Why do we in the church oftentimes only see our superficial differences? Why can’t we see each other as we are, ultimately alike – redeemed by the blood, united with Christ, loved by God, adopted into the same family?
Sermon, A Gift from God – part 2, Ephesians 4:7-13, January 22, 2017.
Based upon the teaching of the Bible and over twenty years of full-time pastoral ministry, I have to say that three sins are particularly deadly to the unity of the church: excessive complaining, gossip and false teaching. The church must personally avoid these and reprove those who exercise them in their desire to be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).
Sermon, A Gift from God – part 2, Ephesians 4:7-13, January 22, 2017.
You know when I was a teacher I could flunk those who refused to work. When I was a coach I could bench them. When I managed a large aquatic facility I could fire them. I can’t do any of those things to you. You are all volunteers! So what motivation do I have to get you to serve? Very simple, I have the words of God that I presented to you this morning – His command and the great promises of His grace and your reward. If you are not excited about being directly commissioned, gifted and empowered by the King of the Universe to do His will, there is not much more I can do to get you engaged.
A Gift from God-Part 1, Ephesians 4:7-13, January 15, 2017.
God gives gifts and distributes gifts so that He might receive glory in the universe (Eph. 4:10) through things like: His will accomplished though us, His people ministered to through us and the mere fact that His people are not selfish, but they serve and they are not useless, but they are equipped. Therefore, when we refuse to use our spiritual gifts, the body of Christ suffers and God does not receive the glory He deserves. On a cosmic level, any believer not using his or her gifts is a problem of God-sized proportions.
A Gift from God-Part 1, Ephesians 4:7-13, January 15, 2017.
Ask someone who knows you well if they believe you are humble. You have nothing to lose except your pride.
A Gift from God-Part 1, Ephesians 4:7-13, January 15, 2017.
Understanding the Gospel message and receiving the Gospel message always shows itself in manifesting the Gospel message in our actions.
The First Order of Business, Ephesians 4:1-6, January 8, 2017.
Perhaps nothing is more tragic and heartbreaking than the divorce of a so-called Christian marriage. Literally, there is no excuse. Don’t both partners have the Holy Spirit that produces fruit like love and peace and gentleness and kindness and self-control? Don’t both partners want to submit to Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives? Don’t both partners have the Bible, their marriage manual, that specifically outlines what God expects and how they can have a fulfilling, joyful and God-honoring marriage? Don’t both partners have the church which can offer accountability and encouragement and counseling? Don’t both partners remember the promise, the covenant they made before God in good times and bad times to love each other to the end? Don’t both partners what to do all things for the glory of God?
The First Order of Business, Ephesians 4:1-6, January 8, 2017.
In almost thirty years as a Christian, and over twenty of those as a pastor, I cannot think of one instance in my life of the life of another where disobedience to God’s Word actually was proven to be the right decision.
We all admire and adore the baby Jesus born in the manger, but what we must mainly admire and adore is the Man on the cross – the fact that Jesus was born ultimately to die. He didn’t die because the Jews and Romans finally we able to put an end to this supposed troublemaker. He didn’t die because God wanted to show us an example of commitment to a cause or how to pay the definitive sacrifice or how to demonstrate humility or show love that is willing to suffer for friends. In a sense these are all true, but the ultimate reason Jesus died on the cross is because that was His primary mission to take away the sins of the world. 1 Peter 2:24, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross.”
Full of Grace and Truth, John 1:14, December 25, 2016.
And when I face reality and see the utter awfulness of my sin contrasted with beauty of His holiness, my never-ending refrain will be that He is a God of amazing grace and that He has given me amazing grace.
Full of Grace and Truth, John 1:14, December 25, 2016.
Evidence we really understand God’s grace will be seen in our desire and ability to show God’s grace.
Full of Grace and Truth, John 1:14, December 25, 2016.
I wish I saw more of this understanding of God’s grace among people who profess to be God’s children – the forbearance, love, mercy, gentleness, forgiveness, the humility, the ability overlook sin if appropriate and the absence of legalism, haughtiness and self-righteous spirits. I’m tired of the condemning remarks, the fight to win attitudes, the always expecting my way pursuits and grace-less relationships that are too frequently seen in Christian marriages. No wonder a young girl in a church once prayed, “Lord, make the bad people good and make the good people friendly.”
Full of Grace and Truth, John 1:14, December 25, 2016.
Like my lamentations about the church at times failing to display grace, the church at times also fails to display truth. Do we dare to be ashamed to speak about Jesus in fear that it might offend someone and defend it in the name of grace? Are we permissive and overly tolerant with our children, avoiding discipline while thinking we are acting in grace? Should we eliminate certain biblical principles like repentance, hell, church discipline, marriage roles, sin, God’s sovereignty and Christ’s lordship because we wish to offer grace? Should we not confront sin and hold each other accountable because we think that is a display of grace?
Full of Grace and Truth, John 1:14, December 25, 2016.
It’s possible to be so nice in an effort to show grace that we in reality keep people away from receiving grace themselves. The most loving thing we can do is speak truth both to unbelievers and believers. Our primary goal is not to help each other feel good, but help each other be good. Without truth there can be no grace!
Full of Grace and Truth, John 1:14, December 25, 2016.
You see, it’s not that difficult to demonstrate either grace or truth. What takes the work of God in our lives is to be able to demonstrate both – grace and truth. Not both like a faucet that turns from one temperature to the other, but like Jesus who always demonstrated both in every occasion. In order to be successful, we must live lives that are wise, saturated with the Bible, being fueled by the Holy Spirit, driven by the principles we’ve accepted in the Gospel and seeking to exalt our Savior in all things.
Full of Grace and Truth, John 1:14, December 25, 2016.
This is God allowing Himself to be God. This is God in His own freewill rightly exercising sovereignty over a creation that belongs exclusively to Him. This is saying God’s sovereignty tops man’s freewill. This is God in His mercy choosing to not allow the whole world to perish, but rather calling some to Himself entirely on the basis of His grace.
