“…devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching…” (1 Tim. 4:13)
Galatians 3:1-14 Paul confronts the foolish Galatians by asking them a series of questions in order to point them back to living by God’s grace. Did you receive the Spirit by working for it or by believing in Jesus? What about Abraham? Was he made righteous by works or faith? Did God work miracles among…
Galatians 2:11-21 In this passage, Paul sets up a discussion of two contrasts–Living by the law (following rules) or living by faith (trusting in Jesus Christ). Only one method sets us free from the guilt, the penalty and the bondage of sin.
Galatians 1:11-2:14 Paul pauses in his letter to the Galatians to give a testimony of how he came to be a preacher of the true gospel. He verifies that the true gospel can have nothing added to or taken away from the original message.
Galatians 1:1-10 The message of the true Gospel is that Jesus came to set us free from sin. In the Galatian church in Paul’s day there was much confusion about what it meant to be truly free. So it is today…
1 Corinthians 14 Every believer has been given spiritual gifts by God. In this passage Paul says we should “try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” So when we come together as a body, let’s come looking for ways to share our gifts with others.
Psalm 42 & 43 Though the psalmist is in distress and sorrow, he reminds himself of God’s faithfulness and puts his hope where it belongs. “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
Luke 2:15-20 The angels proclaimed “Good News of Great Joy that will be to all the people.” The shepherds went to see for themselves and after they saw the Child they praised God and spread the Word. Let us be quick to share the Good News of what the Christmas story means to us.
Isaiah 8:11-9:7 In the midst of gloom and hopelessness, the prophet Isaiah warns against trusting in or following after the advice of those that everybody around seems to be listening to. Instead, he says, fear the Lord; seek counsel from his word; and look for the coming of the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 60:1-3; 61:1-3 At a time when the nation of Israel was in deep darkness, the prophet Isaiah foretold the day when the light would come and the glory of the Lord would rise. Christmas is a celebration of the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus.
What is the true mission of the church? The New Testament has much to say on this topic. This sermon takes a look at some clear and concise passages about how God measures the success of the church and the people in it. Matthew 5:13-16; James 1:26-27; 1 Peter 3:13-16; 1 Corinthians 9:19-27