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Rescue the Fallen James: A Faith That Works – Part 14 James 5:19-20 What do you do when a Christian friend is drifting away from God?  Let’s say you become aware that a fellow believer has developed a drinking problem.  People are whispering and you can see the damage...

Learn to Pray with Power James: A Faith That Works – Part 13 James 5:13-18 I read about a small Tennessee town that had two churches and one whiskey distillery.  Members of both churches complained that the distillery gave the community a bad image.  To make matters...

Without a doubt, the American people and people around the world have gone through some very difficult times these past several months and even more may be on the way. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that over 70,000 new cases of children beingdiagnosed...

Just how should a Christian plan for such a precarious future? In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Don’t worry about tomorrow. God will take care of you,” He said. But Jesus didn’t mean that we should make no plans for tomorrow, or never save any money, or never make goals, because He himself planned for the future. He made advance provisions for a meal in an upper room. He provided for His mother prior to His death. He informed His disciples that He was going to be crucified and told them where He was to meet them after the resurrection. Then He told them to go to Jerusalem and wait and they would be empowered with the Holy Spirit in the future.

MASTER YOUR AMBITIONS James: A Faith That Works – Part 8 James 4:1-10 There was an article in USA Today recently entitled: “Pizza Competitors Try to Top Each Other.”  The manager of a Domino’s Pizza in Terre Haute, Indiana, took out an ad in the local paper offering...

TAME YOUR TONGUE James: A Faith That Works – Part 6 James 3:1-12    “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me!”  I think of all the limericks we learned as children that has to be one of the dumbest.  We usually chanted that to other kids who...

PRODUCE GOOD WORKS James: A Faith That Works – Part 5 James 2:14-26   Faith is a key doctrine within the Christian life.  Ephesians chapter 2, verse 8, tells us that the sinner is saved “by faith.”  Second Corinthians 5:7 says the believer must “walk by faith.” ...

BE FREE OF PREJUDICE James: A Faith That Works – Part 4 James 2:1-13 Mike Breaux, teaching pastor at Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim, California, tells the story of being invited to preach at one of the churches in our brotherhood a couple of years ago.  Mike had...

Part 3: CONTROL YOUR TEMPER James 1:19-27 I played in a golf tournament several years back with about 40 other men and their friends from the church where I was serving at that time.  I was grouped with three other men for this scramble, two of whom I didn’t know. ...

Because there are times in the Christian life when our heart desires things that are not in the best interest of our family, our church, or ourselves. And if we can learn to say no, even though it’s difficult at the moment, then ultimately that discipline will have positive results.

James - Part 1 James 1:1-12 I read an article some time back entitled “Congregations Have to Realize Pastors’ Stress.”  It related that aside from maternity benefits, the greatest portion of the 84 million dollars paid in medical claims in one year by the Annuity...

The Presence of the Holy Spirit Wind and Fire – Part 4 John 14:18; 16:7 On the night Jesus was arrested to be crucified, He met with His closest followers. He knows what kind of fear they’re going to face. He knows they’re going to be overwhelmed with uncertainty, so...

The Power of the Holy Spirit Wind and Fire – Part 3 Luke 24:49 Throughout the course of my high school and college years one of my passions was acting.  During those years I played roles in a couple of dozen different plays and musicals.  In one of my favorite roles I...

The Promise of the Holy Spirit Wind and Fire – Part 2 Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 37-38 We are in week two of a series on the Holy Spirit called “Wind and Fire.”  Last week we said the Old Testament word for spirit is ruach and the New Testament word for spirit is pneuma, and...

The Person of the Holy Spirit Wind and Fire – Part 1 John 14:16-17 Several years ago, when our kids were still teenagers living at home, a big storm came through Sioux Falls, where we were living at the time, and knocked out the electricity in our house.  In fact, the...

Matthew 1:18-25; 2:13-15; 2:19-23 Well, let me begin today by saying “Happy Father’s Day” to all of our Dads.  One little boy, when asked to explain about Father’s Day, said, “It’s just like Mother’s Day, only you don’t spend as much on the present.” That’s a joke, of...

Empty Your Worry Wagon Matthew 6:24-34 You all probably know that Howard Hughes was one of the richest men who ever lived. Over the course of his lifetime, he accumulated billions of dollars. And you would think that someone with that kind of money would live a life...

MODERN MOTHERHOOD (Mother’s Day 2020) Luke 1:26-38 Most of you are familiar with the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. Well, on one Mother’s Day, Calvin is pictured making his mother a Mother’s Day card… “Dear Mom. How do I love you? Let me count the ways: One … Number...

Habakkuk: When God Seems Unfair – Part 3 Habakkuk 3:1-19 This morning, we conclude our study of the book of Habakkuk. In just a little bit, we’ll be in chapter 3. But first, let me just briefly review where we’ve been for the past couple of weeks. Habakkuk was one of...

Habakkuk: When God Seems Unfair – Part 2 Habakkuk 2:1-20 This morning, we continue in our study of the book of Habakkuk.  I would encourage you to grab your Bible or your electronic device and make your way to Habakkuk chapter 2. Last week, I told you that Habakkuk...

Habakkuk: When God Seems Unfair – Part 1 Habakkuk 1:1-17   This morning, we begin a new study that will take us through the next couple of weeks.  If you have your Bibles, turn with me to the book of Habakkuk.  This may be a book that you aren’t very familiar...

From the Upper Room to the Empty Tomb – Part 7 Matthew 28:1-10 Through the ages there have been many important victories won.  But today we celebrate absolutely the most important victory in all of history—the triumph of Jesus Christ over the grave.  It is the most...

From the Upper Room to the Empty Tomb – Part 6 Matthew 27:57-66 The disciples were absolutely devastated.  They had really believed that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah.  They had seen Him perform incredible miracles.  They had been captivated by His irresistible...

“GOLGOTHA: A PLACE OF ATONEMENT” From the Upper Room to the Empty Tomb – Part 5 Matthew 27:32-56 An article published recently by U.S. News & World Report stated that over the course of the past fifty years the three most identifiable symbols worldwide were as...

“PILATE’S PALACE: A PLACE OF INJUSTICE”   From the Upper Room to the Empty Tomb – Part 4 Matthew 27:11-31   A recent edition of USA Today carried a headline that read: “Two Unjustly Jailed for Years Are Freed.”  The article read: “Two men who served...