Sermon, Letting God be God, Ephesians 1:3-6, September 11, 2016.
So if we are already declared perfectly holy in God’s eyes and our future is a place of perfect holiness and God’s goal for us is increasing holiness, it’s safe that the clearest sign that we are really saved will be the desire and ability to be more holy.
Sermon, Letting God be God, Ephesians 1:3-6, September 11, 2016.
The greatest evidence that God has transformed us as saints will be our desire to live as saints.
Sermon, Saved to be Holy, Ephesians 1:1-2, September 4, 2016.
Martin Luther said that God wields two rods. One is the rod of Fatherly kindness – the rod of love and mercy to correct His children. The other is the club of anger flowing from justice and wrath toward His enemies. We know for the Christian, Christ took the rod of anger on our behalf. Justice was accomplished we He took our sin upon Himself. God’s wrath was fully exhausted upon Him. We have been forgiven and adopted into God’s family. Yet in that family we do receive the rod of correction from a Father that seeks to correct us when we sin. It is because He knows better than us the consequences of sin. It is because He loves us! Discipline is always a sign of love.
Sermon, When God Seems Distant, Psalm 6:1-10, August 28, 2016.
“Oh Lord, don’t give me what I deserve, but give me what I need. Don’t remove the discipline, but discipline me in kindness and grace. Let not the rod be a sword, but let it be the stern hand of a loving Father that wants to turn me from my rebellious ways and make me more like Yourself. I bring none of my goodness to you, but plead on behalf of my littleness. I want the blessing of Your rebuke, but I fear the billows of Your anger. I trust You as my Father. Please correct me, change me and restore our relationship.”
Sermon, When God Seems Distant, Psalm 6:1-10, August 28, 2016.
I think of Peter after He denied the Lord. The Bible says, “He went out and wept bitterly” (Lk. 22:62). Psalm 38:18, “For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin.” Jeremiah 31:18, “I have surely heard Ephraim grieving, ‘You have chastised me, and I was chastised, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for You are the LORD my God.’” In the Beatitudes our Lord said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Mt. 5:4). In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul spoke of a “godly sorrow.” In the depths of your relationship with God have you ever experienced this? When we sin against God we should experience our most intense grief. In verse 3 of Psalm 6, David speaks of His soul being “greatly dismayed.”
Sermon, When God Seems Distant, Psalm 6:1-10, August 28, 2016.
When have you most recently felt the crushing pain of a burdened heart, darkened soul or guilty conscience solely because of your sin against God? Does sin hurt you as much as it hurts God? Does it make you sick, grieved or disappointed? Does it weigh on you prompting repentance and calling to God for restoration? Do you ever feel that your sin has divided you from a rich relationship with God and the feeling is one of emptiness, despair and regret?
Sermon, When God Seems Distant, Psalm 6:1-10, August 28, 2016.
Why is salvation all of God’s grace and not based in any part on our own works? 1. Because you and I have sin that God will never accept in His holy presence. 2. Because the standard of righteousness required is God Himself. 3. Because, Ephesians 2:9, God does not want us to boast, but rather saves us, “So that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). 4. Because a love relationship is never based on the works one gives another. 5. Because we will forever wonder if we did enough good deeds. 6. And because if we could save ourselves based on our works, there would have been no reason to send Jesus Christ.
Sermon, Faith Works – Part 2, Ephesians 2:8-10, November 20, 2016.
The false gospel, the man-centered position states that I need to clean myself up in order for God to accept me. The true gospel, the God-centered position teaches that I come to God broken and He begins the process of cleaning me up, making me into a masterpiece. The former is self-reformation. The latter is God-transformation. The former is God will only accept a masterpiece. The latter is God will only make a masterpiece. So we come to God messy, with nothing to offer and then God in His divine love begins to shape us into the beautiful image of Jesus Christ (see Eph. 2:10).
Sermon, Faith Works – Part 2, Ephesians 2:8-10, November 20, 2016.
Is salvation a reward God owes you for your actions or grace that results from His action in Christ? Is salvation payment from on high or is it a gift given to us by God that we did not deserve? Is salvation God praising you for your goodness or is it you praising God for His goodness? What do you believe based on the Scriptures?
Sermon, Faith Works – Part 2, Ephesians 2:8-10, November 20, 2016.
What is grace? Grace is the opposite of human effort. Grace affirms what Scripture declares that we are undeserving hell-bound rebels, dead in our transgressions and sins, under God’s perfectly just wrath for our rebellion against Him. But while we were dead, while we were in active revolt against Him, God chose to make us alive, forgive our sins and grant us unimaginable and undeserved riches in Christ. That’s grace! Grace is God giving us what we did not deserve.
We are not saved “by” our faith, but “through” our faith (Eph. 2:8). Faith is only as valid as the object in which I chose to invest it. I can have great faith in the stars or a powerful man or in my personal beliefs, but if the given object is unable to achieve my salvation, the faith is useless. Faith is the connecting chain, the human response that links me to the saving work of Christ.
Sermon, Faith Works – Part 1, Ephesians 2:8-10, November 13, 2016.
What is repentance? According to the Scriptures, three Greek words are transliterated “repentance.” I believe all three put together describe three truths necessary for complete repentance. The Greek word “Metanoeo” speaks of a spiritual change of the mind. Literally it means “to have another mind.” It implies a change of opinion with regard to sin and the recognition of sin against a holy God. We’ll call this the intellectual aspect. The second word, “Metamelomai,” speaks of personal grief or sorrow over sin as it has offended one’s heavenly Father. We’ll call this the emotional aspect. Finally, “Epistrepho,” speaks of a change in direction and transformation of the will. Evidence here is marked by an observable difference in conduct. We’ll call this the volitional aspect.
Sermon, All Christians Repent, Acts 19:17-20, October 23, 2016.
There is not one biblical text that says you should pray over your repentance. There is not one biblical text that says you can repent when you personally feel like it. There is not one biblical text that advocates partial repentance. The command is simple. When you are confronted with wrongdoing, the immediate response is to repent!
