review The “I See You” Counterfeit Matthew 6:1 (ESV) – 1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 6:2-4 (ESV) – 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before yo …

Review The “I see you” series about openness, honesty and transparency with God and each other. All of this happens within the context of fellowship with God and each other. Fellowship is the Greek word κοινωνία (koinōnia). It means shared experience: Shared circumstances Shared responsibility Share …

Review Shared circumstances Shared responsibility Share resources To see you us to serve you. Christian fellowship is a culture of submission and service. Philippians 2:3–5 (ESV) – 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let eac …

Review The “I see you” series about openness, honesty and transparency with God and each other. All of this happens within the context of fellowship with God and each other. Fellowship is the Greek word κοινωνία (koinōnia). It means shared experience: Shared circumstances (responding to other people …

Review The “I see you” series about openness, honesty and transparency with God and each other. All of this happens within the context of fellowship with God and each other. Fellowship is the Greek word κοινωνία (koinōnia). It means shared experience: Shared circumstances (responding to other people …

Review The “I see you” series about openness, honesty and transparency with God and each other. All of this happens within the context of fellowship with God and each other. Fellowship is the Greek word κοινωνία (koinōnia). It means shared experience: Shared circumstances (responding to other people …

Unpacking the Phrase   Fall Fashion Genesis 3:7–8 (ESV) – 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the …

Often, the Gap in being the light in dark places is knowing what to do. Today, we will take a closer look at Nehemiah’s journey. The Spark That Fueled the Fire Nehemiah 1:3 (ESV) – 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The …

Youth in Crisis 61% of aged out foster youth are homeless. 50% of aged out foster youth end up homeless or incarcerated 75% of young women in foster care are pregnant by age 21, compared to 33% in the general population Opening Scripture Acts 16:9-10 (KJV) – 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the ni …

Review: Invisible Influences on Abortion Stories Socioeconomics Satanic Deception Margaret Sanger Basic Biographical Information STORY Historical Influences (Comstock Act) (Mother’s Death) Two Reasons for Laws Purpose # 1: To restrain the lawless. 1 Timothy 1:8–10 (ESV): 8 Now we know that the law i …

Review Jesus is Lord There is always a pathway forward that honors Jesus. Find that path and follow it. Jesus is Joy We always have the choice between the moments of happiness we create for ourselves and the lasting joy that comes from being obedient to Jesus. Choose joy. Jesus is Life When you don’ …

Review Key Questions Do you trust Jesus? Can you handle the truth? Why do you call Jesus Lord? Do you believe His way is better than your way? The Power of Joy John 16:16–24 (ESV) – 16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his d …

Review Key Questions Do you trust Jesus? Can you handle the truth?  Why do you call Jesus Lord? There is no area of life that Christ’s lordship does not cover. What Does Jesus Want us to Do about Abortion? Come to Him. (Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV) – 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I …

Reviewing Our Key Concepts The first person to consider in a decision about pregnancy is not the child, nor is it the mother, nor is it the father. The first person to consider in a decision about pregnancy is Jesus. Matthew 6:33 (ESV): 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and …

Introduction Proverbs 18:6 (ESV) – 6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. 1 Corinthians 1:27 (ESV) – 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise. . . . Lesson: It’s foolish to speak on matters that don’t concern you, but God uses foolishness to addres …

Jeremiah 29:11–13 (Amplified) 11For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to …

Having the God Kind of Life starts with our Salvation, our Commitment to the Lord, and Embracing the Holy Spirit. John 10:10 (NKJV) I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Zoe Life – Eternal Life How Do We Obtain the God Kind of Life? 1. Salvation through Jes …

What is Worship? Worship is ascribing worth to Almighty God, through our actions, our lives, and our understanding of God and His majesty. From Genesis to Revelation, worship is woven in scripture: Isaiah 43:7, Isaiah 43:21  Worship is so important to God, that His ultimate plan in sending Jesus was …

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV What is a Disciple? A biblical definition of a Disciple is a person that is devoted to following Jesus that lives a life is guided and directed by His teaching and helps show others how to do the same. Discipleship is more than just believing in God. Discipleship has a cost and …

Story Time: Flat Tire When was the last time you shared the gospel? When was the last time you proclaimed the Good news? God is asking who can I send? Do you really think you were rescued just to sit on the sidelines? Do you believe you were ransomed from Hell to just sit on a pew? Billy Graham said …

Lesson From the Fig Tree Mark 11:23-24 (ESV) The fig tree lesson is about saying and praying. Resist the devil. Come to God for everything else. We need faith when we say. We need faith when we pray. A faith person receives twice: first in the heart and then in the material world. Faith requires you …

Lessons From the Fig Tree Our focus is on the relationship between words, belief and results. Mark 11:20–25 (ESV) Observations Jesus’ statements begin and end by pointing out that we are accountable to God. Key Statements: “Have faith in God”; ”Forgive. . .so that your Father. . .may forgive. . .you …

