“PRIDEFUL OR PENITENT PRAYER” LUKE 18:9-14 I. Introduction “Of course, I’m going to heaven. I’m a nice guy.” In 1974 Merton Strommen wrote a book entitled, “The Five Cries of Youth.” In it Strommen published the results of his research into how young people felt about things like loneliness, family trouble, happiness, and God. He […]
“PERSISTENT PRAYER” LUKE 18:1-8 I. Introduction The Doctrine of the Sovereignty of God is one of the central biblical principles upon which this church stands. God’s absolute sovereignty over His creation and everything and every-one in it guides, directs, and defines our understanding of every other Christian doctrine. When we talk about how God’s sovereignty […]
“THE VISIBLE KINGDOM WILL COME” LUKE 17:22-37 I. Introduction I have a question for every Christian here this morning: What is the purpose of the salvation God has given you? Is it so you can be fulfilled and live a happy and productive life? The answer is a resounding, “No!” But today, if you listen […]
“THE INVISIBLE KINGDOM HAS COME” LUKE 17:20-21 I. Introduction The last time Americans lived in a kingdom, or at least under the rule of a king, it didn’t go real well. On July 4, 1776, we declared our independence from King George III of England and ended up fighting a war to free ourselves from […]
“THIS IS TRUE WORSHIP” JOHN 4:3-26 I. Introduction Open your Bibles to the maps in the back and locate the one labeled “Israel in Jesus’ Day,” or “The Ministry of Jesus.” One of the more well-known incidents in Jesus’ early ministry is the one that took place while He was traveling from Judea in the […]
“HUMILITY GIVES THANKS” LUKE 17:11-19 I. Introduction I have a question for you this morning. Do you think that genuine sincere gratitude, thanks-giving, and praise overflow from the heart of a man or woman who is filled with personal pride? You don’t? Why not? Could it be that such a one just naturally assumes that […]
“HUMILITY FORGIVES AND HUMILITY SERVES” LUKE 17:1-10 I. Introduction God is love! 1 John 4:8 says so. Let’s look at it in its context… *1 John 4:7-10 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does […]
“GOD’S WILL FOR THE NEW YEAR” SELECTED SCRIPTURES I. Introduction There was a time when books often had very long titles. This was especially true of books that were written by and for Christians. Here is just one example from seventeenth century New England. In 1661 Henry Dawbeny wrote a book in response to an […]
“WHAT CHILD IS THIS?” SELECTED SCRIPTURES I. Introduction “What Child is this?” For Christians the answer is a “no-brainer,” isn’t it? The song we just sang tells us who He is. He is “…Christ the King.” True Christians already know that, but the sad reality is this: Most of the people alive on the face […]
“THE STAR THEY FOLLOWED” SELECTED SCRIPTURES I. Introduction Light is a fascinating phenomenon. We take it for granted just as we do most of God’s gifts to mankind but we seldom stop to think where light really comes from. Well, you say, “Natural light comes from the sun, the moon, and the stars.” That’s almost […]