All Christians Repent, Acts 19:17-20, October 23, 2016.
The Christian life is not to be characterized by the repeated cycle of sin-confess-sin-confess… Rather it should be sin-confess-repent-grow.
All Christians Repent, Acts 19:17-20, October 23, 2016.
You cannot cherish Jesus and your sin. We cannot add Christ without subtracting sin. A change in belief should always be followed by a change in behavior.
All Christians Repent, Acts 19:17-20, October 23, 2016.
It took the very blood of God to grant us our freedom. The life of Jesus Christ, that was the ransom price for our redemption. The Son of God chose to die. He chose to take our sin. He chose to spill His blood. He chose to face the wrath we deserved to break our chains and grant us our freedom.
Sermon, The Blessings Continue, Ephesians 1:7-10, September 18, 2016.
Prayer becomes a natural reflex like breathing. We don’t need to search for prayer content. We just need to love the Lord by learning His word and love others in the church in an intimate way. In following the two greatest commandments, we’ll have the knowledge we need to pray appropriately. In our love for the Lord we will naturally have a desire to speak continually with Him and in our love for others we know the best thing we can do for them is pray. You see, prayer is birthed not from duty, but from relationship – first love to God and then love to others.
Components of a Godly Prayer – Part 1, Ephesians 1:15-23. October 9, 2016
True conversion to Christ involves a miracle, a transformation, a born-again experience whereby one is given an entirely new heart with new power and new desires resulting in a new life.
Sermon, Resting in the Lord, Psalm 2:1-12, July 24, 2016.
The next time someone comes up to you and says, “I don’t really believe Jesus died on the cross,” you may wish to respond (in love!) in the following manner: “Let’s conduct an experiment. We’ll put you through so much stress that you actually begin to sweat drops of blood. We’ll beat you in the face. We’ll keep you awake one night due to intense sorrow and then another night due to lengthy legal trials. During this time you will receive no food or water. Then we’ll repeatedly beat you with a whip containing sharp bones and metal balls on the end of each strand. Your skin will be shredded, your muscles will be torn, your organs will be lacerated and you will experience extensive blood loss. We’ll place a crown of thorns of your head and then use the wooded sceptre we placed in your hand to beat you some more. Then we’ll place a heavy beam weighing 75-125 pounds on your back and force you to carry it to your place of execution. When at the site, we’ll drive 5-7 inch nails through your wrists and ankles. We’ll let birds of prey tear at your body as you suffocate in excruciating pain for six hours on the cross. Then, we’ll pierce you in the side with a 6-foot infantry spear, puncturing your heart, and watch the emission of both blood and water. Finally we will place you in a tomb, tightly wrap your body in pungent spices and cover your face, and permit you no medical attention. Would you like to undergo the experiment? Do you think you could survive?”
Battle-Tested Lesson 25, The Resurrection of Jesus Christ – Part 2.
Anger is the last thing we’ll attribute to a god of our imaginations.
Sermon, God’s Wrath is Revealed. Revelation 16:1-21, March 6, 2016.
Though I’m not condoning any form of violence in this illustration, permit me to make a point. Let’s pretend you punch a pillow in your home. What are the consequences? Let’s say you now punch the family pet. Stronger consequences? What happens if you punch a family member? Would the offense be greater if you punched a police officer? What would happen if you punched the President of the United States? Our sin is always directly proportionate to the person we sin against. When we sin against an infinite and eternal God, there are always infinite and eternal consequences.
Sermon, God’s Wrath is Revealed. Revelation 16:1-21, March 6, 2016.
The only reason we can ever see injustice in the wrath of God is because we have brought God down to our level and have now made Him accountable to us. We have elevated ourselves and dethroned God by making our opinions more authoritative than the Bible.
Sermon, God’s Wrath is Revealed. Revelation 16:1-21, March 6, 2016.
It’s very simple, either Christ bears God’s wrath you deserve on Himself or you bear God’s wrath you deserve on yourself.
Sermon, God’s Wrath is Revealed. Revelation 16:1-21, March 6, 2016.
Our response to those in the world is not to envy or admire them in their rejection of God. It’s not even to condemn them by wagging a Pharisaic finger of self-righteousness. Jesus said He did not come the first time to condemn the world. He came that the world might be saved through Him. Likewise, our job is to have compassion on the world – no different than the way Jesus did when they tortured and mocked Him on the cross – to point people to forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Judgment is His job and as we just witnessed in Revelation 14, that’s exactly what He will do when He comes a second time.
Sermon, Purposefully Misplaced in Babylon – part 2, Revelation 14:1-20, February 21, 2015.
What’s my goal for my kids? Is it just to keep them off drugs, get good grades and come out to church with the family? That might make for training a good American, but not necessarily for training a good Christian. I want my children to see their role as a Christian is not only preventing themselves from being stained by the world (here is where many Christian parents stop), but also empowered by the Holy Spirit to be used as an agent to transform the world. It’s helping them to understand, modeling it for them and giving them opportunities to be ambassadors for Christ.
Sermon, Purposefully Misplaced in Babylon – part 2, Revelation 14:1-20, February 21, 2015.
Between the many opportunities in a lifetime to distrust God during trials or doubt God during persecution or desert God during worldly temptations, our journey with Christ is an ongoing fight that needs to go all 12 rounds.
Sermon, Unexpected Praise, Revelation 15:1-8, February 28, 2015.
I can’t believe it, but today people now feel uncomfortable when you mention the “Easter Bunny” this time of the year. It is not that the Easter Bunny has anything to do with Christianity, but the Easter Bunny (in the world’s mind) is tied to Easter and Easter is tied to Christianity and Christianity is tied to Jesus! So no Easter Bunny because the world wants nothing to do with Jesus and His Resurrection!
Sermon: The Indispensable Doctrine, Acts 4:1-12, March 31, 2013.