 What is this Battle? Romans 7:18-20 (NKJV) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I …

Introduction Remarks Fatherhood is about parenting. Parenting is about developing people into maturity. Fatherhood is a specialized role held by men for developing people into maturity. To value fatherhood is to value other people’s growth and development. God Relates to us through Fatherhood The en …

Introductory Remarks  Let Christ Be the Benchmark Philippians 1:15–18 (ESV) Lessons From the Fig Tree Mark 11:13–14 (ESV) – 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Said = εἶπον (eipon)] = “vb. to tell, say, speak. Refers primarily to the act of v …

1 Samuel 2:1-2 (NKJV) And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation”. “No one is holy like the Lord. For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.” Introduction Together we w …

Introductory Remarks Philippians 1:15–18 Why Pay Attention to Words? Big Idea: Words continue to live beyond the time they are spoken, heard or thought. We are held accountable for our words. Matthew 12:36-37 God pays attention to what we say, so we should pay attention to what we say. There are man …

A Word about the Word of Faith Common Understanding: “Word of Faith teaching holds that God wants his people to prosper in all areas of life, including finances, health, marriage, and relationships. Word of Faith teaches that God’s blessing empowers his people to achieve the Bible’s promises. Thus, …

Introduction Words continue to live beyond the time they are spoken, heard or thought. We are Held Accountable for Our Words Matthew 12:33–37  God pays attention to what we say, so we should pay attention to what we say. Careless Words are not Inconsequential Careless = Argos (Greek) “not working” ( …

1. God is asking for Faith-filled Curiosity 2. God is asking for unity between mothers young and old Luke 1:41-45 NIV 3. God is asking for mothers to believe Luke 1:45 NIV 4. God is asking for mothers to praise Him Luke 1:46-47 NIV 5. God is asking for mothers to be humble Luke 1:48 NIV Luke 51-52 N …

Two Kinds of Striving Philippians 2:3 Philippians 3:13–14  What’s the difference between ambition and selfish ambition? Is your motive pure or not? There are many litmus tests for motive, but one question that will give you a quick assessment is this: Is there a wound? Is my ambition motivated by a …

John 5:5-9 2Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool with five covered colonnades, which in Hebrewa is called Bethesda.b 3On these walkwaysc lay a great number of the sick, the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed.d5One man there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw …

Will Smith Event Today’s Message is Prophetic The Vision Is Coming Into View Success is a Double-Edged Sword One of the most difficult things to manage in ministry is success. Success can be as much of a negative trigger as failure, disappointment and offense. Success often brings out the worst in p …

Story Time: Mighty Shogun story  Luke 24:37   John 20:25 Thomas has been through a traumatic experience Hurt People, Hurt People because everything broken becomes a knife. We have scars because of 1 of 2 reasons: Something happened to you or someone happen to you. James 1:8  God is calling us to be, …

Story Time Genesis 48:1–2  “Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed.” Strength is not static, but dynamic. Static = fixed or stationary. Dynamic = subject to constant change. If strength can be summoned, then you have more capacity than you are displaying. Biblical Commands to Be Strong …

Story Time   Review The challenge of hearing from God is not about getting God to talk, but about getting us to listen. One of the classic predicaments of the Bible story is God desperately trying to reach us while we desperately resist Him. If God could just get us to listen—and then to obey, …

Story Time Reframing the Problem Proverbs 1:20-22 Hearing from God is not a dilemma you have, but a dilemma God has. For most of us, our reality can be reframed this way: We are not trying to hear from God. God is trying to talk to us. This is us: “How do I get God to talk to me?” This is God: “How …

The key verses: Mark Chapter 4 verses 35 to 41 (New King James Version) 35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 …

Review Our reading of the book of James has helped us understand the following ideas: We’re often waiting for God to do something super while God is waiting for us to do something natural. The spectacular happens when we act in faithful obedience to God in three areas: Conversation Conduct Compassio …

Review We’re often waiting for God to do something super while God is waiting for us to do something natural. The spectacular happens when we act in faithful obedience to God. James identifies three areas of personal responsibility: Conversation Conduct Compassion James 3:13–18  The Problem of Jealo …

Story Time James 3:13–18 Wisdom is as Wisdom Does Wise people demonstrate wisdom by how they walk, not by how they talk. One of the signature qualities of wisdom is meekness. Meekness is not weakness, but gentleness. Gentleness is strength under control. What is the meekness of wisdom? Wisdom does n …

Illustration James 3:2–12  Three Key Words in This Passage for Our Illustration The bridle – “the headgear used to control a horse, consisting of buckled straps to which a bit and reins are attached” (Oxford Languages with Google) The bit – “By definition, a bit is a piece of metal or synthetic mate …

