Faith and Hope – The Faithful Christian 6
The Apostle Paul wrote, in I Corinthians, that faith, hope, and love were three abiding Godly attributes. What is the connection between faith and hope? Does hope increase faith? Does faith increase hope? An important topic if we feel hopeless.
The Last Laugh – Bible Stories for Adults 009
In our on-going series, Bible Stories for Adults, the 9th episode details God’s work with Abraham and Sarah as they struggle with their lack of an heir. Does this story have a point? Is there anything we can learn from it? In fact, it has a lot to do with how God deals with all of us today. It’s a lesson on how to “carry on” with God.
Faith and Patience – The Faithful Christian 5
Faith and Patience—both are fruits of the Holy Spirit, we are told in Scripture. God is pleased when we exhibit either or both of these characteristics. It is also true that either of these traits makes it easier to maintain the other. They are somewhat interdependent. Consider the issue further in Faith and Patience.
Growing in Faith – The Faithful Christian 4
Did you know you can participate in your own faith development? In this presentation, we discuss biblically sound ways to grow in faith. We also explain the sublime relationship between faith, obedience to God, and godly love, and how the interconnection helps us grow in all three vital spiritual qualities.
The Fruits of Faith – The Faithful Christian 3
The Apostle Paul said, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” If you are a Christian, that makes faith an important issue. If we have faith and please God by it, what does he do for us in return? What are the fruits of faith? Consider the topic more closely in this presentation.
Faith for the Long Haul – The Faithful Christian 2
In the Book of Revelation, God describes the first round of inductees into his Kingdom as “called, chosen, and faithful.” If God expects us to be faithful, that is, to endure to the end, what guidance does he provide to help us accomplish that goal? Are there things we can do to up our chances of hanging in to the end? This presentation offereds four intentional strategies that will help.
Faith is not Easy – The Faithful Christian 1
God tells us that he is working a plan to draw all of us into eternal life with him. He describes the first round of inductees as “Faithful” in Revelation 17. Since faithfulness is one of the three primary descriptors, we can assume this is important to God. Could you be described that way? This new series details some of the elements of faithfulness and how to intentionally go toward them.
Zeroing in on Our Calling – FT
As the pace of life speeds up, the more easily it is to become distracted in every aspect of life. That would also include Christian life. Sometimes it is hard to stay focused on what is important. This presentation, given in September of 2018 at the Common Faith Network Feast of Tabernacles, draws attention back to the reason God calls people into his church. Do you know why God called you and what he wants you to do every day?
Overcoming Offenses – Preaching to the Choir 1
Until recently most people would not like to admit to being offended. Lately, some people make a habit of admitting offense. What’s going on with that? What is the effect of it on society? How should a Christian view the issue? Check it out in the first of our new series, Preaching to the Choir.
Sacrifical Love – Atonement
John the Baptist referred to Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The sins of the world we know about, but what about the lamb of God? Did you know there is a biblical festival for Christians that teaches us a lot more about Jesus than Christmas?
Entitlement – Preaching to the Choir 2
Why do so many people today feel entitled to things they did not work to obtain? Is it healthy? Should Christians follow that line? If not, how can self-entitled persons work their way back to taking responsibility for self?
The Return of Christ – Trumpets
A friend asked us to produce a presentation explaining Christ’s return in a way that children could understand. This presentation is my effort at that—an outline with context. A timely presentation for the Festival of Trumpets, which falls on the first day of the 7th month. A day when ancient Israel blew the 7th Trumpet.
Self-Centered – Preaching to the Choir 3
The label Narcissist seems to be generating lots of momentum these days. Is the number of narcissists on the rise? Or is the term something people call those who offend them? Or is it something else altogether? Access the audio and think more about it.
Rudeness – Preaching to the Choir 4
People tell me that they encounter more and more who are rude—in stores, on the road, in social media, etc. One person I know calls it “Anti-Social Media.” What’s behind this epidemic and what can be done about it? Does the Bible have anything to say about it? How does this affect our children?
Why So Many Types of Christians? – Pentecost
Jesus said he and the Father are one, and that we are one with them by the Holy Spirit. If that is true, why are there so many different denominations, reorganizations, splits, schisms, and sects? Shouldn’t there be just one? Or does God have something way beyond anything we can imagine in store for us? Consider the situation in this presentation.
Materialism – Preaching to the Choir 6
Western Culture has become more materialistic than in decades past. Jesus told people a materialistic outlook was a futile approach to life. He said there was something much, much better. All Christians who live in the West ought to be circumspect when it comes to a materialistic outlook.
Helplessness – Preaching to the Choir 5
I talked with a man some time ago who had a doctorate and a business. He told me that he thought everyone should get an income from the government so that no one would have to work. Never mind that there would be no money to give if no one worked. He felt helpless about his floundering business and felt resentful toward others who were successful while he was not. Psychological research has much to teach us about this kind of attitude and how to recognize and overcome it.
Noah’s Flood – Bible Stories for Adults 006
When some of us think of Noah’s flood, we think of cute cartoons of animals filing into an ark. It goes without saying there is a lot more to it than that. Besides the doubts some have about the logistics of the ark, what about the issue of God killing off his own children. Such a thought causes some to opine that God is a monster. That’s why we call it a Bible Story for Adults.
Self-Pity – Preaching to the Choir 7
So far in our series, Preaching to the Choir, we discussed, learned helplessness and entitlement. This time we address a closely related state, self-pity. All three of these cause psycho-social and spiritual arrest. In this presentation, learn how to get growing again by overcoming self-pity. Life is so much better when they have a bigger picture of God for our lives.
The Tower of Babel – Bible Stories for Adults 007
The tower of Babel is an ancient story that most people today completely misunderstand. They think it’s irrelevant to their life and to modern life in general, when in truth, Babel is a lesson for us today, perhaps more than any other generation, about relating successfully to God.
Truth and Lies
God tells us that the human heart is deceitful and wicked. Humans often are not truthful. He also tells us he desires truth in our “inward parts.” What a dilemma!
The Call of Abraham – Bible Stories for Adults 008
One of the Bible stories that doesn’t get too much play is the call of Abraham. Interestingly, this story is one of the most important of all Scripture, and not that affects all our lives every day, know it or not. Not only does it show us how God has worked with human beings in time past, also about the way God works—His style, so to speak.
Sacrificing Isaac – Bible Stories for Adults 010
A lot of people have heard about the Bible story where God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. At the same time, a lot of people have serious misgivings about what God did in this story. Never-the-less, God always has a reason that is our best interest. If we can grasp the message, it could save our eternal lives. Listen to this presentation to consider a deeper meaning.
Esau’s Birthright – Bible Stories for Adults 011
Esau, we are told in scripture, sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for some lentil stew. Modern people often don’t grasp the value of a birthright as it was in Esau’s day—just as Christians today don’t grasp the value of God’s birthright gift to all his children. That’s why the apostle explains this life-saving lesson to us in the New Testament.
Discerning the Body – Passover
The Apostle Paul says that the Passover, as he got it from Jesus Christ, is an annual spiritual self-evaluation. One of the things he tells us to think about is our discernment of the Body of Christ. What does that mean? If you think you already know, consider that with God, there is always more to learn.