Citing Psalm 118:22, Peter said [in Acts 4], “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone.” So in quoting this prophecy about Jesus, Peter is declaring that the most important piece of God’s revelation to man was rejected by the very people who should have seen Him most clearly and esteemed Him most profoundly! But it was God the Father who saw God the Son rejected by His own people. He saw the Son crucified on a cross, thrown away like a rejected stone on a killing hill called Calvary. And it was God the Father who refused to leave His Son in an old dusty tomb and picked Him up, raised Him from the dead and put Him in the most important place as the corner stone. That is why we read in Philippians 2, “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).
Sermon: The Indispensable Doctrine, Acts 4:1-12, March 31, 2013.
There is a battle presently raging right now in your heart. “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another” (Gal. 5:17). It is a battle Scripture says, between the personal Spirit and a personified flesh within you. It is not a head-on collision, but two opposing forces seeking to pull us in two opposite directions, one to righteousness and one to unrighteousness. This is the bottom line as to why some Christians honor God and others do not. It is the difference between living in the Spirit and living in the flesh.
Sermon: The Battle Within, Galatians 5:16-18, September 2, 2012.
Our goal is not to get comfortable with the pleasures of this world. Our goal is not to fix all the problems in America. Our goal is to understand that heaven is our home and as a pilgrim here on earth, our pursuit is to be a growing disciple that helps others become a disciple and then helps them be a growing disciple as well who are equipped to make more disciples.
Sermon, Purposefully Misplaced in Babylon – part 2, Revelation 14:1-20, February 21, 2015.
Did you ever notice how recent major theological shifts in the church (acceptance of evolution, fornication, so-called “gay marriage,” self-esteem, etc.), have not come as a result of Christians studying their Bibles. Rather, the shifts have come from the pressure of the world that has persuaded Christians to believe contrary to what is in their Bible.
Sermon, Christ’s Championship – Devil’s Defeat – Part 2, Revelation 12:1-17, January 17, 2015.
The world has been and is being redeemed. Satan, however, is moving in the opposite direction. From an exalted position in heaven, to a position in heaven, to being cast from heaven, to being thrown eventually in the lake of fire, Satan’s journey takes him from power to weakness, from glory to disgrace.
Sermon, Christ’s Championship – Devil’s Defeat – Part 2, Revelation 12:1-17, January 17, 2015.
Our problem with Satan is not that he is too strong for us in Christ’s power. Our problem with Satan is that he hates us because he has been defeated.
Sermon, Christ’s Championship – Devil’s Defeat – Part 2, Revelation 12:1-17, January 17, 2015.
Satan would love nothing more than for you and I to pretend he doesn’t exist or acknowledge his existence and take his assault on you lightly. He would also like to see you buckle under fear at his threats or defend yourself using worldly and man-made tactics.
If there is anything that thrills you, excites you, captivates you, stuns you more than God, you are an idolater.
Sermon, The Faithful Witnesses of Christ – Part 2, Revelation 11:1-19, January 3, 2015.
If we follow the first commandment and place no other gods before the true God and we are naturally wired to speak of that which is most important to us, it only stands to reason that we will we a faithful witness for Jesus Christ, our treasure chest of holy joy.
Sermon, The Faithful Witnesses of Christ – Part 2, Revelation 11:1-19, January 3, 2015.
This is how I see all the commands to evangelize. I don’t view them as something I just need to turn on in certain situations. I see them in the context of a robust relationship with God. It’s getting to a point where God is so special and adored in our lives that speaking to others about Him, either fellowshiping with believers or evangelizing unbelievers, is simply from the overflow of our hearts.
Sermon, The Faithful Witnesses of Christ – Part 2, Revelation 11:1-19, January 3, 2015.
The Bible does not so much command Christians to be witnesses for Jesus as much as it identifies those who are witnesses for Jesus as Christians. As fish swim and birds fly and the IRS collects taxes, all Christians are identified as witnesses for Christ.
Sermon, The Faithful Witnesses of Christ – Part 2, Revelation 11:1-19, January 3, 2015.
In contrast to today’s Christ-less Christmas, God so orchestrated the events during the first Christmas to frame the supremacy of Christ in a remarkable way without diminishing His humility. On that first Christmas, Jesus did not appear to kings in a palace, nor was His birth surrounded with splendor and royalty. Rather, God chose the weak things of the world to shame the wise and better provide a backdrop that would not rob, but rather radiate the glory of the newborn King. Unlike today, the humble events surrounding Christ’s birth that first Christmas allowed Him to be the center focus and attraction of the day.
Sermon, The Gospel According To Luke, Skywalker? Luke 2:1-20, December 20, 2015.
Whether it be Joseph and Mary, the dirty stable, the humble shepherds or the pagan Magi, the magnificent superiority of Jesus Christ was perfectly framed by its surroundings that first Christmas. Nothing distracted from the intent of the message, and the response was none other than worship!
Sermon, The Gospel According To Luke, Skywalker? Luke 2:1-20, December 20, 2015.
It’s been said, the human heart is an idol factory. And there are so many idols to choose from here in America. There’s so much to worship with your affections, trust, time, passion, money and allegiance. But these idols, inspired by demons (1 Cor. 10:20; Rev. 9:20), do not deliver what they promise and what we seek in them. They betray us and harden our hearts toward God. They inspire us to turn to the very behavior that God hates.
Sermon, Unleash the Demonic Horde – Part 2, Revelation 9:1-21, November 29, 2015.
It’s without doubt that the population of heaven is multi-ethnic. There are many places you can turn in the Bible if you wish to prove the sin of racial discrimination, but when we read those in heaven are from “every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9), it’s unmistakable that God’s does not judge one’s worth based upon a superficial distinction such as skin pigmentation. God looks at the heart. And He loves and welcomes all people who have a heart to do His will. We live in a world that likes to separate. In God’s economy the only separation seen is those with Christ and those without Christ. Ultimately, that is all that matters.
Sermon: Before the Throne of God Above, Revelation 7:1-17, November 8, 2015.