Story Time (Parable of the Generous Employer [Matthew 20:1-16]) Matthew 20:11–15 Stand For the Reading of God’s Word James 1:26–27  James 2:1–7  How to Spot a Christian James 1:26–27 “bridle his tongue” (What we say) “keep oneself unstained from the world” (What we do) “visit orphans and widows in t …

James 1:22–25 (ESV) Matthew 7:24 Matthew 7:26 Breaking Down the Action into Parts Relationship With God Relationship With Self Relationship With Community Relationship With God Habit # 1 Believe the Gospel When James writes about works, he’s assuming that you already believe the gospel. Faith in the …

Story Time (Tim Grover) Lesson # 1 The Christian Life is a Real Competition that Offers Real Rewards We don’t compete against other people, but against spiritual forces. We are in a competition between the forces of the flesh and the forces of the spirit. The forces of the flesh are the demands of t …

Story Time (Will Smith brick-laying story) “. . .the secret to my success is as boring as it is unsurprising. You show up and you lay another brick. Pissed off? Lay another brick. Bad opening weekend? Lay another brick. Album sales dropping? Get up and lay another brick. Marriage failing? Lay anothe …

Story Time Jesus Feeds the Multitude (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15) Matthew 14:13–16  Luke 9:11  Matthew 14:15-16  Mark 6:37  John 6:5-6 Mark 6:38 John 6:8  Matthew 14:18–21    The Alabaster Box Matthew 26:6–7 Matthew 26:8-9  Matthew 26:10-11    Peter Walks on …

Story Time (Christmas Play) The human drama behind the birth of Jesus draws attention to the fact that Jesus began his human life as baby, not as a full-grown man.   Insights From Discover Magazine (https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/why-baby-animals-can-walk-so-much-sooner-than-huma …

Story Time [Background information Acts 6:1-7 taken from Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, pp. 178–183). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.]   Acts 6:1-7 Acts 6:1 Acts 6:2-4 Acts 6:5-7   Principles From Acts 6:1-7 Addressing human need is less about the distribution of resour …

Story Time The student stories represent the vision of our faith project: the power of great programming and the power of being personable. Our motivation should not only be driven by pragmatism, but also by biblical principle. Hezekiah vs. Jesus Isaiah 36-38: Hezekiah has a national and personal cr …

Story Time: Flood Insurance Matthew 7:24–27 Psalm 62:2 Three Qualities: Immovable Vertically Flexible Horizontally Bend Without Breaking   Spiritual Building Construction There is a parallel between physical buildings and spiritual buildings. The Vertical represents God (His person, purpose and …

Story Time: Why Baseball Players Get Paid (Quotations and Citations From Malcom Gladwell on income inequality – The New Yorker Festival (Full) – The New Yorker, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKvFlSedpNI) Wake-Up to Your Worth Understand the Times 1 Chronicles 12:23 1 Chronicles 12:32 If you unders …

Story Time Parable of the Talents Matthew 25:24–25 My Experience of you. . . There is tremendous power in the stories we tell ourselves. The parable of the talents addresses the power of the stories we tell ourselves. The third servant was limited by the stories he told himself about people, money a …

Story Time General Sherman Michigan Sequoia What’s In a Promise? Psalm 92:12-15 The atonement is the means by which God reconciled humans to himself. The atonement is a sacrificial process that uses blood to repair the breach between God and humanity. People in the Word of Faith community believe th …

Moby Dick Competing Commitment A competing commitment is a hidden commitment that competes with a stated desire. The stated desire is what we think is our true commitment. However, the competing commitment is what actually drives our behavior. The result is frustration and confusion. I truly desire …

First Gen Series   First Gen Challenges The parable of the Sower is really about how God shepherds us. A shepherd’s job is to lead and feed. God does both with His Word.   Four Kinds of Soil/Four Kinds of Listeners Wayside (Level 1) Stony (Level 2) Thorny (Level 3) Good (Level 4)   Th …

Story Time Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) Luke 16:31 A shepherd’s job is to lead and feed. God does both with His Word. Psalm 119:105  Matthew 4:4   Parable of the Sower Review The parable of the Sower is really about how God shepherds us. Four Kinds of Soil/Four Kinds of L …

Story Time Parable of the Sower Review Matthew 13:3–9 Mark 4:13  God is not going to go beyond the Word to give us guidance. The Word is the home button. Whenever, you get lost, go back to home button. Psalm 119:105 Matthew 13:19–23 The Level 1 listener (Wayside Soil) is led by reason. This person d …

Story Time The Incredibles You can’t talk about the shepherd without talking about wolves. Aesop’s Fables Do not give up friends for foes. John 10:10–14 How do sheep and get entangled with hirelings and wolves? What’s in your ear? 2 Timothy 4:3–4 Job 34:3 A moral system has three criteria: Principle …

