This weekend, I will be preaching a special message as we head into the new year. In the book of Matthew, Jesus gives his sermon on the mount and talks about what people can expect in life. Contrary to some people’s opinion, the Christian life is not one free of troubles or worries. Rather, a life that is fully surrendered to Jesus puts worries in their proper place. The title of this weekend’s message is “TODAY.”
As we dive further into the life of Abraham this weekend, we will learn about his encounter with a man named Melchizedek. In this brief encounter, the Bible describes Melchizedek as a priest of the Most High God. We will learn more about this mysterious man of God and how this encounter became a precursor for our celebration of communion. The title of this weekend’s message is “ORDINANCE.”
This weekend, we are continuing to examine the pictures for evangelism that Jesus gives his listeners. Jesus refers to himself as a shepherd and extends that metaphor to evangelism by talking about bringing sheep into the fold. What are we doing to reach the lost and bring them to our shepherd, Jesus Christ? The title of this weekend’s message is “SHEEPFOLD.”
This weekend, we are turning our attention to the beginning of creation. People can offer many different theories and ideas, but how does science’s account of the beginning of creation line up with what God says in His Word? The book of Genesis offers us a very detailed account of how God made the world around us. In understanding more about creation, we understand more about our Creator and His plan for us. The title of this weekend’s message is “GENESIS”.
This weekend, we will be looking at the parable of the sheep and the goats. Toward the end of the Olivet Discourse, Jesus challenged his listeners to think about their actions and the judgment that was to come. He showed them that this life is not all there is, but what we do here impacts our eternity. The title of this weekend’s message is “INHERITANCE.”
I believe that this is probably the most difficult beatitude that Jesus gave because it deals with the one subject that all of us struggle with – humility. As someone said, “Just when you think you are humble, you’ve lost it.” God gives His grace to the humble.
First we will ask – what does it mean to be meek? Then we will ask – what does it mean to “inherit the earth?” Finally we will see how this blessing applies in the Christian life.
When we begin to live by the spirit of humility, we truly live by grace. It is freeing. It brings glory to the name of Christ. It transforms the world around us. Imagine if everyone had the spirit of humility.
In our series on the life of Christ we come now to the Beatitudes. This passage has been interpreted in various ways throughout the history of the church. There have been numerous debates about whether or not it is applicable to the believers today. The titles range from “The Secret to the Blessed Life” to “The Blessings of the Christian Life.”
Could it be that we are missing the very essence and purpose of this passage? When we read it carefully we notice that the blessing passages are leading towards Matthew 5:13-14 “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.” The Beatitudes were not given to help us in our own personal lives as much as to live a life impacting the world around us.
This is one message that you cannot afford to miss! It will not only challenge us to live a life of blessing but also help us transform the world around us.