For the next week in your life, try an experiment. Mention Jesus in your conversation and try to draw the people you are talking to into that conversation and observe how they respond to that. It is interesting to see how everyone responds to the mention of Jesus. You will find that everyone will respond in some way to the mention of Jesus. In today’s message, we find the three most common responses as reflected in the way that the three main characters respond. How do you respond to the mention of Jesus? There is only one right way to respond. How to do you respond to the mention of Jesus? Happy New Year to you!
The Virgin Birth (Matthew 1:18-25)
Imagine that you are going along everyday just minding your own business when suddenly you are given the message that you are going to be the earthly father or mother of the coming messiah. Would you be shocked? Would you look for the hidden cameras? Would you not believe it? Would you be in shock? Probably all of these would impact you in one way or another. Today’s message focuses on Joseph and Mary and their reactions to this very message.
The Gracious King (Matthew 1:1-17)
Have you ever felt like you wanted to do something for God but you really didn’t feel like you were qualified or worthy? I think that we have all felt that way at one time or another. That sounds strange for a preacher to say but I have felt that way at times also. We are introducing the Gospel of Matthew today as a lead in to the Christmas story and I believe that everyone in the “begots” section of the Gospel probably felt that way also. Go along on the journey with us today as we look at the fact that God uses whomever He wants to accomplish whatever He wants.
How to Live in Uncertain Times (2 Peter 3:14-18)
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”... This is the introductory statement to a novel by Charles Dickens. It pretty well summarizes the times that we live in. As our culture and society continues down this uncertain path, where do we go to find stability? The message from media and government changes every day. Where do we find security? The Bible is still our rock and foundation. Today’s message comes from Peter’s final words on “how to live in uncertain times.”
The Day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:8-13)
The message description last week started out with this phrase, “Our culture today is in a constant state of flux.” That is truer today than it ever was before. We watch the news and culture and we ask, “can it get any worse?”; and “when is the Lord going to do something about this?” That question has been out there ever since the beginning of time. Peter addresses this very question in today’s message. The Day of the Lord is coming! Are you ready?
Regardless of How It Seems, Judgment is Coming! (2 Peter 3:1-7)
Our culture today is in a constant state of flux. It seems like things that were normal yesterday are the abnormal today. We watch everything around continue to slide down a slippery slope into darkness. The Media and those that seem to influence everyday thinking now call “that which is evil good and that which is good evil!” We shouldn’t be surprised. The Lord told us that in the last days things would continue to decline and get worse. We sometimes wonder if it will ever end. Today’s message focuses on that very thing.
What We Do With God’s Word Really Indicates Who We Are! (2 Peter 2:20-3:2)
We live in a time when our access to the Bible is at an all-time high. The Bible is not only available in a multitude of printed versions but is also available in a variety of digital mediums. We can read or listen to the Bible on our phones, tablets and just about any other digital device available. Why then, do we struggle to read the Bible or really know it. Our generation seems to struggle in having the Bible as a daily routine or part of our lives. Today’s message focuses on “what we do with the Bible and how it really reveals who we are.
Be Careful Whom You Listen To! (2 Peter 2:12-19)
Everywhere we look and everything we listen to is constantly competing for our attention and focus. Whatever we focus on guides our lives and ultimately makes us the people that we are. Today’s passage challenges us to be cautious regarding what and whom we listen to so that our lives will be focused on the right things rather than the wrong ones.
The Road to Revival... (Genesis 35:1-15)
The Road to Revival... (Genesis 35:1-15)
With the current state of affairs in our nation and culture, I consistently hear people pray and say, “If only we had a revival, things would turn around and be much better.” But for true revival to occur, it has to occur within me before it can touch my community or nation. The passage today focuses on Jacob’s revival and return to a relationship with God that was missing in his life because he had chosen the wrong path.
Regardless of What the World Thinks... (2 Peter 2:4-11)
Regardless of What the World Thinks... (2 Peter 2:4-11)
If you have ever worked for a bank or credit union, you probably started out on the teller line.One of the things that you had to constantly be on the alert for was counterfeit bills.Most counterfeit bills are very good and hard for the average person to catch.It is the same in the spiritual realm.There are a lot of counterfeit messages out there regarding salvation.The worst one is that God is a god of love and He wouldn’t send anyone to hell.As a matter of fact, the false message tells us that all roads lead to heaven.Today’s message emphasizes that God is a god of love but He also a God of justice and judgment.All roads don’t lead to heaven.Jesus is the only way to heaven.
What Do False Teachers Look Like? (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Have you ever noticed that there is no shortage of people telling you what to do? As a matter of fact, we hear it all the way from Washington to our neighborhoods. You can turn on your TV and hear someone telling you what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to your physical well-being. And, you can hear someone telling you what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to your spiritual well-being. How do you know who is right and who is wrong? Today’s message speaks about “religious phonies” and their passion to deceive you and keep you in bondage.