Story Time Matthew 13:1-23   God’s Word is Loveable The shepherd leads us with the word. Psalm 119:105 Psalm 119:35 Psalm 119:59 Psalm 119:97-103 Psalm 34:8 You can’t claim to love God while you simultaneously reject His words, thoughts and values. If you won’t follow God’s word, you won’t foll …

Review We can support the practice of democracy without accepting the premise of democracy about morality. Democracy’s Assumption: Human beings have the power within themselves to determine the difference between right and wrong. We can look to democracy for civic responsibility while looking to God …

Review Those of you who were with us last week know that we just started a new series. We are now in week 2 of The Lord is My Shepherd: Knowing, understanding and receiving God as your pastor. Shepherding is an ancient practice. Shepherding is an ancient metaphor for leadership, specifically rulersh …

Story Time Matthew 13:1-23 The secrets are keys that unlock the kingdom. Most people actively reject the keys. People reject the keys because their hearts aren’t ready to receive the truth. The Truth of the Matter People don’t reject truth because they want lies. They reject truth because they prefe …

Story Time David’s million-dollar drink of water I Chronicles 11:18 The water David received was valuable because of the sacrifice and skill required to produce it. When David poured out the water, he was not being rude, but acting on a revelation. This is the revelation: We can and should honor the …

The Power of Together This is important because of the focus in Scripture on collective praise and worship (Psalm 34:1-3) There are real challenges to this: Hybrid Worship Experiences Cultural differences based on race. Cultural differences based on generation. The Ideal Psalm 145:4 The focus is on …

Story Time Acts 10:1-2 Acts 2:42 Insights from the Looking Glass God’s responses to us mirror our responses to Him. James 4:8 Your church experience is a reflection of you. Haggai 2:5 Seeking God is a Practice To seek God means to give expression to a heart that says, “Lord I want to be with you, I …

Review God’s biggest objective throughout Scripture is to dwell with us. (Leviticus 26:11-12)   The Power of Detail The power of dwelling is in its specificity. Genesis 3:8 Genesis 18:33 A dwelling place is the same as the proverbial “prayer closet” (Matthew 6:6) A prayer closet does not have t …

Story Time I Samuel 15:22 Christian practices are meaningless without devotion to God. The point of last week’s sermon was to encourage legalism, but to address our motives. Why do we do the Christian things we do? We must always respond to God like we know He’s the king. Just like the wisemen who g …

Story Time (Parable of the Wedding Feast, Matthew 22:1-11)   Royal Protocol One of the take-aways from this story is the significance of royal protocol. There is a way that you behave in the presence of a king and respond to his wishes. Nehemiah 2:1-2  Psalm 100:2  Psalm 100:4 Many give more ho …

Review and Renew   Understanding Last Week’s Principles God’s original idea for His people was for them to be a nation of priests. Old Testament “‘you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’” (Exodus 19:6) New Testament “him who loved us. . . made us a kingdom, priests to his God …

Online church has made us question onsite church. Why do you go to church? Why does God go to church?  Different Time, Same Issues God’s story is about His desire to dwell with us. How does a Holy God dwell with sinful people? God’s story is about Him trying to get close to us without killing us Old …

Review Investment Secret # 1: Invest in people’s lives. Matthew 20:28 An investor is one who comes to serve. A consumer is one who comes to be served. The measure of a church’s success is not the quality of a pastor’s sermon, but in the quality of a congregation’s service. Service is a source of nou …

“FREEDOM IS NOT FREE”  REFERENCE  ST JOHN 8:30-32 IT WILL COST YOU TO COMMIT  TO A LIFELONG PATTERN OF LEARNING, GROWING, AND BECOMING… CHANGE!  ROMANS 12:1-2 THE BOTTOMLINE:  FREEDOM IS ABOUT CHOICES, EMBRACING A NEW BELIEF SYSTEM AND WORLD VIEW OF LIVING LIFE TODAY, AND AS A CONTINUAL DEVOTED FO …

Review Investment Secret # 1: Invest in people’s lives. Matthew 20:28 An investor is one who comes to serve. A consumer is one who comes to be served. The measure of a church’s success is not the quality of a pastor’s sermon, but in the quality of a congregation’s service. Service is a source of nou …

“FREEDOM IS NOT FREE”  REFERENCE – ST JOHN 8:30-32 LIKE SO MANY OTHER THINGS IN LIFE, TRUE FREEDOM IS ABOUT MAKING LIFELONG CHOICES.  TO EXPERIENCE THE FREEDOM THAT ONLY JESUS PROVIDES, IT WILL COST YOU YOUR TOTAL BELIEF AND COMMITMENT TO LEAVE AN OLD LIFE AND PURSUE A NEW LIFE IN JESUS. ACCORDING T …

