Hebrews 11:1-12; This “bridge” message from the well-known Hebrews passage commending several of the OT faithful connects with our recent study of spiritual gifts. I Corinthians 12 noted that faith was a gift given in various measures, but how do we know if we were given much or little? An examination of Abel through Abraham […]
Ephesians 5:15-20; The conclusion to our short series on the ministry and working of the Holy Spirit. Paul instructs the church in Ephesus to live about their cultural norms, in a “circular” letter that was written to share among the surrounding churches in Asia Minor. Believers are cautioned to avoid the customs of their day, […]
I Corinthians 12:1-11; The fourth Holy Spirit focused sermon in our New Year series unpacks the “sign” gifts as the second part of exploring spiritual gifts. Paul wrote the church in Corinth as a response to concerns that members of the body expressed about a variety of topics, including the misuse of certain spiritual gifts.
Romans 12:3-8; The first two weeks of the New Year, we investigated the illuminating and guiding ministries of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 12, Paul outlines the gifting of the Spirit of Christ to equip and maintain a properly functioning New Testament church. These seven vital areas are known as the motivational gifts and given […]
Galatians 5:16-26; Jesus provided an outline of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit during His Upper Room Discourse in John 14-16. Paul then experienced the power of the indwelling Spirit of Christ as he shared the gospel and coached believers on the path of Sanctification. In Galatians 5, Paul contrasts the act of […]
John 15:26-16:15; Jesus introduced the coming Advocate during the Upper Room Discourse in John 14, a topic briefly unpacked in Advent week 4. The next several weeks we will be investigating the scope of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This launchpad message reveals the “Spirit of truth” who will testify about the saving work […]
II Peter 1:16-21: Light is the focus for the final week of the Advent season. Peter points the early church and future generations of believers in Christ towards the return of Jesus in the 2nd Advent. The powerful impact of the Transfiguration gave Peter, along with James and John, the assurance and motivation to preach […]
John 14:15-21; The expansive, selfless love of God for the world is framed by John 3:16. However Jesus reveals to His disciples in John 14 during the Upper Room Discourse that Divine Love is also reciprocal. Believers if Christ are to actively demonstrate their love for Him by following his biblical commands, as well as […]
Isaiah 35:1-10; Yahweh-God communicates His plan to hold accountable those nations who brought destruction on Israel through Isaiah in chapter 34….a future glimpse of His Divine Judgement. Abruptly the scene changes from wrath to complete restoration of nature as the curse of Genesis 3 is finally lifted. The return of Jesus-Messiah provides the Way to […]
Luke 12:49-53; Isaiah 9 powerfully describes the spectacular reign of Messiah on earth, including the identifier “Prince of Peace”. Yet Jesus surprises His inner circle of followers with the answer to His rhetorical question, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? by asserting, “No, I tell you, but division”. Why was the […]