How should we be motivated in our study of Revelation or for that matter, the study of what theologians call, “Eschatology”? First, we should realize that God has a wise plan for the world that He has set from eternity past that He will fulfill His plan according to His will. Nothing is catching Him by surprise. Second, we know that God will be the victor. Despite what we see, evil and Satan will not win in the end. This gives us incredible hope. Third, we are reminded that this world is not our home. Our time here on earth is but a vapor (Jas. 4:14). We should live with abandon for the glory of God and look forward to the greater joy that awaits us. Fourth, we learn to assess our values. We learn that all that really matters is what lasts for eternity. All in this world will be burned up. Only God’s Word and human souls will live forever. Fifth, we know that God is holy. Heaven is about holy living. Our true identity in Christ is holiness. That’s why Peter concludes after discussing the end times: “What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Pet. 3:11). Sixth, knowing the terrible fate of those without Christ, how can we who claim to believe the Scriptures and truly love people refrain from sharing Jesus with them? And seventh, we have been given a glimpse in chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation into the glorious throne-room of God in heaven. May we worship God on earth as all of creation worships Him in heaven.
Sermon, the Beginning of the End – Part 2, Revelation 6:1-17, October 25, 2015 – Adapted from Bruce Ware, Eschatology, biblicaltraining.org.
As we dive deeper into the book of Revelation, Christians commonly walk away with two wrong responses. First is they hear about God’s awful wrath and the persecution on the church and they become scared, very scared. Second is they contemplate the heavy symbolism and make it their life’s goal to interpret the events down to the smallest detail. Then they often dogmatically defend their position, even to the expense of dividing the church. If the first individual has his head in the sand, the second has his head in the clouds!
Sermon, the Beginning of the End – Part 2, Revelation 6:1-17, October 25, 2015 – Adapted from Bruce Ware, Eschatology, biblicaltraining.org.
If your concept of God is only one that sees the Divine as a relational buddy that exists for the sole purpose of keeping you from hell and granting all your wishes while on earth, you will fall miserably short. If your concept of God is not resulting in fear, passion, excitement, reverence and awe, you will fall miserably short. I suggest based on the way many professing Christians obey the Bible, pray, conduct themselves in worship, view the local church and share their faith, the god they claim to worship is far from the God portrayed in the Bible, and the motivation for wholehearted biblical living is absent.
Christian living
Sermon, The Triumphant Lamb, Revelation 5:1-14, October 11, 2015.
The goal of studying eschatology is not mere head knowledge or the disputes over the specific details. The goal is edification that promotes godly living. The goal is allowing the risen Lamb to live His victorious life through you. The goal is Gospel-centered, Holy Spirit-empowered transformation. And my friends, if you are living like that day-to-day, you will always be ready for whatever happens and whenever our Lord chooses to return (1 Thes. 5:4).
Sermon, The Beginning of the End-Part 1, Revelation 6:1-17, October 18, 2015.
Heaven is the home for those who want to see and experience the greatness of their God in a way their heart has always desired, but has never been able to achieve fully here on earth.
Sermon, The Triumphant Lamb, Revelation 5:1-14, October 11, 2015.
The Scripture is clear that all will be found praising Jesus Christ. Those who begin praising Him now after receiving Him by faith as their Savior will enjoy the blessed consummation of that throughout all of eternity. Those who reject Him will praise Him, but under obligation and separated from Him (Jn. 18:6; Phil. 2:10; Rev. 5:13). Simply put, God is too glorious to allow any corner of His creation to exist without recognizing His glory by ascribing to Him the worship that is due His name.
Sermon, The Triumphant Lamb, Revelation 5:1-14, October 11, 2015.
Since Scripture does not contradict itself, those who hold to the position that moral perfectionism can be attained in this world, need to seriously consider our Lord’s teaching in 1 Kings 8:46; Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Matthew 6:11-2; Romans 6:12-14; James 3:2 and especially 1 John 1:8. And if you need some personal examples check out Isaiah 6:5 and Job 42:5-6.
Do we really wish to make it harder to get into the church than Jesus makes it to get into heaven?
Of all that we worry about, statistics say: 85% of those things will never happen. 30% regard things in the past that we can’t change. 12% pertains to criticism by others, which is mostly untrue. 10% is health related, which gets worse with stress. And only 8% deals with real problems that we will face. I believe all of us can say, “I’ve had a lot of trouble and most of it never happened!”
Sermon, Overlooked and Destructive, Matthew 6:25-34, August 10, 2008.
Worry results from over-prioritizing our own needs and disbelieving the care and promises of God.
Sermon, Overlooked and Destructive, Matthew 6:25-34, August 10, 2008.
Worry accomplishes nothing good for our health and God’s glory. Worry often accompanies events that never affect us. Worry is often associated with the “what if” situations in the future. Beloved, trust God’s goodness and invest your energies in that which is more productive. Tomorrow will care for itself, but each day is filled with enough temptations and spiritual tests and opportunities to serve others and pray to keep us busy. Be thankful for the day that God has made, deal with the daily matters God has placed before you, find true peace that transcends the real pain that comes from living in a fallen world and then live each day, one day at a time.
Sermon, Overlooked and Destructive, Matthew 6:25-34, August 10, 2008.
Like the daily manna that God provided the Israelites in the desert, He provides the fresh grace that is sufficient for each day’s burdens (2 Cor. 12:9). Entrust the unpredictable future to the predictable grace of Him who promises “your strength will equal your days” (Dt. 33:25-NIV). “[Cast] all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7). Then trust Him for all things. For all things and your life lie in the palm of His wise and loving hands (Pro. 3:5-8). And if His firm grip is upon you, how can you be gripped with anxiety?
Sermon, Overlooked and Destructive, Matthew 6:25-34, August 10, 2008.
The more we begin to serve God and trust God and seek God, the less we will worry. Worry is evidence that we desire to serve and trust and seek ourselves. When we find in God our total sufficiency, we will glorify Him in the process and receive the promised peace and contentment that surpasses all understanding. Psalm 34:4, “I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” While Mary was clinging to the Lord, Jesus said to that stressed-out sister: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Lk. 10:41-42). May we realize that the cure for worry is God Himself and may we always be found seeking Him!
