... :17). And it’s not only Paul who uses that language. Do you remember Jesus’ allegory of the vine and the branches in the 15th chapter of John? He tells us who the Father is and who He is in relation to the Father. And then He tells us who we are in relation to ... When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he broke out in this singing prayer in that first chapter: listen to him -- (Ephesians 1:18-20) “I pray that the eyes of your understanding be enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what ...
... at Christ Church will have this tonight and tomorrow.) · 70 million individuals in the United States are under the age of 18. Are we going to them? · Nearly 1 million foreign-born people immigrate to our country every year. Are we going to ... believes in Me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12) Wow! Do you believe it? “Greater things than I have done will you do”! Let me ask you a few questions. When was the ...
... means we must become “go-to” rather than “come-to” congregations. 70 million individuals in the United States are under the age of 18. Are we going to them? Nearly 1 million foreign-born people immigrate to our country every year. Are we going to them? 32 ... Me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12) Wow! Do you believe it? “Greater things than I have done will you do”! Let me tell you a story to prove it’ ...
... Jesus was talking to His disciples about His coming death. He knew their concern. What were they going to do without Him? In verse 18 He said, “I will not leave you alone.” The Jerusalem Bible renders that “I will not leave you orphans.” Listen to more ... I live and you will live. On that day you will understand that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you.” (John 14:16-20) The promise and the possibility are clear. Christ has given Himself to us in the Holy Spirit. So let me say it again: God ...
... translation The Evil One, primarily for the reason that it is so utterly offensive to modern sensibilities. Jesus believed in the devil; so did John Wesley; so does Pastor Phil, and for two reasons: the Bible tells me he is real, and secondly, because I have done business ... , 2006). 4. The four classic marks of the church from the Nicene Creed. 5. Matthew 6:1-4. 6. Matthew 6:16-18. 7. For a development of this idea, see Stephen Seamands, Ministry In The Image Of God: The Trinitarian Shape Of Christian Service ...
... we are in deep trouble if money has first place in our lives. Money is a nice servant but a terrible master. When the body of an 18‑year‑old young man was found in New York City’s Central Park, police at first thought it was a murder. But an investigation revealed that ... that our text for the day raises is, do you own your money, or does it own you? Eighteenth century evangelist John Wesley understood the spiritual struggle many people have with the place of money in their lives. Here was the irony of ...
... people. He never missed an opportunity to assist another, especially those who demonstrated faith. The woman with the hemorrhage (Matthew 9:18-22) believed that all she needed to do was touch Jesus' clothing and she would be healed. Her confidence was ... as his friend Lazarus. Jesus demonstrated the great quality of forgiveness, dismissing the sin of the adulterous woman (John 8:1-11) and even forgiving Peter (John 21:15-19) after he had denied the Lord three times on the night before he suffered and died ...
... is defined as spending most of one's life at the office. · A culture where well over 4 million children under age 18 live in their grandparents' household, a number that has increased 79 percent since 1970. · A culture where the most dangerous place is – right ... where only 9% of Americans know what the Great Commission is, only 35% have ever heard of John 3:16, where only 37% can explain the "gospel;" . . . a church where only 25% of self-avowed "born-again" Christians could explain the Great Commission, ...
... the words of God spoken out of the fire and rain (Deuteronomy 5:22): So Christians are baptized by water and baptized by fire. What did John say? "I have baptized you with water, but he who is to come will baptize you with fire." From the moment we throw water on a ... already kindled! I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it [the ordeal] is over." In Revelation 2:18-29 Jesus is described as the one "who has eyes like a flame of fire." When did Jesus' eyes flame forth? What did ...
... hate, or in the love and trust that comes from the fear of the Lord. To hold the door open for some things like life and love means to shut the door to other things like fear and despair. Or in other words, "Perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). Perfect love is, of course, a state none of us can achieve by ourselves. Like the psalmist who recognized his own sins and transgressions, we're all too aware of how tenuous and tepid our abilities to love remain. The only one who patterns perfect love for us ...
... His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (Jn. 1:12-13) John is speaking here of the new birth, and he said we were born "not of blood." That is, it is not of human descent. It has nothing ... one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." James summed it up perfectly when he said in Chapter 1, verse 18, "Of His own will (God's will) He brought us forth (God's work) by the word of truth, (God's word) that we might be a ...
... to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God." (Mark 10:17-18) Now get that down in your heart. Only God is good. We do know that God is good. Ps. 34:8 says, "Taste and see ... Fairness According to God Himself, the first step of goodness is "to do justly." Now when a person is just, he always does what is right. John Wesley, the great preacher and the founder of Methodism, said he lived by this one creed: Do all the good you can, By all the means ...
... , materialists, and atheists absolutely hate the Religious Right. Do you know why? Because we are both religious and right. The more you love God, the more this world will hate you. Jesus said in John 7:7, "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil." He then went on to say in John 15:18, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." Finally, the foolish are marked by indifference. "And do not call on the Lord." (v.4b) The reason why ...