Review Investment Secret # 1: Invest in people’s lives. Matthew 20:28 An investor is one who comes to serve. A consumer is one who comes to be served. The measure of a church’s success is not the quality of a pastor’s sermon, but in the quality of a congregation’s service. While God wants us to serv …

Review An investor is one who comes to serve. A consumer is one who comes to be served. Investment Secret # 1: Invest in people’s lives. Matthew 20:28 John 13:2-5 John 13:12-15 Ministry is not a lofty word. It simply means service. A minister’s job is to create other ministers (Ephesians 4:11-12 The …

Review Invest in things on earth that will have value in heaven. Heaven is not just a place. It’s kingdom. The kingdom of heaven will eventually extend to the earth physically. As followers of Jesus, we must be willing to invest in the kingdom even though we can’t see its physical fullness. Investme …

Review Invest in things on earth that will have value in heaven. Heaven is not just a place. It’s kingdom. The kingdom of heaven extends to the earth. One day there will be a new heaven and a new earth. When this happens, the value of our investment will be evident to all. Don’t wait until you can s …

JESUS BEGAN HIS MINISTRY WITH MIRACLES AND CONTINUED WITH MIRACLES, UNTO THIS DAY AND BEYOND. “JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER” HEBREWS 13:8 ST JOHN 2:1-11… THE BEGINNING OF MIRACLES (WATER MADE INTO WINE)  ST JOHN 4:46-54… 2ND MIRACLE OF A MAN’S DYING SON HEALED BY JESUS. WHEN JE …

Introduction Today is the last lesson in our series on Ephesians. Depending on where we were in the series, we gave groups of messages within the series different titles. Today is the last message in the series. It’s titled, “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” is also t …

Review Last week we continued our series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We will continue with second half of Ephesians today, in a series titled: Don’t Trip: A C.R.I.P. Walk Tutorial. For our purposes C.R.I.P. stands for Christ Revealed In Prayer This lesson is about how drawing close to Jesus a …

Review Last week we continued our series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We will continue with the second half of Ephesians today in a series titled: Don’t Trip: A C.R.I.P. Walk Tutorial. For our purposes C.R.I.P. stands for Christ Revealed In Prayer This lesson is about how drawing close to Jesu …

Review Last week we continued our series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We will continue with Ephesians today, but with a different title: Don’t Trip: A C.R.I.P. Walk Tutorial. For our purposes C.R.I.P. stands for Christ Revealed In Prayer In other words, this lesson is about how drawing close t …

NOON BIBLE STUDY   THE BEGINNING OF JESUS’ EARTHLY PUBLIC MINISTRY CAME AFTER JOHN THE BAPTIST PUBLICLY AFFIRMED HIM (35-51)  JESUS BEGINS TO BUILD HIS TEAM, INVITING THEM TO FOLLOW HIM TO LEARN FROM HIM (35-51) JOHN’S ROLE OF PREPARING THE WAY FOR THE COMING MESSIAH MADE IT EASIER FOR JESUS TO …

Review Last week we continued our series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We titled it “Christmas in January” because the letter highlights the gift that Jesus is in January and every day of the year. A true Christian knows that Christmas is actually every day. The subtitle is “Gift Unwrapping Sec …

Review Last week we continued our series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We titled it “Christmas in January” because the letter highlights the gift that Jesus is in January and every day of the year. A true Christian knows that Christmas is actually every day. The subtitle is “Gift Unwrapping Sec …

Review Last week we continued our series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We titled it “Christmas in January” because the letter highlights the gift that Jesus is in January and every day of the year. A true Christian knows that Christmas is actually every day. The subtitle is “Gift Unwrapping Sec …

Review Last week we introduced our series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We titled it “Christmas in January” because the letter highlights the gift that Jesus is in January and every day of the year. A true Christian knows that Christmas is actually every day. The subtitle is “Gift Unwrapping Se …

The Perpetual Christmas of the Believer This series is about the book of Ephesians. Christmas is in the title because, for a follower of Christ, Christmas is actually every day. Psalm 118:24 Lamentations 3:22-23 These are Old Testament passages, but they are even more fully realized in Christ, who i …

Review This series has two objectives: To demonstrate that developing faith for divine healing is biblical, practical and beneficial. To foster reasonable expectations for divine intervention in the healing and recovery of your physical body. Big Idea: Receiving divine healing has everything to do w …

Review Last week, we continued to build a foundation for a belief in divine healing. This series has two objectives: To demonstrate that developing faith for divine healing is biblical, practical and beneficial. To foster reasonable expectations for divine intervention in the healing and recovery of …

Review Last week, we continued to build a foundation for a belief in divine healing. This series has two objectives: To demonstrate that developing faith for divine healing is biblical, practical and beneficial. To foster reasonable expectations for divine intervention in the healing and recovery of …

Review Last week, we continued to build a foundation for a belief in divine healing. This series has two objectives: To demonstrate that developing faith for divine healing is biblical, practical and beneficial. To foster reasonable expectations for divine intervention in the healing and recovery of …

