CHRIST’S MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS – Part 1

Matthew 16:24-26 “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (v. 24)  I don’t want to sound like the Pharisee that said “I’m so glad I’m not like the other guy”, but I do want to say I’m glad I’m part of “The good old-fashioned

ADORNING THE GOSPEL

Titus 2 “ . . but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” (v. 10 ESV) In our Scripture for today, Paul was telling Titus to exhort servants to so live as to adorn the doctrine of God.  But the entire chapter is an exhortation

THE PROMISED GIFT

Luke 11:13; 24:49; John 14:16, 17; Acts 1:4, 5 “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.  But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 (ESV) To whom does a father give gifts?  To his children.  To whom does the Heavenly Father give

THE CHIEF SHEPHERD

1 Peter 5:1-4 “. . .And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (v. 4 NIV) Growing up on a farm I was acquainted with the unique needs and habits of sheep.  They have the capacity to develop great loyalties, to exhibit great insecurities, to

THE RELUCTANT MISSIONARY

Jonah 4:2, 3 “. . . for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.” (v. 2 ESV) The Jewish people struggled with how they should relate to the Gentile peoples.  They were often the source of temptation to the Israelites

HOLINESS AND MISSIONS – Part 2

Acts 1:1-8 “For John indeed baptized with water, but before many days have passed you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit. . . and yet you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judaea and Samaria and to the

HOLINESS AND MISSIONS – Part 1

Luke 24:45-49 “. . .and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on

WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.  For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified,” (vs. 21-23a ESV) The holiness message has often been

TEACHABILITY

Proverbs 12:15; James 3:13-17; 4:7, 8 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Prov. 12:15 ESV) An attitude high on God’s list of virtues is teachability.  Teachability is the ability to listen and learn, even from those who criticize or disagree with us. The

LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY – Part 2

Luke 11:1  “Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’. . .” These men were not following a fad in asking Jesus to teach them to pray.  They were not asking as a matter