Archives For Scripture

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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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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.

  • He is the eternal God — “before all time and now and forever.”
  • He is the absolute and exclusive God — “the only God.”
  • He is the saving God — “our Savior.”
  • He is the reconciling God — “Jesus Christ our Lord.”
  • He is the approachable God — “through.”
  • He is the caring God — “him who is able to keep you from stumbling.”
  • He is the sanctifying God — “to present you blameless before the presence of his glory.”
  • He is the fulfilling God — “with great joy.”
  • He is the exalted God — “be glory, majesty, dominion and authority.”

Romans 16:25-27 speaks to the ETERNAL PURPOSE of God

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Last week at Laurel Canyon, Don Wright presented a special series of lessons on Overcoming Adversity. Resources from each sermon are available below.

PART 1 – Understanding Why

PART 2 – Anchors for the Storms of Life

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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

  • Luke 23:33-34 — words of forgiveness that encapsulate his entire mission.
  • Luke 23:39-43 — words of assurance that there is more than meets the earthly eye.
  • John 19:25-27 — words of compassion that reveal his concern for his loved ones.
  • Matt 27:45-46 — words of anguish that convey the horrific consequences of sin.
  • John 19:28 — words of suffering that demonstrate his relatable humanity.
  • John 19:30 — words of victory that reflect the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose.
  • Luke 23:45-46 — words of submission in anticipation of a reunion with his Father.
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Our culture and its dialogue are absolutely immersed in two enormous lies.

  1. If you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must either hate them, fear them, or be intolerantly and irrationally prejudiced against them.
  2. If you love someone, you must agree with or silently tolerate everything they believe and do.

These are lies that disciples of Christ simply cannot afford to believe. Why?

  1. These lies fail to acknowledge the objective standard given by our Creator.
  2. These lies elevate our definition of happiness above God’s prescription for holiness.
  3. These lies distort the nature of God’s written revelation to mankind.

This sermon seeks to hold these increasingly common lies under the microscope of divine revelation.

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Are you subscribed to Pressing On, an e-magazine for growing Christians? If not, you’re missing out on a valuable new resource. In its second year of publication, Pressing On is edited by Mark Roberts and published at the beginning of every month. Each issue features regular contributions from:

  • Wilson Adams: Be Strong and Courageous, with focus on encouragement
  • Dee Bowman: Be Wise Small, a combination of common sense and Scripture
  • Chuck Durham: Now and Then, connecting history and God’s Word
  • Warren Berkley: Truth Connections, making truth stand out
  • Mark Roberts: On the Mark, bringing the Bible to bear on contemporary issues

In addition to the regular columnists, each issue features a handful of writers focusing on a relevant theme for growing Christians. March’s theme was Heaven. This month’s theme is Depression, Despair, and the Christian. Articles include:

  • Dealing with Despair in the Psalms — by Rusty Miller
  • The Christian and Psychiatric Medication — Mark McCrary
  • The Christian’s War Against Depression — Paul Earnhart
  • By Faith You Can Complete the Race of Faith — Clay Gentry

One of the revolutionary features of e-publishing is the built-in ability to respond with Biblical perspective much more quickly to current events than paper publications. A prime example of that fact is a special edition of Pressing On, released just this afternoon, dealing with the Boston Marathon bombing and how disciples of Christ should react to tragedy, violence, and evil in our world. All five regular columnists worked quickly to produce a relevant resource to help Christians think through these tragic events. This special issue was made available to all subscribers free of charge.

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Psalm 16 is worth your time today. It begins with a straightforward prayer of David. Within that prayer is a plea.

Preserve me, O God…

The plea is followed by a declaration.

For in you I take refuge.

The declaration is based on a personal relationship.

I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord.”

Within the context of this relationship, David acknowledges his total dependence on God.

“I have no good apart from you.”

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Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. (Prov 12:25)

The weight of anxiety can affect life at home. This weight comes to settle on big and little shoulders for a variety of reasons: an upcoming test at school, problems on the playground, a job-performance review, an impending business trip, an unpleasant confrontation, sickness, financial strain—these weights are real and carrying them can be difficult.

When our hearts are weighed down, it’s easy to “take it out” on the people we love the most. Throughout the day, at school or at work, we may do a pretty good job of balancing the weight and keeping our spirits under control… until we get home. Then, we find it all too easy to be grumpy, mean, and hurtful with our families.

Anxiety in a man’s heart may weigh him down, but “a good work makes him glad.”

  • Dads: it was a long day. What about deliberately reflecting on “a good word” before you open the front door?
  • Moms: it was a long day. What about intentionally taking a moment to pray for patience before the chaos of the evening has the opportunity to hit critical mass?
  • Teenagers: it was a long day. What about carefully checking your attitude before your interaction with Mom and Dad takes a negative turn?
  • Kids: it was a long day. What about looking for little ways you could help out and pick up after yourself before things get crazy around the house?
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