Review Last week, we continued to build a foundation for a belief in divine healing. This series has two objectives: To demonstrate that developing faith for divine healing is biblical, practical and beneficial. To foster reasonable expectations for divine intervention in the healing and recovery of …

Review Last week, we continued to build a foundation for a belief in divine healing. This series has two objectives: To demonstrate that developing faith for divine healing is biblical, practical and beneficial. To foster reasonable expectations for divine intervention in the healing and recovery of …

Review Last week we began to lay a foundation for the idea that God heals people physically today. This doctrine is something that has become popular over the last century among people who are part of the Word of Faith Movement. Among other things, the Word of Faith Movement places an emphasis on th …

Introduction Earlier this year, we began a series called “Name it and Claim it.” Its purpose was to give a background on some the key tenants of the Word of Faith doctrine. While there are several different Christian traditions that have influenced this church, one of the more significant ones are d …

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV “Therefore IF ANY MAN BE in Christ, [LET HIM BE] HE IS A NEW creature: OLD things ARE passed away;  BEHOLD” ALL things ARE BECOME NEW.”                           You can’t rewrite your beginning but you write your ending! As long as there is a spark of a desire in your heart, …

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) “Therefore IF ANY MAN BE in Christ, [LET HIM BE] HE IS A NEW creature: OLD things ARE passed away;  BEHOLD” ALL things ARE BECOME NEW…” Galatians 4:3-7 (KJV) (3).  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage UNDER the elements of the world:  (4).  But when the fulne …

2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “Therefore IF ANY MAN BE in Christ, HE IS A NEW creature: OLD things ARE passed away; BEHOLD ALL things ARE BECOME NEW.” Your maturity will bring you into a deeper realization of your identity, so you can walk in your destiny. Galatians‬ ‭4:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬ (1).  Now I say, T …

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” In the original Greek manuscript, the word be should be read…  “let him be.” The biggest obstacle to doing all God has given us to do in life is not God, …

Review Judgment begins at the house of God (I Peter 4:17) We must pursue justice out of love, not anger. Our love for God is reflected in our fear of Him. Fear of God is to hate evil, not people. (Proverbs 8:13) Hating evil means that I hate the evil in me as much I hate the evil in others. The evil …

Preamble Last week we addressed a hard truth, but as Dr. A. R. Bernard says, “All truth is confrontational.” With the outrage that many have about police conduct, you might have been expecting a public bashing of law enforcement. In a sermon about policing, you might have expected me to be demonstra …

Our Christian Reality Today’s sermon and series is about how to respond to our current political and policing crisis as a Christian. No matter who you are or what uniform you wear, if you are a Christian, your loyalty to Christ must come before all other loyalties. People will address you based on w …

Review The unsuspecting Dream Team story Play for the name on the front of the jersey and not the back. Discern the magnitude and urgency of the moment. You can be beat. (Just showing up is not enough).   Spiritual Lessons  “The goal is not to get back to normal but to get back to God”–Bishop …

The Dream Team (an unsuspecting story)   Lessons: Play for the name on the front of the jersey and not the back. Discern the magnitude and urgency of the moment. You can be beat. (Just showing up is not enough). Application Lesson # 1 Play for the name on the front of the jersey and not the bac …

Introduction Several months ago, many of us looked at what was then an emerging public health crisis and imagined that it would be a temporary pit stop. Though there was significant concern by some, most of us never thought that we would today be several months into a global pandemic with no clear e …

1 Corinthians Chapter  2 (9) But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” — (10) these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (11) For w …

ST JOHN CHAPTER  16 (13) However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will GUIDE YOU into ALL truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears HE WILL SPEAK; and He will TELL ( SHOW) YOU things TO COME. (14) He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is MINE and DECL …

2 Corinthians Chapter 4 (16) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”  2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬   The Holy Spirit strengthens you from the inside out. Why? So God, who is love, can work His will and purpose through you. 1 Jo …

Ephesians Chapter 3 (20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh IN US,” Ephesians‬ ‭3:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬ God can do great things on the outside when He is allowed to work His power first, on the inside of us. Mark Chapter 16 ( …

Review Last week we discussed the best ways to respond to change, particularly changes that are unexpected and unwelcomed. There are also changes that are welcomed at one level, but also unwelcomed because we are not prepared for them. In the last series, we discussed responding to change by clingin …

Father’s Day is an interesting event. It strikes a chord on several levels. No matter who our father was or is, what he’s done or hasn’t done, he strikes a chord at a deep level. This is a powerful reality. Today we pause to think about its power and to give thanks for what God has done in fatherhoo …

Preachers all over America and the world are wrestling each week with how they will preach each Sunday, as both a global pandemic and outcry over racial injustice frame our reality. Do we continue with our standard bible teaching themes or do we adjust our messages to respond to the socio-political …