Sermon, Overlooked and Destructive, Matthew 6:25-34, August 10, 2008.
Guilt is a universal experience for all humans. In His mercy, God has made all of us to experience guilt when we sin against Him. From birth, Romans 2 tells us that “the work of [God’s] Law written [on our] hearts.” Therefore the verse goes on to say that our “conscience [bears] witness and [our] thoughts alternately [accuse or defend us] (Rom. 2:15). It doesn’t matter how much our society or government ignores or explains away God’s law. The violation of God’s law universally results in guilt for all people.
Sermon, Overcoming Guilt, Psalm 32:1-11, September 13, 2015.
This guilt issue follows us throughout our Christian walk. And as we mature in Christ we learn the value of dealing with it rightly and the dangers of dealing with it wrongly. We learn that even though God has forgiven us, we can sense it when not God, but Satan “the accuser” (Rev. 12:10) seeks to remind us of our failures and faults. We learn how to engage in spiritual battle to prevent false guilt from setting in. We learn to not trust in our feelings as it pertains to guilt, but fully stand on the promises from God’s Word. We learn to allow that which makes us guilty to only be the things that violate God’s Word. We learn the difference between real guilt and an overactive conscience. We learn the need to keep excelling in Christ, but refuse to allow the conviction to grow spiritually become a continual self-loathing low-grade guilt that we aren’t doing enough for Jesus. We learn to greater recognize our sinfulness and yet the incredible promise that we can always “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
Sermon, Overcoming Guilt, Psalm 32:1-11, September 13, 2015.
So when we sin, even as Christians, we experience guilt. We experience the shame of disappointing our heavenly Father. We are broken and contrite. The Lord wants us grieved over the times we offend Him. It breaks fellowship with Him. It breaks His heart and it should break our heart as well. We experience guilt. But we don’t stay in the guilt. Again, the guilt turns us to Christ. We confess the sin, repent of the sin and experience the blessing of His full pardon. 1 John 1:8-9, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Here is how David put it in Psalm 32:5. “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’; and You forgave the guilt of my sin.”
Sermon, Overcoming Guilt, Psalm 32:1-11, September 13, 2015.
In Romans 3:23 we read, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Everyone experiences guilt because everyone is guilty of violating God’s law. James 2:10 says, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” Everyone deserves God’s just condemnation in hell. But God in His love and mercy sent us a Redeemer. He sent us One that would take our sins upon Himself. He sent us Jesus Christ. And after receiving our sins, the Father spent His wrath upon Him. The punishment for all our sins was received by Him. Thus with the penalty of sin now taken away for those in Christ, we can receive a full pardon for our sins. Remove our sins from God’s presence in Christ and naturally you remove the guilt as well.
Sermon, Overcoming Guilt, Psalm 32:1-11, September 13, 2015.
There is one reason God allows all humans to experience guilt. And that’s so we might run to Him for true healing and forgiveness. Guilt is the symptom that drives us to the cure. And that cure is Jesus Christ.
Sermon, Overcoming Guilt, Psalm 32:1-11, September 13, 2015.
So why does our society first dismiss and then rationalize and justify sin and finally declare that biblical vices are in actuality virtues to be celebrated? The reason is very clear – they do it to minimize their guilt. Yet guilt is a universal response when we violate God’s laws, regardless of how we chose to reshape and redefine them.
Sermon, Overcoming Guilt, Psalm 32:1-11, September 13, 2015.
Similar to the instructions we pass along to our children for their physical safety, our Father in heaven gives us His instruction for our spiritual safety. Yet like ignorant and carefree children, we at times ignore His teaching. We at times want to do things according to our own estimation apart from the Scriptures. And when we do this, God in His mercy allows us to feel pain. Guilt is a gift from God that makes us sensitive to sin. Another word for this that we commonly use is conviction.
Sermon, Overcoming Guilt, Psalm 32:1-11, September 13, 2015.
Often those who are really bound in the sin of cynicism demonstrate all of these unpleasant traits. These traits are super easy to observe in others either through one’s critical comments or glum facial expressions. They see the glass always half full. They are the princes of pessimism. They crush any excitement in a room. They destroy morale in any team. They major on the negative. They are quick to see the worst. Whenever they want to meet, it’s always problem related. They squash good ideas and the potential from others. They are grumpy. They complain about everything. They are the party of “no.” They have a problem with everyone and everything. They are experts at discovering everybody’s flaws except their own. They stand as the self-appointed judges of the world and measure others by their own standards of righteousness. And they often look as friendly as a rattlesnake.
Sermon, Overcoming Cynicism, August 30, 2015.
Are you a cynic? Let’s take a moment for a little self-examination. Do you have difficulty seeing people and situations from a positive perspective? Are you quick to point out problems in a situation, but rarely if ever offer solutions? Do you give suggestions without ever offering to help? Do you speak negatively of others behind their backs? Do you find it easy to complain? Are you one that is rarely seen smiling? Are you often compelled to give a critical opinion in your effort to “help?” Do you assume the worst in someone? Do you fear failure? Do you judge others motives? Are you harsh, insensitive or abrasive? Do you delight in airing your own opinion? Do you negate someone’s idea without ever considering it? Do you enjoy passing judgment? Do others have difficulty being in your company and sharing their thoughts with you?
Sermon, Overcoming Cynicism, August 30, 2015.
A cynical attitude is from the dark side. It’s not how the Lord treats us. It’s of the flesh and the world and whether it’s intended or not, it shows a lack of trust in God and total disregard for others. Instead of worshipping God, a cynic basically worships himself. Simply put, a cynical attitude is a prideful attitude.
Sermon, Overcoming Cynicism, August 30, 2015.
