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Failure Doesn’t Have to be Final

May 8, 2013 — Leave a comment

Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. (2 Tim 4:9-11)

Demas and Mark are contrasts in failure. One example continues to provide words of warning; the other example, words of hope. As people who stumble in many ways (James 3:2), we need both.

This sermon explores what we can know about both men and emphasizes a powerful point: whatever your past failures, your trajectory can be changed at the foot of the cross.

In Bible, Pitfalls Audio, chance, Demas, fail, final, forgiveness, hope, Jason Hardin, Mark, mp3, outline, Paul, pdf, recovery, redemption, second, sermon, sin, Timothy

What Will Be Clear After Death

February 12, 2013 — Leave a comment

Sunrise

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. (Rev 6:9-11)

On this side of death, there are seasons wherein we struggle to maintain confidence in an all-present, all-powerful, all-knowing God who reigns supreme with perfect power and complete authority.

On this side of death, there are stormy days and nights that threaten to overwhelm our feeble grasps on the anchor of a God who is beyond reproach in his holiness and love.

On this side of death, there are heartbreaking moments that shake the very foundations of our faith in a God who is true and worthy of trust.

On this side of death, believers have no choice but to walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7).

But on the other side of death, how different is the story!

In Bible, Pitfalls 6, belief, Christian, death, faith, God, grief, heaven, holy, hope, Life, love, obedience, Revelation, Sovereign, true, trust

Around the Web (11/5)

November 5, 2012 — Leave a comment

Around the Web

Clay Gentry explores six Biblical lessons we need to learn from hitting rock bottom.
Dene Ward warns against defining hope like a couple of middle school girls who “hope” a certain cute boy will look their way, or a teacher will change the due date on a big project, or a “mean” girl won’t spread some sort of embarrassing news about them. “Please, please, please, maybe, maybe, maybe.” That is not the Bible definition of hope.
Justin Taylor invokes Joseph Williams’ Style to remind us that obscure writing is not evidence of profound thinking. Incidentally, neither is obscure preaching.
Ferrell Jenkins is up to Acts 21 in his photo tour of the Book of Acts.
Gary Henry asks, “Do you do your best even in private? Or are you like most people: in situations where no one is looking, you don’t always try as hard?” Speaking of Gary, he’s presenting a special series of lessons at Laurel Canyon entitled “Let Your Light Shine” tonight through Wednesday. We’d love to have you join us!

God’s Plan for Christian Unity

September 24, 2012 — Leave a comment

Unity In Ephesians 4:1-6 Paul writes,

I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

From this God-breathed passage we learn that:

The unity of the Spirit is observable (Eph 4:1)
The unity of the Spirit involves self-denial (Eph 4:2)
The unity of the Spirit is maintainable (Eph 4:3)
The unity of the Spirit is God’s idea (Eph 4:4-6).
Continue Reading...

In Bible Audio, baptism, Bible, body, Christian, Ephesians, faith, flexibility, freedom, God, hope, Jason Hardin, LORD, mp3, one, outline, Paul, pdf, Scripture, sermon, Spirit, unity

We Know Where the River Ends

August 17, 2012 — Leave a comment

Desert Riverbend

A simple observation from Psalm 73. Asaph is struggling.

____________ Truly God is good to Israel,
_________________ to those who are pure in heart.
____________ But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
_________________ my steps had nearly slipped.
____________ For I was envious of the arrogant
_________________ when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. (Psa 73:1-3)

In Bible 73, Asaph, hope, judgment, perspective, Psalm, righteous, sorrow, suffer, wicked

Around the Web (5/21)

May 21, 2012 — Leave a comment

The Top 10 Most Read Books in the World: based on number of books printed and sold over the last 50 years.
Going Home? I WISH: a powerful reflection from Gary Henry.
The Object of Your Affection: wise words of warning for parents from Ben Arment.
Andy Sochor reflects on the seven God-breathed lessons older women are to teach younger women.
Ferrell Jenkins: Of camels and needles.
The largest (121-megapixels) single-shot photo of Earth ever taken, from 22,369 miles away.

____________ “Do you not know? Do you not hear?
_________________ Has it not been told you from the beginning?
_________________ Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
____________ It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
_________________ and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
____________ who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
_________________ and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
____________ who brings princes to nothing,
_________________ and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.” (Isa 40:21-23)

In Around the Web 10, books, Camel, Christian, death, distraction, earth, eye, father, Home, hope, most, mother, needle, older, parent, Paul, photo, read, space, Timothy, top, Women, world, younger

Faith-Building Resources in an Age of Skepticism

April 14, 2012 — Leave a comment

This quarter on Wednesday nights I’m teaching an adult class at Laurel Canyon called Reasons for Faith in an Age of Skepticism. We’re tackling some pretty tough (but relevant) questions that need answers. Truth as defined by God has nothing to fear from honest investigation, but disciples of Christ must think ahead. “How should that question be answered?” Our calling is as old as 1 Peter 3:15:

In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

With that in mind, here are the three books I’ve found particularly helpful in preparing to teach this challenging class.

