Death Dethroned: Heaven by Abidan Shah, PhD
For this Easter weekend, it is fitting that we turn our attention to heaven. There are many misconceptions about heaven, with some people even taking Bible verses out of context or misinterpreting them. We have already learned about the bodily resurrection coming one day, but where will those bodies go and what will it be like there? We will answer these questions and more in this final message of our series.
Death Dethroned: Hell by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are setting our sights on eternity. We have talked about the promise of our resurrection one day. However, there is also a coming judgment. Those who are not believers will enter a terrible fate of torment and separation from God. There are those who would downplay or disagree with it, but the Bible is clear that hell is a real place and a real consequence of rejecting salvation. This weekend will help answer some serious questions and help us articulate the gospel to our friends and family members.
Death Dethroned: Intermediate by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will be taking a look at what happens after we die, specifically where we will go. What happens when we die? Do souls go to heaven or hell, or is there somewhere else that is a precursor to our eternal destination? We will answer these questions and more in this weekend’s message titled “DEATH DETHRONED: INTERMEDIATE.”
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”.
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”.
Unchecked by Abidan Shah, PhD
As we begin this series, we need to understand the importance of a balanced growing spiritual life. Many of us, if we are honest, are simply hoping for the best in our relationship with God. We go to church and maybe even serve on a ministry team, but through the week our spiritual lives are left to chance or simply hoping for the best. Or worse, we live however we want throughout the week and try to clean up for church. This weekend, we will understand the dangers of a spiritual life that is “UNCHECKED.”
Fulfill by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will continue to study this passage where Paul is describing the great mystery of the connection between Christ and the church. Paul’s use of the words “flesh and bone” points to other passages of Scripture from both the Old and New Testaments. This language shows how God always keeps his promises at the right time and how the Bible is one, unbroken story. The title of this weekend’s message is “FULFILL”.
Gaining Christ (Article)
GAINING CHRIST (Article) by Abidan Shah, Ph.D (Published in the newspaper Daily Dispatch, Henderson on October 20, 2023) In this season of my life, God has been teaching me a very important but difficult lesson: “It’s easy to give up the evil for Jesus, but it’s much harder to give up the good.” In other […]
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.”
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”.
Devoted by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, I want to preach a message on serving in spite of trials. Throughout Scripture, we are met with examples of men and women who continued in faithful service in the face of adversity, one of the most notable examples being Paul in his journeys. With our ministry expo this weekend, we have the opportunity to display the same obedience in our lives. The title of this weekend’s message is “DEVOTED”.
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.”
Church-Autopsy: Paralyzed by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are examining the sixth church in the book of Revelation: Philadelphia. The church was doing many things well but was locked in fear and failed to take opportunities that God presented them. Fear can blind us to God’s plan and prevent us from stepping out in obedience. That was true for the church in Philadelphia; is it true for you as well? The title of this weekend’s message is “CHURCH-AUTOPSY: PARALYZED.”
Church-Autopsy: Death’s Door by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are examining the fifth church in the book of Revelation: Sardis. At the time of Revelation, Sardis had gone the way of many churches today. They had a positive reputation but, they were spiritually dead. They were warned to wake up or be snuffed out completely. This is the case for many of our churches today. We, like Sardis, need to wake up and return to God! The title of this weekend’s message is “CHURCH-AUTOPSY: DEATH’S DOOR.”
Church-Autopsy: Heartsick by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are looking at the church in Ephesus. Jesus brings a serious charge against them: they have lost their first love. They were checking all the right boxes but for all the wrong reasons. The problem for them wasn’t an external behavior but an internal reality. The title of this weekend’s message is “CHURCH-AUTOPSY: HEARTSICK”.
Delight by Abidan Shah, PhD
In light of Mother’s Day, I want to preach a special message not just for moms, but for all parents. Children are God’s gift to us and as parents, we have such a precious few years to impact them. At times, parenting can be overwhelming, confusing, or even frustrating. However, God’s Word helps us not only lead our children, but count it a privilege to do so. The title of this weekend’s message is “DELIGHT.”
Anastasis: Moral Order by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will continue through our series on the resurrection. It is much more than just a past truth or a future reality. The resurrection has implications for our life now. It changes the way we approach life and our understanding of God’s plan. The resurrection is not just about us one day. It’s a life-changing truth for today! The title of this weekend’s message is “ANASTASIS: MORAL ORDER”.