... run the ball 35 and 40 times a game. I remember one time a reporter criticized him for giving O. J. the ball so much, and John McKay replied, "Let's get two things straight: Number one: O. J. doesn't belong to a union, and number two: the ball is not that ... with his first wife, Juanita. During that time one of his children drowned in his backyard swimming pool. He met an 18 year old cheerleader and homecoming queen, named Nicole Brown. She was immediately smitten with this athletic superstar. She moved in with ...
... the analogy of the human body. In fact, from I Corinthians 12:12 to 12:27, the word soma which means body is used 18 times. It is through Holy Spirit Baptism that the world's greatest body has been and even today is continuing to be built. We ... a Universal Work The first time that baptism with the Holy Spirit is ever mentioned in the New Testament is in Matthew 3:11-12 John the Baptist said, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I ...
... . Then he said, "I have a mansion in heaven," and he quoted John 14:2. He said, "I have a peace that passes understanding," and he quoted Phil. 4:7. He said, "I have joy unspeakable and full of glory," and he quoted 1 Peter 1:8. He said, "I have a faithful wife," and he quoted Prov. 31:10. He said, "I have happy, healthy, obedient children," and he quoted Ex. 20:12. He said, "I have friends who are loyal to me," and he quoted Prov. 18:24. He said, "I have a crown of life that will never fade ...
... a lot of alcohol." Well, I want you to get something today. If you're facing a situation that you think is impossible, remember Luke 18:27, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." If you're facing a problem and you think the solution is ... you is the reasonable with God. II. Pressure Turns Our Focus to Jesus Now even though all four gospels include this miracle, only John records the little boy who gave his lunch. That little boy is, next to Jesus, the biggest hero of this story. You ...
... disease, by the year 2020. The World Health Organization already ranks it first among women and fourth overall. Depression afflicts 18 million people at any given time; one in five over the course of a lifetime, including those who won’ ... promises of God. Believe in the providence of God. Rely on the provision of God. Cloak yourself in the presence of God and in His word. John MacArthur recently received a letter from a woman who listens to him on the radio. Here’s what she said: Dear Dr. MacArthur: I am a ...
... and brought him back to the United States to give him this magnificent funeral. Who was this man that was so revered? His name was John Howard Payne. Does that ring a bell for anyone? I didn’t think so. Do you know what he was so loved for? Do you ... home. Reader’s Digest commissioned the Roper Center for public opinion research to ask 1,022 American teenagers, ages 16 to 18, several questions. The first, and the most important question they asked, was, “What would bring you more satisfaction, and is ...
... a saint is to be opposite in every way from an apostate. Instead of being hidden rocks, I Pet. 2:5 says we are to be living stones. Instead of being waterless clouds, John 7:38 says we are to be bubbling springs. Instead of being dead trees, John 15:3 says we are to be fruitful branches. Instead of being raging waves, Is. 48:18 says we are to be peaceful rivers. Instead of being darkened stars, Dan. 12:3 says we are to be glistening luminaries. Several years ago, George Bush spoke at a Prayer Breakfast when ...
... , so great is his love for us. And so, many centuries later when John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) God not only provides forgiveness and salvation, but also grace sufficient for ... and all during it. Allen made it through. Just imagine the joy it brought me to receive a note from Allen’s mother 18 years later. Judy informed me that Allen had graduated from high school and had received his Eagle Scout award in the same month. ...
... water, inhaled in the air, absorbed into the skin. When we ask, “How much is John worth?” everyone assumes that we are talking about John’s financial worth. When you talk about “the bottom line,” everyone assumes that you’re ... this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” (Deut. 8:17-18) This means that we own nothing. All we have is a temporary lease on some material assets. The permanent owner is God Almighty. One day we will ...
... other sins a person commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” (I Cor. 6:18) Why is that? Because his sin drives out the Holy Spirit. The church dares to hold up a standard that our culture ... here?’” (8) Oh yes, he is here. At the heart of our faith is this declaration: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14) How did Jesus come among us? He was “conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.” In the words of the ...
... bring hope to the centurion whose servant was sick (Mark 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10) and to the blind man at Jericho (Luke 18:35-43). Jesus used words to forgive the penitent thief, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43 ... and the woman caught in the act of adultery: "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again" (John 8:11b). Christ also used words when appropriate to challenge. He said to his parents after their three-day search resulted in his discovery in ...
... never saw an ugly thing in my life," John Constable wrote. "For let the form of an object be what it may, - light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful" (in C. R. Leslie, Memoirs of the Life of John Constable, ed. Jonathan Mayne [London: Pahidon Press, 1951 ... scriptural passages stipulating the practice of wearing the tefillin (Exodus 13:9 and 13:16, Deuteronomy 6:8 and 11:18). The tefillin are worn every day when the morning service is prayed. Again these are visible, everyday symbols of ...