Inside Out: Growing Pains by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will turn our attention to the kids and teenagers in our lives. The Christian life is not only about us making it through difficult times. We are to help those around us as well. This is never truer than with the young minds that God has entrusted to us. Our next installment in this series is titled “INSIDE OUT: GROWING PAINS.”
Death Dethroned by Abidan Shah, PhD
As we begin our series this weekend, we will look at ancient Egyptian culture and customs regarding death and the afterlife compared to what Scripture teaches. God’s Word reminds us that death is not a natural part of life, but an enemy to be defeated. As we approach Easter, we will learn what it means that Christ was victorious over death and the implications for our daily lives. This weekend’s message is the introduction to our series “DEATH DETHRONED.”
Tracking: Target by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will examine the end of Peter’s list of characteristics to track as you grow closer to God. It is no coincidence that the list ends with love. While we might know that love is important in the Christian life, we likely do not realize the role it has to play in spiritual discipline. What is the significance of these different traits all leading to love? We will find out in this weekend’s message titled “TRACKING: TARGET”.
Tracking: Level Three by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we come to the conclusion of Peter’s list of components of our spiritual life. Peter lists these characteristics as markers of God working in our lives, evidence of the Holy Spirit refining us and making us more like Christ. The question is: will we allow this process or fight against it? So many times, we are tempted to resist God’s prompting and do our own thing, but God has called us to a life of obedience. This weekend’s message is titled “TRACKING LEVEL THREE”.
Furnish by Dr. Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will continue our study of 2 Peter as he lays out for his readers the process of sanctification. Often, we are just haphazardly making it through the Christian life, trying anything we think will work and will bring us closer to God. What we don’t realize is that the things we are trying to force to work in our favor actually end up hurting us. We must allow God to refine us and remind us that Christ is the one who will help us navigate life. The title of this weekend’s message is “FURNISH”.
Table of Nations: Conclusion by Abidan Shah Ph.D.
We have been in our series titled “TABLE OF NATIONS” as we have examined the genealogies of God’s people through the Old Testament. On every page of history, God has been in control. These genealogies ultimately point us to Christ, the promised Messiah and savior of the world. The genealogies of Jesus present in the gospels show God’s providence throughout the ages and remind us that God is in control of our lives. The title of this weekend’s message is “TABLE OF NATIONS: CONCLUSION.”
Table of Nations: Part 4 by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we come to the conclusion of our series. As we have seen, God’s hand has been on the lives of his people throughout Scripture. We will be following the descendants of Shem, Noah’s son, and will see how God guided the events of history leading toward the birth of Jesus. Since before the foundation of the world, God has been working to bring salvation to mankind through his son, Jesus. The title of this weekend’s message is “TABLE OF NATIONS PART 4”.
Table of Nations: Part 3 by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will continue to examine the generations that followed Noah and their movement through the ancient world. One figure loomed large during that time in history: Nimrod. His desire for power and conquest made him a notable figure in his day. Despite his military prowess, his reign ended, and his influence along with it. Christ, however, still reigns eternally! The title of this weekend’s message is “TABLE OF NATIONS PART 3.”
Table of Nations: Part 2 by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are continuing to look at the Table of Nations. God’s people did not stay stationary but migrated. As they moved, they carried the message of hope and salvation with them as they went. God continued to work through the nation of Israel throughout history leading up to the coming of Christ and beyond. How does this impact the way we see Christmas? The title of this weekend’s message is “TABLE OF NATIONS PART 2.”
Knowledge by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we turn our attention to the Table of Nations. Throughout Scripture, it is clear that ancient nations and peoples knew about the God of the Bible. In time, however, these nations forgot or at times chose to forget. Where did this knowledge come from and how did it fade from their memory? What are the implications for our understanding of the Bible? The title of this weekend’s message is “KNOWLEDGE”.
Blessed: Part 2 by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will turn our attention to the blessing of parenting. We know what it means to be a parent, but what does it truly look like to parent in a way that points our children to Christ? This message applies to all of us whether you are parents or not. God has entrusted children to us to lead, guide, and help shape into the people he would have them to be. What greater calling is there? The title of this weekend’s message is “BLESSED PART 2.”
Blessed by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, I want to begin a very special series focusing on the blessing of family. One of the most profound gifts of God mentioned in Scripture is that of a family. After Noah and his family came out of the ark, God commanded them to go forth and repopulate the earth. Engaging in building and nurturing our families is an act of obedience to God. The title of this weekend’s message is “BLESSED.”
Keeping Cool: Part 2 by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are setting our sights on the ice age. Science describes it to us, but how should we think about the ice age in light of Scripture? We learned last weekend that the Bible does in fact talk about the ice age, but how can we accurately see this event through the lens of our faith? The title of this weekend’s message is “KEEPING COOL PART 2”.
Keeping Cool by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will be looking at the concept of the ice age. People often raise this as a question of biblical validity, saying that the Bible doesn’t speak about the ice age at all. Not only does the Bible talk about the ice age, but it gives us the proper framework for understanding history in light of the biblical account. The title of this weekend’s message is “KEEPING COOL”.
Circles by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will turn our attention to the story of Job. A familiar one in Scripture, Job experienced profound loss and tragedy, leaving him in a state of mourning. However, Job did not suffer alone but was visited by his three friends who stayed with him in his grief. We are called to live life alongside one another, helping each other through both good and bad times. Small groups are one way to do that and are an important part of church life here at Clearview. The title of this weekend’s message is “CIRCLES”.
Church Autopsy (Article)
Recently, my wife, Nicole, and I went on a tour of the historical sites in Turkey. Although the entire trip was amazing, my favorite places were the cities in the Aegean region, especially the seven cities to whom Jesus sent
Cities of Refuge by Abidan Shah, PhD
In Joshua’s day, God commanded the Israelites to establish places where people could go who were in trouble or needed help. These cities served as beacons to those who would run into them and find refuge and solace. Church, small groups, and Christian connection should function the same way. This is especially true for small groups. They have a unique ability to uplift and edify believers while connecting them to the church. The title of this weekend’s message is “Cities of Refuge.”
Reasoning by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, I want to focus on our mind, specifically our thoughts. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he spent a great deal of time talking about the mind and how to bring thoughts under control. Our minds often threaten to run away from us. What would it take to glorify God and focus on him with our very thoughts? The title of this weekend’s message is titled “REASONING”.
Intercede by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will be diving into the subject of prayer. We will learn some common misconceptions about prayer and take a look at what the Bible says our prayer lives ought to look like. Prayer is a vital part of our spiritual health and if neglected, can produce some harsh consequences. The title of this weekend’s message is “INTERCEDE.”
Church-Autopsy: Earshot by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are celebrating communion together. This is a family meal, reminding us of what Christ has done and who we are in him. The churches in Revelation missed this principle. Communion unifies us and refocuses us on the truth of the gospel. We cannot afford to misunderstand or misrepresent the Lord’s Supper and risk going the way of those seven churches. The title of this weekend’s message is “CHURCH-AUTOPSY: EARSHOT.”