In Revelation 3:14-22, Jesus diagnosed Christians in Laodicea as “lukewarm.” In light of the call of 2 Corinthians 13:5, our question is a practical one: what does lukewarm Christianity look like? Why is it dangerous? And if I’m struggling with a lukewarm mindset, how can I rise above it?
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In 1 Corinthians 6:18, the Spirit of God straightforwardly commands, “Flee from sexual immorality.”
Keep living and temptation will keep coming. What’s your plan for your next encounter?
This sermon is an encouragement to remember a simple acronym drawn from 1 Corinthians 6:18 — F.L.E.E.
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We recently noted that Titus 2:11-14 draws a Scriptural connection between the grace of God and the zeal God wants to see in his people.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Zeal is defined as “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.” In the Bible, zeal (zelos) is presented as a burning desire to please and glorify God.
The question brought up by this sermon is a very practical one: HOW? How do we build and maintain a spiritual fire for the Lord?
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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.
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Titus 2:11-14 draws a Scriptural connection between the grace of God and the zeal God wants to see in his people.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Zeal is defined as “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.” In the Bible, zeal is presented as a burning desire to please and glorify God.
This sermon explores God’s revelation to mankind in an effort to understand zeal: what it is, where it comes from, and why it matters.
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In April-June of 2013 we’re engaged in an adult Bible class at Laurel Canyon called The Nature of God. Video of Lesson 3 (God is the Eternal Creator [1]) can be viewed below.
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Nothing in the universe matters more than knowing God. He has revealed himself in striking ways that call for complete realignment of our lives around him.
Jude 24-25 speaks to the IDENTITY of God
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Romans 16:25-27 speaks to the ETERNAL PURPOSE of God
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Famous “last words” are a special form of quotation and perspective that fascinate many people. Have you ever considered the last words of Jesus and what we can learn from them?
Words from the Cross
Our culture and its dialogue are absolutely immersed in two enormous lies.
These are lies that disciples of Christ simply cannot afford to believe. Why?
This sermon seeks to hold these increasingly common lies under the microscope of divine revelation.
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In April-June of 2013 we’re engaged in an adult Bible class at Laurel Canyon called The Nature of God. Video of Lesson 2 (The Names of God) can be viewed below.
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