Some of us need to consider this beatitude very carefully. It’s not that’s we’ve said anything against Jesus. We really haven’t said anything at all. We’ve gone along and gotten along. We’re whittled down the sharp edges of our faith so we’re no longer like square pegs in round holes. Some of us “fit” too snugly in the holes of the world.
Text: Matthew 5:10-12In Acts 17 Luke talks about Paul’s visit to Thessalonica and how Paul had great success until the Jewish opponents began to spread rumors and stir up the rabble of the town. Many were saying, “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.” What a great thing to have said about you—that you managed to turn the world upside town. I can’t think of a greater compliment for a Christian! How did they do it? Acts 17 records the fact; I Thessalonians 2 gives us the answer.
Text: I Thessalonians 2:1-12God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. What will you give to the world that He loved? Will you give your money? Will you give your vacation next year? Will you give a meal for an international student? Will you give the time it takes to write a letter? Will you give a year or two years or thirty years? Will you give your son or your daughter?
Text: Exodus 4Lift your eyes from the trivial pursuits of life, and you will see a world filled with people who are dying of thirst. They’re empty. They’re broken. They’re lonely. They’re confused. They’re misled by a million false voices. And they are all around you. Waiting, hoping, praying that someone will show them a better way.
Text: John 4:35-38When you do a good job, you are serving Jesus Christ just as much as a missionary on the other end of the earth. The other side is also true. When you cheat your boss and do poor, shoddy work, when you’re lazy, when you show up late, when you’re not respectful, conscientious, sincere and eager, you are sinning against God just as much as the cheapest thief on the street.
Text: Ephesians 6:5-9In 1990, Life Magazine published an article naming the 100 most significant individuals of the 20th century. Many of the […]
Text: Romans 7:7-13First images stay in the mind forever. Whenever I hear the word “deacon,” I always think of Hilliard Felton. He […]
Sermon Series: In Search of the Early ChurchOur story begins in 1833 when a man named Joseph Kettlestrings, an Englishman from Yorkshire, arrived in the Chicago area. […]
Text: VariousLet’s begin with three observations on the Fourth Commandment: 1. This is the longest of the Ten Commandments. 2. It […]
Text: Exodus 20:8-11How closely should local churches follow the patterns of the New Testament? The answer is, as closely as possible, understanding that no one is 100% consistent and that outward forms will change over time. That means we need to focus on the key functions of the church, giving freedom to differ on how those functions are expressed.
Text: Various