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”.
Tracking: Level 1 by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are going to shift gears a little in our series. We must understand that we also have a role to play in the process of sanctification. Christ does the work, but what is our part? We must take inventory of our spiritual lives, ensuring that we are developing Christlike characteristics. Without monitoring these things, we will be aimless in our spiritual lives. We will examine the first two items on Peter’s list in this weekend’s message titled “TRACKING LEVEL ONE”.
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”.
Partakers by Abidan Shah, PhD
Last weekend, I began a new series titled “ON TRACK” that will help us grow in our spiritual disciplines. We learned that unchecked desires lead to a life that is off track. This weekend as we celebrate communion together, we will learn what it means to have the nature of Christ. We are human, and yet if we are believers the Bible says that we share in the divine nature. What does that mean? We’ll uncover that and more this weekend in our message titled “PARTAKERS”.
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.”
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.”
Table of Nations: Part 1 by Abidan Shah PhD
This weekend, we will be looking at what is known as the Table of Nations. These are the generations following Noah and his sons. These people groups dispersed throughout the land and settled into the nations that are present in the accounts of Scripture. What role did these people play in God’s grand story of redemption and the coming of the Messiah? The title of this weekend is “TABLE OF NATIONS PART 1”.
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”.
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”.
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.”
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”.
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.”
Church-Autopsy: Nauseous by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are examining the seventh and final church in the book of Revelation: Laodicea. Of all the churches, this one is the most well-known, likely because of the language used. The church is called “lukewarm” and Jesus says he will vomit them out of his mouth. What does it mean to be lukewarm and what is the message for us today? The title of this weekend’s message is “CHURCH-AUTOPSY: NAUSEOUS.”
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.”