Mind Your Faith: Essays in Apologetics (Doy Moyer, Florida College Press, $10.95) – an excellent introduction to the study of evidences with questions for personal reflection or group discussion after each chapter. If you’re looking to buy your first book on apologetics, Mind Your Faith would be an excellent choice. Topics include:

The problem of doubt
Can we trust the Biblical documents?
The canon of Scripture
Issues in the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture
Resurrection
Is there only one way to God?
The problem of evil
Postmodernism

Prepared to Answer: A Guide to Christian Evidences (Rob van de Weghe, DeWard Publishing, $17.99) – with 33 chapters and 5 appendices, this is a much more detailed evaluation of logic, science and history as bridges (not barriers) to belief. Prepared to Answer boldly examines five crucial questions:

Does God exist?
Can we trust the Bible?
Is Jesus of Nazareth God?
Is the Bible inspired?
How do other religions compare?

Van de Weghe presents a compelling case for faith that rests upon truth and fact, not legend and myth. If you’re looking to go deeper in your study of evidences, this is a great resource.

Evidence that Demands a Verdict (Josh McDowell, Thomas Nelson, $24.97) – a straightforward compilation of notes prepared for McDowell’s lecture series. The entire book (over 750 pages) is laid out in outline form, making quick research easy and accessible. This is much more of a reference work than a reflective reading resource. Major parts include:

The case for the Bible (uniqueness, origin, reliability)
The case for Jesus (identity, historicity, deity)
The case for and against Christianity (supernaturalism, archaeology, diversity, criticism)
Truth or consequences (postmodernism, skepticism, mysticism)

Bottom line: There are reasons for faith and hope. These resources can help you prepare to give an answer for both.

In Around the Web apologetics, book, Doy Moyer, evidence, Evidence that Demands a Verdict, faith, hope, Josh McDowell, Mind Your Faith, One Stone, Prepared to Answer, recommend, resource, Rob van de Weghe

If Jesus Wrote Us a Letter

January 3, 2012 — Leave a comment

If Jesus wrote us a letter, what would he say? What questions would he ask? And how would we respond?

In November 2011, Jim Jonas of Centreville, VA presented a special series of sermons at Laurel Canyon entitled, “If Jesus Wrote Us a Letter,” a textual study of Revelation 2-3 that included some excellent modern-day application. The entire series is available below, preceded by an introductory lesson I presented to prep us from Revelation 1.

INTRO – A Glimpse of the Glorified Christ (audio | outline)
1 – Letters to the Seven Churches: An Overview (audio)
2 – “Have You Left Your First Love?” (audio)
3 – “Are You Ready for Persecution?” (audio)
4 – “Are You Morally Pure?” (audio)
5 – “Are You Lukewarm?” (audio)
6 – “Do You See My Glory?” (audio)

In Bible, Discipleship 2, 3, Audio, Christ, church, churches, first, glory, hope, Jason Hardin, Jesus, Jim Jonas, Laurel Canyon, letters, love, moral, mp3, outline, pdf, persecution, pure, Revelation, series, sermon, seven

When He Isn't The Rock You Need Him To Be

November 22, 2011 — Leave a comment

There has never been a woman blessed with a perfect marriage to a perfect man. So what’s a woman to do when her husband is caught in sin, reveals an area of vulnerability or is just plain weak for a time? Where can she go when her husband isn’t the rock she needs him to be?

This sermon encourages struggling wives to:

ASK: “Who (or what) is my rock?” (Mat 7:24-27)
REMEMBER: “Even before I am a wife, I am a daughter.” (Col 3:1-3)
SEEK: “In the day of trouble, I will seek the Lord.” (Psa 77)
RESOLVE: “I will be a woman of respectful and pure conduct.” (1 Pet 3:1-2)

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psa 20:7).

For more sermons, visit the Sermons archive.

In Bible, Discipleship, Marriage, Women Audio, Christian, disappointment, disciple, divorce, encouragement, fight, God, help, hope, husband, Jason Hardin, Jesus, Marriage, mp3, outline, pdf, rock, separation, sermon, struggle, wife, wives

When Life's Garden Produces Thorns

October 28, 2011 — Leave a comment

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul provides some intensely personal insight into a very real struggle.

To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:7-9)

For centuries, commentators have offered ideas as to what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” could have been:

An ongoing bodily ailment (Gal 4:13-14)?
An eye problem (Gal 4:15)?
A speech problem (2 Cor 10:9-10)?
Haunting inner turmoil (Acts 26:9-11)?
Personal enemies (1 Tim 1:18-20)?
Extreme daily pressure (2 Cor 11:28)?
The rejection of the Jews (Rom 10:1)?

Whatever the obstacle, we know that thorns are painful. But what can we learn from Paul’s handling of the “thorn”?

He didn’t blame God (2 Cor 12:7).
He prayed for its removal (2 Cor 12:8).
He learned to live with the thorn he had (2 Cor 12:9).
He looked for good, even in the thorn (2 Cor 12:7).
He remembered the ultimate goal: the glory of Christ (2 Cor 12:9).
He gained perspective for the future (2 Cor 12:10).

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:9-10)

Interactive outline
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For more sermons, visit the Sermons archive.

In Bible, Discipleship, Pitfalls 2 Corinthians, Audio, Christ, difficulty, disappointment, flesh, grace, harass, hardship, hope, Jason Hardin, messenger, mp3, outline, Paul, pdf, perspective, Satan, sermon, sorrow, strength, suffering, thorn, trial, tribulation, weakness