One reason people are cynical is that they are not finding their identity fully in Christ. They understand they fall short of some self-prescribed standard. They look to who they are in the perspective of others. They are discontent with their weaknesses and jealous of the strengths of others. In lacking humility, they can’t imagine anyone revealing their insufficiencies. Often these people like to find fault in others, not only to make themselves look better, but also to keep others on the defense so the table is never turned on them. It’s insecurity. It’s self-protection. It’s a problem with the need to always be in control.
Sermon, Overcoming Cynicism, August 30, 2015.
We need something not of this world for spiritual combat, but something according to 2 Corinthians 10:4 that is “divinely powerful.” It’s the final piece of spiritual armor from Ephesians 6. It’s the only offensive weapon in the listing. It’s “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). Since Satan is the “father of lies” (Jn. 8:44) we combat his deception with truth. What is truth? As Jesus said, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). Let me be very clear, following the example of Jesus when He confronted Satan in the wilderness (Mt. 4:1-11), our primary weapon in spiritual warfare is the Bible.
Sermon, Waging Spiritual Warfare, 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, December 7, 2014.
No one is too weak to experience God’s power, but sadly our churches are filled with people that are too strong and too confident in themselves. There is no taste for God’s power unless you are convinced you need it. The physical suffering and mental anguish and disappointment and failure are not roadblocks, but the actual channels where God’s grace can flow and His power can be manifested in and through us. When we are weak we are strong when we depend on Christ.
Sermon, The Strategy for Strength, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, February 15, 2015.
Therefore when the trial comes (and often remains), we understand that while in the trial we are being firmly held in His wise and loving arms. As the trial humbles us, it manifests a weakness in us that causes us to cast a greater dependence on Him. We are forever weaned of our self-sufficiency and our self-reliance and learn to trust in His resources and not our own. God provides perfectly measured, sufficient grace (His divine assistance through the Holy Spirit) enabling us to remain in the trial with our faith intact. We are enabled to depend more on His strength and not our own. And we are enabled to trust Him for the working of Christlikeness in our lives (Jas. 1:2-4).
Sermon, The Strategy for Strength, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, February 15, 2015.
Spiritual battles are fought on the turf of the human mind. It is not about identifying territorial demons or binding demons or rebuking demons. So are we battling the forces of darkness? Yes, because our ultimate battle is “not against flesh and blood” (Eph. 6:12), but no, because we are not called in Scripture to go toe-to-toe engaging in hand-to-hand combat with demonic forces. The war is over the control of human minds. Our aim is to liberate people from demonic strongholds. We are to free the prisoners of war. Our call is to convert not demons, but people. The arena therefore is not mystical, but intellectual. Therefore, according to 2 Corinthians 10:5, we “destroy [intellectual things] raised up against the knowledge of God.” How? We do it with the Word of God. We combat the error that has already been sown in people’s minds with truth. We, verse 5, “are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” This shows that the primary problem is that people have a wrong understanding of Christ.
Sermon, Waging Spiritual Warfare, 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, December 7, 2014.
We see the word “grace” used in 2 Corinthians 8:4. Paul says, “Begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints.” NASB uses “favor.” NIV uses “privilege.” Both are the English translations for the Greek word “charis,” “grace.” Giving to God’s work is often seen as a burden, a reluctant action that will now make us go without something we want to do a whole lot more with that money – not only a horrible thought, but also an unbiblical perspective. It may shock us, but the Bible describes giving as a blessing, a privilege for many reasons. We are blessed when we give. Didn’t Jesus Himself say, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Ac. 20:28). Don’t we read in 2 Corinthians 9:6 that “he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully?” You want bountiful blessings from God? Then you must sow bountifully! How about the long-term blessing too – the spiritual rewards forever in heaven that Jesus promised. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal” (Mt. 6:19-20).
Sermon, Descriptions of the Indescribable, 2 Corinthians 9:1-15, November 23, 2014.
I need to come to grips that God is a better god than me. He is sovereign, not I. It’s His universe and He’s permitted to run it according to His wisdom. In His sovereignty He permits people, at times, to hurt me. Yet without excusing their sin, He has a reason for inflicting pain in my life. It’s my job to trust Him as God, knowing that He has my best interests in mind, working all things together for my ultimate good (Rom. 8:28). It’s not about me becoming bitter over my trials. It’s about Him making me better through my trials.
Sermon, Overcoming Bitterness, Hebrews 12:15, August 10, 2015.
Obviously we need to come in line with the truth of Scripture. Sin loves to hide. Addicts love to hide. Sin hates the light. Yet the light of God’s Word exposes our sin. The sword of the Spirit must be allowed to carve away our many layers of self-deception (that plagues all addicts). It beckons us to live in the truth in our desire to forsake Satan, the father of lies, for the God who is truth. It’s being honest with ourselves, admitting we have a problem and confessing that problem as sin to the Lord. Apart from this initial step we have no hope in moving forward.
Sermon, Overcoming Addictions, Titus 2:11-14, August 23, 2015.
God is our all-sufficient Creator and Provider. In the first of the Ten Commandments He says, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Ex. 20:3). Yet with addictions, we are revealing the fact that our hearts are bowing down to something we believe God cannot provide. The alcohol and drugs are not the essence of the issue. The problem is a heart that worships other gods. Maybe it’s the god of pleasure or the god of love or the god of acceptance or the god of peace or the god of control. You see, the problem is not outside of us. It’s not ultimately at the liquor store or on the Internet. The problem is within us and the booze and pornography are only satisfiers of deeper idols within our hearts. The problem is not the idolatrous substance. The problem is a passion in our heart that is wrongly satisfied with a false god (Concept adapted from Ed Welch, Addictions, p. 49).
Sermon, Overcoming Addictions, Titus 2:11-14, August 23, 2015.
An addiction is any pleasure that becomes an obsession (a mental preoccupation) which often then results in a compulsion (a behavior that acts out the obsession). Addictions can be chemically based, but they can also be emotionally or behaviorally based as well. An addiction is not a disease. You can’t catch an addiction. An addiction is a sinful disorder which therefore stresses responsibility for your addiction, but also gives hope for recovery from your addiction. An addiction is anything we depend on that draws us away from giving greater dependence on God. An addiction is not trusting in the sufficiency of Christ. An addiction is a false god. An addiction is an idol. Addictions are the lust to satisfy passions with idols outside of Christ.
