This weekend, we come to the final “I am” statement of Jesus in the book of John. Jesus states that he is the true vine. This is imagery that would have resonated with his listeners, but the implications here are so much greater than we might initially see. The only way for us to bear spiritual fruit is to be connected to our source, Jesus Christ. The title of this weekend’s message is “SUFFICIENT: TRUE VINE.”
This weekend, we reach the end of our series “MAN OF PROMISE.” We have seen God’s faithfulness to Abraham and Sarah through his calling them, establishing his covenant, and promising a child. In this message, we will examine Abraham’s infamous test in offering Isaac as a sacrifice. There is a much deeper truth to this narrative than merely a test of obedience. Abraham is able to glimpse the redemptive plan of God and understand better his part in it. The title of this weekend’s message is “MAN OF PROMISE: CONCLUSION.”
This weekend, we are focusing on Sarai giving her maidservant, Hagar, to Abram in a mistaken attempt to protect God’s promise. Sarai thought she was helping God but in reality, she had been deceived into thinking God’s plan was in jeopardy. The serpent was again attempting to thwart the arrival of the Man of Promise, but still, God made a way and protected his plan. The title of this weekend’s message is “MAN OF PROMISE: DECEIVED.”
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.”
OPERATION FORTIFY – 2 by Dr. Abidan and Nicole Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson, NC Introduction: How many planners do we have in this place? How many “pantsers” do we have in this place, people who “fly by the seat of their pants?” In life, you need both. If it’s all “plan plan plan,” then you lose the... Continue Reading →
This weekend, we are looking at the creation of the sun on the fourth day in Genesis 1. The sun is often something we take for granted, but life on earth wouldn’t exist without it. God set it exactly the right distance from earth and made it exactly the right temperature to sustain life for His creation. The title of this weekend’s message is “BRIGHTNESS.”
This weekend, we will begin a series of messages that examine Peter’s encouragement to his readers, asking them to be of one mind. Unity is especially important when living in exile. As believers, we must function in unity in order to be effective, but to do that, you and I must pursue the mind of Christ. The title of this weekend’s message is “ONE MIND.”
This weekend, we will take a look at how Jesus’ birth was perceived by the religious leaders of His day. They were used to being in power and navigating the political climate of that day for their benefit. However, the coming of Jesus radically changed their way of life. The title of this weekend’s message is “GREATER THAN RELIGION.”
This weekend, as we near the election, we will be looking at critical issues that should impact the way we think and act. We should not be conformed to this world, but we are called to shape culture and push back against the darkness around us. The title of this weekend’s message is “DUAL CITIZEN.”
This weekend, we continue our study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Paul reminds the believers that the church is essential because it is intended to reveal the wisdom of who God is to the world. We are called to proclaim and make known the character of God and His plan for the world. The title of this weekend’s message is “UNSEARCHABLE.”
This weekend, we will be turning our attention to the parable of the two debtors. Through this parable, Jesus illustrates God’s mercy and the people’s misunderstanding of forgiveness. There are two individuals who respond very differently according to the size of their respective debts. The title of this weekend’s message is “FORGIVEN.”
This weekend, we are taking a look at one of the most iconic parables in Scripture: the parable of the prodigal son. Typically, people focus on the son who loses his way and squanders his inheritance, but there are two sons in this story. Each son communicates important truths that should give us pause and cause us to examine our hearts. The title of this weekend’s message is “PRODIGAL.”
DIVISIVE MIND by Pastor Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson, NC Introduction: One of my favorite episodes on the Andy Griffith Show is the one where Andy plays the marriage counsellor. Fred Boone and his wife Jennie are some of the nicest people in Mayberry but they have one problem – they can’t get along with each other.... Continue Reading →
LIKE-MINDED by Pastor Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson Introduction: Few years ago, we were at a family camp in Bryson City and one of the outdoor activities was canoeing. Nicole and I got into this two-person canoe. She had plenty of experience from her days as a camp counsellor in Texas. I had very little experience and I kept paddling in the wrong... Continue Reading →
UNITED by Pastor Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson Introduction: Have any of ya’ll ever walked into an establishment like a restaurant where the waiters or waitresses didn’t get along? The meal was good but the atmosphere gave you a heartburn! Have any of you ever been to someone’s house where the family members didn’t get along? The house... Continue Reading →
Something is wrong when people live in a perpetual state of “I want to get away from here.” In this kind of thinking, people are unhappy and disgruntled with where they live and/or work.
CHANGING SEASONS OF A MARRIAGE (Article) by Abidan Paul Shah (Published in the newspaper Daily Dispatch, Henderson on February 3, 2018) Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To everything there is a season…” We all have our favorite seasons.... Continue Reading →
My last article, “How To Handle Toxic People,” drew more responses than any of my pervious articles! Evidently, it touched a nerve and God used it to meet a real need. Thank you for all the words of appreciation! Some of you raised a question that I feel the answer may benefit others as well – “Daily we go through minor toxic encounters that leave us feeling upset to one degree or another. Does that mean that for each of those incidents we have to go through the same process of praying for 20 days until we are free of the toxin?” Of course not. Toxic people and minor toxic encounters are two different things. The first are individuals who perpetually cause us to feel miserable and the second are chance happenings that inject just enough toxin in us to ruin our spirit. Although the latter are not as harmful as the former, don’t assume that they are completely harmless. If left untreated, those emotional fender-benders can cause us to ruin others’ spirits as well. Let me explain below.
Have you ever been a victim of a toxic person? Let me share with you how to handle them.
In this message we will focus on the line – “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” This is by far the most important message in this series. Our world is in desperate need of heavy doses of forgiveness. We need both to receive forgiveness and give forgiveness. Furthermore, human forgiveness is inextricably linked with divine forgiveness.
This message is easier preached than practiced! I am not referring to the simplistic “I’m sorry.” I am thinking about deep pains and hurts that cannot be voiced or explained. Such are the ones that deserve to be forgiven. Such are the ones that God in Christ has forgiven in us.