Who Am I Listening To? (2 Peter 1:12-21)
Who do you listen to when you are not sure what to do? Where do you seek guidance and direction? How do you know that your source of information is accurate or will lead you in the right direction? There was the young man who decided, while driving, that is the next four lights were green, that God was telling him to go to the mission field. The lights were green and the fellow went, but he didn’t last two years. Who or what do we listen to when we are trying to decide what to do next? Today’s message speaks to the importance of seeking God correctly and letting Him direct you.
How to Have a Faith that is Real (2 Peter 1:1-11)
“Saving Private Ryan” is a movie that showed in the theaters years ago. The opening scene shows an older gentleman who is visiting the cemetery at Normandy Beach. The family was visiting there in honor of D-Day. The man searches through the graves and, finding the one that he was looking for, collapses in tears. His family rushes up to him and frantically asks what is wrong. He answers, “Did my life count for anything? Did I make a difference?” It is a very poignant moment in the movie. Everyone asks themself at some time or another if they made a difference. In our study in 2 Peter, Peter focuses on whether or not our lives will count for eternity.
Facing the Adversary of Our Soul (1 Peter 5:8-11)
I grew up in a time when the devil was painted for us as a fairy tale. He was pictured as an individual running around in a red suit. He was red all over and had horns, a tale, and carried a pitchfork. He was always featured during Halloween and was the subject of great stories and poor movies. But the Bible tells us that he appears as an angel of light and his primary goal is to hinder or stop the plans of our Lord and overwhelm believers to the point that they do nothing for the Lord. Today’s message challenges us to really know whom our adversary is and be prepared for the attacks that are coming.
“How Can I Experience “Peace” and “Happiness” Wherever I Am? (1 Peter 5:5-7)
We live in a culture that bombards us with messages today that emphasize and promise peace and happiness and yet they never deliver. How do we get “peace” and “happiness” in this upside-down day that we live in. The feeling and the hope that we want will never come when we seek it on world’s terms. It will only come as we seek it on God’s terms Who created us and knows what we need. The message today speaks to how we can have true “peace” and “happiness”.
“How to Be a Good Minister” (1 Peter 5:1-4)
Whenever we hear the term “minister” we immediately think of the pastor or the church we attend. But, what if the term actually referred to anyone who oversaw someone else for the purpose of encouragement or spiritual growth. It doesn’t depend upon size or organization, it depends upon influencing someone else regardless of their age for the purpose of becoming more like Jesus Christ. Today’s message challenges each one who influences others as to their responsibility to be a good “minister” of Jesus Christ.
How to Face the Fire (1 Peter 4:12-19)
If you watched the news at all in the previous few days, you are very aware of what has happened in Afghanistan. I received a posting about believers in the underground church who were living moment by moment with the expectation of being caught by the Taliban and executed. What if that was us here in the United States? What if we lived daily with the fear of paying a terrible price for being believers? Peter addresses believers who are living under the daily fire that tests their belief. He gives sound counsel on how to face the fire.
How to be An End-Times Believer (1 Peter 4:7-11)
How to Be An End-Times Believer (1 Peter 4:7-11)
Debbie and I had the opportunity to travel out of the country and experienced “culture shock.” It was interesting. We were in Mexico and found ourselves in a place where no one spoke English. We had to be creative in sharing what we were looking for and they had to be creative in answering us. We eventually got directions for our destination but struggled to get them. The Bible says that we are strangers and aliens here. Our home is in heaven. As a matter of fact, we should be looking for Christ to come and establish the kingdom. Our problem is that sometimes we become so comfortable with where we are, we don’t consider where we are going and we don’t impact the world around us. Today’s passage speaks about being an “End-Times” believer. Peter ran into that same issue with the believers of his day.
How to Shock the World (1 Peter 4:1-6)
During World War 2, thousands of young Americans went to Europe as GI’s to help liberate those impacted by the Third Reich. Being thousands of miles away from home, these young men and women had a tendency to live and act in ways that they would never if they had been home. The same is true for Christians today. We are not home and we develop the attitude that it doesn’t really matter how we live while we are here on earth. For the GI’s, the term was coined “Dirty Americans” and for the Christian, it can be just as bad. Today’s passage challenges us to live for Jesus no matter where we are.
How to Handle Things that Don’t Go Our Way (1 Peter 3:13-17)
Are you one of the lucky people that have gotten everything you ever wished for? If you are, you are in the extreme minority. As a matter of fact, I don’t know if I even know anyone that has gotten everything that they have ever wished for. So, we really are a people who have a lot of unfulfilled dreams and unmet goals. How do we deal with that in our lives? The message for today helps us to see how we can handle things that don’t go our way.