Sermon, Overcoming Addictions, Titus 2:11-14, August 23, 2015.
I believe the greatest way to overcome addictions is with a greater desire. Addictions are a problem of passion. The problem is not with the passion itself. The problem is with the object our passion calls us to pursue. So why does our passion cause us to run to an idol? Because we believe that idol is most attractive. The power to change is available in Christ, yet we don’t go there because the pleasure of the idol seems more desirous that Christ. However, if we can see Jesus Christ as more satisfying – which He is, we will never pursue another idol again in our lives.
Do you have an addiction? Is there anything that you believe you “really need?” Is there anything that you could not imagine losing for a few weeks? Do you plan your life around the ability to get or use something? Is there any behavior, habit or unhealthy desire that you can’t stop? Are other areas of your life suffering (family, friends, career, finances, health) because of a certain behavior? Is a certain behavior preventing you from growing in Christ? Do thoughts of a certain item or action or person consume you more and bring more pleasure than thoughts about God? Is there anything that is wasting your money and time? Is there anything in your life that you keep hidden from others? Is there anything in your life that leaves you anxious, guilty or empty, but yet you still desire more of it? Is there anything that is mastering you? When you are grumpy, depressed, scared, bored, stressed or irritable, where is the first place you turn? What or whom do you trust for comfort and protection, adventure and satisfaction, purpose and pleasure? Not all the things we can be addicted to are necessarily evil, but if God is not on the top of the food chain you have an addiction. You are worshiping and idol.
Sermon, Overcoming Addictions, Titus 2:11-14, August 23, 2015.
If you want the greatest remedy to overcome bitterness, learn to forgive all who injure you in your heart. Perhaps the time will come for full reconciliation, but either way, a forgiving heart is where the roots of bitterness go to die.
Sermon, Overcoming Bitterness, Hebrews 12:15, August 10, 2015.
It doesn’t matter how bad you were hurt. It doesn’t matter if the person has yet to ask for your forgiveness. It doesn’t matter how strongly you feel you can justify your bitterness. It doesn’t matter is the offender still continues to sin against you. Bitterness in any form is a sin against God. You are choosing to be bitter. You will never be free until you acknowledge your bitterness, own up to it and ask for the Lord’s forgiveness.
Sermon, Overcoming Bitterness, Hebrews 12:15, August 10, 2015.
Do you struggle with the sin of bitterness? Why don’t you ask yourself these questions: Do you possess a critical or cynical attitude? Do you find pleasure speaking negatively of anybody in particular? Do you try to get others to dislike someone and take your side? Do you have any feelings of anger or malice toward another person in particular? Do you resent someone? Do you experience outbursts of anger? Have others said that you unpleasant to be around? Is there someone you simply refuse to forgive? Is there anyone you will not reconcile with? Is there a certain name that you just can’t stand hearing?
Sermon, Overcoming Bitterness, Hebrews 12:15, August 10, 2015.
If you are looking for a quick definition, bitterness is the result of responding improperly to a hurt. That hurt can be what someone says to you, what someone does to you or what someone takes away from you. It’s being offended or disappointed by another and allowing anger to fester whereby resentment becomes the outcome. We are usually bitter toward a person. I’ve even met many people that are bitter toward God.
Sermon, Overcoming Bitterness, Hebrews 12:15, August 10, 2015.
“Adopt[ing] “no other view” (Galatians 5:10) is an interesting phrase. Ever watch “The View?” It mirrors modern America. And as that show testifies, there is no such thing as “the view” because in modern America there are no absolutes. It should be called “The Views” or “Many Views!” Everybody is entitled to their opinion and all options are to be cherished, except the opinion that you are right and another is wrong. It is the age of tolerating everyone’s viewpoint (better said needing to accept everyone’s viewpoint), providing that viewpoint is not biblical teaching. According to the world, that view is not to be tolerated! But Paul in Galatians 5:10 says just the opposite! He promotes the biblical view and calls us to “adopt no other view.”
Sermon: Faith that Works in its Rest – Part 1, Galatians 5:2-12, August 5, 2012.
But Pastor, doesn’t the verse teach that I am to love myself? Doesn’t it say to love your neighbor “as yourself?” Yes it does. So shouldn’t we then teach, as many secularists do that we cannot love others until we learn to first love ourselves? Answer: no. Because everything about the Christian faith is a death to self. 1 Corinthians 13:5, “Love “does not seek its own.” There is nothing supernatural about loving yourself. Jesus Christ did not deny Himself and give up Himself to make us learn to love ourselves more. He died because we already love ourselves too much! We are experts at putting ourselves first. Ephesians 5:29, “For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it.” So this is not a command for self-love. This is an assumption that we already love ourselves (not of which all is evil) and the way we love ourselves already is to be the example of how we are to love others.
Sermon: Freedom for What? Galatians 5:13-15.
Sometime after the creation of the angels, Satan chose to rebel. We get a hint from other Bible passages in the Old Testament (e.g. Eze. 28:11-19; Isa. 14:12-15) that Satan’s pride drove him to try to exceed the greatness of God. When he and a third of the angels attempted to overthrow the Almighty, all of them were thrown out of heaven. Lucifer, one of the greatest and most beautiful of all the angels would be now known as the devil and the rest of the angels that rebelled would be known as demons. Their ambition, since they can no longer war directly with God, is an all-out attack on God’s people through their crafty, calculated and diabolical schemes. The warnings are all over the Bible. “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). Though powerful and ruthless, we must remember that Satan is under God’s sovereign authority and will one day be cast in the “lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10). So through it all, the deceiver was even able to deceive himself!
Sermon, Paradise Lost – Part 1, Genesis 3:1-24, February 3, 2013.