Review Last week, we talked about how the Christian life consists of both suffering and prosperity and that having a theology for both is not a contradiction. This is because while our physical reality is subject to change, by faith, we can always be linked to the prosperity of Christ’s person, pres …

Review Last week, we talked about what to do when the unthinkable happens. Common examples are a death, a job loss, a divorce, or a person we trust suddenly turning on us. These are all things we can encounter in a world that is subject to change. Thankfully, in a world that can be so easily shaken, …

Review Last week, we discussed how to address the tension many of us feel between our circumstances and beliefs. As a church that embraces the prosperity doctrine as an aspect of our theology, this is particularly important. Some of the dissonance we may feel between faith and our physical reality i …

Review As many of you know, we began this year announcing that we would spend it focusing on the basics. For us that includes a review of the Word of Faith (or prosperity) theology, one of the doctrines that influences our church.   The doctrine is controversial for two reasons: For what it cla …

The Bible speaks about human reproduction in the first chapter of Genesis (Genesis 1:28). However, neither motherhood nor fatherhood is mentioned explicitly until after the fall. Of the two, motherhood is mentioned first and early. In fact, one of the first things that comes out of God’s mouth as He …

FAITH IN CRISIS “WHEN ALL HOPE IS TAKEN AWAY”   A crisis can take all hope away. But a timely word from God can restore your faith in Him to overcome. Paul the Apostle, in troubled waters as prisoner on a ship to Rome … Acts 27:10-11, Acts 27:20-24, Acts 27:31, Acts 27:36-37, Acts 27:44 NKJV (1 …

JAMES  4:6-7 NKJV (6).  But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  While God promises to give us more grace, He gives it to the humble, not the proud.  (7).  Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Faith in crisi …

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Faith in God’s grace will get us through this crisis in our nation, allo …

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT (29) For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”   GOD DETERMINES YOUR DESTINY, BUT YOUR CHOICES DETERMINE HOW OR WHETHER YOU GET THERE OR NOT   Isaiah 46:9-10 ESV (9) remember the …

Review For the last couple of weeks, we’ve looked at the relationship between the Word of Faith doctrine and race. Specifically, we began to explore what it meant to link the prosperity movement to the African-American church. And in our case, we are a predominately African-American church in a comm …

Review For the last couple of weeks, we’ve looked at the relationship between the Word of Faith doctrine and race. Specifically, we began to explore what it meant to link the prosperity movement to the African-American church. And in our case, we are a predominately African-American church in a comm …

Review For the last couple of weeks, we’ve looked at the relationship between the Word of Faith doctrine and race. Specifically, we began to explore what it meant to link the prosperity movement to the African-American church. And in our case, we are a predominately African-American church in a comm …

Review Last week, we looked at the relationship between the Word of Faith doctrine and race. Specifically, we began to explore what it meant to link the prosperity movement to the African-American church. This is important because if the prosperity movement is to have value, it must translate into p …

Review For the last two weeks we’ve been providing an overview and biblical evaluation of the Word of Faith Movement. We’ve spent our time looking at the figure of Abraham, the most important biblical figure in the Word of faith movement. We established that as believers in Christ, we are spiritual …

Review For the last two weeks we’ve been providing an overview and biblical evaluation of the Word of Faith Movement. We are examining the Scriptural merits of the doctrine of the prosperity message.   The Significance of Abraham For the last two weeks, we’ve discussed that one of the most impo …

Review Last week we gave an overview of the Word of Faith Movement. People familiar with the movement know it most for the prosperity message. This is a doctrine that proclaims that God wants us to prosper in every aspect of our lives. This includes, but is not limited to Physical Healing Physical p …

Introduction Getting the most out of your church experience means to understand what your church believes. Some beliefs are explicit, and others are implicit. While there are several different Christian traditions that have influenced this church, one of the more significant ones is The Word of Fait …

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn We have more to gain from funerals than from parties (Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 NLT). Mourning is an important emotional, social and spiritual exercise for people who live in time and (physical) space (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, Revelations 21:4). Worldly grief brings pain; godly grief …

Joshua 1:8 NKJV (8) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Proverbs 4:20-23 KJV (20) My son, …

Joshua 1:8 NKJV (8). This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Philemon 1:6 KJV (6). That the c …

Joshua 1:8 NKJV (8) This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Philemon 1:6 KJV (6). That the co …

Review We must distinguish between worldly success and kingdom progress, between the American dream and the heavenly vision. We cannot measure Christian success by crowds, money and other status symbols of ministry prosperity. While God does prosper people, determining whether material success is fr …

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…..” Proverbs 23:7 NKJV HOW GOD SEES YOU: THE TRUE REALITY, REVEALED IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. • HE SEES US AS HIS CHILD, BELOVED, FORGIVEN, PROTECTED, FREE, HOW YOU SEE GOD SEEING YOU: YOUR TRUE REALITY • HOW YOU SEE GOD RELATING TO YOU, DETERMINES HOW YOU RE …

Review You’re not from here. You are from the one who sent you (John 17:16-18). Jesus sent us into the world to be ambassadors (II Corinthians 5:20). Jesus also sent us into the world to be laborers. (Matthew 9:35-38). When Jesus speaks of laborers, he’s speaking figuratively. • Laborers = Harvester …

Review You’re not from here. You are from the one who sent you (John 17:16-18). We learned last month that a sent one is also an ambassador (II Corinthians 5:20). Notes   Heaven’s Labor Shortage We also learned that a sent one is a laborer (Matthew 9:35-38). Look at the biblical pattern: We – S …

PRESS IN TOWARD THE HIGH CALLING (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 KJV The highest calling is less about  where you are called, but all about Who called you and what are you called to do among the people you encounter. You are am …

Review You’re not from here. You are from the one who sent you (John 17:16-18). The one who sent us is Jesus. The one who sent Him is the Father. Just as God has “sent ones” (or ambassadors), Satan has ambassadors (Matthew 24:4-5, Matthew 24:23-24). Just as Satan can turn himself into an angel of li …

Review You’re not from here. You are from the one who sent you (John 17:16-18). The one who sent us is Jesus. The one who sent Him is the Father. The Father sent us the Holy Spirit at Jesus’ request (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit tells everyone that you belong to Jesus and that you have God’s stam …

Review You’re not from here. You are from the one who sent you (John 17:16-18). As a sent one or ambassador, you are responsible for communicating the message of the sender. The message of our sender is this: be reconciled to God (II Corinthians 5:20). The sender is responsible for letting everyone …

Review We learned from The Incredibles movie that we are a family of supers, but we learned from The Black Panther movie that we are a royal family of supers. Our big brother is the King and has sent us to earth to conduct the business of the State—that is, the Kingdom of God (Hebrews 2:11) We are a …

John 10:10 10 The theif comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.     Satan stole man’s identity in the Garden of Eden. Ever since, man has been trying to find himself apart from God.   Notes     John 8:31-32 31 Then sai …

Identity theft began in the garden of Eden, giving satan access to the hearts of all mankind. John 10:10 It is satan’s deception to make people feel uncomfortable in identifying themselves with God. Satan knows once a person identifies him/her self with God, they will act like God and dominate in th …

Review Real superhero work is turning other people into superheroes. We do this by helping people obey Jesus. You become a superhero when Jesus, the most powerful superhero, lives in you. No one’s strong enough to be a superhero alone. We also need the power of Jesus in other people to stop the devi …

Review Last week, we boldly declared the truth as an important first step in a process of healing. This week, we take another important step as we ask a very important question: How do we respond to the truth? You respond to the truth with the truth. For Christians, this means that our next step is …

Review Last week, we discussed some hard truths. Superheroes must do detective work and they must do dirty work. Superheroes must find the truth and then tell it. This is “dirty” work because “all truth is confrontational” (A.R. Bernard). Truth requires a response, which is why people try to avoid i …

Review Our theme this month is about superheroes. The Holy Spirit gives us superpowers, but we learned that God has not called us to be superheroes by ourselves. We are part of a family of supers. But we learned last week that we are not just part of a family of supers, but of a royal family of supe …

Tell Me A Story of Home This is another movie that opens up with a child looking up to his mentor, in this case, his father. Like all children—and really, all people, this child wants to understand who he is and is pondering life’s basic questions: Who am I? Where am I from? What I am going What can …

Does Helen Want Her Groove Back? Sometimes we meet other people’s expectations so well that we forget who we are. When we identify with our secret identity too much, we get upset when people call upon the superhero in us (Numbers 13:31-33).   “Get Yourself Together!” The greatest fear of some s …

“I’m Your Number One Fan” Children naturally want to be just like the adults in their lives (Ephesians 5:1). To them, adults are superheroes. But the real superhero work is turning other people into superheroes. We do this by helping people obey Jesus (Galatians 4:19). You become a superhero when Je …

One of the things that distinguishes humans from other creatures is how much care baby humans require compared to other mammals. While most baby mammals become independent in a relatively short period of time, it takes years to parent a human child into an adult. This accentuates the need of parents …

One of the things that distinguishes humans from other creatures is how much care baby humans require compared to other mammals. While most baby mammals become independent in a relatively short period of time, it takes years to parent a human child into an adult. This accentuates the need of parents …

“Every woman craves a relationship with a real man. . . .She might be temporarily satisfied with someone less mature, but at the end of the day, a woman wants to be with a Real Man” (A.R. Bernard, Four Things Women Want From A Man What is real man? Masculinity may not have a definition, but it does …